Archiv » top 10 of the world tennis rankings on Monday

TOKYO -- Kei Nishikori became the first Japanese man to break into the top 10 of the world tennis rankings on Monday. Nishikori, who is No. 9, was assured of a place in the top 10 after beating Feliciano Lopez 6-4, 6-4 in the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open. "It was a big goal for me to get top 10, but its just only one week for now," Nishikori said on the ATP website. "So I have to keep playing better tennis and keep this ranking. My goal is not to get one time into the top 10. Hopefully I can keep this ranking." The 24-year-old Nishikori beat David Ferrer 7-6 (5), 5-7, 6-3 in the semifinals in Madrid before retiring from Sundays final with a hip injury when trailing Rafael Nadal 2-6, 6-4, 3-0. Nishikori, who went into the Madrid Open at No. 12, had previously reached a career-high of No. 11 in June 2013. The Japanese player beat Santiago Giraldo 6-2, 6-2 to win the Barcelona Open on April 27 for his fifth career title and his second of the year. Nishikori becomes the first Asian to rank inside the top 10 since Paradorn Srichaphan of Thailand did so on March 29, 2004. Jason Heyward Jersey . The Cubs made the moves before Thursdays game against Arizona. They promoted left-hander Zac Rosscup and right-hander Neil Ramirez from Triple-A Iowa and optioned righty Blake Parker to their top minor league team. Carlos Zambrano Jersey .C. United on Saturday night and boost the Unions playoff hopes. Nick DeLeon scored in the 36th minute for United (3-23-6), which had ample opportunities to build on its lead but went its 10th straight match without a victory. http://www.cubsauthentic.com/customized/ . The Asheville, N.C. native, who signed as a free agent with the CFL club last May, didnt see any action with Edmonton this season after opening the year on the injured list. Fergie Jenkins Jersey . The 27-year-old hit .209 in 86 at-bats last year after missing the 2010 season following surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder. Mark Grace Jersey .Ryan Anderson had 14 points for the Pelicans, who trailed 78-63 after three periods before trimming the deficit to 86-83. Jrue Holiday had 13 points and Eric Gordon added 12 for New Orleans.Mike Scott and Jeff Teague each had 11 points for Atlanta.The importance of Saturdays home match against the Portland Timbers cannot be overstated. It may fall short of must-win, but not by much. Six games to go and a three-point gap stand in the way of Toronto FC and a playoff spot. They are on the outside looking in. The good news is they are within arms reach with plenty of promise in their hunt for points. The outlook is beginning to look much brighter for Toronto. The team is as healthy and fit as it has been all season. Continuity is building. Star striker Jermain Defoe is on the verge of returning. And difficult matches lay ahead for Torontos competitors for playoff spots. On top of it all, Toronto FC has a game in hand on the competition. Giving head Coach Greg Vanney his first managerial victory, a convincing 3-0 win over Chivas USA last Sunday was the first step. Using the performance as a springboard to bigger and better things is next on the agenda. Here are my Five Thoughts ahead of the massive Toronto FC-Portland Timbers match-up on Saturday (1pm ET). 1) Jackson leaves a hole a€“ It was arguably the Brazilians best match of the season before getting sent off against Chivas. He had scored a goal, was taking on opponents on the dribble at will, and using his physical presence to cause all kinds of problems in the back-line. It was a Man of the Match type performance until he lost composure after not getting a call late in the proceedings. Jackson recklessly dove at the legs of Nigel Reo-Coker: a leg-breaking type challenge Reo-Coker rightfully took exception to. Both players were sent off, Jackson suspended and now Vanney is left to fill the right midfield hole with another option. Its the kind of selfishness from a player that will drive a coach crazy. Moving forward without Jackson is no easy task. There is no ready-made replacement for the versatile Brazilian. Dominic Oduro seems the logical stand-in, but with so much firepower in Portlands team, Vanney may be better off turning to a more defensive minded option. If that is the case, Warren Creavalle is a fit. Defensive shape and structure is priority, especially considering the good run of form Gilberto and Luke Moore are having upfront. The move putting Jonathan Osorio in central-midfield (finally) makes for more fluidity in attack. So Id turn to Creavalle on the right side, leaving Oduro on the bench, having the option to bring on the speedster late in the match to change the tempo. 2) Gilberto warning a€“ Player interviews the day before matches typically dont reveal true talking points. That theory held true Friday until a somewhat awkward exchange with Gilberto when asked about the return of Defoe. Toronto FCs top scorer is targeting a return to game action next week in Los Angeles, likely sending one of Moore or Gilberto back to the bench. After giving a quizzical look to the question that was asked, Gilberto came to the defence of the current attack partnership. Our strikers have been playing well, Luke (Moore) has been playing well since Defoes been gone, for about four to six weeks, he said through an interpreter. So its kind of like Defoe has to win his spot back on the team because our strikers are playing really well now. Weve got other guys that are training really hard and fighting and Defoes got to start training hard now and working to get back into game shape. There is always worry some of