Staying number one harder than getting there, says Kerber

Melbourne Park was ground zero for the stunning breakthrough of Angelique Kerber’s tennis career so the German has naturally savoured some golden memories before the defence of her Australian Open title. The emotions bubbled to the surface as the late-blooming left-hander was driven through the Melbourne Park gates for the first time since coming back this year.

The Latest: Steelers strike first, Chiefs answer

Dallas Cowboys wide receiver Dez Bryant, left, and wide receiver Lucky Whitehead warm up before an NFL divisional playoff football game against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017, in Arlington, Texas. A third wave of sleet and drizzle could hit parts of the central U.S. on the eve of the holiday, and temperatures threaten to stay near or below freezing and add to the treacherous mix.

Donnellon: Concussions and the inconvenient truth

Prior to joining the Daily News in 1992, he worked as a national writer for the short-lived but highly acclaimed National Sports Daily. He has received state and national awards at each stop and has been honored repeatedly by the Associated Press Sports Editors, the National Sportswriters and Sportscasters Association, the National Association of Black Journalists, and the Associated Press Managing Editors.

Valencia tops Espanyol to end winless run in Spanish league

Valencia has finally won again in the Spanish league, beating Espanyol 2-1 to end a three-month drought and move further from the relegation zone. Martin Montoya scored from close range in the 17th minute and Santi Mina sealed the victory in the 73rd at Mestalla Stadium as Valencia snapped its eight-game winless streak to open a four-point gap to the relegation teams and has a game in hand.

Valtteri Bottas’ future set to be clarified in coming week

Valtteri Bottas’ much-touted switch from Williams to join Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes appears set to be clarified over the next week. Claire Williams, deputy team principal of Bottas’ current marque, has confirmed an announcement is imminent on whether the Finn will be free to fill the seat at Mercedes vacated by Nico Rosberg, who unexpectedly announced his retirement soon after winning last year’s Formula One world title.

Winning without Costa is significant for Chelsea – Conte

The Blues extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to seven points with a comfortable 3-0 victory against Leicester on Saturday, courtesy of two goals from Marcos Alonso and another from Pedro. Following reports this week that Costa had a disagreement with the Chelsea boss and his coaching staff amid rumours of a big-money offer from a Chinese Super League club, the 28-year-old was left out of the squad at the King Power Stadium.

Freezing rain creates treacherous conditions across the Midwest

A third wave of sleet and drizzle glazed swaths of the central U.S. on Sunday, extending icy weather that some meteorologists began acknowledging fell short of dire forecasts. Much of the region remained under an ice storm warning on the eve of the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday as stretches continued getting pelted by rain, often in areas where temperatures hovered around freezing.

Guardiola virtually concedes title after heavy loss for City

The English Premier League season is barely passed the halfway point and already Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has virtually given up on winning the title Guardiola virtually concedes title after heavy loss for City The English Premier League season is barely passed the halfway point and already Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has virtually given up on winning the title Check out this story on USATODAY.com: http://usat.ly/2iAkdwT Manchester United’s Zlatan Ibrahimovic, centre, celebrates scoring his side’s first goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Liverpool at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Sunday, Jan. 15, 2017.

Former Baylor guard Jackson rejoins Mavs on 10-day contract

Former Baylor guard Pierre Jackson is returning for a second stint in Dallas after signing a 10-day contract with the Mavericks. Jackson was originally signed from the team’s NBA Development League team on Dec. 27. He was waived less than two weeks later after appearing in four games, averaging 3.0 points in 7.1 minutes.

Offensive Lineman Picks Louisville over Oklahoma State

There’s a lot of disappointed people in the Oklahoma State Football community today, as four star right tackle Caleb Chandler announced he was committing to Louisville over Oklahoma State Chandler had narrowed his list down to Oklahoma State, Louisville, and Florida earlier this month. However, it was believed for some time that he was leaning toward joining the Cardinals.

Shore Conference Wrestling Heroes for matches Jan, 9-13

Tristan Izzo , Rumson-Fair Haven , 106: A 10-0 major decision by the freshman in the final bout of the match carried the Bulldogs to a 32-31 victory over Manasquan. Joey King , Colts Neck , 113: The junior scored a pin in 1:44 during the 13th bout of the match that lifted Colts Neck to a 39-32 win over Buena.

FSU Defense 2017- How many get drafted take the Poll

I have been thinking about next season’s defense. And I came to the realization that this defense COULD be better than the 2013 defense in terms of production and even more talented! SDE- Mario Edwards and Josh Sweat are about on the same level of talent, however, I believe that Sweat can be much more productive in his final season at FSU.

NFL Playoff Picture 2017: AFC, NFC Championship Scenarios, Picks After Saturday

The playoffs have been so uncompetitive and boring that one could make a case that the most exciting matchup was the Green Bay Packers’ 38-13 blowout of the New York Giants, which was 14-13 to the Packers late into the third quarter and featured one exciting play: the half-ending Hail Mary. Let’s take a look at the NFL playoff picture, some scenarios for the AFC and NFC title games and some quick-hit predictions for the rest of the postseason.

United v Liverpool – Team-Sheets

Manchester United entertain Liverpool this afternoon in a game that both teams need to win. Liverpool need the points to close the gap on the Premier League leaders Chelsea whilst Manchester United need the three points to keep in touch with the top-four.

Olsson Having Swansea Medical

Martin Olsson is on the verge of completing his 4.5m move to Swansea City according to Sky Sports via the EDP Sky report that both Olsson and Spurs midfielder, Tom Carroll are undergoing medicals this weekend with a double announcement expected tomorrow The pair of prospective new Swans signing were both in Wales over the weekend and Olsson was omitted from Alex Neil`s squad as a result. Steven Whittaker took his place in the Norwich side and was at arguably at fault for both of the goals that Norwich conceded at Rotherham on Saturday.

Crystal Palace (h) – Post-Match Fascinating Facts

Following the rarity this season that is an emphatic home Premier League win, we took the opportunity to delve into the record and form books. Here are a few facts and figures that might interest you: a In providing assists for all three goals, Michail Antonio became the first West Ham United player to provide three assists since Paulo Di Canio did against Coventry back in April 2000.

Hammers v Palace – Managerial Views

The Hammers got back to winning ways in impressive fashion at the London Stadium, beating Crystal Palace 3-0. The win will come as a welcome relief to Hammers supporters who had learned during the week that Dimitri Payet wants to leave.

England asked to bat first in Pune

Virat Kohli, starting life as India’s 50-over captain after inheriting the reins from Mahendra Singh Dhoni, won the toss and opted to chase under lights in the day/night contest at MCA Stadium. England selected Jake Ball ahead of fellow seamer Liam Plunkett, who has been struggling with a calf injury, with Joe Root back at number three after missing both warm-ups to attend the birth of his first child.

Two Goals And A New Song

Callum Connolly admitted he was lost for words after he ended his Wigan Athletic debut with two goals and a new song! The youngster’s loan switch to the DW Stadium was only confirmed at 2pm on Saturday afternoon but he went straight into Warren Joyce’s starting line up for their trip to Burton Albion. Connolly then netted headers in each half to give his new side a 2-0 victory and left the pitch to a chorus of chants from the Latics’ jubilant away following.