uble-fault at 30-30. After a stunning exchange, Djokov

LONDON - Novak Djokovic capped off a phenomenal autumn by defending his ATP World Tour Finals title with an impressive 6-3, 6-4 win over Rafael Nadal in a duel between the two dominant players of the season on Monday night. Theres no doubt Djokovic is the man to beat on indoor hard courts. And just for the record, his 22 consecutive wins to finish 2013 matched top-ranked Nadals best stretch of the year. Djokovics winning run started after a U.S. Open final defeat to Nadal, and during a span when the Spaniad replaced him atop the rankings. "The most positive thing that I can take from those 2 1/2 is the fact that I managed to regroup after a few big losses against Nadal, especially in Roland Garros, U.S. Open final and Wimbledon final," said Djokovic, who became the seventh player to win the elite season-ending tournament at least three times. His victory in London denied Nadal the only big trophy missing from his glittering CV. Having produced one of the most memorable comebacks in tennis, Nadal lost in a deciding match for the second time at the tour finals and missed the chance to join Andre Agassi as the only players to have won all four Grand Slams, Olympic gold, the Davis Cup and the year-end tournament. "Its not going to change my career, winning or losing today," Nadal said. "I am not very disappointed. I know that I was not the favourite for the match, even if I tried with the right attitude, in my opinion, fighting for every moment, trying to be positive in every moment, even if the match was not going the way that I would like." Mondays defeat was a strong warning to Nadal, who overhauled Djokovic for the No. 1 ranking last month, that his Serbian rival will be ready to extend his form into next years Australian Open, where he is the three-time defending champion. Djokovic has now beaten Nadal 10 times in 19 finals and is unbeaten since losing at the U.S. Open in September. "After the US Open final, of course, I needed to take things slowly and see and analyze what I did wrong, especially in the matches against him, to understand what I need to do in order to win against him," Djokovic said. "I think the results are showing that we had a great improvement in the last 2 1/2 months." Djokovic returned superbly from the start to move his Spanish rival around the court and prevent him from dictating the points. Nadal, playing on his less favourite surface, hit only nine winners and was broken three times. "If I can say about one thing that makes the difference in todays match was the serve — I didnt serve well, he served well," Nadal said. "So in this kind of court, first shot is very important, and he did that first shot much better than me." Nadal return to the No. 1 ranking came on the back of a stunning comeback from a career-threatening knee injury. Since returning in February, the Spaniard has won 75 matches —losing only 7 —to win 10 titles including the French Open, the U.S. Open and five Masters 1000 events. But Djokovic proved again that he still has the upper hand on hard courts by extending his head-to-head winning record to 13-7 on that surface against Nadal. "Year-end No. 1 is deservedly in Nadals hands because he had two Grand Slam wins, the best season out of all players, the most titles," Djokovic said. "I think thats no doubt, cannot question that. I tried to put aside the calculations and the rankings after U.S. Open and just tried to focus on one tournament at a time, one day at a time. That kind of attitude has helped me to get to where I am at this moment." Djokovic made an impressive start, hitting powerful groundstrokes to keep Nadal well behind his baseline while limiting his own mistakes. Returning well, the Serb made the most of two of Nadals backhand errors to break in the second game. He had another chance in the fourth game after Nadal double-faulted, but was unable to convert. Nadal got into the match from that point. He put Djokovic under pressure with his huge forehands in the next game and two unforced errors from the Serb allowed him to break back and then level at 3-3. But Nadal faltered in his next service game as he served a double-fault at 30-30. After a stunning exchange, Djokovic broke for 5-3 following a series of volleys at the net. Standing in the middle of the court, the Serb opened his arms and screamed as the crowd erupted in cheers. Djokovic sealed the first set with an ace. Appearing supremely confident, Djokovic raised his game further in the second set, pinpointing his shots on the lines to make life more difficult for Nadal after breaking in the third game of the second set. The resilient Spaniard saved two match points and kept encouraging himself until the end, but a final forehand too long gave Djokovic the title. Djokovic