st eight shots from the floor, hit only the front

With Canadas Fed Cup team ready to take on the Slovak Republic next week, Blainville, Quebecs Aleksandra Wozniak - who played in February against Serbia in her first Fed Cup tie since 2011 - sets the stage with her personal blog on RDS. Goose Gossage Jersey .ca and TSN.ca. --- Before starting this column, Id like to thank the people whove supported me since my return to the circuit. I read your comments and thank you for continuing to encourage me. In addition to fans, theres also a whole team behind me and a great Canadian delegation, as this will be the case at the Fed Cup on April 19 and April 20 in Quebec City. These people behind the scenes may say little, but will give me a boost for the entire week of competition - and also for the rest of the year. Theres André Parent, our fitness coach whos responsible for conditioning both the pros and the young developing players at Uniprix Stadium. Hes worked with us for a long time and on Wednesday he was appointed chief physical trainer for the Fed Cup. Hes one of the most important people in my career, helping me return to competition after my shoulder injury and avoiding surgery. Also, Marlene Nobrega has been our physiotherapist for more than 20 years - both in the Davis Cup and the Fed Cup - along with massage therapist Samantha Cox. In addition to André Barrette, who deals with the administrative aspect of our program, theres captain Sylvain Bruneau and coach Simon Larose. Not to mention so many other volunteers who are involved. The big difference playing elsewhere compared to Canada, as was the case in Serbia in February of 2011, is that we had the crowd against us. With our team on our side, its as if we brought some of our supporters with us outside our home. Not underestimating our opponents This will be the second time were participating in the World Group play-offs, but weve never managed to take the next step forward so its an opportunity for us to make Canadian history. Dominika Cibulkova and Daniela Hantuchova wont be taking part, but Magdalena Rybarikova is still an excellent player. Jana Cepelovas confidence will be high after making the Family Circle Cup final last weekend. I dont know Michaela Honcova well, but with Anna Schmiedlova (65th in the world), the Slovak Republic will have three players in the Top 80. So it will be very important for us to showcase our best tennis. While Cibulkova and Hantuchova arent there, we should not underestimate them. Facing little-known players, well need to adjust our training accordingly and continue to properly train and prepare mentally. Well also benefit from a week together before the tournament to build our team spirit. After all, this isnt an individual competition. Well do things as a team and keep encouraging each other. This is a big opportunity for us - especially playing here in Quebec City - and we know well have the support of 3,500 supporters at the new Amphitheatre at PEPS, Laval University. A boost of energy Whenever I had a serious injury in the past, the Fed Cup arrived at the right time and the tournament gave me that boost of confidence. And after the competition, I returned and carried that renewed confidence to other tournaments. I havent used my protected ranking since the Indian Wells tournament, but I think going through qualifications has had its advantages. Since my return to the game, Ive needed to build up matches. It gives me set benchmarks and confidence and it also allows me to refine my work on the court. As a result, Ive beaten 2013 Wimbledon finalist Sabine Lisicki and have also won against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Urszula Radwanska. And it was difficult after missing so much action. Ive now had 23 matches under my belt since January and its allowed me to bring my game to its highest level. My service has also notably improved. Over the last six months, Ive found more power but Im still working on my consistency. There are several factors which still have an effect on my shoulder, such as playing altitude, temperature, or even the type of tennis balls Im using. But Ive found a certain level of stability despite the changing game conditions. When I started to play after injuring my shoulder, I was 288th in the world. Now Im 153rd and have made good progress over the last three months. But I want to be even better. I feel great in my