Allgemein » ny top tennis player has doubts - and Rafa has got do

ANAHEIM, Calif. -- After a rough stretch, the Toronto Blue Jays have found a slice of paradise -- at least temporarily -- in this city known for being the home to Disneyland.With Edwin Encarnacion and Troy Tulowitzki leading the way with homers, the Blue Jays beat the Los Angeles Angels for the second night in a row, posting a 5-0 decision on Friday night at Angel Stadium. Starter R.A. Dickey and the bullpen combined for the shutout.The win allowed Toronto to end a four-series losing streak this month. The Blue Jays, who are 5-9 in September, dropped series to the Tampa Bay Rays (twice), the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox before meeting the Angels.I thought we had a great approach tonight, battled, good win for us, said Blue Jays manager John Gibbons, whose club also remained tied for the top wild-card spot with the Baltimore Orioles and two games back of Boston for the American League East lead.The Blue Jays hadnt lost four series in a row since June 30-July 12, 2015, when they fell to the Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals. At worst, they secured a split with the Angels in this four-game series that concludes Sunday.On Saturday, the Blue Jays will rely on LHP Francisco Liriano (7-12, 5.16 ERA) to keep the good vibes flowing. Liriano will oppose Angels RHP Ricky Nolasco (5-14, 4.94) in the third game of the series.Liriano was solid in his last outing on Sept. 12 against the Rays, striking out six, walking one and allowing two runs and three hits in a no-decision and a 3-2 Blue Jays win.I dont know how he could have been any better in that last time out, Gibbons said. What was really good to me was he hadnt pitched in a while. His stuff has always been there and hes a dominating guy, but he keeps dealing with control problems even though that wasnt the case that night. That could be very big for him.Liriano, who the Blue Jays acquired Aug. 1 in a trade with the Pittsburgh Pirates, would enjoy a bouce-back performance against the Angels, who have hit him hard in the past. Liriano has a 2-5 mark with a 6.61 ERA in 10 games (nine starts) against Los Angeles.In his last start against them as a member of the Pirates, Liriano was shelled for seven runs (six earned) and 10 hits in a 9-2 romp by the Angels on June 3.Nolasco has pitched well since the Angels obtained him from the Minnesota Twins, but he has little to show for it. Despite being 1-6 in his last eight starts, he has gone at least six innings in all but one of those outings.Nolasco was charged with the loss in his last start Monday against the Seattle Mariners, working six innings and giving up four runs, six hits with three strikeouts and a walk.In his career against Toronto, Nolasco, who was acquired by the Angels from the Twins on Aug. 1, is 0-0 with a 4.91 ERA.Angels manager Mike Scioscia is hoping Nolasco and his club can put some heat on the Blue Jays and snap a five-game skid.All in all, we just didnt pressure those guys enough, Scioscia said of the clubs loss on Friday.Curry 6 Shoes For Sale .Y. -- Sabres forward Drew Stafford has witnessed plenty of turmoil during his eight seasons in Buffalo. Curry 6 Wholesale . The 26-year-old Ireland striker, who has four goals this season, has signed a three-and-a-half year contract with his new club. http://www.curryshoesclearance.com/ .C. -- Manny Malhotra had two goals and an assist, leading the Carolina Hurricanes to a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators on Saturday. Stephen Curry 4 Shoes For Sale . The Montreal Canadiens announced on Friday that the veteran forward will return to the teams line-up on Saturday night when the Habs visit the Nashville Predators. Curry 5 Shoes For Sale .1 million pounds ($61.2 million) on Saturday, giving the beleaguered English Premier League champions a major lift.Rafael Nadal must win the Rio Open to rebuild his fragile confidence, says Barry Cowan.The world No 5 suffered another setback at the weekend, losing 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7-4) to Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals of the Argentina Open.This latest loss for Nadal, which came on his favourite clay surface, was greeted with genuine concern by Sky Sports expert Cowan. Nadal will switch his attention to the Rio Open, starting tonight live on Sky Sports 3, and Cowan believes the 29-year-old is now preparing for a massive week as he tries to rediscover his Grand Slam winning form.He told Sky Sports News HQ: When you lose in the manner that Rafa lost a few days ago, lost his nerve at important stages, which was something which was happening with regularity in the beginning of last year. A massive week for Nadal and I almost go to say: I think hes got to win this week, I really do. Barry Cowan But crucially he lost to someone in Dominic Thiem who is going to be a very good player, who is young, who doesnt have the same mental baggage as a lot of players who are currently on tour and have lost to Nadal, three, four times.A massive week for Nadal and I almost go to say: I think hes got to win this week, I really do.I think it will really be a blow to his confidence and self-belief going forward if he has a poor week. Its five massive matches for him. Dominic Thiem will target another title in Rio after winning the Argentina Open Nadal must negotiate a tough field, which includes his conquerer Thiem, world No 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and clay court specialists David Ferrer and Fabio Fognini.ddddddddddddCowan said: Well they are all good players, but if you go back to what Nadal has done on clay. Heres a guy who is the best clay court player we have ever seen. Has won nine French Opens, who used to take the rest of the field to the cleaners.Normally Nadal at his best, you say: Well those players arent going to trouble him. But now you go yes, and I felt that against Thiem last week. Tie-break in the third, Im not so sure hes going to handle the pressure. Sky Live: Rio Open Rafael Nadal returns to Sky Sports as the top seed at the Rio Open He starts off with a double fault and if Im thinking it, Nadal for sure is thinking it and as soon as any top tennis player has doubts - and Rafa has got doubts at the moment - you dont play your best tennis. He needs to get back to winning titles. Watch day one of the Rio Open, starting tonight at 7pm on Sky Sports 3. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TVAlso See:Sky Live: Rio OpenThiem triumphs in Buenos AireATP scheduleTennis on Sky ' ' '