Melbourne, Australia (SportsNetwork.com) - Serena Williams is again the Australian Open champion. The top-seeded American earned her sixth Aussie Open title and 19th career Grand Slam championship with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) triumph over Maria Sharapova on Saturday at Rod Laver Arena. Williams won in Melbourne for the first time since 2010, finishing the match with an ace in the second-set tiebreaker on her third championship point. She now owns the second-most womens Grand Slam titles in the Open Era, surpassing legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. Only Steffi Graf has more with 22. Standing here with 19 majors is something I never thought would happen, said Williams during the trophy ceremony. Sharapova was trying for a second Australian Open title. She fell to 2-17 lifetime against Williams and has lost the last 16 meetings. I havent beaten her in a really long time, but I love playing her because you want to play the best, said Sharapova. And shes the best. The 33-year-old Williams notched her 65th career title and has captured the last two Grand Slam events, taking the U.S. Open crown last September. Williams had a break point opportunity in the opening game of the match when Sharapova fired a backhand wide. A double fault quickly gave Williams the early advantage. The players were locked at 30-30 in the sixth game when rain forced the closing of the roof. Williams, who was bothered by a cold and a cough, hardly seemed affected by the wait, following an ace with a strong forehand winner to complete the hold for a 4-2 lead. She actually threw up during the delay. I guess theres a first time for anything, said Williams about vomiting. I think in a way that just helped me -- I felt better after that. My chest was really stuck at that point. A double fault gave Williams three break points in the next game, but she only needed one as Sharapova fired a backhand long. Sharapova broke back, but Williams responded to the poor service game with a break at love to take the first set. Williams continued her strong play into the second set with a hold at love, then had two more break points in the next game. Sharapova, though, regrouped and managed to save both before holding. Each player had a break chance midway through the second set, but Williams failed to convert her opportunity with a wide backhand in the sixth game and Sharapova sent a forehand wide in the seventh game. Another Sharapova forehand error gave Williams her first championship point in the 10th game, but the Russian came up with a big serve that Williams barely returned. Sharapova followed with a blistering forehand that drew applause from the American. The match definitely got tough in the second set, said Williams. Maria started playing a lot better. She started being a little more aggressive. I think I got a little more passive. Was just trying to get the ball back in play. But I also started serving better in the second set because I knew if I wasnt having my groundstrokes where I wanted them to be, I knew I could serve it out. After Williams held with an ace, Sharapova held at love to force the tiebreak. Sharapova won the first point of the tiebreak with a forehand return winner, but Williams won the next four to take control. At 6-4, Sharapova came up with a forehand that Williams could not return to save a second championship point. Williams then blasted what appeared to be an ace to win the title, but it was ruled a let. She dropped her racket in disbelief, then followed with the same serve. This one did not tip the tape and she dropped her racket again, but in exultation. I thought after the let, Man, I am not meant to win this tournament. I had a couple of match points. She played great on those match points, said Williams, who excitedly jumped around the court after winning. Sharapova fell to 5-5 all-time in Grand Slam finals, including 1-3 against Williams. The only victory came in the 2004 Wimbledon title match. Williams also beat Sharapova for the 2007 Australian Open crown and for the 2013 French Open title. Its always tough getting to a final stage of an event where its down to two players and you end up the one thats going home with the smaller trophy, theres no doubt about it, Sharapova lamented. No matter how you played, well or not, whatever the score line is, its always tough. But it will be all right. The 27-year-old Sharapovas lone Australian Open championship came in 2008 against Ana Ivanovic. She also lost the 2012 final against Victoria Azarenka. Reshad Jones Dolphins Jersey . Hes still nowhere close to throwing yet. The four-time MVP was in good spirits when he made his first public appearance on the field since having neck surgery Sept. Michael Deiter Youth Jersey . DETROIT LIONS AT CHICAGO BEARS, 1:00 PM (ET) Detroit - G Rodney Austin, WR Ryan Broyles, DT Nick Fairley, QB Kellen Moore, DT Caraun Reid, CB Mohammed Seisay, DE Larry Webster Chicago - S Chris Conte, DT Brandon Dunn, QB David Fales, K Robbie Gould, CB Terrance Mitchell, OT Michael Ola, DE Trevor Scott GREEN BAY PACKERS AT TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS, 1:00 PM (ET) Green Bay - LB Carl Bradford, DT Bruce Gaston, C Garth Gerhart, CB Davon House, WR Jeff Janis, TE Justin Perillo, QB Scott Tolzien Tampa Bay - OT Anthony Collins, CB Isaiah Frey, WR Robert Herron, RB Mike James, WR Solomon Patton, FB/TE Evan Rodriguez, LB Lawrence Sidbury KANSAS CITY CHIEFS AT PITTSBURGH STEELERS, 1:00 PM (ET) Kansas City - WR Donnie Avery, CB Marcus Cooper, OT Laurent Duvernay-Tardif, OL Eric Kush, QB Aaron Murray, RB Charcandrick West, DT Nick Williams Pittsburgh - WR Justin Brown, DE Clifton Geathers, G Chris Hubbard, QB Landry Jones, S Troy Polamalu, TE Matt Spaeth, CB Ike Taylor MINNESOTA VIKINGS AT MIAMI DOLPHINS, 1:00 PM (ET) Minnesota - LB Anthony Barr, OT Carter Bykowski, DB Ahmad Dixon, OT Charlie Johnson, FB Zach Line, CB Shaun Prater, TE Kyle Rudolph Miami - G Nate Garner, WR Matt Hazel, S Don Jones, WR Rishard Matthews, LB Chris McCain, G Dallas Thomas, RB Daniel Thomas NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS AT NEW YORK JETS, 1:00 PM (ET) New England - CB Kyle Arrington, RB LeGarrette Blount, OL Dan Connolly, CB Alfonzo Dennard, OT Jordan Devey, WR Julian Edelman, RB James White NY Jets - DT T. http://www.authenticdolphinspro.com/Larry-csonka-dolphins-jersey/ . On the eve of the 2013-14 NBA season, he can finally take a step back and allow his team to do the talking. Minkah Fitzpatrick Jersey . The San Angelo, Texas product, who was a high school and college quarterback sensation in the Lone Star State, will start his first CFL game with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (9-4) on Friday at Mosaic Stadium against the leagues top team, the Calgary Stampeders (11-2). Jerome Baker Dolphins Jersey . Howard had 17 points and a career-high-tying 26 rebounds in his Houston debut, James Harden added 21 points and the Rockets cruised to a 96-83 win over the Charlotte Bobcats on Wednesday night. Coming off a playoff berth in 2013, expectations will be raised for the New York Islanders, who have a couple of premier fantasy options surrounded by a lot of possibles and maybes. Top Picks: With 128 points over the last two seasons, John Tavares ranks sixth, and hes the one driving the Islanders offence. It would be easier to raise expectations if the Islanders provided him with a better supporting cast, but hes a reliable point-per-game option who would be higher than a top five fantasy centre if he could become a stronger plus player. There are benefits to skating on Tavares wing and Matt Moulson has reaped the rewards, scoring 112 goals in the last four seasons, ranking 13th in the league. His exceptionally low penalty minute totals (10 PIM in last two seasons combined) can hurt his value in leagues that count penalty minutes, but otherwise hes a legitimate No. 1 left winger. Value Plays: Forever regarded as underrated, C Frans Nielsen has added some offence to his sound defensive game, but only enough to be considered as a depth pickup in fantasy. Speedy winger Michael Grabner has scored 70 goals over the last three seasons, ranking 28th, but his low assist totals leave him as a fringe fantasy performer in most cases. With Mark Streit departing, veteran D Lubomir Visnovsky becomes an integral part of the Islanders attack, and while his point production is down (41 points in 103 games) over the last two seasons, Visnovsky is the logical quarterback on the Islanders power play. G Evgeni Nabokov was vital to the Islanders push for the playoffs last season but, his .912 save percentage over the last couple seasons (since returning to the league) is only okay. Hes the clearcut No. 1 for the Islanders, so hes a viable No. 2 (or good No. 3) fantasy goaltender. Sleepers/Breakthrough: LW Josh Bailey has had a rocky road of development, but finishing 2013 with 10 points in his last 13 gammes, playing nearly 18 minutes per game, may have been a sign that hes ready to fulfill at least a complementary scoring role for the Isles.dddddddddddd The right side of the Islanders forward lines is full of uncertainty, but enough potential upside to provide value. Pierre-Marc Bouchard has missed 154 games over the last four seasons, and is a long way removed his 63-point career high in 2008-2009, but the 29-year-old was inked as a free agent, with an eye to moving him alongside Tavares and Moulson on the number one line. That alone makes him worth a look. Kyle Okposo managed just four goals in 48 games last season, a year after scoring a career-high 24 goals, but he figures to play a top six role for the Islanders, enough of an opportunity to have value in deep leagues if he returns to his previous levels of production. Cal Clutterbuck only had 10 points in 42 games last year, but had 34 goals combined in the previous two years, which is enough production to offer value in leagues that count hits because Clutterbuck is perennially