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KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. - Maria Sharapova was happy to play an 11 a.m. match Monday, especially when her work day was already done by the time a mid-afternoon shower interrupted play. "Its nice to see all the players coming back in the locker room, and Im like, Ill see you later," she said. Sharapova started early but didnt start well. She won only five points in the first four games before settling down to reach the quarterfinals at the Sony Open by beating Kirsten Flipkens 3-6, 6-4, 6-1. The worlds top-ranked players had an easier time. Serena Williams eliminated fellow American CoCo Vandeweghe 6-3, 6-1. Rafael Nadal received a warning for slow play and still won in 59 minutes against Denis Istomin, 6-1, 6-0. Venus Williams lost her serve eight times and was beaten by No. 10 Dominika Cibulkova 6-1, 5-7, 6-3. Sharapova, meanwhile, endured her second successive ragged three-setter and found herself trailing 4-0 after only 15 minutes. "I usually like playing the first match, but I didnt start off the way I wanted to," she said. "Nothing was working." Seeded No. 4, Sharapova seemed thrown off by the lack of pace from Flipkens, a tour veteran who hits floating backhands and sometimes slices her forehand as well. "Shes a different type of opponent," Sharapova said. "There are not too many girls that hit a slice backhand 90 per cent of the time in the rallies. But I know what to expect from her game. It shouldnt be that much of a surprise." Sharapova finished with 36 unforced errors and only 13 winners. She also double-faulted 10 times. But she won — and was ready to leave Crandon Park before most matches had even begun. With the rest of the day free, what was on the schedule for one of the worlds most celebrated athletes? "Not much, actually," Sharapova said. "I like to have my afternoon tea around 5. Its like a Russian tradition. Ill see my dog, spend some time with him, then get treatment, dinner, and then the day is over." At the top of her to-do list for the rest of the week is winning her first Key Biscayne title. Sharapova has been the runner-up five times, including each of the past three years, but she downplays any frustration regarding her many near-misses. "Of course you want to be able to hold the winners trophy," she said. "But you also remember the matches that you got through to get in the position to get to the final stage. Its not like I didnt have my opportunities in those finals; I just didnt take them. Thats why you come back and hope for another chance." Williams seems to be gaining momentum as the tournament unfolds, as usual. She overcame sloppy patches in her first two matches and committed only one unforced error in the second set against Vandeweghe. But Williams was impressed with the 22-year-old American, and told her so when they met at the net after the match. "She said, Listen, you played so well. Weve got to play doubles. Wed do so well," Vandeweghe said. Williams next plays No. 5-seeded Angelique Kerber, who beat Ekaterina Makarova 6-4, 1-6, 6-3. No. 8 Petra Kvitova rallied past No. 12 Ana Ivanovic, who double-faulted nine times in the final two sets and lost 3-6, 6-0, 6-0. In mens third-round play, No. 10 seed John Isner, the only American to reach the mens third round, hit 17 aces and beat Nicolas Almagro 7-5, 6-3. No. 22-seeded Alexandr Dolgopolov rallied from a break down in the final set to beat Dusan Lajovic 3-6, 6-0, 7-6 (5). Dolgopolov has gone 6-1 this month despite his worries about unrest in his native Ukraine, where his mother and other relatives still live. "For me it was important it has calmed down and no people are dying," said Dolgopolov, who was born in Kyiv. "But theres a little bit of chaos still going on, and no one knows who is the ruling party and who is controlling the country. Its a mess." Jrue Holiday Jersey . At this rate, the Flyers captain is set to be remembered more for a fantastic finish. ETwaun Moore Jersey . Fellow Argentina forward Gonzalo Higuain also had a brace for Napoli. And Samuel Etoo scored for his fourth different team. On a night of standout individual performances Wednesday, Schalke goalkeeper Timo Hildebrand had a game hell want to forget. http://www.shoppelicansonline.com/Authentic-Anthony-Davis-Pelicans-Jersey/ . Torres tells Spanish daily AS "in football you never know where you will be inside one month. Im going to work hard, thats all you can do with this last part of the season so important. New Orleans Pelicans