by ldh2013 » Sat Jul 02, 2016 8:22 am
Italy won its fourth Fed Cup title Sunday, sweeping past a Russian team that was without any of its top players because of injuries and scheduling conflicts. . No. 7-ranked Sara Errani cruised past Alisa Kleybanova before Flavia Pennetta and Karin Knapp won the doubles. Errani needed less than an hour to win 6-1, 6-1 against the No. 183-ranked Kleybanova, who has only recently returned to the circuit following treatment for Hodgkins lymphoma. Pennetta and Knapp beat newcomers Margarita Gasparyan and Irina Khromacheva 4-6, 6-2, 10-4. "Its down to a marvelous team and above all the fact that we are always united," Errani said. "We are very happy. It was a very good week for us. I am happy with how I played today." Italy was favoured after Russia travelled without any of its top players, some because of injuries and a scheduling conflict with the season-ending Tournament of Champions in Bulgaria. However, Roberta Vinci and Errani struggled at times before beating Fed Cup debutants Alexandra Panova and Khromacheva, respectively, on a difficult opening day Saturday to give Italy a commanding lead. Panova was scheduled to play Errani but Russia captain Shamil Tarpischev opted to replace her with the more experienced Kleybanova. The 24-year-old, who was ranked 20th before her battle with cancer, was given a warm reception as she walked onto the court. Errani, who dropped just two games and earned five breaks. A stunning drop-volley handed Errani two match points and although Kleybanova saved one, she netted a volley on the second. "I knew I had to play yesterday after the two matches," Kleybanova said. "But there was no sort of pressure on me. I tried to do my best, but this is the first official match Ive played on clay since 2011. I tried to do my best but Sara was really in form. "(Corrado) Barazzutti is a captain who really understands his role. Hes certainly one of the best. And the girls are really close to each other. They have so much respect." Italy is now tied with Russia with four Fed Cup titles, one behind Spain. The United States leads with 13, followed by Australia and Czech Republic with seven titles. Captain Corrado Barazzutti tied Vicky Berner, Billie Jean King and Miguel Margets with four titles as captain. "Sara was as ever a real champion," he said. "They were all brilliant and I have to thank everyone who contributed to this project and this success." .The Knicks fell 101-91 to the Washington Wizards on Wednesday, giving New York its longest in-season skid in the proud franchises 69-year history. . LOUIS - Matt Adams hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to give the St. . -- James Harden scored 31 points, including 25 in the second half, and the Houston Rockets dug out of a double-digit, first-half hole to beat the Orlando Magic 101-89 on Wednesday night.Chris Pronger could be elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame sooner than later. TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reports that the Board of Directors of the Hall of Fame clarified the three-year eligibility waiting period by-law on Tuesday. Though he has not officially retired, Pronger, who now works in the NHLs Department of Player Safety, has not played in the NHL since November, 2011 due to post-concussion syndrome. Under the clarified regulation, Pronger would be eligible for the Hall of Fame this June if the selection committee chooses to nominate him in April. This would be subject to ratification by full membership at the Hall of Fames annual meeting in March, but the motion is expected to pass. Previously, a player would have to have been retired from the game for three years in order to be eligible for election. The new by-law imposes a more objective test for the three-year eligibility rule applicable to player candidates, in particular, resolving possible ambiguity as to the nomiination of a player who has not played for more than three years due to injury, but who is still under contract and continues to receive compensation that counts for salary cap purposes or otherwise, Jeff Denomme, president and CEO of the Hockey Hall of Fame, told LeBrun on Tuesday. . Prongers 18-year career has been a decorated one. Drafted second-overall in the 1993 NHL Entry Draft out of Peterborough by the Hartford Whalers, Pronger was a six-time All-Star. In 2000, as a member of the Presidents Trophy-winning St. Louis Blues, Pronger captured both the Norris Trophy, given to the leagues top defenceman, and the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the NHLs most valuable player. He captured the Stanley Cup in 2007 with the Anaheim Ducks. Internationally, Pronger was a member of Canadas World Junior Championship winning entry in 1993 and won a World Championship in 1997. Pronger competed for Canada in four Winter Olympics, capturing gold in both 2002 and 2010. ' ' '