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BARCELONA, Spain -- Second-seeded David Ferrer was ousted from the Barcelona Open by a Russian opponent for the second straight year and defending champion Rafael Nadal laboured to victory on Wednesday. Gio Gonzalez Authentic Jersey . Ferrer was unable to find his rhythm in losing 6-4, 6-2 to Teymuraz Gabashvili in his opening match while Nadal struggled past fellow Spanish player Albert Ramos 7-6 (2), 6-4. Nadal eventually overcame his 103rd-ranked opponent to reach the third round, rebounding from a surprise loss to Ferrer in the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals. "After losing in the Monte Carlo I wanted to raise my game here," Nadal said. "It just took a while." Eight-time winner Nadal was made to work against the stubborn Ramos, who broke back in the 11th game to force the first-set tiebreaker. Nadal eventually came out on the winning end of a long rally of baseline shots for a 4-2 lead as he went on to take the set. Nadal was steadier after that but still could not shake Ramos. He sealed it after a quick talk with the tournament doctor by breaking his fellow left-hander to win the match. "I had to accept that I was going to be made to work today, that I was not playing at my best level," Nadal said. "But I got through it." Nadal will face Ivan Dodig next after the Croatian dismissed Feliciano Lopez of Spain 6-1, 6-4. Ferrer, meanwhile, will not be facing Nadal in the final for a fifth time after the 55th-ranked Gabashvili dominated Ferrer on his favoured clay to reach the last 16. Gabashvili kept Ferrer running to the corners, and the fifth-ranked Spaniard was surprisingly unable to keep up with shots he normally returns, looking fatigued at times. Ferrer netted to give his opponent a triple set-point opportunity to close out the first frame, which Gabashvili did by smashing a crosscourt forehand Ferrer couldnt handle. Gabashvili maintained his play from the start of the second set to race to 3-0 when Ferrer skied his return high and into the crowd. Ferrer, who lost at this same stage last season to Dmitry Tursunov, slapped a crosscourt forehand long for Gabashvili to clinch it. "Three weeks ago I lost to Ferrer in Miami but I dominated that first set. Today, I wanted to maintain my energy and keep it going, which I did for (90) minutes, but any more and it might have been tougher to win," Gabashvili said after winning for the first time on the third try against Ferrer. Ferrer wasnt the only significant player to exit early as third-seeded Fabio Fognini retired to injury while losing 6-0, 4-0 to Santiago Giraldo of Colombia. Eighth-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov of Ukraine was also ousted by Spanish player Albert Montanes 7-6 (5), 6-3. Other second-round winners included sixth-seeded Nicolas Almagro and fellow Spaniard Albert Montanes. Jordan Zimmermann Authentic Jersey . Grabner scored on a breakaway 3:53 into overtime as the Islanders defeated the Winnipeg Jets 3-2 on Tuesday. Gio Gonzalez Jersey . Davis set career highs with 40 points and 21 rebounds, and Eric Gordon made two crucial free throws in overtime to lead the Pelicans to a 121-120 overtime victory over the Boston Celtics on Sunday night.TORONTO -- Tyler Bozak is anxious to get back into the Toronto Maple Leafs lineup after missing almost a month with a hamstring injury. But that doesnt mean hes making any promises about playing Saturday against the Washington Capitals. Bozak was one of just three players to skate Friday and said he was fine despite leaving the ice earlier than Mark Fraser and Frazer McLaren. "Its all good, just a little bit of a hard skate," Bozak said Friday. "Its needed, and hopefully Ill feel good tomorrow morning and go from there." Bozak has missed 11 straight games dating back to the Leafs game at the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 25. He has been nearing a return all week, but theres no guarantee hell play against Washington. He said hes not going to rush back if the hamstring doesnt feel right. "You want to get back out there but at the same time, its a long season," Bozak said. "Theres a ton of hockey still to be played, so you dont want to push yourself and tweak something or get hurt again or even just not be able to play to your ability and hold the team back a little bit." The plan was for Bozak to get treatment Friday night and then again Saturday morning. "Hopeefully it all works well," the centre said. Bryce Harper Jersey. Roommate, friend and regular linemate Phil Kessel has been asking Bozak "quite a bit" when hell be back. In Bozaks absence, Kessel has played on a line centred by Nazem Kadri, James van Riemsdyk and, most recently, Peter Holland. Still, Bozak said Kessel doesnt want him to come back too soon. And theres a need for some self-restraint, too, given that hamstring injuries can linger. "The hamstring you use quite a bit in this sport," Bozak said. "Whatever you do, its probably something thats going to nag for a little bit so I want to get most of it healed up before I try to do too much strenuous activity." NOTES -- The Leafs did dry-land workouts Friday, the morning after losing 4-2 to the Nashville Predators. Coach Randy Carlyle wondered after the game if he and the coaching staff pushed players too hard in practices or morning skates and said its their job to monitor fatigue. Carlyle did not address the media Friday. ... Toronto signed forward Connor Brown to a three-year, entry-level contract. The 2012 sixth-round pick leads the OHL in points with 46 while playing for the Erie Otters. cheap nfl jerseys cheap jerseys ' ' ' |