what is said is lost in translation. But it was clear the Brazilian didnt take well to the question. Gilbertos words shouldnt be taken as being controversial, rather from a place of pride in a player who is intent on continuing his progress in MLS. Gilberto also spoke Friday of his growing confidence and comfort in the league. Five goals in his last nine games (should be six) speak to his growth. It is admirable Gilberto believes players must fight for their place in the team, no matter who they are. Look for both Toronto FC strikers to be further motivated Saturdayy to prove their worth, making Vanneys decision that much more difficult when Defoe is deemed fit.dddddddddddd Unfortunately for Gilberto and Moore, one will surely sit in favour of the big money, big-time goal-scorer who has the ability to change a game like few in MLS. 3) Captain Caldwell a€“ Its no coincidence Toronto kept their first clean sheet in eight games with Steven Caldwell leading the line last weekend. Goalkeeper Joe Bendik acknowledged as much, speaking of superior communication and organization. Caldwell (quad) has played two games in Toronto FCs last 13. Toronto only won two games with Caldwell out. Its a cautionary tale for MLS teams: have requisite veteran experience across the back-line or pay the consequences. Toronto FC rolled with a 21-year old Doneil Henry and 22-year old rookie Nick Hagglund in his absence. Both players did what they could, but with all the changes at the back, including Justin Morrow out through injury, the task proved to be too much, too soon for the young defenders. The experienced presence of Caldwell was desperately missed. Tim Bezbatchenko tried to acquire a veteran defender to no avail before the MLS roster freeze. It can be argued Toronto FC would be in a preferable position in the table had Caldwell remained in the team or Toronto FC had requisite veteran depth at the all-important position. 4) Terrific Timbers a€“ Its been a busy and fruitful week for Portland. A 6-0 win in the CONCACAF Champions League Tuesday on the surface seems a distraction heading into the all-important trip to Toronto. In fairness, the match shouldnt be a decisive factor, with head coach Caleb Porter resting his regulars for the game. Still, the teams midweek commitment and cross-continent travel is never easy, especially for a 1pm ET kick-off for a west-coast team. That being said, the Timbers are a strong side, coming off a thorough 3-0 dismantling of the Vancouver Whitecaps last weekend, leapfrogging their Cascadia rival in the standings. Portland now has a two-point cushion over Vancouver for the fifth and final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Sitting nine points back of FC Dallas for fourth place and eight points up on seventh place Colorado, its basically a battle between Portland and Vancouver for the final playoff spot. Needless to say, Saturday is huge for the visitors. The player to watch is Diego Valeri, the leading candidate for MLS MVP. He has been that good. The 2013 MLS Newcomer of the Year won MLS Goal of the Week for his picture perfect volley against Vancouver, adding to his impressive nine goals and 14 assists (2nd in MLS) on the season. The 28-year old Argentine may be the best of the bunch on the team, but Portland has a squad full of top MLS talent. Nigerian newcomer Fanendo Adi and former Toronto FC striker Maximillano Urruti have combined for 17 goals. Canadian International Will Johnson is team captain, providing added quality and work-rate in the middle of the park. Portlands true weakness is at the back, conceding 48 goals on the season, the worst rate among teams in playoff spots. 5) Getting to BMO Field a€“ WARNING: Leave early if youre heading down for the match. The Gardiner Expressway is closed all weekend from the 427 to Carlaw. It will be gridlock at its worst and a traffic nightmare. Go Train or other transit is preferable. Head to Liberty Village early and grab a bite and a beverage. Its worth avoiding the headache and the team needs support with bodies in the crowd from the opening whistle. Parking will be a nightmare as well, with Road Hockey to Conquer Cancer to benefit Princess Margaret Hospital is going on all day at Ontario Place. Toronto FC is acting accordingly, staying in a downtown hotel tonight rather than their own beds. You can listen to Toronto FC v. Portland Timbers on TSN 1050 Radio (pre-match at 1230pm) and watch on TSN1, TSN4 and TSN5. @WheelerTSN gareth.wheeler@bellmedia.ca Cheap Buffalo Sabres Gear Wholesale Calgary Flames Jerseys Cheap Adidas Colorado Avalanche Jerseys Montreal Canadiens Outlet Store Wholesale New Jersey Devils Jerseys Adidas Arizona Coyotes Jerseys Cheap Adidas Boston Bruins Jerseys Cheap Adidas Carolina Hurricanes Jerseys Chicago Blackhawks Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Columbus Blue Jackets Jerseys Dallas Stars Shop Free Shipping Cheap Adidas Detroit Red Wings Jerseys Anaheim Ducks Jerseys China Wholesale Edmonton Oilers Jerseys Florida Panthers Shop Free Shipping Wholesale Los Angeles Kings Jerseys Minnesota Wild Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Nashville Predators Jerseys Cheap Adidas New York Islanders Jerseys New York Rangers Winter Classic Jerseys Cheap Adidas Ottawa Senators Jerseys Cheap Adidas Philadelphia Flyers Jerseys Wholesale Pittsburgh Penguins Jerseys Cheap Adidas San Jose Sharks Jerseys St. Louis Blues Winter Classic Jerseys Wholesale Tampa Bay Lightning Jerseys Toronto Maple Leafs Outlet Store Vancouver Canucks Outlet Store Cheap Adidas Vegas Golden Knights Jerseys Cheap Adidas Washington Capitals Jerseys Cheap Adidas Winnipeg Jets Jerseys ' ' '