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MELBOURNE, Australia -- Even in a Grand Slam as unpredictable as this years Australian Open, the names in the womens semifinals may still prompt head-scratching among casual followers of tennis. Deion Sanders Black Jersey . With the three biggest stars of the womens game falling one by one -- top-seeded Serena Williams, followed by Maria Sharapova and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka -- the door has opened for a first-time winner at Melbourne Park. Only fourth-seeded Li Na has won a Grand Slam before -- the 2011 French Open. Fifth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland was the 2012 Wimbledon finalist, but had never been beyond the quarters in Melbourne until she chipped, lobbed and sliced Azarenka off the court in a remarkable display of shot-making on Wednesday. Dominika Cibulkova, a diminutive Slovakian who dispatched Sharapova in the fourth round, has made just one Grand Slam semifinal before, while 19-year-old Eugenie Bouchard is a only playing her fourth major -- she didnt even make it out of qualifying at last years Australian Open. With such a golden opportunity for one of the four to now break through and capture a major, the deciding factor in the semifinals may be who can best handle the pressure. "Of course, a couple seeded (players) are out. Doesnt mean its going to be easier and you have a title right away," Radwanska said. "Its a bit more pressure. This is the semifinal of a Grand Slam." Radwanska should know. The draw opened up similarly at Wimbledon last year when Williams and Sharapova were upset early and Azarenka pulled out with an injury, leaving the Polish player as the highest remaining seed and the favourite to capture her first major. Radwanska, however, crumpled in the semifinals against Sabine Lisicki, blowing a 3-0 lead in the third set. She said its natural to feel nervous in these situations. "I think in the beginning of the match its always a little bit tough, especially its the first semifinal," she said. "But hopefully after few games Im going to be myself and play my best tennis." Radwanska faces Cibulkova in the semis -- a player shes beaten four times in five matches, including a 6-0, 6-0 drubbing in the Sydney International final last year. Cibulkova knows she doesnt have a great record against Radwanska, but she takes inspiration from Stanislas Wawrinkas upset of four-time mens champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals after 14 consecutive losses to the Serb. "You just want to prove it to yourself that you can do it, and thats what (Wawrinka) did," Cibulkova said. Li, a two-time finalist at the Australian Open, has the most experience of any of the semifinalists playing in the latter stages of slams, but shes also been susceptible to buckling under pressure. Li was up a set in the finals here against Kim Clijsters in 2011 and Azarenka in 2013, only to falter both times. She also nervously wasted four match points in a fourth-round loss to Clijsters in 2012, breaking down in tears afterward. The Chinese star was almost out of this years tournament, as well, saving a match point against Lucie Safarova in the third round. Since then, however, shes appeared more focused on court, dropping just six games in her last two matches. The wild card is Bouchard. Li, who will be 32 next month, is 12 years older than the Canadian and has won their only previous meeting, but Bouchard is a rising talent with nothing to lose. She likes her chances in a tournament as topsy-turvy as this one. "I think some players can still lose on any given day and it still makes it extremely interesting," she said. "Im feeling confident and just excited to play." Paul Worrilow Red Jersey . -- It wouldnt bother Zack Greinke if he didnt have to travel for the Los Angeles Dodgers opener against Arizona in Australia. Jacquizz Rodgers Black Jersey . -- Michael Bennett gambled last off-season that playing on a one-year deal in Seattle would pay off in the future with the long-term contract he always wanted.OTTAWA -- Johan Franzen has no explanation for his success in Ottawa, but cant deny he definitely enjoys playing in the nations capital. The Detroit Red Wings winger was at his best once again scoring three goals in a 6-1 win over the Ottawa Senators Thursday night. Franzen, who returned to the Red Wings lineup Wednesday after playing just one of the past 24 games due to a concussion, has previously enjoyed success against the Senators. In February 2011, Franzen scored five goals against the Senators. "I like playing here," said Franzen. "We have Erik Karlsson on the other side and we grew up in the same little town so its always fun to play him. Its something special every time. Im just happy to keep him from the scoreboard. Its always fun to play him." Detroit coach Mike Babcock is pleased to see Franzen having success. "Hes an important player for us," said Babcock. "He has the ability, he has the touch. Lots of guys play real hard and cant score (Franzen) can score." It appears he also has the ability to get under his opponents skin. Ottawas Chris Neil went after Franzen late in the game and while nothing came of it Franzen was less than impressed. "He tried to hit me and he couldnt move me so I think he got a little upset," said Franzen. "I have no clue. He usually shows up when the game is over and tries to be the hero. He puts his cape on and goes and flies out there. I dont know." Riley Sheahan, Tomas Jurco and Tomas Tatar also scored for Detroit. Jonas Gustavsson stopped 37 shots. With the win the Red Wings (28-20-12) have a five-point lead over the Senators (26-23-11) for the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference standings. "Coming back from the break and you start 2-0 its way better than the opposite way," said Babcock. "We know were in a battle for our playoff life. We understand that so getting off to a good start is imperative." The Senators had little explanation for their performance. "Its an extremely disappointing loss," said Ottawa captain Jason Spezza. "We knew that it was a very important game for us and to lose it by that score is obviously not what we were looking for." Bobby Ryan scored the lone goal for the Senators, who were playing their first game since the Olympic break. Robin Lehner allowed six goals on 15 shots before Andrew Hammond made his NHL debut, stopping all nine shots he faced. Things fell apart for the Senators in a nine-minute span in the first period. Ryan had a goal called back after it was ruled that he kicked it in and then the Senators leading goal scorer missed two great chances on the power play. Things began to unravel after the Red Wings scored on consecutive shots. Ottawaas Cody Ceci gave the puck up deep in the Senators end as he made a no-look behind-the-back pass that landed right on the stick of Sheahan who ripped a shot past Lehner. Tony Gonzalez Jersey. Just 29 seconds later Franzen scored his first as he was left all alone to give Detroit a 2-0 lead. Franzen then made it 3-0 with a power-play goal as once again he was left alone, this time on the opposite side of the ice. Following the game Lehner could not hide his disappointment. "They got a few goals pretty fast and then it snowballed," said Lehner. "I think weve all got to do better in our zone and Ive got to do better. It was one of the most toughest games Ive played personally, but its over now. Theres not much to say." Detroit made it 4-0 on a delayed penalty call with two minutes remaining in the period. Niklas Kronwall, who finished with three assists, had a shot from just inside the blue-line deflected and ended up on Jurcos stick, who roofed it over Lehner. The 18,931 on hand at Canadian Tire Centre were so disappointed they booed the home team off the ice. Senators coach Paul MacLean had few words to explain his teams performance. "We played a lot better than the score maybe indicated, but the score is what it is and you cant change that," said MacLean. When asked who was the best player MacLean couldnt help but say "Johan Franzen I think. I think were all tied for the worst." Franzen completed his hat trick early in the second period. Ryan finally got the Senators on board at the four-minute mark of the second, but any celebration was short-lived as Detroit made it 6-1 as Tatar beat Lehner from in close. That marked the end of Lehners appearance, opening the door for Hammond to make his first NHL appearance. Craig Anderson was unavailable due to the birth of his second child. Despite the surprise appearance Hammond held his own and made a number of big saves. "Not letting anything in was a good start," said Hammond. "Any kid from Canada growing up playing hockey its their dream to play in the NHL and its pretty special for me to be one of those guys thats lucky enough now to say Ive played in the NHL. Its very special." This was the fourth and final meeting between the teams as they split the season series. Notes: D Patrick Wiercioch, D Joe Corvo and LW Matt Kassian were a healthy scratch for the Senatorsa RW Patrick Eaves, RW Todd Bertuzzi and RW Daniel Cleary were a healthy scratch for the Red Wingsa A number of Canadian Olympians were recognized prior to the game including Detroit head coach Mike Babcock and General Manager Ken Holland. Thursdays game marked Daniel Alfredssons second appearance at Canadian Tire Centre since signing with the Red Wings last summer. ' ' ' |
