Post by jenny123 on Jan 4, 2014 0:40:19 GMT -5
Melbourne, Australia (Sports Network) - Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka were dominant winners Monday as the fourth round of the Australian Open came to a close. Williams made short work of Russian Maria Kirilenko in a 6-2, 6-0 rout to start the night session at Rod Laver Arena, while Azarenka bounced back from a tough third-round match and cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Elena Vesnina. The third-seeded former world No. 1 Williams has dropped just eight games in her first four matches. She needed just 57 minutes to dispose of the 14th- seeded Kirilenko, blasting 22 winners and committing a mere six unforced errors while converting 87 percent of her first serves. "Im really out there just doing the best I can, just fighting for everything," said Williams. "I think with that attitude Im just trying to stay in the tournament just to stay alive." Only Maria Sharapova has been more dominant en route to the quarterfinals. Sharapova has lost only five games heading to the round of eight. Williams will next face fellow American Sloane Stephens, who reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal with a hard-fought 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 victory over Serbias Bojana Jovanovski. The 19-year-old Stephens, seeded 29th, broke at love to go up 6-5 in the third set, then celebrated when Jovanovski hit into the net on match point. "Ill just treat it as another match, you just go out and do your best," said Stephens when asked about the possibility of playing Williams. "Regardless of who I play, its still a tennis match and you have to go out and play your game no matter what." The 15-time Grand Slam titlist Williams has been impressed with her fellow American and wont take her lightly as she continues her quest for a sixth Australian Open crown. "Im here to compete and do the best I can, as well as she," Williams noted. "And shes been doing really amazing. Im really happy. I have a tough match, so well see." The current world No. 1 Azarenka is trying for a repeat title in Melbourne and nearly saw the opportunity slip through her fingers in the third round when American Jamie Hampton pushed her in a 6-4, 4-6, 6-2 triumph. There was no such drama on Monday, as the Belarus native polished off Vesnina in just 57 minutes. "Its getting there," said Azarenka. "With every match, you build up for the tough battles to come." The quarterfinal matchup should, indeed, be a tough one with Russian veteran Svetlana Kuznetsova on the opposite side of the net. The two-time major champion outlasted former world No. 1 and 10th-seeded Caroline Wozniacki, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5. Kuznetsova, winner of the 2004 U.S. Open and 2009 French Open, advanced to her first Grand Slam quarterfinal since the 2009 French. Shes never been past the quarterfinals in Melbourne, falling in the round of eight in 2005 and again in 2009. A pair of quarterfinals are on tap for Tuesday, as the second-seeded former No. 1 Sharapova will meet fellow Russian Ekaterina Makarova and fourth-seeded Wimbledon runner-up Agnieszka Radwanska will battle sixth-seeded Li Na, the 2011 Aussie runner-up and French Open champ. Sharapova is the reigning Roland Garros champion who lost to Azarenka in last years Aussie finale, titled here in 2008, and was also a Melbourne runner-up in 2007. Cheap Russell Wilson Jersey . - The Portland Timbers have acquired Columbian forward Sebastian Rincon on loan from Uruguays first-division Club Atletico Atenas. Russell Wilson White Jersey . Ricky Romeros outing, on Saturday in Louisville, was more of the same from the struggling left-hander. "Saw the line and obviously it wasnt a very good one," said pitching coach Pete Walker. www.jerseyrussellwilson.com/ . So did the bullpen. That combination for the Pirates was enough to overcome the early departure of starter Wandy Rodriguez as Pittsburgh snapped a five-game losing streak by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks 5-3 on Monday. Russell Wilson Womens Jersey . Kyle Turris scored twice as Ottawa beat Washington 3-1 to snap the Capitals eight-game winning streak. Russell Wilson Shirts .J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Hakeem Nicks wont play in Sundays game against Cleveland because of recurring left foot and knee problems.TORONTO -- Chris Chelios is 51 years old, but that doesnt necessarily mean his hockey-playing career is over. Chelios, who will be inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame on Monday, said he has considered going to Europe to play with his sons, Dean and Jake, like Gordie Howe played with Mark and Marty for the Hartford Whalers. "My guys are seniors in college now, and if for some crazy (reason) they dont make it (to the NHL), which, realistically theres just not enough jobs, I wouldnt hesitate," Chelios said Friday. "Im staying in shape to go to Europe, pick a good country and take my whole family over there and go play with them there. Like Switzerland, Ive been there. Who knows? Weve done crazier things in our family." Chelios later said he was joking. And he made it clear that he wouldnt trying to do it in the NHL or AHL.dddddddddddd Dean, 24, and Jake, 22, play for Michigan States hockey team. Chris Chelios played his final NHL game for the Atlanta Thrashers on April 6, 2010. He played a total of 1,651 games, the most of any defenceman or American in history. Chelios, who now works as an adviser to hockey operations with the Detroit Red Wings, still skates occasionally. "More pushing pucks and blowing whistles in Grand Rapids," he said. "Every once in a while Ill do a Tuesday night group. I skate more in the summer with my sons than I do actually during the season. Going to have to skate for the Winter Classic. Im looking forward to that." Chelios is set to take part in the Winter Classic alumni game in Detroit on New Years Eve. Nick Foles Jersey Eric Decker Jersey John Elway Jersey Tedy Bruschi Jersey Johnny Unitas Jersey Nick Foles Jersey Peyton Manning Jersey Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '