Protection » Giants will have Eli Apple (hamstring) and Dominique Ro

Everything came together for Andy Murray as he proved too classy for the King of Clay Rafa Nadal on his home dirt again, says Annabel Croft. The British world No 2 remains on course to defend his Madrid Open title after beating Nadal in straight sets in their semi-final on Saturday.Murray, whose only previous victory on clay against the nine-time French Open champion came in last years Madrid final, silenced the home fans inside the Caja Magica with a 7-5 6-4 win in two hours and 11 minutes. Murray defeated Nadal 7-5 6-4 to book his place in the Madrid Open final And Sky Sports tennis expert Croft felt that Murray learned his lesson from his semi-final defeat to Nadal in Monte Carlo last month and was noticeably calmer as he gained sweet revenge to reach Sundays final.He clearly looked at the tapes from Monte Carlo and learned that he could not afford to let anything or any outside distractions get in the way, Croft told Sky Sports 3. There were so many moments when you felt that Nadal had opportunities - 13 break points obviously - but other opportunities to maybe swing the momentum of the match as he had done in Monte Carlo, but each time Andy was able to raise the bar and push him back. Murray marches past Nadal Andy Murray reaches Madrid Open final after beating Rafa Nadal He said himself he used his forehand exceptionally well. You see the height differences Andy puts on the ball and the way he pushed Nadal back further behind the baseline and up high onto the backhand.And then the way he can flatten out the backhand and accelerate through the court. The sliced backhand that can draw his opponent in, but its hit low as well. There are so many elements to his game, I mean he can win points in so many different ways, but today everything came together. Annabel Croft on Andy Murray There are so many elements to his game, I mean he can win points in so many different ways, but today everything came together.He really is such a formidable player, but he was [also] mentally strong today. Murray is congratulated on his victory by Nadal Watch the Madrid Open final on Sky Sports 3 HD from 5.30pm - your home of tennisBy purchasing a Sky Sports Day Pass for £6.99 or Sky Sports Week Pass for £10.99, you can enjoy access to all seven Sky Sports channels and watch on a TV with a NOW TV Box or on a range of devices. Also See: Murray marches past Nadal As it happened Tennis on Sky Get a NOW TV pass Wholesale Blue Jays Jerseys .ca looks back at the stories and moments that made the year memorable. Blue Jays Jerseys China . The 20-year-old Pelicans big man glanced up and smiled widely at the well-wishers -- a fitting end to a day he wont soon forget. Davis responded to his selection earlier in the day as a Western Conference All-Star with 26 points and 10 rebounds, and the New Orleans Pelicans overcame a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to defeat the Minnesota Timberwolves 98-91 on Friday night. https://www.cheapbluejays.com/ Stitched Blue Jays Jerseys . "Hes going to have hip surgery on Jan. 7, and hell be expected to rehabilitate for four to six months beyond that," Canucks general manager Mike Gillis said Friday in an interview. Toronto Blue Jays Pro Shop .C. - The Carolina Hurricanes have placed backup goalie Anton Khudobin on injured reserve with an unspecified lower-body injury. GREEN BAY, Wis. -- Giants coach Ben McAdoo will catch up with old friends when he returns to Lambeau Field.Odell Beckham Jr. just wants to make more catches.Maybe Beckham will start making headlines again for his receiving talents when the Giants visit the Green Bay Packers on Sunday night. This week, the chatter around the league concerning Beckham has mainly been about the wideouts tantrums. McAdoo wants Beckham to channel that frustration into production .No, I like him as a salty, competitive player. Thats when he plays at his best, McAdoo said.That hasnt been the case the last two weeks for the Giants, who lost to Washington on Sept. 25, and Minnesota on Monday night.Now comes a quick turnaround for another tough road trip to face the rested Packers, who are coming off a Week 4 bye.McAdoos history with Green Bay offers a unique perspective on the matchup.McAdoo was an assistant coach for eight seasons under Packers coach Mike McCarthy, spending six years overseeing the tight ends and his final two years at Lambeau mentoring quarterback Aaron Rodgers. McAdoo moved on to the Giants in 2014 to become offensive coordinator before getting his first shot as a head coach this season.McAdoo is still familiar with some of the Packers personnel, and what McCarthy likes to do. Likewise, some of the Giants offensive looks bear similarities to how the Packers operate.But you have to be good on yourself and scout on both ends and realize its been a few years since Ben was here, Rodgers said. Weve changed some things around.What hasnt changed is the appreciation that McCarthy and Rodgers had for McAdoos time in Green Bay. Expect McAdoo to receive some good-natured ribbing, too, on Sunday.Hes also famous for his layering -- you know the short sleeves under long sleeves under short sleeves, always appreciate that about him, Rodgers quipped. Hes quick with a quip right back at you and they can be cutting.Other notes and things to watch on Sunday night:EYES ON ODELL: Maybe this is the game that Beckham starts having fun again. The star wideout at midweek said in an interview with ESPN that he was not having fun anymore with football.But Beckhams frustrations wont have an impact on how the Packers prepare for the receiver, McCarthy said.Were focusing on the video, what each players strengths are ... Just really focussing on their schemes, he said.dddddddddddd.The Packers pass defense has been porous the last couple weeks without top cornerback Sam Shields (concussion), allowing career highs to receivers to Detroits Marvin Jones and Minnesotas Stefon Diggs over the last two games.AIR FORCE: Beckham isnt the only threat in the receiving corps, with rookie Sterling Shepard and veteran Victor Cruz also off to good starts with quarterback Eli Manning. The production, though, hasnt translated into points. The Giants are sixth in total yardage and 27th in scoring.Thats just turnovers and obviously had a few games (when) we got in the red zone and werent able to get enough touchdowns and turned the ball over down there, Manning said. Weve got to hold on to the ball and we just have to finish the drives.AIR FORCE, PART 2: Packers receiver Jordy Nelson seems to be acclimating into the offense just fine after missing the 2015 season with a knee injury. He has four touchdown catches in the first three games, though Nelsons timing with Rodgers really seemed to return in a 34-27 win over Detroit before the bye. Nelson caught two scores in that game.Keep an eye on whether the Giants will have Eli Apple (hamstring) and Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie (groin) available against the Packers after both cornerbacks missed the Vikings game. Otherwise, Nelson could have another big day.REST STOP: The Packers had key defenders return to practice this week following a bye, including linebacker Clay Matthews (ankle/hamstring) and safety Morgan Burnett (groin). It should only strengthen a run defense spearheaded by lineman Mike Daniels thats holding opponents to a league-best 42.7 yards per game. The Giants are rushing for 93.8 yards per game, 19th in the league, and the availability of RB Rashad Jennings because of a thumb injury has been in question.PASS RUSH: While pass coverage has been a problem for the Packers, the defense is getting good pressure on quarterbacks. Green Bay has a deep rotation of edge rushers led by Matthews and veteran Julius Peppers. Linebacker Nick Perry has a team-high 3 1/2 sacks.---Online:AP NFL website: http://www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL coverage on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '