Updates on the Sony Ericsson Open

Caroline Wozniacki/AP Images

The tennis buzz today is all about Tuesday night.

By Allie Leogrande

Caroline Wozniacki impressed and surprised many as she defeated veteran Serena Williams in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4. Wozniacki showed a strong performance, which is even being said as her career-best. This victory might have been a combination of a great performance by Wozniacki and Williams not playing her best. Williams said after the match that her game was at “20 percent.” Still, Wozniacki kept Williams on her toes – by surprising her and not giving her much help in terms of unforced errors.

Wozniacki now advances to the semifinals where she’ll play Maria Sharapova on Thursday. After her win, Wozniacki tweeted,

“Won my match today 6-4 6-4! Excited to be in the semis on Thursday against Sharapova..”

On the men’s side, Rafael Nadal defeated Kei Nishikori Tuesday, 6-4, 6-4. The Spaniard’s win, however, was not as easy as it appeared on paper. The first set alone lasted just over an hour, in which Nadal overcame seven break points and a visit from a trainer for a look at his left knee. Nadal injured his knee earlier this month at Indian Wells.

“I am not probably at perfect conditions today with the left knee, but important thing is try to win as many matches as possible," Nadal said. "For me here is important tournament, and every victory have very, very big value for me, especially without being perfect."

Nadal advanced to the quarterfinals, where he played Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. The match was last night (March 28).

Novak Djokovic defeated No. 17 Richard Gasquet 7-5, 6-3 in the 4th round. The Serbian tweeted after his most recent match,

“Tough match today.Happy to be through. Next up @davidferrer87 one of the nicest guys on tour. It will be tough one.Thx guys!”

David Ferrer is from Spain and ranked at number 5. Depending on the way Djokovic plays in this match, Ferrer could become a dark horse in this tournament.

Again, television coverage of the Sony Ericsson Open quarterfinals and semifinals will air on ESPN2 from Wednesday, March 28 to Friday, March 30. The Women’s Final will air on CBS Saturday, March 31, and the Men’s Final will air on CBS Sunday, April 1.

What You Missed

Brendan Glasheen is back after an eventful weekend.

(AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

Kasey Kahne stole the spotlight on Sunday by snapping his 81-race losing skid with a win at Phoenix International Raceway. Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart finished 2nd and 3rd respectively, keeping the Chase close heading into the season finale next week.

Those Lucky Ducks. #7 Oregon had Luck on their side, as the Ducks destroyed Andrew Luck and #4 Stanford. RB LaMichael James stole the show from Luck, running for 146 yards and 3 TDs.

4 Overtimes! No wonder they put the word wild in front of cats, as #14 Kansas St avoided being upset by Texas A&M in a shootout, 53 – 50. Wildcats RB Colin Klein scored the game winning TD on a 1 yard run, part of his grand total of 5 TDs.

A big upset in college football as two Mountain West Conference foes squared off. #5 Boise St. falls to unranked TCU, 36 – 35. Horned Frogs sophomore QB Casey Pachall had a career day, throwing for 473 yards and 5 TDs in the win. TCU now controls their own destiny to win the conference.

Manny Pacquiao escaped towards his 15th straight victory by defeating Juan Manuel Marquez. Pacquiao won by a majority decision Saturday, angering Marquez and the sellout crowd at the MGM Grand arena.

The Devils win in a shootout to bring down Alex Ovechkin and the Caps. Washington had a convincing 2 – 0 lead after the 1st period, but New Jersey scored 2 of their own in the 2nd. After a scoreless 3rd period and OT, David Clarkson broke the ice with a winning shootout goal for the Devils.

Player Highlight: Tyler Seguin

Tyler Seguin is a budding star that has nowhere to go but up.  By Meaghan McGrath

(AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)

Boston Bruin’s player Tyler Sequin was a force to be reckoned with last season and is bringing the same heat to the ice this upcoming season. He is currently one of the youngest players in the National Hockey League, coming in at nineteen years old, with this season being his second in the NHL. However was he able to celebrate his victory last year only being nineteen years old?! Either way, this year Seguin has been quite an asset to the Boston Bruins.

