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Spain took a 2-0 lead in the World Group playoff tie against India after Feliciano Lopez defeated Ramkumar Ramanathan 6-4, 6-4,3-6, 6-1 before David Ferrer saw off Saketh Myneni 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 the first two singles matches at the RK Khanna stadium in New Delhi on Friday.Lopez had replaced Nadal after the latter suffered from stomach pain and a blister on his foot just before the match.In their first ever singles meeting, world number 203 Ramkumar was the first to serve and held comfortably in the first game of the match. Lopez, who is ranked 26th in the world, struggled in his first service game before managing to hold serve after a big serve.Lopez, 34, had a 5-8 singles record in the Davis Cup going into this match, and didnt get an early look in as Ramkumar held comfortably in the third game to lead 2-1.I knew it would be a tough match. He was suffering as well, but we were just trying to hang in there and do our best. Finally, I found a way to win the match and take the point for my country, Lopez said after the win. They love Rafa, and hes such a big idol around the world. Its an honour for us to have him in our team. Thank you, all of you, for coming to watch. We are hoping that you will come in tomorrow as well.Ramkumar, 21, appearing in only his third Davis Cup singles match, was solid at the baseline even as Lopez tried to serve and volley on the slow surface. The left-handed Lopez squandered two break point opportunities in the fifth game before capitalizing on the third break point with a passing shot down the line to lead 3-2.Guys, thank you. I was not able to get enough first serves. I was trying my best, but unfortunately I could not win. It was a good match, and I dont regret anything, Ramkumar said. I gave it my best and didnt win and I wish Saketh good luck. I couldnt return as well as I hoped. Id like to thank my parents.Lopez, who has made 59 consecutive Grand Slam appearances, second only to Roger Federer, tried to keep the rallies short and rushed to the net at every opportunity. The strategy did not always work as Lopez won only 14 per cent of the net points in the first set.There were no breaks of serve in the next four games as Lopez won the first set 6-4 in 41 minutes. Ramkumar committed 14 unforced errors in the first set whereas Lopez committed only 8. Ramkumars inexperience showed in the first game of the second set as he failed to put away a couple of volleys to lose serve. Lopez then unveiled an array of strokes with a lovely drop shot and some nicely placed serves in the ad court which dragged Ramkumar out of the court often.The next five games saw no breaks of serve as both the players held comfortably and Ramkumar showed greater energy and let out a couple of big roars after holding serve.Ramkumar faced a break point in the seventh game but managed to hold with a couple of good first serves. The second set saw only one break of serve as Lopez won the set 6-4 in 34 minutes.Lopezs serve proved to be the difference as he won 93 per cent of the first serve points whereas Ramkumar won only 62 per cent points on his first serve in the second set. The third set saw both players hold serve comfortably in the first five games but Ramkumar took a medical time out after the fifth game with what looked like a bout of cramps.Ramkumar came out charging after the time out as he had two break points opportunities in the eighth game and put Lopezs serve under pressure. He converted the third opportunity with a passing shot to lead 5-3.He then held serve to close out the set 6-3 in 40 minutes. The unforced errors mounted up for Lopez as he committed 10 to Ramkumars six in the third set.Lopez broke Ramkumar in the second game of the fourth set with a passing shot as Ramkumar continued to be uncomfortable at the net.Lopez ran away with the match in the fourth set as he broke Ramkumar again to go up 5-1. He then held serve to win the set 6-1 in 28 minutes.Ferrer doubles Spains leadDavid Ferrer gave Spain a commanding 2-0 lead at the end of the first set after he defeated Saketh Myneni 6-1, 6-2, 6-1 in one hour and 28 minutes in the second singles match of the day.Ferrer, ranked 13th in the world, was in imposing form from the beginning, breaking Mynenis serve twice in the first set to win it 6-1 in 22 minutes. Myneni was first broken in the fourth game when he committed a double fault on break point.The 34 year-old Ferrer, who has a 25-4 career record in singles matches in the Davis Cup, attacked from the baseline and kept the rallies short with 6 winners in the first set.The trend continued in the second set as the 28 year-old Myneni was broken twice in the first three games. The slow court helped Ferrers game as it neutralized Mynenis serve.Unlike Lopez, Ferrer rarely approached the net and controlled the rallies from the baseline. He raced to a 5-0 lead in the second set after breaking Myneni for the fifth time.Myneni got himself on the scoreboard in the second set after Ferrer committed a double fault to lose serve in the sixth game of the second set.Ferrer made Myneni scamper from corner to corner as he worked the ball around the court as he won the second set 6-2 in 34 minutes.World number 137 Saketh was broken twice early in the third set as Ferrer led 4-0. He then wrapped up the set 6-1 in 30 minutes. Wendell Clark Jersey . And when it opened, every player was at his stall. Thats a sure sign that a team is in a slump and is searching for answers. "Its embarrassing to be at home and play the way we did," said defenceman Josh Gorges. Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . http://www.cheapmapleleafsjerseys.com/?tag=adidas-william-nylander-jersey . U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield in Manhattan agreed that lawyers on both sides could make their formal requests by Nov. 8. A hearing is scheduled for a day earlier. Jordan Siev, a lawyer for Rodriguez, wrote in a joint letter to the judge from lawyers on both sides that MLB lawyers planned to ask that the lawsuit be dismissed. Connor Brown Jersey . After the whistle, Thornton skated the length of the ice, pulled Orpik to the ice from behind and punched him in the face several times. Mats Sundin Jersey . -- Anaheim Ducks captain and leading scorer Ryan Getzlaf has been scratched from Sunday nights game against the Vancouver Canucks because of an upper-body injury. NEW YORK -- Sue Bird is thrilled for a chance to show off Seattle.The Emerald City will host the WNBA All-Star Game next year for the first time, the league announced Wednesday.Im really excited as a player whos been here her whole career, Bird said in a phone interview with The Associated Press. Really excited for the fans and for the city. This is a franchise thats seen it all: No. 1 picks, championships, missed playoff runs, disappointing playoff runs. Its time to see an All-Star Game.The game will take place on July 22.Historically, the All-Star Game has highlighted the absolute best in our world-class players -- from Lisa Leslies dunk, to Shoni Schimmels otherworldly performance as a rookie, to the record-setting scoring efforts of Candace Parker in 2013 and Maya Moore in 2015 -- and this time should only bring more excitement and moments for all to enjoy, WNBA president Lisa Borders said.The league didnt have an All-Star Game last season because of the Olympics. The midsseason showcase has been held out west only twice, both times in Phoenix, most recently in 2014.ddddddddddddThe 2015 All-Star Game was held in Connecticut. The West beat the East 117-112 as Maya Moore of the Minnesota Lynx scored a game-record 30 points.I think Seattle is a sports town, Bird said. Yes, we could talk about womens basketball with the Pac-12 tournament and what the Storm has done. It extends to all sports. This is a city that loves sports and deserving of the All-Star Game.While the league didnt say whether there would be additions like a 3-point shootout or other events, Bird was in favor of adding more to the weekend than just the game.I would love for the 3-point contest to come back, the veteran guard said.The WNBA will begin its 21st season on May 13 with three games.---Follow Doug on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/dougfeinberg ' ' '