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TORONTO -- Top-ranked Novak Djokovic survived a scare to beat Gilles Muller 7-5, 7-6 (3) on Wednesday in the Rogers Cup, his final event before the Rio Olympics.I actually think that Toronto is a great way for me to prepare for the Olympic Games and whats coming up after that, Djokovic said. But also, you know, I enjoy my time in this tournament that I always love playing.The Serbian star noted that he had extra time off after falling in the third round at Wimbledon. The Rogers Cup rotates between Toronto and Montreal, with the women playing in Montreal this week.I enjoy Canada, both cities, Toronto and Montreal, and the past results in history show that I have a good time on Canadian soil, so I try to get the best out of it, said Djokovic, the tournament winner in 2007, 2011 and 2012.Djokovic struggled against Muller in his first hard-court match since March, both with his serves and his short game. Ultimately, unforced errors were Mullers undoing, with both sets easily in reach of the unseeded player from Luxembourg.Gilles Muller is a very difficult player to play against in quick conditions, Djokovic said. He takes away the time of the opponent. He serves and volleys second serve a lot, as well, which hes one of the rare guys that does that. He likes to play quick, and I think the warm day like today played a lot in his favor.Djokovic will face qualifier Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic in the third round.Third-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan downed American Dennis Novikov 6-4, 7-5; and fourth-seeded Milos Raonic of Canada beat Taiwans Lu Yen-hsun 6-3, 6-3.American qualifier Ryan Harrison outlasted ninth-seeded countryman John Isner 7-6 (3), 6-7 (4), 6-4, and 10th-seeded Gael Monfils of France topped Canadas Vasek Pospisil, Canada, 7-6 (6), 6-0. Monfils won the Citi Open on Sunday in Washington. Ben Simmons 76ers Jersey . Barcelona also left injured defenders Carles Puyol, Javier Mascherano and Jordi Alba out of its squad for the trip to Glasgow. That means that Marc Bartra will probably start again in the centre of the defence alongside Gerard Pique. Charles Barkley Jersey . Luis Suarezs double powered Liverpool to a 4-0 victory over Fulham, and Southampton easily overcame Hull 4-1 to continue the south coast clubs impressive start to the season. Liverpool and Southampton sent Chelsea down to fourth place as the west London club was held to 2-2 at home. http://www.76ersprostore.info/Cheap-Clarence-Weatherspoon-76ers-Jersey/ .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Wilt Chamberlain 76ers Jersey .ca! Hi Kerry, Heres an interesting one. I know its common knowledge that all players are responsible for their sticks. We witnessed that when Zack Kassian hit Edmontons Sam Gagner in the face after a missed check. Ben Simmons Jersey . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. The AFL industry is bunkering down ahead of what is shaping to be the most active player exchange period ever.Each club will be doing everything it can to improve its list for 2017, with more names than ever being thrown around as potential trade targets.ESPN has attempted to read the mind of each clubs list manager to select the most important transaction leading into the leagues annual silly season.ADELAIDE - Find an A-grade midfielder?The Crows were one of the leagues most exciting teams this year but their lack of midfield class proved telling at the business end of the season. ESPN has reported Adelaide are pondering chasing either Brisbanes Tom Rockliff or Carltons Bryce Gibbs, while the Crows may look to secure one of GWS excess mids such as Will Hoskin-Elliott or Jack Steele.BRISBANE - Work out your long-term strategy?The first point of of order for new Lions coach Chris Fagan is to work out whether to strip things back completely for a long-term rebuild, or attempt to steady the ship and get it sailing towards smoother waters ASAP. If its the former, then captain Tom Rockliff and speedster Pearce Hanley - both reportedly open to trades - should be moved on for first-round draft picks. If its the latter, the Lions must retain both and look to bolster all areas of their list.CARLTON - Repeat last years movesCarlton went hard in securing depth through a series of trades with GWS and Adelaide last year, picking up Sam Kerridge, Andrew Phillips, Lachie Plowman and Liam Sumner, as well as picks 8 and 11. That strategy worked in two ways - stemming the bleeding from an awful 2015 season and injecting talent into the clubs dire list. The Blues should look to do the same this offseason, with GWS trio Caleb Marchbank, James Stewart and Jack Steele primary targets. Carlton could also do their best to swoop on Sydney midfielder Tom Mitchell, if the Swans and Hawks fail to secure his signature.COLLINGWOOD - Sign quality ball usersFor too long, the Magpies have struggled with sub-par disposal, particularly through the back half and midfield, which is why they are possibly hunting the likes of Daniel Wells (North Melbourne) and Will Hoskin-Elliott (GWS). The Pies need to ensure whoever they bring in can add polish to their workmanlike midfield and defence. Collingwood gave up plenty to secure Adam Treloar and James Aish last season, so they must be crafty with their trades and drafting this year.ESSENDON - Trade pick No. 1?The first pick of the draft hasnt been traded since Fremantle in 2001 but the Bombers should be bold and offer the prized selection to the best offer. GWS are reportedly desperate to get their hands on the top choice and the Dons should push hard for a deal involving the Giants picks 7 plus their other first-round selections in 15 or 16, and/or a quality young player. This years draft is reported to be one of the most even in recent history, so if the Dons can get pick No. 7, plus Jack Steele for example, for the first pick, they could net two high-quality young guns for the price of one.FREMANTLE - Find a key forward. Or twoThe Dockers were lusting after Melbournes Jesse Hogan and emerging Giant Rory Lobb and their hearts were crushed within a couple of hours earlier this week when both young guns re-signed. With Matthew Pavlich finally hanging up the boots, Freo must do everything they can to find key forward options. One will likely be wantaway Giant Cam McCarthy, but he is a risk having not played at any level this year. The Dockers are reportedly interested in Geelongs Shane Kersten and North Melbournes Aaron Black and theyd be silly not to take a chance on one of those two.GEELONG - Trade Steven MotlopThe enigmatic forward epitomises frustration - he can make the impossible seem easy but too often doesnt do the simple things needed to impact games. He is reportedly on a $600,000 contract and the Cats would be smart to offload him elsewhere to free up salary cap room to chase other targets. Too much was left to Dangerwood last year, meaning Geelong should aim to find support for the star midfield duo. They are reportedly interested in Richmonds Brett Deledio, but could also consider Brisbanes Tom Rockliff. The Cats loaded up for a flag shot this year before falling short, and must reload again before its too late.GOLD COAST - Play hard on Prestia and OMeara, and nail their premium draft picksThe Suns must get the best deal they can get for Dion Prestia and Jaeger OMeara, who want to join Richmond and Hawthorn respectively. Both trades have a long way to go - with ESPN reporting Hawthorn may offer up exciting forward James Sicily as part of the OMeara deal - but the Suns should be sitting pretty at this years draft once the dust settled. Theyre already holding picks No. 4, 8, 21, 22, 24 and 27, and with more top-end selections likely to come their way, they must attack the draft as hard as they can - but this time, they must nail their choices.GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY - Load up on future picks?The Giants list is bursting at the seams with talent, meaning theyre well placed to be well compensated if, as expected, several promising players - including Will Hoskin-Elliott, Caleb Marchbank, James Stewart, Jack Steele and Cam McCarthy - walk. GWS will use most of their draft choices this year on a bumper crop of Academy kids (including possible first-round talents Harry Perryman, Will Setterfield and Kobe Mutch) and with the production line set to flow again next year, trading for future picks would be the smart move.HAWTHORN - Find contested-ball winners (even though Clarko doesnt give a toss)The Hawks were smashed in contested footy this year and while their coach Alastair Clarkson famously said he didnt give a toss about that statistic, its an area of glaring weakness ffor the former champs.dddddddddddd Hawthorn are in the box seat to secure Jaeger OMeara from the Suns and Tom Mitchell from the Swans, which would almost solve the problem in one foul swoop (assuming OMearas injury woes are behind him). The Hawks have every right to aggressively push for another flag this season before their handful of champion veterans finally pull the pin.MELBOURNE?- Find a back-up for big MaxyMax Gawn was one of the revelations of 2016, pretty much singlehandedly carrying the Dees ruck division. But with journeyman Jake Spencer Gawns only real back-up, the Demons are on the hunt for another ruck option, preferably one with forward nous. Geelongs Nathan Vardy could be an option, or Melbourne may look to the state leagues for a tall prospect with upside. The Demons are already one of the winners this offseason after extending Jesse Hogans contract to the end of 2019. They dont have a first-round pick this year, but their trade for Essendons Michael Hibberd (in exchange for pick No. 26) could be one of the first struck on Monday, meaning the Dees could be one of the leagues quietest teams during the exchange period.NORTH MELBOURNE - Draft, draft and draft some more The Kangaroos have already signalled their intentions of a dramatic rebuild, having cut Brent Harvey, Drew Petrie, Nick Dal Santo and Michael Firrito. Fellow veteran Daniel Wells is also a possible departee, possibly netting the Roos an end-of-first round compensation pick. Fringe key forward Aaron Black is also likely to seek greener pastures. Having topped up to challenge for a flag, North should now use this opportunity to attack the draft as hard as they can in the search for young talent. The Kangaroos have an excellent core of inside midfielders, but will be after outside polish at the draft.PORT ADELAIDE - Let Matthew Lobbe walkLobbe almost departed Alberton last offseason, but the ruckman was retained and struggled for senior opportunities. With Paddy Ryder set to return next season after his 12-month ban ended, Lobbe will be further on the outer come 2017. The Powers salary cap is reportedly tight - hence the club putting Hamish Hartlett up for trade at the right price - so the club should look to accommodate Lobbes request for a new home. They wont receive as much in return as what was on offer this time 12 months ago, but it will clear Lobbes sizeable salary off the books and allow the Power to fix other areas of their list.RICHMOND - Get the Prestia deal done earlyThe Tigers have pick No. 6. The Suns have Dion Prestia. Simples. While Richmond may want to haggle over Prestias worth, pick No. 6 is just about spot on for a midfielder of Prestias quality and relative youth. If Damien Hardwick still believes he has a finals-quality list at his disposal despite the horror 2016, the Tigers should sign off on the Prestia deal early next week and then assess other ways to bolster their squad. As theyve signalled their intentions to challenge next year, not rebuild, Richmond should also fight to retain the services of Brett Deledio.ST KILDA - Grab Jack SteeleThe Saints were one of the best stories of this year, only just missing out on a finals berth on percentage. With quality across all lines, the Saints will unlikely break the bank for a big-name signing, but theyre chasing fringe GWS midfielder Steele, who could be a 10-year addition in their centre square rotation. Steele is a big-bodied midfielder who can also be a threat forward, with strong contested marking ability. His addition will add an exciting element to St Kildas already promising midfield.SYDNEY - Reconsider the Tom Mitchell contract Mitchell was one of the Swans best through the season, and indeed finals series, and Sydney have to do everything they can to keep him. Theyll need to increase their contract offer significantly if they are to prevent him from moving south - most likely to Hawthorn - which may mean they offload others. Gary Rohan could be one option, after a second successive average grand final performance, and his pace and potential could be attractive to rival clubs. Or could the Swans put Kurt Tippett on the table? The Swans may be loathe to lose the forward/ruck after his solid season (albeit he was ineffective in the grand final) but Tippett is on a hefty contract so if he was offloaded, the Swans could have the cash to splash on Mitchell.WEST COAST - Let Eric Mackenzie find a new homeLast season, Mackenzie looked a shell of the player who won the Eagles best and fairest in 2014. The key defender spent time in the WAFL this year and looked bereft of confidence but at 28, theres enough time for him to shine in a new home. The late-season form of Rising Star nominee Tom Barrass means West Coast have already got a permanent replacement for the veteran defender. The Eagles should receive a solid draft pick or player depending on which club wants to trade for Mackenzie, meaning they can focus their efforts in bolstering the lack of depth through the midfield.WESTERN BULLDOGS - Sit back and enjoy the premiership glow, but then try to re-sign Lin JongJong is weighing up his options after a tumultuous season in red, white and blue, but the Bulldogs could regret it if he joins a rival such as Gold Coast or Collingwood. The big-bodied midfielder, who plays with impressive hardness, played 16 senior matches this year, averaging 17 disposals, 4.4 tackles, and almost a goal a game. In the Dogs VFL premiership, Jong was named best on ground and looked a class above that level. Theyd be better off letting other fringe players walk instead of Jong, who could become an excellent second-rotation midfielder. ' ' '