Rosenhof: Story » xpressed remorse Monday for hurting

Melbourne, Australia (SportsNetwork.com) - Maria Sharapova cruised to a win over Peng Shuai on Sunday to set up a marquee meeting with rising star Eugenie Bouchard in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. The second-seeded Sharapova, who is chasing her second career Australian Open title at the age of 27, needed just 75 minutes to knock off the 21st-seeded Peng 6-3, 6-0. Well, when youre playing the match youre not thinking about the next one, said Sharapova. Youre thinking about the current match. I wasnt thinking to try to finish it out as fast as I can. I just wanted to do the right things and play the right way. I thought I did a good, solid job of that. Bouchard, seeded No. 7, had a tougher time against Irina-Camelia Begu but overcame a 61-minute second set to win 6-1, 5-7, 6-2. The 20-year-old Canadian was runner-up at Wimbledon last year and has been the focus of some attention this week after a male interviewer asked her to give us a twirl following a second-round win. The request drew wide criticism, including from tennis great Billie Jean King, who called it sexist. Sharapova is 3-0 all-time against Bouchard, with each of their meetings coming in the past two seasons, including a three-set battle in the semifinals of the French Open last year. Yeah, well, I would definitely look forward to that match. I think its always great to play the best players in the world, said Bouchard. Weve had a couple matches, and a good match last year. You know, I think I was close. It was just a tough battle. But I think Ive progressed a lot since then, and, you know, I definitely want to keep playing my game no matter what. Also Sunday, No. 3 seed Simona Halep cruised past Belgiums Yanina Wickmayer 6-4, 6-2 to set up a quarterfinal meeting with 10th-seeded Russian Ekaterina Makarova, who defeated Germanys Julia Goerges 6-3, 6-2. Halep, who has yet to drop a set, will play in the Australian Open quarterfinals for the second straight year. Yeah, a lot of confidence I have now because I didnt lose a set, said Halep. I had good matches here in first week, so Im really happy that Im in second week now like last year. Here I started to play my best tennis in Grand Slams. So means a lot for me. I really have more confidence now to play the quarterfinals. It is the third time Makarova has made the quarters in Melbourne after strong runs in 2012 and 2013. She also reached the fourth round in 2014 and 2011. Josh Oliver Jaguars Jersey . In the days leading up to the draft, TSN.ca and TSN Radio basketball analyst Duane Watson looks at some of the names that will be headlining the event. Tonight, Michigans Nik Stauskas of Mississauga, Ontario. Telvin Smith Jaguars Jersey .C. -- Eric Staal kept his focus after his apparent breakaway goal was waived off early in the third period. http://www.authenticjaguarslockroom.com/Youth-Ryquell-Armstead-Elite-Jersey/ . The Mariners ace allowed just one hit over eight innings while striking out nine, and Robinson Cano backed him with a two-run homer as Seattle earned a 3-0 victory over the Cleveland Indians on Sunday. Telvin Smith Jersey . The 2014 edition will be the ninth meeting between the Caps and Vikes in a tradition that dates back to 2005. "Since the original Whitecaps, the club has enjoyed fantastic support from fans in Victoria and all across Vancouver Island," said Whitecaps FC president Bob Lenarduzzi. Ryquell Armstead Womens Jersey . Onyshko, from Minnedosa, Man., will compete in artistic gymnastics while Hanet, from Kelowna, B.C., will compete in lawn bowling as a para-athlete. "It is exciting that our Canadian athletes are starting to arrive at the Games Village," said Chantal Petitclerc, Canadas Chef de Mission.ENGLEWOOD, Colo. - Arizona Cardinals coach Bruce Arians didnt want to talk about Julius Thomas chop block anymore and apparently neither did the Denver Broncos Pro Bowl tight end.A person with knowledge of the penalty said Thomas was fined $8,286 for his chop block on Cardinals defensive end Calais Campbell last weekend. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity Wednesday because the fine hadnt been announced yet by the NFL. ESPN first reported the fine, the first of Thomas four-year career.Arians, who had called the chop block Sunday the worst play hed seen in 37 years of coaching and refused to believe it wasnt intentional, told reporters in Tempe, Arizona, he had no reaction to the fine.No, Im tired of all that, Arians said.Thomas, who expressed remorse Monday for hurting Campbell and said it was a matter of miscommunication, not malice, wasnt in the locker room during the medias 45-minute window Wednesday.On Monday, Arians called for Thomas to be suspended for as long as Campbell is out. Campbell is expected to miss up to three weeks with a strained right MCL.The league, however, fined Thomas the same amount it penalized Peyton Manning in August for his taunting foul of Texans defensive back D.J. Swearinger following the swaggering safetys hard hit on Wes Welker.Campbell had this to say about Thomas fine: Its a max fine for an illegal block for a first-time offender. It makes sense that the NFL did something and hopefully he wont do it no more.With Campbell rushing off the right edge in a three-man front early in the second half Sunday, Manning motioned for Thomas to come out of the two-tight end backfield and line up next to left tackle Ryan Clady.At the snap, Thomas dived at Campbells knees thinking he was cut-blocking him. But it was flagged as a chop block because Clady stood in a pass block stance and didnt back away from the line of scrimmage.Never before have I been blocked like that, Campbell said. IIt (stinks).dddddddddddd I dont think it was a great football play but its over and done with. Id like to move past it and get back to playing good football again.Thomas leads the NFL with seven TD catches and has an NFL-high 19 touchdown receptions since 2013, but blocking isnt his forte. He only began playing the position as a senior at Portland State in 2010 after hed exhausted his eligibility on the hardwood, where he was a power forward.Its frustrating to get hurt in a situation that could have been avoided, but you cant do anything about it now, Campbell said.Thomas has been lambasted in the Cardinals locker room and across the airwaves over the chop block. Among the most critical comments were those of Arizona linebacker Larry Foote. On Monday, he said: That looked like Karate Kid. Sweep the legs, Johnny. It was ugly. Thats a black eye to football a€” period. Even their own players knew it. Yeah, they said something, even the linemen. Hopefully it isnt coming from the sidelines. I dont want to play that game. But that should be dealt with. It dont get no uglier than that.Broncos defensive tackle Terrance Knighton came to Thomas defence Wednesday.If you look at it from a defensive lineman point of view, how (Campbell) was lined up, he should have initiated contact with Julius, Knighton said. He should have been more aware, I think, because he was lined up on Julius. So, it wasnt like Julius came in and hit him. He just went forward. I dont know how they teach it there, but here when were in that technique, we play tight end.Knighton blamed all the fuss on how bad the play looked and Campbells status as a star and reputation as one of the classier players in the league.So is Julius, Knighton said. But its football. Were past it. Julius isnt that type of player. If they want to dwell on it, they can. But were not.___AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL___AP Sports Writer Bob Baum contributed. ' ' '