LONDON -- Roger Federer made light work of Richard Gasquet to clinch his first win at the ATP World Tour Finals, defeating the Frenchman 6-4, 6-3 on Thursday to boost his chances of making the semifinals for an 11th time. Kyle Korver Jersey . In a match pitting together two stylists, the sixth-seeded Swiss quickly took control and broke Gasquet four times in the match. The Frenchman hit only 11 winners and looked inhibited throughout. Federer, who has won a record six year-end championships, was not having a great day either -- he had 30 unforced errors -- but prevailed on important points as Gasquet converted only one of his six break chances. Federer needed five match points to earn his 43rd Finals win. "It is a big win for me and hopefully I can keep it up in the next match against Juan Martin del Potro," said Federer, chasing only his second title of the year. "Im not coming back from a serious injury, but Im coming back from a lot of sort of ups and downs, resetting things, trying out things, making sure I get my confidence back, my movement and so forth." Federer and Gasquet lost their opening round-robin matches in Group B, against defending champion Novak Djokovic and del Potro, respectively. Djokovic played del Potro late Thursday. Only once in his previous 11 Finals appearances has Federer failed to advance to the last four. A win against del Potro on Saturday will guarantee him a spot in the semis, while Gasquet became the second player to be eliminated, following David Ferrer. It was Federers 11th win in 13 matches against Gasquet, who started by winning his first service game at love before fading. The Finals are Federers last chance to win a big tournament this season. He has won only one title in the past 14 months and has only three victories against top-10 opponents in 2013, including one against del Potro in Paris last week. "Im glad I got one back in Paris because I knew we could be again in the same group, we could be playing each other," Federer said. "I think that win for me in Paris psychologically was very important. I could beat top-10 guys, I beat Richard, I beat Juan Martin last week. I truly believe my confidence is higher, and thats what I need to beat the best, and Juan Martin is part of that group honestly." Tracy Mcgrady Hawks Jersey . The league announced the decision on its website Saturday, shortly before AC Milan was due to kick off against Genoa at 6 p.m. local time. The 25-year-old Morosini died about an hour earlier after suffering cardiac arrest during his teams Serie B match at Pescara. Dominique Wilkins Jersey .C. -- Former world and Canadian curling champion Kelly Scott is making changes to her team.SOCHI, Russia – Team Canada has a stated goal of inching forward with every day, game and practice of this concise two-week Olympic tournament. And, though it was against an overmatched Austrian opponent on Friday evening, there was obvious progression, albeit with a hiccup or two, from the Canadians at the Bolshoy Ice Dome. "This tournament, in my opinion, is about getting better each and every game," said head coach Mike Bab**** after a 6-0 win, which followed a 3-1 victory over Norway on Thursday. "And as long as we can do that, well have an opportunity." Tinkering here and there with a supremely talented lineup, Bab**** saw a crisper, faster, and much more emphatic performance against the Austrians, one that saw Jeff Carter – a notably quiet presence in the opener – explode for three goals and Roberto Luongo pitch a 23-save shutout. Incremental improvements remain the goal with a whole lot of questions yet to be answered, decisions still to be made. "I think we were better tonight than we were [against Norway]," said Bab****. "I thought we moved the puck better. I thought we skated better. [But] we can be way better. We understand that." These early exhibitions have offered (and will continue to offer on Sunday against Finland) the Canadian coaching staff an opportunity to assess the roster and ascertain what works and what doesnt and then suitably move forward. If Chris Kunitz is not the answer alongside Sidney Crosby for instance, Bab**** and the coaching staff are out to determine, in rapid order, who might be. Jeff Carter did little there in the opener, but teamed with Jonathan Toews and Patrick Marleau in limited ice against the Austrians – he was the 13th forward at the games outset – and struck for three goals. "Its going to get better and better," said Carter, who actually played just under nine minutes, the fewest of any Canadian. "We talked about that. I think guys were a little more comfortable second game in. Legs were under us, and guys felt pretty good, looked good." Plugging Matt Duchene and P.K. Subban into the lineup after a healthy absence for both in the opener, Bab**** experimented with a variety of combinations throughout the night eventually landing Carter with Toews and Marleau, a recipe that sparked some definite magic. Marty St. Louis, the supposed 14th forward against Norway, teamed with Crosby and Kunitz against the Austrians and offered hints of chemistry in just under 13 minutes. Whether it was enough to stick with the teams best player remains to be seen. "I found myself in some holes there where I got some opportunity but they just didnt go in," said St. Louis, who fired four shots on goal. "Weve got to get the lines to go the best way they can," Bab**** said, describing the lineup decisions, which included scratching Patrick Sharp and Dan Hamhuis, as "ridiculous" especially in the case of Sharp. Pete Maravich Jersey. . Both will return to the line-up against Finland on Sunday. Combinations aside, the Canadian coach is also rapidly gathering information about his players, ascertaining which individuals offer the most toward a successful end product. Can Subban, for instance, offer a trustworthy presence if inserted into the lineup? Does Hamhuis offer greater stability, if far less in the game-breaking department? Which players can maximize ice-time that is far below what they would generally gather as stars for their respective NHL teams? Which players are best adapting to a squished defensive zone? "Im just looking for details," Bab**** said. "Who can I trust, and who can you not, and how are we going to win the games as they get harder? And this tournament its gets harder and harder, as you know. Its a detail tournament. Its a one-goal game, every single time, so its going to be about playing well without the puck." And then theres the matter of goaltending. Carey Price won the opener with a sturdy performance against the Norwegians, but Luongo was perfect against the Austrians. One has enjoyed a better NHL regular season, but is also on the Olympic stage for the first time. The other helped capture gold in Vancouver. Bab**** wouldnt tip his hand in either direction. "I dont know and it doesnt really matter," said Luongo of the plan afterward. "Were not here for personal agendas. Were here to play for our country. Whether its me or Carey, its not a big deal. Ill be ready either way." Just as the coaches search for the right recipes so too do the players. For them its about familiarity, both with a cavalry of new teammates and a notably larger ice surface, one that demands adjustment in all three zones and certainly on special teams. Four pre-tournament on-ice sessions helped, but every shift of game-action helps immeasurably more. "Were feeling like were getting better each and every shift, every period," said Patrick Marleau, who had three assists alongside Carter and Toews. "Thats what our goal is to keep getting better every team we get our skates on the ice." The best opportunity at assessment awaits against Finland. Though missing the likes of Mikko Koivu, Saku Koivu and Valtteri Filppula, the Finns still boast a steady group of NHL talent, a reliable system, and the best trio of netminding the tournament has to offer. "Theres great teams here,” said Bab****. "Its a fine, fine line. I tell people this all the time, whether its a Stanley Cup or a bantam triple-A championship or an Olympic gold medal, youve got to line up the moon and the stars going into it. It just doesnt happen. And so all we can do is continue to work on our execution and our preparation and giving everyone the best opportunity to succeed. Thats what were going to do." cheap nfl jerseyscheap jerseys ' ' '
