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  • OSAKA, Japan -- Two-time world champion Mao Asada won the figure skating Four Continents on Sunday, leading a Japanese sweep of the podium. <a href="http://www.officialairmax2013.fr/">Air Max 2013</a>. After re-introducing her trademark triple Axel in Saturdays short program, Asada was downgraded on the jump in Sundays free skate but was solid in her other elements to finish with 205.45 points. Akiko Suzuki was second with 190.08 points while Kanako Murakami finished third with 181.03. "The short program exceeded expectations and the free met my expectations," said Asada, who skated to Tchaikovskys Swan Lake. "I am happy I was able to challenge the triple Axel and that has given me confidence." Asada had been struggling with the triple Axel since the Vancouver Olympics but was able to win four events this season without it. She pulled it off to perfection on Saturday when she finished first in the short program. Despite being downgraded on the jump Sunday, Asada said she plans to attempt it at the world championships in London, Ont., next month. "I plan to include it at the worlds and hope to build on the success Ive had here," Asada said. Canadian champion Kaetlyn Osmond of Marystown, N.L., was seventh, Amelie Lacoste of Delson, Que., finished ninth, while Julianne Seguin of Longueuil, Que., was 11th. "It was definitely a great experience here and I learned a lot from this competition," said the 17-year-old Osmond. "There were a couple of mistakes but for me it was still a great preparation for the world championships." The Four Continents is the last major event before the March 11-17 worlds where Asada will renew her rivalry with South Korean skater Kim Yu-na. Suzuki, who was second after the short program, turned in a strong performance to music from Cirque du Soleil. She under-rotated a double Axel on her second element and was deducted points on a triple Lutz but was solid otherwise to hold on to second place ahead of Murakami, who won her first medal at a senior international Skating Union event. Murakami was downgraded on a triple flip earlier in her routine but had no major mistakes in the free skate. "I missed out on a podium at last years Four Continents because of a poor free skate so I was thinking about that today," Murakami said. "Its great to see a Japanese sweep of the podium. Christina Gao of the United States finished fourth while Chinas Li Zijun was fifth. <a href="http://www.officialairmax2013.fr/">Air Max 95</a>. How much the recently re-acquired wide receiver plays against the Tennessee Titans is the big question. <a href="http://www.officialairmax2013.fr/">Air Max 97</a>. I view the education of young soccer players – from the time they start kicking a ball to the time they are fully grown adults – as very much like the education of young children in school. We send our children to school in order for them to learn -- at the appropriate stages of their development -- the skills they need to succeed in their education and, by extension, in their life. <a href="http://www.officialairmax2013.fr/">http://www.officialairmax2013.fr/</a>;. -- Joey Logano had wasted enough shots at winning Dover to feel like he was on the brink of doing it again. <a href="http://www.officialairmax2013.fr/">Air Max 90</a>.J. -- Martin Brodeur is going to remain the face of the New Jersey Devils. <a href="http://www.officialairmax2013.fr/">Air Max</a>. The No. 5-ranked Ferrer was never challenged during the clay-court match, which was his 11th career victory over Almagro. Almagro has never beaten Ferrer.PARIS -- Aleksandra Wozniak provided a bright spot for Canada on the first day of the French Open with a 7-5, 6-2 win over compatriot Heidi El Tabakh. The 57th-ranked Wozniak trailed 4-1 in Sundays opening set against El Tabakh. But the Toronto resident, ranked 183rd in the world, missed on three nervous set points and was broken in her last two service games as Wozniak turned the momentum. The Blainville, Que., native rolled through the second set against El Tabakh to move onto the second round at Roland Garros for the fifth straight year. "I dont like playing Heidi. I remember when we were juniors and travelling with our moms together. She also came with a lot of energy to the court," Wozniak said. "After I saved those set points I adjusted my game, I started moving her around more. In the second set the match totally changed, it was a completely different match." El Tabakh said she had her chances with the set points, but let them get away. "She ripped a few shots and I made some errors. I got tight and once she won the set she picked up her game," El Tabakh said. "I didnt even think Id be in (qualifying) here, so its all a bonus." Earlier Sunday, the first two Canadians on court lost their opening matches, with Vasek Pospisil admitting hes burneed out on the clay.dddddddddddd The Vancouver resident made a promising start but fell 3-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 to Edouard Roger-Vasselin of France. "I started pretty well and had good momentum," Pospisil said. "I played a pretty decent second set and had chances after that. "But the crowd was into it and I didnt get my intensity up. Its tough to play a French guy here. I had maybe a week too much on clay, the surface which is my least favourite." In womens play, Israels Shahar Peer defeated 98th-ranked Stephanie Dubois of Laval, Que., 6-2, 6-2. Pospisil, ranked No. 102, won the first set in 40 minutes but could not keep pace as the match wore on. He saved four match points in the fourth set before ending his debut at Roland Garros on a wide forehand for his 55th unforced error. "Ive had two months on clay and Im not that excited about it right now," said Pospisil. "I burnt myself out last week in Nice (in a first-round qualifying loss) when I thought I was playing pretty well. "Im ready for a change of surface." On Monday, 19th seed Milos Raonic of Thornhill, Ont., is schedule to open his tournament against Spains Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo while Frank Dancevic of Niagara Falls, Ont., is slated to take on Slovakias Martin Klizan. ' ' '

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