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ROME -- Roger Federers decision to return to tennis a week after the birth of his second set of twins has the full support of his wife Mirka. Michael Egnew Womens Jersey . And dont expect his schedule to change much now that he has four kids. When the boys were born earlier than expected, Federer consulted with his wife and team about playing the Italian Open. "And they all said I should quickly come and play here. So I was like, OK, if you dont want me around Ill go away," Federer recounted Tuesday. "That was basically it. "Things went well, the boys are healthy. Mirkas good, too," the 17-time Grand Slam champion added. "So its a great time in our lives right now." The boys names are Leo and Lenny. "Boys names are hard. It was all last minute," Federer said. "Girls, I feel like theres so many nice names and theyre all cute but with boys its totally a different story. "I miss them a lot already and also the girls," the fourth-ranked Swiss player said. "Its a different type of week but Ill get through it and I hope I can still play some good tennis." The couples twin girls, Myla Rose and Charlene Riva, will turn 5 in July. "This time around, we kind of know how to handle kids on the road," the 32-year-old Federer said. "Im aware its going to be a lot of work but at the same time I know what Im getting into. So its something Im very much looking forward to. ... There will be a long time without any travelling after the tennis is over, so Im looking forward to the next couple of years now." Federer had a strong start to the clay-court season by reaching the final of the Monte Carlo Masters. The Italian Open is the last key warmup for the French Open, which starts in less than two weeks. "I expect a lot from myself but then after what happened I come here a bit more laid back, just enjoy it," Federer said. "Ive had such a good start to the season that I want to just keep momentum on my side. "I didnt want too big a break. And it doesnt matter whether I play five matches or one match here, as long as I stay with the pulse of things on tour. Of course I hope I can win my first-round match but at the moment I have totally different priorities." A three-time finalist in Rome, including last year, Federer opens Wednesday against 47th-ranked Jeremy Chardy of France. Brian Hartline Jersey .J. - Think of the Super Bowl and you think of excess: Big money, big parties, big crowds and an even bigger mess left behind when the circus leaves town. Damian Williams Dolphins Jersey . The 27-year-old from Calgary battled through the nagging injury to put together a consistent 2011-12 season that included nine top-30 World Cup finishes.The Chicago Blackhawks hope to avoid posting their longest losing streak in nearly two years on Sunday night as they begin a homestand against the Edmonton Oilers. The Blackhawks have matched a season high with three straight losses, going 0-1-2 since a win at New Jersey on Jan. 3. They did earn a point in last nights setback, falling 2-1 in overtime to the hosting Montreal Canadiens. Marian Hossa had a goal and Corey Crawford made 36 saves, giving up the game- winner at 1:28 of overtime. Crawford had come up with a couple of big saves early in the bonus frame, but could not handle Andrei Markovs blast from the left point that found room inside the far post. "There were stretches when we were getting favorable bounces," noted Chicago head coach Joel Quenneville. "We were playing the right way, but it just seems the last few games that we played loose and with little support on puck pressure." Chicago, set to play its next four at home, is looking to avoid its longest losing streak since a nine-game slide from Jan. 21-Feb. 14, 2012. It is unknown if Quenneville will turn to Crawford again tonight in an effort to get the netminder his first win since Nov. 29, or go with rookie backup Antti Raanta. Limited to just three games in December due to injury, Crawford is 0-3-3 in his last seven starts and has gone 4-5-0 with a 2.96 goals against average in 11 career games (7 starts) versus the Oilers. Jamar Taylor Jersey. The rookie Raanta has never faced Edmonton and has gone 11-1-3 with a 2.27 GAA in 16 games (14 starts) on the season. Chicago has beaten Edmonton twice already this season -- once at home and once on the road -- and has taken three straight and seven of the last 11 meetings. The Blackhawks won a 5-4 home decision over the Oilers on Nov. 10. Edmonton begins a four-game road trip tonight having won just twice in its last seven games. However, the Oilers most recent victory was a big one as they bested the Pittsburgh Penguins 4-3 in overtime on Friday. Ryan Nugent-Hopkins scored twice and had an assist, netting the winner 61 seconds into overtime. He one-timed a feed from Jordan Eberle to the right of the net on a power play for his 13th goal of the season. "A really nice pass from Eberle, backdoor and he left me with a lot of net to work with," Nugent-Hopkins said. Taylor Hall scored and defenseman Anton Belov netted his first career NHL goal and sixth career point, while Devan Dubnyk made 25 saves. Edmonton could start Ilya Bryzgalov tonight and he is 8-6-4 with a 2.55 GAA in 20 career games versus the Blackhawks, all but two of those starts. His Oilers debut came in relief at home on Nov. 25 versus Chicago and he stopped 12 of 13 shots faced in the clubs 5-1 setback. ' ' ' |
