Bernsteins Plauderstübchen » dropped serve immediately

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." Green Bay Packers Jerseys . The Wizards announced Friday that Webster had surgery to repair a herniated disc in his lower back. The operation was performed Thursday in Los Angeles. Brett Favre Jersey .com) - The Carolina Panthers won for the first time in seven games last week, were without Cam Newton due to a car accident this week, but somehow sit atop the much-maligned NFC South. http://www.shoptheofficialpackers.com/El...ers-Jersey/.com) - Top seed Klara Zakopalova reached the second round, while former French Open champion Francesca Schiavone came up a loser Tuesday at the inaugural Rio Open tennis event. Dave Robinson Jersey . The American secured his first back-to-back ATP match wins since June to leave Tsonga relying on his performance at next weeks Paris Masters to clinch one of the final three places for the season-ending event in London. Tsonga would have moved up one spot to No. 6 with a win over Querrey at the City of Arts and Sciences, but his serve deserted him in the second set as the 116th-ranked American broke twice to reach the quarter-finals. Bart Starr Jersey . The league-leading New York Rangers outhit and outmuscled the Maple Leafs during a 3-0 victory on Saturday. Backup goalie Martin Biron stopped all 20 shots he faced to complete a nice workmanlike effort by the visitors.The Texas Rangers are taking a chance on Tommy Hanson. According to MLB.com, the Rangers and Hanson agreed to a minor league contract with an invite to Spring Training, pending a physical. The deal is worth $2 million plus incentives according to CBS Sports Jon Heyman. Hanson, 27, went 4-3 with a 5.42 earned-run average and a 1.55 WHIP in 15 appearances with the Los Angeles Angels in 2013. A veeteran of five MLB seasons, Hanson has posted a 49-35 career record between the Angels and Atlanta Braves.dddddddddddd He possesses a 3.80 career ERA and a 1.28 career WHIP, striking out an average of 8.2 batters per nine innings. The Rangers will need at least short-term help in their starting rotation, with lefty Derek Holland having undergone surgery on his left knee in January. ' ' '