Seguin helped bring the cup back to Beantown last year, and is known for being one of the better rookies in the Northeast, with people keeping an eye on his every move. Fans from all over know that this right-winger will bring multiple championships to his teams before his career is over.

Despite the slow start the Cup champions have had this year, Seguin has brought in a healthy amount of points for the B’s, with nine goals and eight assists so far this season. Knowing that he already has a ring on his finger after his first year as a professional hockey player only gives rise to the fact that people better watch out for what Tyler Seguin will become in the NHL.

What You Missed

Was the weekend just one big drunken haze? Relax, EP has your back. Here is all you need to know about this weekend. Now in picture form! By Tyler Ruby

What You Missed

Was the weekend just one big drunken haze? Relax, EP has your back. Here is all you need to know about this weekend. Now in picture form!

What You Missed

Was the weekend just one big drunken haze? Relax, EP has your back. Here is all you need to know about this weekend.

Friday, April 8

The Boston Red Sox earn their first win of the regular season with a 9-6 win over the New York Yankees. The Red Sox would win the home series, 2-1. 

The Pittsburgh Pirates win in 14 innings against the Colorado Rockies on a walk-off double by Jose Tabata. Colorado wins the four game set, though, 3-1.

What You Missed

Was the weekend just one big drunken haze? Relax, EP has your back. Here is all you need to know about this weekend.

Friday:

Daniel Gibson sinks a clutch 3-pointer with 30.6 seconds left to give the Cleveland Cavaliers a five-point lead over Stat, Melo, and the rest of the visiting New York Knicks. The Cavs hold on to win, 115-109.

AP Photo/Mike Carlson

The Tampa Bay Lightning put a serious damper on the New Jersey Devils' eight-game winning streak, handing the Devils a 2-1 regulation loss. 

AP Photo/Matt Slocum

Rumor has it that there's mutiny afoot in Detroit. Seven Pistons "miss" all or part of the team's shoot around - supposedly in protest of head coach John Kuester - before the team's game against the Philadelphia 76ers. Several players are seen laughing when Kuester gets ejected in the second quarter.

What You Missed

Was the weekend just one big drunken haze? Relax, EP has your back. Here is all you need to know about this weekend.

Friday: The Cleveland Cavaliers beat the Los Angeles Clippers in OT, 126-119, ending their 26-game losing streak. They are now tied with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for the longest losing streak in American professional sports. Antawn Jamison (left) hit a three with 22.1 seconds left to secure the W.

Friday: The New York Islanders welcomed the Pittsburgh Penguins to Uniondale with open arms. OK, maybe not so much. The teams combined for 346 penalty minutes and 11 game misconducts (although Eric Godard accounts for two of those). The Isles won the game 9-3. After the game, the NHL handed down a 10-game suspension and $40,322 fine for Godard (PIT) for leaving the bench to fight, a nine-game suspension and $24,193 fine for Trevor Gillies (NYI), and four-game suspension and $41,585 fine for Matt Martin (NYI). The Islanders also received a $100,000 fine. Penguins owner Mario Lemieux bashed the NHL for a lack of action both during and after the game. 

Saturday: No. 1 in the nation Ohio State loses at 14 Wisconsin, 71-67. Wisconsin G Jordan Taylor scored 27 for the Badgers in the upset. The Big Ten rivals play again March 6 in Columbus, Ohio.

Saturday: No. 4 Pittsburgh ends 10 Villanova's 46-game winning streak at the Pavilion, 57-54. Pitt guard Brad Wanamaker scored 21 for the Panthers. Nova's Dominic Cheek missed a potential game-tying three with four seconds left in the game.

Sunday: The Boston Celtics hold off the Miami Heat, 85-82. Six Celtics scored in double-digits in the win. Boston now holds a half-game lead over the Heat. 

Sunday: Orlando blows through the Los Angeles Lakers, 115-100. Dwight Howard led the way with 31 points and 13 rebounds. The loss ended a three-game winning streak for the Lakers.

Monday: Peter Forsberg, 37-year-old center for the Colorado Avalanche, will announce his retirement from the NHL only two games into his latest return to the ice. So, congratulations if you had under one week in your office pool.






- Jeff Laboon