Kvitova, Stepanek new doubles partners

Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova will team with countryman Radek Stepanek to play mixed doubles at the London Olympics.

Kvitova also considered Tomas Berdych as a partner before making her announcement Friday.

Stepanek won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open when he and Leander Paes of India took the doubles final.

Kvitova says, ''As an experienced doubles player, Radek will be the leader.''

Kvitova and Berdych played together in January to give the Czech Republic its second Hopman Cup title.

Berdych has already announced he will play doubles with Stepanek at the London Games.

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/tennis/article_external/kvitova_stepanek_new_doubles_partners/9971806

Tampa Bay Buccaneers Indianapolis Colts

'Bama sends recruit 105 letters in a day

As a junior in high school, Alvin Kamara of Norcross, Georgia is already being recruited by numerous big-name schools across the country after rushing for more than 1,500 yards during the 2011 season. While Kamara has received interest from schools such as Syracuse, Florida, Clemson, and Mississippi State, it appears Alabama may be the most interested in landing Kamara for the 2013 season?at least that?s what it seems like after they sent the junior running back 105 letters in the mail at once.

According to Keith Niebuhr of Rivals.com, Kamara recently found 105 letters from this year?s BCS Champions in the mail after coming home from school one day. Kamara obviously knows he?s one heck of a talented football player and he?s received plenty of letters over the years from numerous schools interested in bringing him on board, but even this many letters from one school came as a bit of a surprise for the running back.

From Niebuhr?s article:

?There were 105...

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/college_football/article_external/alabama_sends_high_school_junior_rb_alvin_kamara_105_recruiting_letters_in_one_day/9977095

Toronto Raptors Los Angeles Clippers

Red Sox Pitcher Tim Wakefield Retires After 19 Seasons

At the risk of ?Joe Morgan-ing? this, Wakefield was consistently inconsistent.

Source: http://thebiglead.com/index.php/2012/02/17/red-sox-pitcher-tim-wakefield-retires-after-19-seasons/

Seattle Seahawks

Michael Ballack MLS Bound?

Goal.com has reported Michael Ballack is deep in negotiations with Major League soccer and could be the latest international star to head state-side to conclude his career.
Both MLS and Ballack?s representatives confirmed that MLS Executive VP Todd Durbin was the one who initiated the conversation to bring the former German national team captain, who also starred for Bayer Leverkusen and Chelsea, to the MLS.
The Seattle Sounders, New York Red Bulls, Chicago Fire, Philadelphia Union, and expansion Montreal Impact have all shown interest in signing Ballack and apparently the interest is mutual.
One tough sell for whoever nabs him is Ballack?s current contract with Leverkusen runs through the end of June and he intends to honor it. He is rumored to be looking for somewhere in the $5-$7 million range.
As a diehard Sounders fan here is my sales pitch to you Mr. Ballack- Head to Seattle. You?ll enjoy the best fans in the league. You will also join the best existing cen...

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/soccer/article_external/michael_ballack_mls_bound/9974881

New York Jets Washington Redskins

Sprite Slam Dunk Contestant: Derrick Williams

	Sprite Slam Dunk Contestant: Derrick Williams Check out why the Timberwolves' Derrick Williams is a contestant in the 2012 Sprite Slam Dunk Contest.	From: NBA Views: 74827 322 ratings
	Time: 01:22	More in Sports

Source: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugl2ChUjjYM&feature=youtube_gdata

Jacksonville Jaguars Baltimore Ravens

FA Cup Preview: 4 Bold Predictions for 5th Round

With only 16 teams left in the FA Cup, things are heating up down on the pitch.

Some surprises of the tournament so far have been Crawley Town, Birmingham City and Brighton & Hove Albion.

The matches on Saturday and Sunday (in order of play) are as follows: Chelsea v Birmingham City, Everton v Blackpool, Norwich City v Leicester City, Millwall v Bolton Wanderers, Sunderland v Arsenal, Crawley Town v Stoke City, Stevenage v Tottenham Hotspur, and Liverpool v Brighton & Hove Albion.

Here are some notes about where the competition stands:

Crawley Town is the only team from England's fourth tier remaining, and this is their second year in a row as the lowest-ranked team in the fifth round.

Jermaine Beckford of Leicester City leads all players still in the competition with five goals.

Will Buckley from Brighton & Hove Albion won the Player of the Round Award for the fourth round after a fantastic performance against Newcastle United that helped his team to a 1-0 win.

Here are four predictions for this, the fifth round of the competition:

Crawley Town will continue their miraculous run

Stoke City has cooled off considerably, losing their last four matches and five of their last six. In fact, the last time they beat a Premier League team was on January 2nd.

However, this match is not against top-tier opposition, but a League Two team. That said, Crawley Town has only beaten Bury, Redbridge, Hull City and Bristol City and has not yet played a Premier League team in the competition. I do think that Stoke is vulnerable enough to go down in this one, though.

Anthony Pilkington scores a brace for Norwich City

Pilkington now has two goals in two games for the Canaries and is looking hungry for more.  After the squad's 3-2 win at Swansea last weekend, Norwich is flying high and will put away Leicester with no problems.

Sunderland will take down Arsenal

Sunderland lost to Arsenal in the final minute last Saturday, 2-1 at home. I don't see it happening a second week in a row. Sunderland has too much pride to give up two home losses to the same team in one week, whether regardless of whether it's Arsenal or not.

Chelsea and Birmingham City will draw

Birmingham doesn't give up silly goals. They have only conceded 27 goals in league play this season. Chelsea, on the other hand, gives up goals that should not be scored on them. I see this game ending in a 1-1 draw and needing to be replayed. 

 

The fifth round of the FA Cup should prove to be very exciting. The great thing about the competition is that crazy things happen all the time.

Maybe only four bold predictions is not enough but, in any case, this weekend should be quite entertaining for anyone tuning in to the matches that will narrow the field down to eight teams.

Source: http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1069915-fa-cup-preview-4-bold-predictions-for-5th-round

Miami Heat Oklahoma City Thunder

Sorenstam rejects Solheim Cup captaincy

Former top-ranked women's golfer Annika Sorenstam says she has turned down the chance to captain Europe in the 2013 Solheim Cup against the United States.

The 41-year-old Swede says ''I simply cannot provide the necessary time that the European team, Solheim family and the entire event deserves.''

Sorenstam played in the Solheim Cup eight times, winning 24 points in 37 matches, before retiring in 2008.

Sorenstam told her personal website ''the Solheim Cup has been an important part of my career, and I hope to one day lead the European team.''

Europe will defend the title it won in County Meath last September when the U.S. hosts the biennial competition in Parker, Colorado in August next year.

Source: http://network.yardbarker.com/golf/article_external/sorenstam_rejects_solheim_cup_captaincy/9958009

New Orleans Saints New Orleans Hornets