Alles Andere » exans overcome a tough day offensively for a 23-17

BIRMINGHAM, England -- Former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic, who admits to a dislike of competing on grass, moved within one win of her first final on the surface with her third confident victory in a row at the Aegon Classic on Friday. The top-seeded Serbian beat the sixth-seeded Czech, Klara Koukalova, 6-1, 6-4 to reach the semifinals of the Wimbledon warm-up event. Ivanovic has described playing on grass as "like being stuck to the ground all of a sudden," but there was little wrong with her movement nor any evident lack of self-belief as she forcefully completed her win in 72 minutes. There was a 20-minute phase in the second set when Koukalova, who has a grass-court title to her name, seemed capable of regaining parity and held service up until 4-3. But Ivanovic boldly attacked off the ground to break serve in the psychologically crucial moments of the ninth game, and closed out the match without fuss. "Its a tough transition, not only in the body and the movement, but also in the mindset," Ivanovic said of her improved grass-court showing. She was even now able to believe she could win the tournament. "I have more confidence. Its about rhythm and getting ready for the next match. Now I have the flow," she said. Ivanovic will meet surprise semifinalist Zhang Shuai, the ninth-seeded Chinese player who patiently took advantage of an error-prone, self-critical Sloane Stephens, the third-seeded American, to win 6-3, 6-1. There will not be a fairytale finalist in the bottom half. Kimiko Date-Krumm, the 43-year-old Japanese who ousted defending champion Daniela Hantuchova on Thursday, was unable to emerge fresh for a fourth consecutive day, lasting only three-quarters of an hour in a 6-1, 6-0 loss to 16th-seeded Casey Dellacqua of Australia. In the remaining quarterfinal, Barbora Zahlavova Strycova of the Czech Republic defeated fourth-seeded Kirsten Flipkens of Belgium 6-4, 6-2. Wendell Carter Jr. Jersey .C. -- Clemson celebrated a senior class Saturday that brought the program back as a national contender. Kris Dunn Bulls Jersey . Meanwhile, the Jets extended their winning streak to four and remain perfect under Paul Maurice. Its the Jets second four-game winning streak of the season, the other coming in mid-November. http://www.officialbullsfanstore.com/kids-toni-kukoc-bulls-jersey/ . After deputy commissioner Bill Daly said the league would consider pulling out of Sochi if something "significant" happens before players arrive, those set to participate are trying not to worry about that scenario. Lauri Markkanen Jersey . TSNs coverage of the Third Round gets underway Sunday with Game 1: Los Angeles at Chicago at 3pm et/Noon pt. TSNs broadcast schedule for the Third Round of the 2014 Stanley Cup Playoffs is as follows: Chicago Blackhawks vs. Los Angeles Kings• Game 1: Los Angeles at Chicago – Sunday, May 18 at 3pm et/Noon pt• Game 2: Los Angeles at Chicago – Wednesday, May 21 at 8pm et/5pm pt• Game 4: Chicago at Los Angeles – Monday, May 26 at 9pm et/6pm pt Featured in the broadcast booth for TSN are play-by-play announcer Chris Cuthbert and game analyst Ray Ferraro, with Farhan Lalji contributing reports from rinkside. Dennis Rodman Bulls Jersey .ca contributor Grant McCagg provides a look at some risers and fallers on the prospect watch.HOUSTON - J.J. Watt had just sprinted 80 yards on an interception return for a touchdown to give the Texans the lead on Sunday against Buffalo, and it was time to play defence again.Coaches offered to give the 289-pound defensive end a minute to catch his breath, but he waved them off dismissively. No way was Houstons star missing even one play.I love to be out there, Watt said. I dont like to give plays up. I dont like to be on the sidelines for any of them if I can go.Watts highlight-reel play helped the Texans overcome a tough day offensively for a 23-17 win over the Bills.Houston (3-1) was down by three in the third quarter when Watt put his hands up to block an EJ Manuel pass, tipped it to himself and caught it with no Bills in front of him. Kareem Jackson blocked Manuel, and Watt raced to the end zone to put the Texans up 14-10.Watt caught a touchdown pass in Week 2, giving him more TDs this year than Arian Foster and Andre Johnson combined.He made a play, and a key of ours was to make sure he wasnt going to make that big disruptive play prior to the game, and he did, and he made a lot of plays, Bills coach Doug Marrone said of Watt.Texans quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick had a tough day against his former team, throwing for 268 yards with two interceptions. He put together one nice drive capped by a 35-yard touchdown reception by DeAndre Hopkins that cut the lead to 10-7 just before halftime.Under heavy pressure all afternoon, Manuel finished with 225 yards passing with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Buffalo (2-2) was driving late when Darryl Morris picked him off at the Houston 15 to secure the victory.Manuel got the Bills within 20-17 when he hit a wide-open Mike Williams for an 80-yard touchdown with about nine minutes left.Randy Bullock had a 41-yard field goal in the third quarter and added field goals of 55 and 50 yardss in the fourth for Houston.ddddddddddddKyle Williams tipped Fitzpatricks pass at the line and it was intercepted by Nigel Bradham on the first play of the second half. It didnt matter much, though, as Watts interception came three plays later.Watt added a bit of swagger when he high-stepped and waved one hand in the air as he crossed the goal line, igniting the home crowd. He said he had no clue what he did, but added that it may have been half Deion Sanders high-step and half a dance called the Nae Nae. He cringed when he saw it unfolding in real time on the Jumbotron.I was like: Youre a white defensive lineman, just run the ball in, Watt joked.He said his goal was to be underpaid when he signed a six-year, $100 million contract earlier this month, and so far he hasnt disappointed.Hes worth every cent, owner Bob McNair said. I hope he doesnt come in tomorrow and ask for a raise.Hes the second player since the merger in 1970 to have an interception return for a touchdown and a touchdown catch in the same season. Houston assistant coach Mike Vrabel did it in 2005 for New England.Watt finished with five tackles and had a career-high nine hits on Manuel.Hopkins TD pass capped the first drive where the Texans mustered any offence, and they had negative yards rushing until late in the second quarter.They also had some problems on defence, with Watt committing two roughing-the-passer penalties in the first quarter.NOTES: Foster played after missing last week with a hamstring injury and said he wasnt 100 per cent healthy. He was limited to eight carries for six yards but gained 55 yards on seven receptions. ... Bradham and defensive tackle Kyle Williams left with knee injuries and didnt return. Marrone didnt have an update on their condition after the game.___AP NFL websites: a€”www.pro32.ap.org and a€”www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '