MADRID, Spain -- Maria Sharapova bounced back from a poor start to defeat Simona Halep 1-6, 6-2, 6-3 Sunday and win the Madrid Open title. Sharapova, who lost to Serena Williams in last years final, crumbled in the opening set when she held her serve just once. But Haleps serve dipped in the second set, and Sharapova started hitting pinpoint ground strokes that kept the Romanian running. The ninth-ranked Russian converted both her break points in the set to even the match. Sharapova then pulled away in the deciding set with an early break to follow up her triumph in Stuttgart with a maiden title in Madrid. Since the 2011 French Open, Sharapova has a 47-3 record on clay -- with all three defeats coming to Williams. The top-ranked American was the two-time defending champion in Madrid but withdrew with a leg injury on Friday. "I dont know how I pulled it off," Sharapova said after winning her 32nd career title. "I came close last year, and I didnt have a great first set today, but I knew it wasnt over until the last point was played." Sharapova looked dejected midway through the first set as she hit four double-faults, but she seemed to regain her focus at the start of the second. As Sharapova celebrated the win, Halep slumped in her chair dejectedly despite having reached her first Masters final. Later, top-ranked Rafael Nadal looks to become the first player to defend his title when the three-time champion faces Japans Kei Nishikori in the mens final. Oakland Athletics Shirts . Eller said the Oilers were a "junior team" that was "all over the place" before Edmontons 4-3 victory over Montreal on Tuesday night, Oilers head coach Dallas Eakins took offence to Ellers comments and used it to motivate his youthful team. Chris Bassitt Athletics Jersey . Williams withdrawal came less than 24 hours after losing in the final Auckland WTA tournament final. "I dont believe she has an injury," Hobart tournament director Mark Handley said. https://www.cheapathleticsonline.com/. Sterling was banned for life and fined US$2.5 million by the NBA on Tuesday for racist comments the league says he made in a recorded conversation. Nash, who plays for the rival L.A. Lakers, spoke as a representative of current NBA players at a press conference assembled by Sacramento mayor and National Basketball Players Association adviser Kevin Johnson. Athletics Jerseys 2019 . Osmond, of Marystown, N.L., fell in the middle of her routine and placed fifth in the ladies free skate at Iceberg Skating Palace (110.73 points), but that was all the Canadians needed after a strong performance by Kevin Reynolds in the mens free earlier Sunday. Cheap Athletics Jerseys .com) - Nathan MacKinnon scored the winning goal in the shootout as the Colorado Avalanche rallied for a 3-2 win over the Boston Bruins on Wednesday.The New York Islanders have acquired forward Thomas Vanek from the Buffalo Sabres in exchange for forward Matt Moulson, a conditional first round draft pick in 2014 and a 2015 second round pick. Should the first round pick end up being in the top 10 this year, the Islanders have the option to defer the pick to the 2015 NHL Draft. Vanek, 29, is set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the 2013-14 season. In 13 games this season, he has scored four goals and added five assists. The Austrian is in the final year of a seven-year deal he signed with the Sabres prior to 2007-08 worth an average annual value of $7.142 million. "We had opportunity to acquire an elite player and given where we are right now (.500), you go for it," Islanders general manager Garth Snow told TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie. "If we hadnt drafted so well, if we didnt have good prospects, we couldnt afford to take the risk," Snow told McKenzie on the steep price the Islanders paid to acquire Vanek. The Islanders had not held contract extension discussions with Vanek prior to acquiring him. Getting the deal done in October came as a surprise to many, but Sabres general manager Darcy Regier stated his pleasure with the return the team was able to get so early in the season. "It was something we felt we had to do," Sabres general manager Darcy Regier told reporters Sunday night. "I think this is more an overall deal that will improve this hockey club going forward." Vaneks agent Stephen Bartlett told McKenzie that his client is "excited to be an Islander." "Well take it day by day and focus on the short term for now and see where we are at seasons end," Bartlett told McKenzie.dddddddddddd. Vanek has scored 254 goals and 243 assists in 598 career NHL games, all with the Sabres. He has eclipsed the 30-goal plateau on four occasions, including a career-high 43 in 2006-07. The Sabres originally selected him fifth-overall at the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. Moulson has scored six goals and three assists with the Islanders in 11 games so far in 2013-14. He, too, is set to become an unrestricted free agent at seasons end. He is in the final season of a three-year deal worth an average annual value of $3.13 million. Moulson has emerged as an offensive threat alongside Islanders captain John Tavares. He has scored 30-or-more goals in his last three full NHL seasons, including a career-best 36 in 2011-12. The 29-year-old expressed his surprise at the end of his Islanders tenure to ESPNs Katie Strang, saying "I thought this could be a possibility but I didnt think this was going to happen." "I guess this is what happens in pro sports," Moulson told Strang. "I gotta move on. Ill obviously miss everyone, but this will be a new chapter." He was originally selected in the ninth round (263rd-overall) by the Pittsburgh Penguins in the 2003 NHL Entry Draft. He has scored 124 goals and 109 assists in 333 career NHL games with the Islanders and Los Angeles Kings. The Sabres are currently last in the Eastern Conference with a 2-10-1 record and just five points through their first 11 games. Vanek was one of two high-profile Sabres playing out the final year of a contract alongside goaltender Ryan Miller. ' ' '