PARIS -- Rafael Nadals path to a record-extending ninth French Open title could take him through a series of matches against the men who beat him on clay this season. The top-seeded Nadal was drawn Friday to possibly face No. 21 Nicolas Almagro in the fourth round, then No. 5 David Ferrer in the quarterfinals. "Those are opponents that know how to play well on clay," Nadal said. "But its never easy." The other mens quarterfinal matchups could be No. 2 Novak Djokovic vs. No. 8 Milos Raonic, No. 3 Stan Wawrinka vs. No. 7 Andy Murray, and No. 4 Roger Federer vs. No. 6 Tomas Berdych. The possible womens quarterfinals are No. 1 Serena Williams vs. No. 7 Maria Sharapova in what would be a rematch of last years final won by Williams, No. 2 Li Na vs. No. 6 Jelena Jankovic, No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska vs. No. 8 Angelique Kerber, and No. 4 Simona Halep vs. No. 5 Petra Kvitova. Ferrer, who lost to Nadal in the 2013 final at Roland Garros, upset him in the Monte Carlo quarterfinals last month. Almagro ended Nadals 41-match winning streak in Barcelona by beating him in the quarterfinals there a week later. Those defeats were both in best-of-three-set matches. The French Open, like all Grand Slam tournaments, uses a best-of-five format for men, and Nadal was asked Friday whether that gives him an advantage on clay. "I give my most every point, every game, every set. Whether its (best of) three or five, if you want to win, you have to play well," he said. Nadal has three losses on clay in a season for the first time since 2004, when he was only 17 and had yet to play a match at the French Open. He was beaten in the Rome final last weekend by Djokovic; they only could meet in the final in Paris. Djokovic has won the pairs last four meetings, but Nadal is 5-0 head-to-head at the French Open, including victories in the 2012 final and 2013 semifinals. Djokovic, a six-time major champion who needs a French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam, and Federer, owner of a record 17 major titles, were drawn to meet in the semifinals. Nadal, who stands third among men with 13 Grand Slam trophies, could meet Australian Open champion Wawrinka in the semifinals. Nadal is 59-1 for his career at the French Open, with four titles in a row in 2005-08 and again in 2010-13. Williams won the clay-court Grand Slam tournament in 2002, beating her older sister Venus in the final, then waited 11 years before adding a second French Open trophy in 2013. The Williams sisters were drawn Friday to face each other in the third round, which would be their earliest meeting at a Grand Slam tournament since their very first matchup, in the second round of the 1998 Australian Open. Venus is seeded 29th at the French Open. Shes won seven Grand Slam singles titles, 10 fewer than Serena, who holds a 14-10 edge in head-to-head matches. "It never gets easier," Serena said. "Shes essentially the love of my life, so its definitely difficult." Cheap Ultra Boost Shoes . The 25-year-old Brazilian player has only made four Premier League appearances for United this season and underwent a medical test in Italy on Friday. Cheap Ultra Boost China . Defenceman Tessa Bonhomme was among three players released from the team Tuesday morning along with defenceman Brigette Lacquette of Waterhen, Man. http://www.cheapultraboostshoes.com/ . -- DeMarcus Cousins had 25 points and 16 rebounds to help the Sacramento Kings snap a seven-game losing streak by defeating the Chicago Bulls 99-70 on Monday night. Adidas Ultra Boost 2018 . Torres scored the first goal by an English team in the knockout phase of the Champions League this season when he met Cezar Azpilicuetas cutback in the ninth minute of their first leg match in the last 16. But Chelsea failed to make the most of its counterattacks and the Turkish champions equalized in the second half after gaining in confidence and cutting out their defensive mistakes. Wholesale Ultra Boost . - The Denver Broncos kept rookie wide receiver Tavarres King from joining the Green Bay Packers by promoting him to their active roster Tuesday.BOSSIER CITY, La. - Undrafted rookie Patric Young is working hard to make it in the NBA.The New Orleans Pelicans benefited from the University of Florida products efforts in the waning moments of the teams preseason finale Thursday.After the New Orleans Pelicans 10 point fourth-quarter lead was cut to one in the waning moments, Youngs emphatic follow slam with 2.1 seconds remaining helped the Pelicans secure a 88-85 victory against the Dallas Mavericks at the CenturyLink Center.It felt good because I was working really, really hard just to try and help the team win, said Young, who had compiled just eight points in the previous six preseason games.Things worked out in the universe and the ball came back to me, and I got a nice dunk. It was pretty cool.Dallas guard Ricky Ledos 3-point attempt to tie the game caught the front of the rim at the buzzer.Tyreke Evans scored 14 points and Anthony Davis added 13 as the Pelicans starters saw plenty of action in the teams final tuneup.Mavericks coach Rick Carlisle opted to rest stars such as Dirk Nowitzki and Tyson Chandler in Dallas penultimate preseason affair. The Mavericks were led by guard Gal Mekels 17 points.A 3-pointer from guard Jimmer Fredette pushed the Pelicans lead to 10 points with 8 minutes left in the game. An Ivan Johnson three-point play helped the Mavericks cut the lead to 86-85 with 30.5 seconds remaining before a wild scramble near under the hoop led to Youngs dagger — and only two points of the game.The Pelicans finished the preseason 5-2 despite shooting just 37 per cent (32 of 87) Thursday night.I thought ouur guys were wanting to play against Dallas starters, New Orleans head coach Monty Williams said.dddddddddddd. When it didnt happen, for whatever reason, I thought it changed our attitude.Dallas shot 39 per cent (33 of 84) and is 3-4. The Mavs stuck to a plan regarding their starters as Fridays preseason finale will take place at Orlando.When we laid out training camp, this is the way it was going to go, Carlisle said. Were going to play some of our main guys (Friday) night. (The preseason) has all gone by very fast.Ryan Anderson and Eric Gordon scored 12 apiece for the Pelicans. Jae Crowder (14), Charlie Villanueva (13) and Ivan Johnson (11) finished in double figures for the Mavericks. Benard James scored six points and added a game-high 10 rebounds for Dallas.Both offences struggled early in the neutral site affair that drew 10,658.TIP-INSMavericks: Raymond Felton (ankle) did not travel with the team.Pelicans: All 17 players on the roster played Thursday night.FIVE THE HARD WAYMidway through the third quarter, Davis posted a rare five-point possession. After missing a free throw in an and-one situation, Davis grabbed the rebound and was fouled as he scored. He made the ensuing freebie and pushed the Pelicans lead to six points (47-41).CAN I GET A SELFIE?The extent of Thursdays work for Nowitzki and Chandler was posing for selfies along the front row of the CenturyLink Centers lower bowl just prior to tipoff.UP NEXTNew Orleans opens the regular season Tuesday night at home against Orlando.Dallas plays its final preseason game at Orlando on Friday night. ' ' '
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