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Friday, 3 Sep 2010

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Wells Fargo and Bank of America up by seven percen... » Led by Wells Fargo and Bank of America, financials were the worst perf...

Hurricane Earl 3 PM update – still tracking to sid... » Hurricane Earl keeps to the same path, speed and velocity, 80 mph at c...

Interview: Long Road Ahead For Sudan Debt Relief-W... » Sudan needs structural reforms to broaden its economy and encourage pr...

Sudan Referendum Body Agrees Post To End Deadlock » Sudan's referendum commission agreed on a key post on Thursday, ending...

The Desert of Forbidden Art » The Desert of Forbidden Art reveals masterpieces of avant-garde Russia...

Justin Wiscombe of Aurora charged with theft » Investigators have arrested an Aurora man following their investigatio...

Con artist Richard Earl Rupert wanted for fraud in... » A con artist with a long history of bilking seniors out of money has w...

Mahamed Aden Hassan wanted by Edmonton police for ... » EPS West Division Detectives have issued an arrest warrant for a man i...

Hurricane Earl noon update storm tracking Cape Cod... » Plan for the worst. Hope for the best.” PEI Government Earl i...

Hurricane Earl sideswipes NC headed for Massachuse... » Downgraded to a Category 2 hurricane Earl still packs winds of 105 mil...

Bleeding Light » Bleeding Light is a collection of ghazals tracing the steps of a woman...

Stefan Campagna charged with voyeurism in Ottawa » On August 31, 2010, the Ottawa Police Service Sexual Assault/Child Abu...

13 Toronto men charged in a $4 million fraud » Following a complicated, two year investigation with Industry Canada&r...

Bryan Valentine Gardner arrested for the murder of... » Investigators working out of the York Regional Police Homicide Unit ha...

Johnny Lindo charged with aggravated assault in Aj... » One man suffered a non-life threatening stab wound after an altercatio...

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Rebecca Marino earns respect from Venus Williams in second round loss at US Open

Friday, 03 September 2010 18:03

Playing on famed Arthur Ashe Stadium in the second round of the US Open, Vancouver native Rebecca Marino played like she belonged on the global stage as she dropped the match 7-6(3), 6-3 in one hour and 31 minutes to third-seeded Venus Williams of the United States.

"She (Marino) served so well," said Williams during her post-match interview on court. "I know what it's like playing myself. She has a great future ahead of her."

Broken only once, Marino served eight aces, committing just two double faults. She scored 27 winners versus 24 by Williams. The Canadian, who was given much praise by American broadcasters throughout the match, realized how close she is to becoming a constant on Tour.

"It's really not as far or scary as you think it is," said Marino. "It's actually attainable. (Today) was pretty fun. I felt really relaxed out there. It was just the court, the referee, me and her."

The single service break came in the fourth game of the second set as Williams started to feel more confident and moved Marino to the sidelines more. The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion then served at-love and took control of the match.

The opening set was a battle of the serves with neither player letting up. The high quality, dramatic set finished with a tiebreak and Marino came out aggressively, taking a mini-break at 3-1. However the more experienced Williams turned her play up a level and scored six straight points to close out the set.

She will receive 160 ranking points and approximately $38,000 (USD) for advancing to the second round of the US Open after winning three qualifying matches. Marino will return to Canada on Thursday where she will compete at the Bell Challenge in Quebec City.

Peter Polansky (Thornhill, Ontario) is the lone Canadian left in singles play. He faces American James Blake on Louis Armstrong Stadium Thursday afternoon (fourth match of the day). Should he advance, he would be the first Canadian male to reach the third round of the US Open since Davis Cup captain Martin Laurendeau reached the Round of 16 in 1988.

Aleksandra Wozniak out for the remainder of the season

Friday, 03 September 2010 18:03

She withdraws from all of the tournaments scheduled in 2010 Montreal, September 1, 2010 – Top Canadian player Aleksandra Wozniak has withdrawn from the Bell Challenge in Quebec City and has also decided to put an end to her season today, following her withdrawal from the final tournaments of her 2010 campaign.

"I have tried everything and obviously there is nothing more that I can do, my injury simply needs time to heal," Wozniak explained. "It was a difficult decision to make to end my season this way, but in the long run it is the best one."

Wozniak arrived in Montreal this afternoon from New York and will be available on Thursday at 10:30 a.m. at Uniprix Stadium. Wozniak admits that she endured a disappointing season after starting the year with hopes of being among the Top 20 players in the world.

"With my results from last year I had every reason to believe that I could be a Top 20 player, but instead I had to overcome many setbacks which affected my game and my confidence," Wozniak added. "It was my year of challenges and part of me is relieved that it's over." "This break will allow me to comeback stronger mentally, physically and technically. For once, I will enjoy the fall season in Quebec."

LB Raymond Fontaine released by the Argos

Friday, 03 September 2010 18:03

The Toronto Argonauts announced today that non-import LB Raymond Fontaine has been released. Fontaine was drafted by the Argos in the second round (11th overall) of the 2005 CFL Canadian Draft. The Kentucky product contributed mainly on special teams and played in 68 regular season games and 3 playoff games with the Double Blue. Over almost 5 seasons, Fontaine made 72 ST tackles, 6 DT, 1 PKD, 1 blocked kick and 1 TD.

Commented Head Coach Jim Barker, “We would like to thank Ray Fontaine for his years of service with the club and wish him all the best in his future endeavours.”

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Argos Cory Boyd & Kevin Eiben earn CFL players of the month awards

Friday, 03 September 2010 18:03

The month of August was red hot in the City of Toronto and so was the play of Argonauts’ RB Cory Boyd and LB Kevin Eiben. The CFL announced today that Boyd has been named CFL Offensive Player of the Month and Eiben has earned CFL Canadian Player of the Month for August.

Boyd had a tremendous August for the Argonauts. He earned CFL Offensive Player of the Week honours for his performance during Week 6 in Edmonton where he became the first Argonaut since Michael Jenkins (2001) to score three touchdowns in a game. Boyd finished the month with 58 carries for a total of 308 yards (5.3 yards/carry) and three touchdowns, while also hauling in eight catches for 80 yards and a touchdown, all in just three games. He continues to lead the league in rushing with 792 yards, which is more than 100 yards ahead of the Edmonton’s Arkee Whitlock. This is Boyd’s first CFL Player of the Month award.

Kevin Eiben is putting together another all-star season. After being the runner-up for CFL Canadian Player of the Month in July (Saskatchewan WR Andy Fantuz), the CFL announced today that the 10-year Argo has been honoured for the month of August. Eiben has already been named runner-up for the Canadian Player of the Week twice in 2010 and he currently leads the CFL in defensive tackles with 53. The Delta, BC native finished August with 23 defensive tackles and tied a career-high with 10 tackles against Hamilton two weeks ago. This is the first time Eiben has earned a CFL Player of the Month award.

The Argos are back in action in the Labour Day Classic on Monday, September 6 against Hamilton at Ivor Wynne Stadium. The Double Blue returns home on Sunday, September 19 to take on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at 1:00 p.m. at Rogers Centre.

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Peter Polansky knocks off Juan Monaco at US Open in New York

Friday, 03 September 2010 18:03

Peter Polansky (Thornhill, Ontario) defeated No. 30 seed Juan Monaco of Argentina on Tuesday 6-2, 7-6(5), 6-3 in the opening round of the U.S. Open. The win marks the first
Grand Slam main draw victory of his career.

"I started to serve really well near the end," said Polansky after the match. "I knew if I played well and focused that I could do it. This means a lot. Especially beating two Top 35 guys in the past two weeks.

That's huge for me."With the first break point opportunity of the third set for Polansky, he returned a Monaco kick serve around the net post but in for a winner. With a pumped fist to his supporters, Polansky calmly served out at-love to take a 3-1 lead. The Canadian broke Monaco again to close out the match.

After tailing 2-5 in the second set tiebreak, Polansky reeled off five straight points and took the commanding lead.

He played a nearly flawless opening first frame in front of a boisterous crowd of more than 1,000 fans on Court No. 11 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The 2006 US Open junior finalist converted on three-of-five break point chances in the set and six-for-nine for the match.

Polansky has rebounded to have a strong end to the summer hard court season. He defeated world No. 15 Jergen Melzer of Austria in the opening round of Rogers Cup presented by National Bank in Toronto and earned three victories to qualify for the final Grand Slam of the season in New York.

The top-ranked Canadian male singles player will next face either James Blake (United States) or Kristof Vliegen (Belgium) in the second round on Thursday. Fellow Canadian Rebecca Marino (Vancouver) will play third seeded American Venus Williams on legendary Arthur Ashe Stadium on Wednesday afternoon (third match).