sed in Toronto, Bradwell is entering h | Forum

WASHINGTON -- Coaches often tell players to practice the way you play. LeVeon Bell Jersey . That strategy didnt work out for Sloane Stephens. Playing her first match since Wimbledon, the No. 2-seeded Stephens fell to Olga Puchkova 7-5, 6-3 in the first round of the Citi Open on Monday. "Leading up, I didnt practice that great and I just wasnt feeling the ball out there," said Stephens, who lost to eventual Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli in the quarterfinals on July 2. "Sometimes you have days like that and its unfortunate that it came today." The struggles started early for the 15th-ranked Stephens, particularly with her service game. The highest-ranked American behind Serena Williams, Stephens was broken three times in each set by the unseeded and 88th-ranked Russian. In the mens event, Mardy Fish rebounded from an early exit in Atlanta and losing the first set to defeat qualifier Matthew Ebden 2-6, 6-1, 6-3. After falling behind 3-0 and 4-1 in the first set, the 20-year-old Stephens worked her way back into a 5-5 tie, only to falter in the end. After Puchkova held serve, Stephens could not do the same, unable to win a single point en route to dropping the set. The final set was more of the same. "I couldnt really get it together, but there will be more tournaments, so its OK," Stephens said. She dealt with an abdominal injury earlier this summer, but said it wasnt a factor on Monday. "I felt fine. When Im injured, I play great. When Im healthy I cant hit a ball on the court." Battling back from a heart condition, Fish only played four matches in 2013 before facing Ebden, including a first-round loss last week. After dropping the opening set, the 31-year-old Fish turned the momentum by winning the lengthy opening game of the second set. He capped the service break with a cross-court winner and took the next three games for a 4-0 lead. Fish broke Ebden at 3-2 in the second set, leading to his first victory since March. Fish credited his practice performance for his positive outcome. "It feels real good. Ive played well in practice, put in a lot of hours in the past, you know, Id be remiss not to say months. But its been months. Yeah, its satisfying," Fish said. Defending champion and No. 7 seed Magdalena Rybarikova rallied past Christina McHale for a 2-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory. Playing with a wrap on her left thigh because of a lower back injury, Rybarikova twice lost serve in the opening set. The 43rd-ranked Slovak rebounded as McHale also struggled on her serve. "Her game went down and I had my chances," said Rybarikova, who broke McHale three times in the final set. "Especially in the third set, I really played my game." Along with Stephens, McHale is one of 11 American women ranked in the top 100. In other first-round matches, American James Blake fell 6-2, 7-6 (6) to Marinko Matosevic while 2011 champion Radek Stepanek defeated American Steve Johnson 7-6 (3), 6-3. Xavier Malisse, Somdev Devvarman, David Goffin and Paula Ormaechea also advanced. Trevon Wesco Youth Jersey . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Trevon Wesco Jets Jersey . -- The proud fathers huddled near the Dallas Stars dressing room, smiling, laughing and telling stories while wearing replica green sweaters of their sons team. http://www.jetsrookiestore.com/Jets-Cj-Mosley-Jersey/ . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. SUNRISE, Fla. -- A four-night road trip turned into a five-nighter for the Florida Panthers.They never made it to the airport in Denver on Friday night after beating the Colorado Avalanche, with heavy snow keeping them on the road for an extra night. So instead of flying back to South Florida on Friday, the team will spend its day off traveling home on Saturday afternoon.The Panthers went 1-1-1 on their threee-game trip to Minnesota, Winnipeg and Colorado. Quinnen Williams Youth Jersey. .The Panthers will practice at home on Sunday and play on Tuesday, hosting the Buffalo Sabres to start a five-game homestand. Florida isnt scheduled to travel again until Dec. 30, a day before it visits the Dallas Stars. ' ' '