Coversongs » r Darren Dreger on Wednesday, the Canucks buyout of defen

BIRMINGHAM, England -- Ana Ivanovic captured her first grass court title after almost a decade of trying on Sunday after a straight sets win over Barbora Zahlavova-Strycova at the Aegon Classic. The former world number beat Zahlavova-Strycova, 6-3, 6-2, with her opponent also playing in her first major tournament final. Although Ivanovic started shakily for the second day in succession, and dropped serve immediately, she recovered quickly, her heavy ground strokes and willingness to attack soon dominating her unseeded opponent. It suggested that, at 26, not only can she adapt to a variable surface, but underlined this as her best year so far since 2008. It was Ivanovics 37th win and her third title of the year, putting her level with Serena Williams and Maria Sharapovas three. The Serb couldnt contain her happiness at conquering her doubts about playing on grass. "On grass you really dont have time to hesitate," she said. "I tried to shorten my swing and move forwards. You really have to go after your shots. Its important to be clear in your mind." Ivanovic will move up to world number 11, well positioned to make another move during Wimbledon, which would lift her back into the top ten for the first time in five years. If she needed an omen suggesting she might continue this streak into the grass court Grand Slam, which starts in eight days, it came with the holding her latest trophy - the Maud Watson Cup, the same one as that presented to the English woman after she won the first ever Wimbledon, in 1884. Could Ivanovic actually win the games oldest title? She was understandably cautious. "Its exciting and a new challenge," she said, "just knowing that its never over and you always have a chance." Cheap Nike Free Nz . The Raptors general manager has his list of possible draft selections whittled down to a handful ahead of Thursday nights NBA draft in Brooklyn, New York. The Raptors, who have auditioned dozens of players over the past couple of weeks, have the 20th overall pick in the first round, as well as the 37th and 58th picks in the second. Cheap Nike Free Wholesale . "I never commented to anyone that I wanted out," he explained. "My heart is with this group and making the playoffs." Kesler added that the rumours are "completely false" that he asked to be traded - recently or ever. http://www.cheapnikefreenz.com/ . The 19-year-old Swiss centre back will initially have to impress in Uniteds reserve side to earn a spot in the first team. Veseli says "Manchester United has a long history of younger players coming through and hopefully I can follow and do the same. Nike Free Nz Online . Week 2s biggest games include Florida facing Miami and Notre Dame travelling to the Big House to conclude their rivalry against Michigan in primetime on TSN2 and TSN 1050. Nike Free Cheap Nz Wholesale . Jamies number grades given are out of five, with five being the best mark. Henrik Lundqvist, New York Rangers (4) – He had a strong game Sunday; was very good in tight with big saves on Crosby, Malkin and Neal in-crease.With the NHLs free agency period just days away from opening, teams are making decisions on how to build their rosters for next season. Check out todays rumours and speculation from around the NHL beat, and follow TSN.ca each day until July 5 for all the updates. Be sure to tune in to TSN2 and visit TSN.ca on July 5 for Free Agent Frenzy, starting at Noon et/9am pt. Something Bruin? For Ottawas hockey fans it is downright unfathomable to consider Daniel Alfredsson wearing any other jersey than the Senators, but Boston Bruins general manager Peter Chiarelli isnt letting that get in the way of trying to make it a reality. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun of ESPN reported today that Chiarelli – a former Senators executive himself – reached out to Alfredssons camp and spoke with them “at great length” in hopes of luring the pending free agent to Boston for the coming season. Chiarelli was believed to be interested in acquiring Alfredsson at the 2013 NHL Trade Deadline, but the Senators – still in the playoff hunt at the time – did not opt to move their franchise face. The 2012-13 season marked the final one for the 40-year-old Alfredsson on a four-year deal he signed prior to 2009-10 worth an annual average value of $4.875 million. His 2012-13 salary was $1 million. The Nathan Horton Tour According to TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun on Twitter, unrestricted free agent forward Nathan Horton is already visiting an NHL team in its respective city today. No one with the Jackets nor with his camp will confirm it, but LeBrun believes he was in Columbus. LeBrun believes hell end up in a quieter, non-traditional hockey market. Danny Boy With Vincent Lecavalier off the market, some of the focus will now be on unrestricted free agent Daniel Briere. The Canadiens, having lost out on Lecavalier, made contact with Brieres camp Tuesday night, a source confirmed to Pierre LeBrun. Sources also indicated that the New Jersey Devils and Nashville Predators are among the teams to show solid interest in Briere and have already spoken to the Briere camp, which is led by agent Pat Brisson. Other teams were expected to contact Brieres camp Tuesday night and Wednesday. Brieree is apparently no longer considering the New York Islanders, but the New Jersey Devils are one of the finalists, according to Newsdays Arthur Staple.dddddddddddd Briere told the Buffalo News earlier Wednesday he was down to eight teams, including his former team the Sabres. Other notes from Pierre LeBrun: - Rob Scuderis agent, Steve Bartlett, said he began to hear from other teams Wednesday regarding his client, but the Los Angeles Kings remain very much in the mix for the unrestricted free agent. - Patrice Bergeron and the Bruins are close to agreeing to an extension that LeBrun believes will pay him between $52-54 million. - Three teams have reached out to Bill Zito, the agent for Tim Thomas, on Wednesday morning to express their interest in signing the veteran netminder. Jacket Fitting Columbus Blue Jackets general manager Jarmo Kekalainen is headed into his first free agent season in the NHL and he already knows what hell be looking for once the bell rings on July 5. Kekalainen told the Columbus Dispatch that a scoring forward is definitely on his shopping list, but that theyre more interested in skill over size. “If you ask anybody, theyd take a 6-5 guy who scores 30 goals over a 5-8 guy who scores 30 goals,” Kekalainen told Aaron Portzline of the Dispatch. “But me personally, I prefer the small guys who play with big heart to the big guys who are less passionate.” The biggest names available are blends of size and skill, players like David Clarkson and Nathan Horton. However, if Kekalainen is true to his word it could open the door for the Jackets to grab a talent like Danny Briere, Valtteri Filppula or Clarke MacArthur. Ring Ring The open market has lit up the phone lines for Los Angeles Kings defenceman Rob Scuderi. While the Kings are still very much in the mix, LeBrun confirmed that there remains interest from other teams on the 34-year-old. Scuderi just completed a four-year, $13.6 million deal he signed with the Kings prior to 2009-10. Off The Table As tweeted by TSN Hockey Insider Darren Dreger on Wednesday, the Canucks buyout of defenceman Keith Ballard means that Alexander Edler is off the market. ' ' '