workouts and I just have to concentrate on doing the right things and continuing to climb up. Nick Solak Rangers Jersey . The Earthquakes (6-9-7) were coming off a 5-0 loss at home last Saturday to FC Dallas. Even with the draw, the Sounders (13-7-3) climbed back into a tie for both the Western Conference and overall top spot in MLS. Seattle, West co-leader Real Salt Lake and East leader Sporting Kansas City all have 42 points. Jeff Mathis Rangers Jersey .TV Series: Duck Dynasty. https://www.cheaprangersbaseball.com/772h-will-clark-jersey-rangers.html . On July 27 cyclings best-known race will host "La Course by Le Tour de France" -- a one-day womens competition staged hours before Tour riders race on the same circuit to finish the three-week event on Paris Champs-Elysees.PHILADELPHIA -- Evan Turner hit the winning basket at the buzzer and scored 29 points to lead the Philadelphia 76ers to a 121-120, overtime win over the Brooklyn Nets on Friday night. Paul Pierce hit a 3-pointer with 16.9 seconds left in OT to give the Nets the short-lived lead. Turner, sensational all game, drove past a pair of defenders and tossed up the last-gasp shot. The ball bounced three times around the rim before it dropped through the net. After a brief review, the bucket stood, Turner was mobbed by his teammates and the Sixers snapped a seven-game losing streak. Thaddeus Young scored 25 points for the Sixers, and Michael Carter-Williams had 15 points and 10 assists. Alan Anderson had a season-high 26 points for the Nets, Pierce scored 24 with 10 rebounds, and Deron Williams had 17 points and 14 assists. Brooklyn grabbed a 115-113 lead early in OT after Turner and Pierce swapped 3-pointers. Carter-Williams hit two free throws for a 116-115 lead, then had the assist to Young in front of Brooklyns bench on a 3-pointer with 2:02 left. The 76ers missed three shots on the same possession, setting up Pierces clutch 3, Brooklyns 15th of the game. Turned out, the Sixers had one last dramatic shot of their own. Turners 13th basket of the game was his biggest of the season, and he was mobbed on the court by a Sixers team buried well below .500. Carter-Williams returned after a seven-game absence because of a skin infection and teamed with Tony Wroten in the backcourt for an effective 1-2 punch. Wroten scored 19 points. Thanks to OT, the Sixers finished with season highs in field goals (51) and assists (36). Mirza Teletovic hit 6 3s and scored 18 points for the Nets. Brook Lopez had 22 points. The Nets played without veterans Joe Johnson (personal reasons) and Kevin Garnett (rest). Without thheir veterans, the Nets missed twice on one of the final possessions of regulation and the Sixers grabbed the rebound. Ronald Guzman Jersey. Philadelphia rookie coach Brett Brown called timeout with 21.1 seconds left, setting up Carter-Williams drive down the lane. He beat Williams to the basket, but ended with a wild misfire on a left-handed layup over Lopez. Brooklyn grabbed the rebound and called timeout. Williams missed at the horn over Youngs outstretched arm to send it into OT. Neither team could break away in the fourth. Young hit a mid-range jumper from the top of the key with 1:58 left for a 107-106 lead. Anderson snatched it right back on two free throws -- a lopsided edge for the Nets. The Nets made 21 of 30 free throws; the 76ers just 10 of 15. Turner, who made his first eight shots from the floor, hit only the front end on a pair of attempts, but tied the game 108-all. The Nets struggled to build a small lead for most of the quarter. They botched an alley-oop and Williams had the ball slip out of his hands on a layup attempt. Still, all five starters hit double-digit scoring in regulation, and Williams had a double-double. Anderson, who averages only 8.0 points, connected on a pair of 3s during a 10-1 run late in the third that sent the Nets into the fourth with an 83-82 lead. Johnson made 10 3-pointers, most in the NBA this season, and scored a season-high 37 points in the Nets 130-94 victory over the Sixers on Monday night. With Johnson out, Teletovic took over as Brooklyns 3-point ace, hitting five in the first half against one of the worst-defending teams in the league. He nearly did as much damage alone from 3-point range as the Sixers did as a team. NOTES: Wroten has started all games Carter-Williams has missed this season. ... There were 31 lead changes and 21 ties. ' ' '