among the league leaders. Rookies: The departure of Mark Streit also opens up a spot on the blueline for rookie D Matt Donovan to play a regular role. The 23-year-old has 98 points and 185 penalty minutes in 153 AHL games over two-plus seasons. In deep leagues, hes worth a late-round look on potential alone. If an Islanders rookie forward is going to have a major impact, it could be C Ryan Strome, the fifth overall pick in 2011 who had 94 points in 53 OHL games last season and could fit as the Islanders number three centre since the number two slot is held by Nielsen, who is a strong defensive centre. However, there is uncertainty about whether Strome will secure that spot. Scott Cullen can be reached at Scott.Cullen@bellmedia.ca and followed on Twitter at http://twitter.com/tsnscottcullen. For more, check out TSN Fantasy on Facebook. ' ' 'con Jones Jersey[/url] . Aaron Hill and Cliff Pennington hit home runs in the first inning for the Diamondbacks, who beat the Miami Marlins 3-2 on Friday night.DUNEDIN, Fla. -- Carlos Beltran homered for his first hit this spring, leading the New York Yankees past the Toronto Blue Jays 8-2 on Sunday. Jose Bautista hit his second homer in exhibition play for the Blue Jays. Beltrans solo home run came in the third off reliever Todd Redmond and landed far over the right-field fence. It capped a four-run inning that included a two-run homer by Eduardo Nunez. Beltran signed a three-year, $45 million contract with the Yankees in the off-season. He batted .296 with 24 homers and 84 RBIs with the St. Louis Cardinals last year. "You want to see guys swinging the bat well, obviously, but its really important at the end," Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. "It doesnt really matter sometimes. You can be swinging the bat horrible at the end of spring training and get off to a hot start and vice versa. But its always nice to see." Bautista connected off Vidal Nuno in the first. Nuno struck out three and gave up two hits in two innings. Toronto starter Esmil Rogers tossed two innings and allowed an earned run. The right-hander gave up three hits and struck out one. Jose Reyes, Edwin Encarnacion, Melky Cabrera and Adam Lind each doubled for the Blue Jays. Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter did not play. STARTING TIME Blue Jays: Rogers threw 36 pitches and worked almost-exclusively on his changeup, which he said is progressing well. "Thats what I was working for," Rogers said. "Down in the Dominican (Republic) during winter ball, I worked on my changeup and now I feel more comfortable. I got it before. The only reason is I didnt have too much confidence to throw that. Right now, I can throw anything I want." Rogers was 5-9 with a 4.77 ERA in 44 games with the Blue Jays last season. He is a candidate for the fifth spot in the rotation. Yankees: Nuno said he felt as if he "got a little happy with the fastball," which led to Bautistas home run. Nuno, who is a contender for the fifth spot in the rotation, appeared in five games with the Yankees last season and made three starts. He finished 1-2 with a 2.25 ERA. "Overall, Im just pleased a little bit with how the outcome came," he said. "It was just one pitch and Bautista just hit it out.dddddddddddd Location was good and everything. (My fastball) just got overused a little bit and I wasnt using my secondary (pitches) like I was supposed to do." TRAINERS ROOM Blue Jays: Colby Rasmus was scratched from Sundays lineup because of a stiff neck. Rasmus was set to bat seventh, but opted to sit as a precaution. He does not expect it to be a long-term issue and hopes to return in a "couple days." "I feel all right, I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Rasmus said. Anthony Gose took Rasmus place in centre field and was 0 for 3 with a strikeout. Manager John Gibbons said closer Casey Janssen had an MRI on his sore right shoulder, but it did not show any damage. "Its just inflamed," Gibbons said. "Theres a lot of wear and tear on a guy over the years. Hes smart, backed off and well give him a little breather. Theres still a full month (of spring training) left. Hell be ready to go." Janssen, who saved 34 games for the Blue Jays last season, said he plans to rest and start throwing again in a few days. Yankees: Girardi said first baseman Mark Teixeira, limited to 15 games last season because of a right wrist injury, might play in his first spring training game on Thursday or Friday. Alfonso Soriano, recovering from flu-like symptoms, went through a workout Sunday morning that included batting practice and defensive drills. The outfielder/designated hitter could play in his first exhibition game in the next few days. FIRE DRILL The Yankees dealt with a minor scare before the game when a towel inside of a dryer caught fire in the grounds crew clubhouse located next door to the teams clubhouse. Girardi joked that "it got a little smoky" and said some players evacuated. There was no reported damage or injuries. PINEDA PITCHES