will now focus on the Davis Cup final later this week in Belgrade, where he will lead Serbia against defending champion Czech Republic. Walter Payton Jersey . - Seattle Seahawks wide receiver Percy Harvin has cleared league-mandated concussion protocol and has returned to practice as a full participant. Dick Butkus Jersey . Lost to Los Angeles in first round of playoffs. http://www.officialchicagobearspro.com/Mike-singletary-bears-jersey/ .2 million in 2012, according to tax returns the league has submitted. Devin Hester Jersey . - On the night Dirk Nowitzki overtook Dominique Wilkins on the career scoring list, Brandan Wright was a human highlight film all by himself. Tom Waddle Jersey . A larger-than-life personality known for his intimidating style in the 18-yard box, Schmeichels career spanned some 20 years -- including a memorable tenure at Manchester United.EDEN PRAIRIE, Minn. - Though the playoff chase has eluded the Minnesota Vikings yet again this year, these final four games still serve an important purpose.As soon as rookie Teddy Bridgewater took over at quarterback, his development was always going to be as much of a priority as winning itself. Progress has been sporadic, but his performance on Sunday was one of those steps forward.I think Im better at just making quicker decisions, said Bridgewater, who posted season highs with a completion rate of 71.4 and a passer rating of 120.7 in the 31-13 victory over Carolina.Earlier in the year, I talked about getting rid of the ball faster. That wasnt the issue. I think I just made quicker decisions, and if Im able to make quicker decisions Im able to get the ball out faster.The Panthers are reeling, with only one win in their past 10 games, but Bridgewater was as sharp as hed been since his debut on Sept. 28.He threw two touchdown passes for the second game in a row, and for the fifth time in nine NFL starts he was turnover-free. He only went deep twice, but those throws were on target, which has been one of his struggles so far this season.Obviously hes going to get the brunt of everything because hes in the high-profile position, wide receiver Greg Jennings said. The way he bounces back, the way he performs, the way he leads without even audibly saying anything, hes a special kid to be around.Coach Mike Zimmers casual chats with his experienced players have turned up the same intel.I ask them about Teddy, What do you think of this guy? They all tell me that they love him, number one, and they have great confidence in him in being a great quarterback, Zimmer said.Because they watch him every day, just like I do, they appreciate the way that he handles his business, the way he prepares and sttudies, all of the things that people outside the rooms dont see.ddddddddddddA lot of them have been on other teams and seen a lot of other great quarterbacks, too.The leader on defence in the most improved category?Cornerback Xavier Rhodes. He broke up three passes on Sunday to bring his season total to 14.I try to preach to these guys every day in practice: Dont let your guy catch the ball. I think that mentality is starting to show up a little bit with him, Zimmer said.I also think some of the toughness things are showing up with him, as well. I expect our corners to be tough guys and support the run, not come out of the games, things like that.The key for Rhodes, who also failed to stay healthy last year as a rookie, has been finding a way to play physical without being penalized for pass interference or holding.I found that happy medium. Now Im learning. I know how and when to let go and not be so aggressive at a certain point in the game, he said. Im learning the rules.As is with the case of wide receiver Cordarrelle Patterson, development takes place at different rates.Zimmer said Patterson played only three snaps on Sunday because he missed so much practice time with the game plan this week. Patterson was absent on Wednesday and Thursday to attend a family funeral.Patterson, who has also been bothered by a knee injury, sounded frustrated after the game and said he was given no explanation for his limited use. But Zimmer again brushed aside any notion of a problem.I have high hopes for him. Im in his corner. I want him to be a good player, Zimmer said. It would help this football team, it would help me, it would help everybody around that he becomes a great player. It may be not right away.___AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL Blackhawks Jerseys Store Cheap Wild Jerseys Cheap Red Wings Jerseys Cheap Maple Leafs Jerseys Penguins Jerseys Store Capitals Jerseys For Sale Blues Jerseys Store Cheap Kings Jerseys Adidas Lightning Jerseys Stars Jerseys For Sale Cheap Predators Jerseys Ducks Store Sharks Jerseys For Sale Cheap Sabres Jerseys Rangers Jerseys For Sale ' ' '