Jerseys .Kessy tried to show what he can do playing left wing for the Oilers in 5-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday in pre-season action. Jahlil Okafor Pelicans Jersey . Two-time Olympic bronze medallists Savchenko and Szolkowy received 79.02 points to finish ahead of world bronze medallists Meagan Duhamel and Eric Radford of Canada, who had 77.01 points.Toronto at Winnipeg Optimism is high in Winnipeg. A new head coach, new quarterback and new attitude to start the 2014 season. But I am not sure if they have the personnel yet to compete at the highest level consistently. And come Thursday Night, they do have to compete against a quarterback in Ricky Ray that completed 77 per cent of his passes last year and had a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 21-to-2. Drew Willy for Winnipeg is a complete unknown, so an immense advantage at quarterback for Toronto. Both teams are also unknown on defense. Can the Argos be dominate as a four man pass rush team, dropping eight into coverage? In Winnipeg, can Gary Etcheverry create game-changing pressure all night long or, through preparation, the Argo starting 12 be able to find opportunity all night long? Final point; there is also a special teams return advantage with Chad Owens over any returner in Winnipeg. The Bombers will have to play a near perfect game to win, while the Argos just need to stay calm in tough a atmosphere to win. Week 1, Game 1 - Argos over Bombers. Montreal at Calgary Both teams looked dreadful in their respective last exhibition games and normally I would not consider that an issue because they are exhibition games, But, Troy Smith was physically inaccurate with his passes and the combination of Drew Tate and Bo Levi Mitchell were no more efficient. Pure football logic says both teams will have better quarterback play working with the starters in preparation throughout the week and a repeat of last weeks performances should not happen. This one should be either a single touchdown win or even only a field goal, and I do like Calgary to create the win. Excellent special teams battle Saturday afternoon at McMahon Stadium. Larry Taylor, the former Stampeder on one side for Montreal, against Jock Sanders - the best free agent pick up of 2014, a former rider and presently a Stampeder. Calgary by no more than 6 -- maybe only 3. Edmonton at B.C. I think Edmonton may be a better team now then as the team back in October. Chris Jones ran aa tough training camp and as a first year head coach it always is.dddddddddddd To obtain early positive results, it should be. By the time Saturday turns into Sunday, we will get a much clearer picture of Eskimo football. Now, in BC Kevin Glen will be fine and even though they are young upfront, he should stay upright though the game. I really think the strength of BC will be the front seven on defense. Eric Taylor at one defensive tackle is underrated and Khalif Mitchell at the other with be effective. I think BC can make Edmonton one dimensional and create enough second and longs to win. Mike Reilly will be protected this year through design and personnel, but in a home opener, I like BC to win in the 4th. Lions over Eskimos. Hamilton at Saskatchewan The best game of Week 1, yet tough game for the Ticats to win in the opening week. I do not underestimate Hamilton. Last year, after five games they were 1-4 and by the end of the season had gone through 88 players and 57 different starters. Last year was about evaluating and molding and yet they made it to the Grey Cup. Kent Austin has a plan and you saw it develop as the season progressed. Last Thursday, seeing Zack Collaros was impressive. He has excellent in and out of pocket movement and is a thicker player than I thought - important because you know he will run. Hamilton will not start the season 1-4 this year and will not go through 88 players and 57 starters this year. But, I do think they will begin O-1. The single-biggest issue for Saskatchewan is who is the running back to replace Cory Sheets. That may not be decided until mid-season but they have to find one. Until the do, the strength of the Riders is a well-established offensive line and a winning quarterback that is coming off an excellent playoff run. Who will replace Kory Sheets, who will replace Weston Dressler and who will replace Craig Butler? All important questions to be answered. I do not expect either team to dominate but I do expect the best fans in CFL football to show up and make a difference. Riders in a close game. ' ' '