Zigeunerzelt » made it clear he must do

PARIS – Milos Raonic is a much different player than the one who lost in the third round of the French Open one year ago. "Not only am I a better player purely all-around, but also on clay," said Raonic, who is seeded eighth, his highest ever ranking at a Grand Slam event. "Last year, coming in, there was a lot of doubts in my mind, struggling with a coaching change [an emotional split with Galo Blanco] and everything and I just wasnt playing my best tennis leading into it or at the event whereas now Im playing some of my best tennis, definitely my best tennis on clay and I feel like Im getting better each week on the clay." Just last week, Raonic came within a few points of knocking off Novak Djokovic at the Masters 1000 event in Rome, ultimately falling 7-6 (5), 6-7 (4), 3-6. After the match, the worlds second-ranked player said he could not remember the last time he felt so "helpless" in the return game. "Thats what I want every single one of my opponents to feel," Raonic said. "I know that when I can make them have a lot of doubts and a lot of insecurities on my service games, my return games get easier, because they feel the pressure that they need these games and its about imposing myself and I felt that in that match, I was able to impose myself." Raonic has won 80 pre cent of his first-serve points on clay this season to lead the ATP Tour. Thats up from the 76 per cent last season. "I think its the serve, but also the confidence I have behind the serve when the ball comes back," Raonic explained. "I think Im structuring points better. A lot of the time when people look at serve stats, they think that its just the serve and nothing happens after that, but its how you back it up and I think it creates more pressure on my opponents that when they do get my serve back, its not just about getting it back, they have to do something with it to at least neutralize [the point], because if I start the point ahead, I can finish it off." Raonic is a much more complete player than the one who burst onto the scene three years ago at the Australian Open advancing all the way to the fourth round. That remains the furthest he has progressed at a major (hes reached that stage four times, including twice at the US Open and once more at the Australian Open in 2013). It also matches the furthest any Canadian man has ever advanced in the singles competition at a Grand Slam event. But all signs point to that changing soon as the big server from Thornhill, Ont. seeks to break down yet another Canadian tennis barrier. He beat Andy Murray, seeded seventh at Roland Garros, earlier this season at Indian Wells. He pushed Rafael Nadal, the top seed in Paris, to three sets at a hard-court event in Miami this season. So as he enters the years second Grand Slam, his confidence level against the games elite is very healthy. "Its quite high actually," the 23-year-old said in a matter-of-fact tone. "I feel like every time Im getting better when I put myself in those situations. Its a big focus for me: do well in early rounds so you can face those top guys, because each time you do, youll get more experience." Raonic could get another shot at Djokovic if the draw holds to form and both make it to the quarterfinals, although the road there for the Canadian is littered with tricky propositions. Hell open the tournament on Sunday against Australian wildcard Nicholas Kyrgios. He is ranked 161st right now, but turned heads in Melbourne at the seasons first major by upsetting Benjamin Becker in the first round before falling to Benoit Paire, a top-30 player, in five sets in the second round. The 19-year-old Kyrgios is viewed as a player on the rise. "I followed him a lot, especially in the Australian Open," said Raonic. "He was having some exciting matches. He played really well. He likes to play aggressive. He likes to sort of use the ambiance around him and hes got a big personality in that sense. For me, it really comes down to taking care of what I need to take care of. Ive got to take care of my serve. Ive got to go out there, its the first match, with the attitude. The approach on the mental side is going to be very important and I must make sure I stay with patience. It doesnt matter if moments get difficult, because its still three out of five, just let my game flow and let my game follow." In the second round, Raonic could face 53rd-ranked Czech Lukas Rosol and in the third round, Gilles Simon could be waiting and its certain the Frenchman would have the home fans on his side. Then, should Raonic get to the round of 16, a showdown with ninth-seed Kei Nishikori looms. The Japanese