FRENCH OPEN-DAY 2
Rain hits Paris
PARIS (AP) β Former French Open champion Maria Sharapova (shah-rah-POH’-vah) has won her opening 2014 match. The 2012 winner was first on the court in the main stadium and defeated a Russian qualifier in straight sets. The match started more than an hour late because of rain. The forecast calls for more rain today as well as the rest of the week.
Also winning for the women have been ninth-seed Dominika Cibulkova (doh-mih-NEE’-kuh see-bool-KOH’-vuh) and No. 16 Sabine Lisicki.
A check of today’s schedule shows eight-time champion Rafael Nadal (rah-fay-ehl nah-DAHL’), the top seed, in action, as well as second-seeded Novak Djokovic (NOH’-vak JOH’-kuh-vich) and Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka (vah-VINK’-ah), weather permitting.
NBA PLAYOFFS-SCHEDULE
Heat look to take 3-1 lead
MIAMI (AP) β Miami has won the last two games against Indiana in their NBA Eastern Conference final. After winning the opening game on their home court, 107-96, the Pacers have lost by scores of 87-83 and 99-87. Tonight the clubs square off in Game 4 of the best-of-seven series in Miami and with a victory the Heat would take a commanding 3-1 lead.
The series hasn’t been as lopsided as it might seem as the Pacers have led for 99 of the 144 minutes played, or about 69 percent of the time.
Game 5 will be played back in Indianapolis Wednesday night.
NHL PLAYOFFS-SCHEDULE
Kings hope to take a 3-1 lead
LOS ANGELES (AP) β After dropping the first game of the NHL’s Western Conference final against the Blackhawks in Chicago, the Los Angeles Kings have won two straight. Tonight, on their home-ice, the Kings are looking for a third straight victory and a commanding three games to one lead in the best-of-seven affair.
The ‘Hawks won the opening game 3-1 but then dropped the next two, 6-2 and 4-3. The high scoring Kings lead the playoffs in goals with 56, averaging 3.29 a game while Chicago is averaging 2.87 goals a game.
The Los Angeles power play is giving the Blackhawks fits as L.A. has scored goals on three of its last seven man advantages over the past two games.
The next game, Game 5, will be played Wednesday in Chicago.
MLB-SCHEDULE
Red Sox need a win
UNDATED (AP) β This being a national holiday, the baseball schedule features 11 day games. In Atlanta the Braves are playing the Red Sox, who have lost 10 straight games. That’s Boston’s longest losing streak in 20 years. The free fall has dropped the defending World Champs into last place in the American League East, eight games back of the Blue Jays. Toronto has won nine of its last 10 games and this evening is home to Tampa Bay.
The rest of the day schedule has the Mets at home to the Pirates, Miami in Washington, Milwaukee’s Brewers at home to Baltimore, the Indians in Chicago for the start of series with the White Sox, Minnesota entertaining Texas, the Giants at home to the Cubs, the Phillies home to the Rockies, the Angels at Seattle and the Tigers, who have lost six of their last 10 games, in Oakland facing an A’s team which has lost four in a row.
Tonight’s abbreviated card has Houston at Kansas City, the Dodgers home to the Reds and San Diego at Arizona.
