6-1 win over Lucas Pouille to reach the final in Rome for the firs

WASHINGTON -- Back when Ryan Harrison participated in the 2011 edition of the hard-court ATP tournament in the nations capital, he was still a teen, still considered the next big thing in American mens tennis, and still talking about wanting to be, in his words at the time, a multiple Grand Slam champion.Harrison lost to Viktor Troicki that week. As it happens, all of these years and hiccups later, Harrison played the same guy again Wednesday at the same event, and this time he won, eliminating the 10th-seeded Troicki of Serbia 7-6 (4), 6-4 to reach the Citi Opens third round as a qualifier.For Harrison, now 24 and nearly a decade into his professional career, it represents the first time hes won back-to-back main-draw matches in 2016. It also represents a real step back in the right direction for someone who reached his career-best ranking of 43rd in 2012 and is now 158th.Mentally, its been an up and down ride over the last couple years, because the hardest thing to do when youve had early success and you hit a speed bump is to let go of the negative. You can dwell on so many things. At so many stages of my career, Ive been angry and irritated. Ive been discouraged. Not depressed in my life, but disappointed with the way that Im playing, Harrison said in an interview after beating Troicki in front of a standing-room-only crowd.You can get in a sulky mode. Everything thats built up from negative moments can creep back in, continued Harrison, who was born in Louisiana and is now based in Texas. The biggest thing for me moving forward is just being who I am today. I know what I can do, I know the level Im capable of playing, and when I do let go of all that stuff then I feel I give myself chances to win. Because I dont doubt myself from an ability standpoint.Harrison converted only three of 22 break points, but he counted it as a positive that he didnt let all the missed chances get to him.When youre in a situation like Im in -- that you havent won a ton of matches -- it seems like its tough to convert on opportunities. And its easy to get discouraged. You miss your first couple, and you feel like youve lost the match, he said. For me, the biggest turning point for this week, compared to other weeks, has been when Im not getting that first opportunity, (Im) staying in there and creating more.Next for Harrison is an all-American matchup against fifth-seeded Steve Johnson, who beat Adrian Mannarino of France 6-3, 6-4.Others advancing included top-seeded John Isner, No. 2 Gael Monfils -- who hadnt won a match since early May and said hed missed time on tour recently because of a virus -- No. 3 Bernard Tomic, No. 6 Jack Sock and No. 15 Marcos Baghdatis.In a match between two of the three teens in the ATPs top 100, seventh-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany saved all five break points he faced and overwhelmed Taylor Fritz of the U.S. 6-4, 6-2. They were born six months apart in 1997, but Zverev brushed off the idea that this was a significant meeting of two members of tennis next generation.It doesnt mean a lot for the future, Zverev said. We both know that theres a lot of improvements to be made for both of us.The third teen in the top 100, Borna Coric, won Wednesday and faces Monfils next.In womens play, wild-card entry Jessica Pegula defeated Christina McHale 7-5, 6-2. Pegula, whose parents own the NFLs Buffalo Bills and NHLs Buffalo Sabres, reached the quarterfinals of a WTA tournament for the first time.McHale, who pushed Serena Williams to three sets at Wimbledon, is the sister of Harrisons fiancee, Lauren.Their wedding date is in next March, which coincides with the closing weekend of the Masters tournament in Miami.So, noted Harrison, sounding as confident as ever, we are hoping to have to reschedule.---Follow Howard Fendrich at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrich Wholesale Nike Blazer . Nathan MacKinnon, Jamie McGinn and Jan Hejda also scored for the Avalanche, who won despite being outshot 38-23. MacKinnons goal, also on the power play, came with just over a minute remaining. Nike Blzer Cheap . Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats. http://www.wholesalenikeblazer.com/ . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. Nike Blazer Shoes For Sale . 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. Cheap Blazer For Sale . Boucher previously coached the Tampa Bay Lightning and had a 97-78-20 record over two-plus seasons. He was dismissed by the team last March after the Lightning struggled in the lockout-shortened season with a 13-18-1 record.Andy Murray has set up another thrilling final against Novak Djokovic at the Rome Masters today, live on Sky Sports. The world No 1 denied Murray more silverware in last weeks Madrid Open final and they meet again in the Italian capital, where the Scot attempts to end a run of four straight defeats against the sports dominant champion.Djokovic, who is targeting a hat-trick of title wins in the clay court tournament, had to overcome injury and a dropped first set in his 2-6 6-4 7-6 semi-final win over Kei Nishikori. The Serbs pain was self-inflicted as he struck his ankle with his racquet while attempting to clean clay from his shoes. Djokovic played through the pain in his win over Kei Nishikori A message to all the kids out there: dont hit your own ankle when youre cleaning your shoes, said Djokovic.It was an awkward situation in the first game, I hit myself pretty hard on the ankle and bruised the bone. It hurt for a while, and though the pain faded it returned towards the end of the match. Highlights of Murrays semi-final clash with Lucas Pouille at the Rome Masters In stark contrast, Murray had comfortably progressed with a 6-2 6-1 win over Lucas Pouille to reach the final in Rome for the first time.ddddddddddddMurray brushed aside the Frenchman in under an hour and should be fighting fit for his latest match against Djokovic. Murray has produced consistent performances on the clay In his post-match interview, Murray welcomed the chance to challenge for another title on clay as he works towards the French Open later this month.Any time you get the chance to play the best players, especially right before a slam, its great preparation, he said. Murray v Djokovic: The rivalry We recall previous meetings between the two stars The few matches I have played here have been fairly quick matches and regardless of who I play tomorrow, I know Ill be pushed extremely hard and be put in difficult situations, difficult moments. Thats what you want.Watch Andy Murray against Novak Djokovic in the Rome Masters final, from 4pm on Sky Sports 4. Also See: Murray reaches Rome final Murray v Djokovic: The rivalry Murray v Pouille recap Serena closes on 70th title ' ' '