star is 2-0 against Raonic and just beat him in Madrid (straight sets, but both went to a tiebreak). A Canadian man has never made the fourth round at Roland Garros so history seems to be within reach for Raonic, who made it clear he must do better than last years third-round finish if this tournament is to be considered a success for him. And should Raonic make more history at Roland Garros by making the quarterfinals, well, that would be an important milestone, but the rising star is hardly fixated on that benchmark. "It would mean a lot in that moment," he said, "but I dont think it would be very significant at the same time, because my ambitions dont lie in just making the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam." Daniel Kilgore Jersey .J. Mayo made seven three-pointers and scored 25 points, Ersan Ilyasova added 20, and the Milwaukee Bucks placed seven players in double figures in a 130-110 rout of the Philadelphia 76ers, who lost their 11th straight game on Monday night. Albert Wilson Dolphins Jersey . Best has been bothered by concussion problems and hasnt played since Oct. 16, when the Lions lost to San Francisco. After starting 5-0, Detroit has lost four of six, beginning with that game against the 49ers. http://www.dolphinsrookiestore.com/Dolphins-Mike-Gesicki-Jersey/ .com) - Nicklas Backstrom scored a pair of goals and Alex Ovechkin notched a highlight-reel tally, leading the Washington Capitals to a 4-0 victory over the New Jersey Devils on Saturday at the Prudential Center. Danny Amendola Dolphins Jersey . The Suns termed Fridays surgery by team doctor Thomas Carter a success. No timetable was given for Bledsoes return but the team said in a news release that he "will pursue a possible return to action during the second half" of the season. Minkah Fitzpatrick Jersey .com) - Baltimore Ravens running back Justin Forsett is active for Sundays matchup with the Miami Dolphins.CHICAGO -- Wade Miley pitched seven strong innings, Cody Ross had three hits and the Arizona Diamondbacks beat the Chicago White Sox 4-3 Saturday night. Miley (3-3) allowed two runs on four hits while striking out six and not allowing a walk. His only mistake came on an 0-1 pitch in the fifth inning that Paul Konerko hit over the left-field fence for a two-run home run. Former White Sox closer Addison Reed flirted with disaster in his first meeting against his former team before getting his 11th save in 12 chances. Reed, who was traded to the Diamondbacks from the White Sox in the off-season, gave up a leadoff single to pinch-hitter Conor Gillaspie, who ended up scoring on Alexei Ramirezs two-out single. Ramirez stole second but was stranded after Reed got Konerko to bounce out to second. The White Sox lost for just the second time in seven games. White Sox starter Jose Quintana (1-3) went six innings, allowing three runs on seven hits with five strikeouts and a walk. The left-hander was done in by a rough fifth inning. Alfredo Marte hit an RBI double in the fifth and scored on A.J. Pollocks single. Martin Prado extended the Diamondbacks lead to 3-0 with an RBI sacrifice fly. The Diamondback hitters worked the count, forcing Quintana to throw 29 pitches in the inning. Miley faced the minimum through the first four innings. He consistently got ahead of White Sox hitters and got help from a double play in the fourth.dddddddddddd Konerkos homer was his first of the season and 435th of his career, moving him past Juan Gonzalez and Andruw Jones for 43rd on the career home run list. Konerko, playing his 18th and final season, has been used as a bench player. He was playing first base for Jose Abreu, who is nursing an ankle injury while hitting in the DH spot. Abreu was 0 for 4 with three strikeouts after going 3 for 4 with a home run in Fridays win. Arizona picked up an insurance run in the seventh. With the bases loaded and one out, Miguel Montero lined a single off the mitt of right fielder Moises Sierra to give Arizona a 4-2 lead. White Sox reliever Zach Putnam escaped further damage by getting Aaron Hill to ground into a double play. NOTES: Before the game, White Sox LHP Chris Sale threw a successful simulated game. He threw 50 pitches pain free. He will likely make two rehab starts before returning with the White Sox in two weeks. Hes on the 15-day disabled list with a strained flexor muscle near his left elbow. He hasnt pitched in a game since April 17. ... The White Sox purchased the contract of reliever Frank Francisco and designated Maikel Cleto for assignment. ... Arizona starter Chase Anderson is scheduled to make his major league debut Sunday. ... 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