12-25-2019, 06:43 AM
NICE, France -- Second-seeded Ernests Gulbis will meet Federico Delbonis in the Open de Nice final after brushing aside defending champion Albert Montanes on Friday. Gulbis of Latvia dropped just one point on his first serve on his way to a 6-0, 6-3 victory over the Spaniard. "He allowed me to play," Gulbis said. "I felt confident from the first rally on. I had good timing. The first set was one of the best sets I have played." The seventh-seeded Delbonis ousted fourth-seeded Frenchman Gilles Simon 6-2, 6-4. Gulbis has won all five of his previous finals on the ATP tour, and triumphed in Marseille in February. Delbonis, who beat top-seeded John Isner in the quarterfinals, is 1-1 in his previous tour finals. The 23-year-old Argentine lifted his first title in Sao Paolo in March, after losing in Hamburg last year. "It was a pretty good match," Delbonis said. "Gilles always fights and he showed it in the second set when he broke me. But I took control again. "The final will be very similar to the match against Isner. Ernests has a strong service. If I am focused, I will always have a chance." Air Max 97 Bianche Outlet . Jonathan Toews and Patrick Kane wanted to stay in Chicago and the Blackhawks wanted to keep the high-scoring forwards in the only NHL uniform they have ever known. Air Max 97 Shanghai Kaleidoscope . -- Kansas City Royals right-hander Luke Hochevar will have Tommy John surgery that will sideline the pitcher for the season. http://www.airmax97outlet.it/scontate-ai...-plus.html .J. - The New Jersey Devils know the odds are against them as they chase a playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. Air Max 97 Off White Outlet . Ryan Callahan trade talks caught a lot of people off guard. Details are now emerging about why the Rangers would consider such a move. Darren Dreger: He wants a lot of money. Its been widely reported that Callahan is looking for a seven-year term around $6 million per year. That is not accurate. Im told that it is more than $6. Air Max 97 Ul 17 Se . Defenceman Tessa Bonhomme was among three players released from the team Tuesday morning along with defenceman Brigette Lacquette of Waterhen, Man.CLEVELAND -- The Nets lounged their way into the NBA playoffs. Brooklyn coach Jason Kidd sat his starters for the season finale and the Nets wound up with the No. 6 seed in the Eastern Conference playoffs following a 114-85 loss to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday night. Although the Nets could have clinched the No. 5 spot with a win, Kidd elected to rest Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Joe Johnson, Deron Williams and Shaun Livingston, who spent the night on the bench as the worlds highest-paid cheerleading squad. Kidd also limited the minutes of key reserves and used only seven players. Brooklyns loss, coupled with Washingtons win at Boston, dropped the Nets into the sixth slot because they lost the tiebreaker with the Wizards. Brooklyn will begin the post-season at Toronto on Saturday. The Nets and Raptors split their four games during the season. "I like right where we are," Kidd said. "A good place. Weve been playing some pretty good basketball of late. Weve rested and guys have gotten their work in at the same time of healing some of the injuries theyve had -- some nicks and bruises healed. Now its time to figure out a way to win a game on the road." Tyler Zeller scored 22 points with 11 rebounds and Dion Waiters scored 19 for the Cavaliers, who finished a disappointing 33-49 in coach Mike Browns first season back and missed the playoffs for the fourth straight year. All-Star Kyrie Irving scored 15 and afterward addressed the likelihood hell be offered a contract extension by the club this summer. "If they do offer me, that it would be exciting and Ill make the best decision for me and my family," Irving said. "Thats what its going to boil down to for myself. Ive been a part of this and I want to continue to be part of this. Were making strides in the right direction, especially in this organization and I want to be part of something special in Cleveland. "If they do, I dont have a definitive answer to that right now, but it will be something special." Marcus Thornton and Andray Blatche scored 20 apiece for Brooklyn. Before the game, a defensive Kidd dismissed the notion the Nets were "tanking" down the stretch so they wouldnt have to play Chicago in the first round. Broooklyn lost to the Bulls in the first round last year.dddddddddddd Kidd started Thornton, Blatche, Jorge Gutierrez, Marquis Teague and Jason Collins -- a group that had made a combined seven starts. It was the first start with Brooklyn for Collins, the leagues first openly gay player. Afterward, Kidd said hes not concerned about the Nets losing four of five heading into the playoffs. "Its the playoffs," he said. "Its a new season. Everybodys zero and zero. Its the first one to four." The Cavaliers showed better effort than in recent losses to Milwaukee and Boston, uninspired performances that brought Browns future into question. The Cavs endured injuries, inconsistency and the firing of general manager Chris Grant, dismissed one day after an embarrassing loss to a Lakers team that finished the game with just five players. Brown expects to meet with owner Dan Gilbert in the next few days to discuss what went wrong and what will happen next. "Dan gave me this opportunity," Brown said. "I wouldnt be sitting in this seat without him. Its his team and whatever decision he makes with anything Im going to support." Also, Gilbert has to decide whether to retain interim GM David Griffin. Gilbert had promised his team would not be back in the draft lottery, but the Cavs will once again be hoping for the lucky bounce of some pingpong balls to improve their draft position. There were a few positives in Clevelands finale. Rookie Anthony Bennett, the No. 1 overall pick last year, played for the first time since March 8 and had an impressive dunk. Also, rookie Carrick Felix returned after missing 38 games with a broken kneecap. NOTES: The Nets ended 2013 at 10-21, but went 34-17 the rest of the way. ... Before tip-off, Cavs F Luol Deng was presented with the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award, given annually by the Pro Basketball Writers Association for exemplary community service. Deng missed Clevelands last three games with a sore back. Hes an unrestricted free agent and unlikely to return. ... Deron Williams averaged 14.3 points, his lowest since his rookie season (10.8) in 2005-06. ... Several Browns players, including Pro Bowlers Joe Thomas, Josh Gordon, Joe Haden and Jordan Cameron attended the game. ' ' '