Yankees fifth starter candidate Michael Pineda, who missed the past two seasons after right shoulder surgery, threw 21 of 35 pitches for strikes in a simulated game. He faced 10 batters, allowing two hits, striking out one and walking his final two hitters. Pineda and Hiroki Kuroda are scheduled to pitch in Fridays game against the Tigers in Tampa. ' ' 'he 72 Dolphins can rest easy for another year. And it puts Denver and the Chiefs in a tie atop the AFC West at 9-1, with a rematch set in two weeks. Manning has another big game before that -- at New England in yet another showdown against Tom Brady. If the Broncos offensive line does anywhere near as good a job in that one as it did against the Chiefs, the quarterbacks ailing ankles -- mummified with athletic tape for this critical game -- should be feeling much better. "The protection was outstanding, we ran the ball consistently, tried to keep them off-balance," Manning said. "We wanted a mix of running and passing game and Im really proud of those guys up front." With Lindsey Vonn and boyfriend Tiger Woods on the sideline to watch the NFLs must-see game of the year, the Denver offensive line, featuring tackles Chris Clark and Orlando Franklin, shut out Kansas Citys sack duo of Justin Houston and Tamba Hali along with the rest of the KC defence, which came in with a league-leading 36 sacks. "I think they did a good job of getting the ball out fast," Chiefs coach Andy Reid said. "They worked the pocket well. A few times we had pressure, you saw him slide and throw the ball out, which isnt easy to do. But we can do a better job there. We can get a little more pressure on him and well work on that." Any pressure at all would be an improvement. The Chiefs didnt record a single hit on Manning and he was barely touched all night. In fact, his most notable contact came in the first quarter when he and Montee Ball flubbed a handoff that Chiefs linebacker Derrick Johnson scooped up. Johnson was barrelling toward the end zone and what couldve been a 7-3 lead. Manning lowered his shoulder and tripped him up. The Chiefs offence came out and fullback Anthony Sherman promptly fumbled the ball back to the Broncos. "That was a huge turning point," said Broncos interim coach Jack Del Rio, now 2-0 running the show in Denver while John Fox recovers from heart surgery. Three plays after his tackle, Manning made the games biggest play on offence, spotting receiver Demaryius Thomas in single coverage on the sideline for a 70-yard gaiin that set up the quarterbacks lone touchdown pass -- a 9-yard strike to Julius Thomas for a 10-0 lead.dddddddddddd. The Chiefs defence, which came into the game also leading the league in points allowed (12.8), remained stout throughout against the leagues highest-scoring offence (41.2). But eventually, Manning and Co., overwhelmed them, going 79, 65 and 62 yards for their last three scores and a 27-10 lead. Ball capped two of the drives, once from 1 yard and another time from 8, to atone for the fumble, which was actually charged to Manning. "We knew that once we got down to the red zone, getting touchdowns was critical," Manning said. "They make teams settle for field goals down there." The Chiefs, who hadnt lost since a 38-3 setback in Denver last December to close out a 2-14 season, hadnt allowed more than 17 points all year -- a simple and effective explanation for one of the biggest turnarounds in NFL history. But the offence, led by Alex Smith, simply isnt built to win a high-scoring showdown. Smith finished with 230 yards and two touchdowns. He completed four passes for 57 yards to Dwayne Bowe, who started, as promised, while his legal case for marijuana possession plays out. Jamaal Charles, who came in leading the AFC in rushing with 725 yards, added 78 to that. "We didnt do a good enough job offensively," Reid said. "Thats my responsibility. Were a young football team. Well get it worked out and fixed and get better next week. " The game-time temperature of 43 degrees brought Mannings blue-and-grey glove out for the first time this season but didnt slow the quarterback or his offence at all. Knowshon Moreno ran for 79 yards and kept the chains moving for Denver, while Wes Welker took his turn as Mannings favourite target, catching eight passes for 72 yards before leaving to be evaluated for a possible concussion. Though one touchdown pass marked a season low for Manning, it gave him 71 in his year-plus with the Broncos, already tying him for third in franchise history with Jake Plummer and Brian Griese. His 34 on the season are still on pace to break the record of the man hell face next week -- Brady -- in yet another big game for the Broncos, this time at New England. While the Chiefs got shut out on the sack end -- didnt even record a hit on Manning -- Shaun Phillips had a monster game for the Broncos: 10 tackles, two quarterback hits, two pass deflections and 1.5 sacks to more than make up for an off night from Von Miller, who only had one tackle. ' ' '