11-18-2019, 01:39 AM
Lille, France (SportsNetwork. Wholesale Shoes USA .com) - The great Roger Federer lifted Switzerland to its first-ever Davis Cup title on Sunday when he whipped Frances Richard Gasquet in straight sets. Federer defeated Gasquet in 6-4, 6-2, 6-2 fashion to give the visiting Swiss an insurmountable 3-1 lead in the best-of-five tie on an indoor red clay surface at Lilles Stade Pierre Mauroy. The 17-time Grand Slam king Federer has now captured every coveted title in mens tennis, with the exception of an Olympic gold medal in singles. He paired with his current Davis Cup teammate Stan Wawrinka to win a gold medal in doubles at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing. Federer pulled out of last weeks championship match at the prestigious ATP World Tour Finals in London because of a back injury, which appeared to slow him here on Friday, but not Sunday in Lille, where he would not be denied. Switzerland headed into Sundays reverse singles with a 2-1 lead against the host French after Federer and Wawrinka teamed up for a straight-set doubles victory over Gasquet and Julien Benneteau on Saturday. The capable Gasquet replaced Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the French draw on Sunday. The former Australian Open runner-up Tsonga lost to this years Aussie champion Wawrinka in four sets in Fridays opening singles rubber, while Day 1s other match saw Gael Monfils upset the former world No. 1 and currently second-ranked Federer in straights. The Davis Cup, which was first contested in 1900, has been captured by France on nine occasions, while the Swiss were seeking that elusive maiden championship. Switzerland finished as a runner-up back in 1992. The Swiss are captained by Severin Luthi, while the French are guided by former Aussie Open runner-up Arnaud Clement. Switzerland is now 3-10 all-time versus France in Davis Cup play. The two nations last met in a 2004 quarterfinal, which was won by the French. France was seeking its first title in 13 years. Wholesale Shoes Adidas .The result meant Juventus will spend the winter break three points clear of Roma after the league leader beat Cagliari 3-1 on Thursday.Milan remained seventh ahead of the rest of the weekends fixtures, but was provisionally two points behind third-place Napoli in their duel for the final Champions League spot. Wholesale Shoes Website . The 155th edition of the Plate for Canadian-foaled three-year-olds, the oldest continuously run stakes race in North America, will be televised live on TSN in HD (High Definition) in a special presentation from 4:30 – 6:00 pm ET. Post time is 5:38 pm. https://www.wholesaleshoesforcheap.com/ .C. -- Steve Spurrier was much happier about South Carolinas improved performance than about his lastest career milestone.CALGARY -- Although she wasnt pleased with her time, Ottawas Ivanie Blondin skated well enough to win the womens 5,000 metres at the Canadian Olympic speedskating trials on Friday. "I was really nervous for it," said Blondin, who finished in a time of seven minutes 18.45 seconds to win the race by less than half a second. "Im a little surprised with the time and disappointed. It shouldnt have been that close and I shouldnt have skated probably one of the worst times Ive skated in like two years." Blondin finished ahead of Edmontons Nicole Garrido, who had a time of 7:18.87, and Josie Spence of Kamloops, B.C., at 7:23.24. "I wouldnt say I skated really well, but Im obviously happy that I came out on top today," Blondin said. "I think its kind of a miracle that I did." Blondins result will be good enough to earn her a spot to compete for Canada in the 5,000 metres at the Winter Games in Sochi, Russia, according to Sean Ireland, Speed Skating Canadas long-track program director. "She would be the first person in that provisional quota spot," Ireland said. Canadas team, which will consist of 10 women and eight men for all disciplines, will be officially announced on Jan. 22. Four years ago Blondin competed at both the short-track and long-track speedskating Olympic trials, but failed to earn a spot to compete at the 2010 Winter Games in Vancouver. "I developed ulcers in my stomach because I was so nervous and stressed out," said Blondin, who finished second in the 3,000 metres on the first day of the Olympic trials last Saturday. "This time around its been a lot better, but its still stressful. "Sometimes I feel like the general public doesnt really realize how much stress you put on your body when you go through these Olympic trials. Its nice to watch and see and everything, but being in it Ive probably got like five grey hairs from this, even though Im 23." Blondin will now take a couple days to relax before heading to Tucson, Arizona to attend a pre-Olympic training camp. "I think itll be nice to get away and relax and just calm down aa little bit from these Olympic trials," she said, adding that she doesnt think she will battle as many nerves in Sochi. Wholesale Shoes. "Now that the Olympic trials are over and just being at the Games, Ill have a lot less pressure because realistically I dont have anything to lose when Im there." While Blondin believes she did enough to qualify to compete for Canada in three events (5,000 metres, 3,000 metres and womens team pursuit) in Sochi, Torontos Jordan Belchos will have to wait to find out his fate after winning the mens 10,000 metres with a time of 13:24.96 on Friday. Winnipegs Stefan Waples finished second in 13:53.65, while Francois Dery of St. Jean Chrysostome, Que., placed third at 13:58.30. Whether Belchos gets to compete for Canada at the Games depends on what other countries do, said Ireland. "Currently we do not have a quota spot for the Olympics themselves in the 10,000 metres," Ireland said. "We have the first reserve spot, so if another country declines a 10,000 spot, well then theres a chance that we might be able to fill that depending on our own quotas." Belchos said hed rather be in a state of limbo, than not have any chance at all to compete at the Winter Olympics. "Id rather be in this situation than be out," he said. "I dont know what the chances are or anything like that. Im just trying to skate and be prepared if that happens." Thats the right attitude for Belchos to have, Ireland said. "My advice would be to train and prepare knowing that theres a chance," said Ireland, adding that he should know whether another country declines a spot in the 10,000 by mid-January. "Its slim chance at that." Until he finds out his fate, Belchos said that he will continue his usual training regimen. "The next two weeks for me are just about getting away from skating and just training to be an Olympian, but knowing it could not happen," he said. "Im in a position where if it doesnt happen, its almost what I expect. If it does, it would be a pleasant surprise. Its tough to be in such a weird spot." ' ' '