list.The union has accused the league of over

PARIS – Eugenie Bouchard could downplay expectations. Nobody would blame her. Shes only 20-years-old after all and playing in just her second French Open. But when asked what would need to happen to make her campaign at Roland Garros this season a success, Canadas rising star doesnt hold back. "To win it," Bouchard said, her own boldness yielding a laugh. But, make no mistake, she is dead serious. "I always expect high things of myself and Ive been working so hard for so many years that nothing is a real surprise to me and I have big ambitions in tennis. I want to achieve great things." Bouchard certainly isnt lacking confidence. She showed that during a magical run to the Australian Open semifinals in January. But Bouchard has a specific reason to have a hop in her step these days. On Saturday, she beat Karolina Pliskova in the championship match of the Nuremberg Cup, earning her first career WTA title. "Just so happy," said Bouchard describing the emotions in the moments after match point. "To go to a city and leave and not lose a match and win all the matches is something special." Bouchard almost didnt play in the tournament. Most top players will not travel to an event in the week before a grand slam choosing instead to rest, practice and arrive at the venue early. But after disappointing first-round straight-set losses at tune-up events in Madrid (v No. 3 Agnieszka Radwanska) and Rome (v No. 61 Francesca Schiavone) Bouchard was convinced that playing more was the best way to prep for the seasons second major. "We were debating whether to even come to Nuremberg and I said, You know what? I want to play matches. I want to keep trying and keep working. We got here early and practiced. It was pretty cold early in the week, it was tough practices, tough conditions, but I kept working hard and Im proud of myself for that. When you work hard good things happen. I think thats what happened this week." That Bouchards first career championship came on clay is a bit of a surprise. It is not her favourite surface. "My game is pretty aggressive, so I like to step in and control the point and the clay just slows it up a little bit, but its a good thing. It teaches me patience ... sometimes Im not so patient. "It adds different dimensions to your game and if I can perform well on clay it will show myself that I can have a well-rounded game." Last year Bouchards run at the French Open ended in the second round at the hands of eventual finalist Maria Sharapova. It was a tough loss (6-2, 6-4), but one that made the Montreal native stronger. "I think it helps for sure. I got to play on centre court, experienced a rain delay, my match was over two days and its all part of the experience. I always enjoy the chance to play one of the great players and I always learn so much. Ive learned from that match." Bouchard wont have to deal with Sharapova or any other top name early in the tournament this time around. Thats one of the perks of being the 18th seed. Bouchard will open against 86th ranked Israeli Shahar Peer, who has lost all three matches to the Canadian in her career including one in March (6-2, 6-2 in Acapulco). Waiting in the second round should Bouchard advance will be either German Julia Goerges or Portugals Michelle Larcher De Brito. Both are outside the top 100 in the latest rankings. The third round is when things may get tougher as No. 12 Flavia Pennetta would be a formidable roadblock, but far from unbeatable. But first things first: Bouchard needs to get settled in France. One negative repercussion from playing in the week before a slam is that it makes for a tight turnaround. There was a 90-minute flight from Nuremberg to Paris on Saturday night followed by a practice on Sunday. Bouchards match against Peer is set for Monday. Although theres actually a chance the short rest time may be a good thing. "I always like playing matches so, for me, the more I can play the better. I can get in a rhythm of playing competitive matches and I think it gives me extra confidence." Extra confidence? Not a fun thought for those in Bouchards section of the draw. Tommy La Stella Angels Jersey .com) - Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll knows about life in the NFL from other stints around the league. Dick Williams Jersey .A. remained bitter for Henrik Lundqvist and the Rangers on the long flight back home to New York. https://www.cheapangels.com/583j-frank-robinson-jersey-angels.html . -- Jerel Worthy and his Michigan State teammates charged across the field, holding four fingers in the air while celebrating another sweet victory over their biggest rival. Jimmie Reese Jersey . -- The Jacksonville Jaguars are bringing back quarterback Chad Henne -- and making him the starter. Albert Pujols Jersey . However, it wasnt a problem on Monday night. Evgeni Nabokov made 23 saves for his 56th career shutout in the New York Islanders 3-0 win over the Detroit Red Wings on Monday night.MINNEAPOLIS - Adrian Petersons dispute with the NFL reached another level when the league suspended Minnesotas star running back without pay for at least the rest of the season.As his representatives initiated an appeal, Peterson remained at the centre of an escalating argument between the league and the NFL Players Association over the player discipline process.Commissioner Roger Goodell told Peterson on Tuesday he will not be considered for reinstatement before April 15 for his violation of the NFL personal conduct policy. Peterson pleaded no contest Nov. 4 to misdemeanour reckless assault in Texas for injuries to his 4-year-old son with a wooden switch.The NFLPA quickly called for a neutral arbitrator to handle an appeal and sharply rebuked the league for what it labeled as inconsistency and unfairness in determining the discipline. The NFLs words were even stronger, with a nearly 1,600-word statement spelling out the conditions for Petersons return to the field and describing the reasons for the punishment.The NFL said Peterson would stay on the special exempt list and continue to be paid during the appeal process, but the unions attempt to at least temporarily reinstate him failed. The grievance filed against the league last week was overturned Tuesday by the arbitrator who heard the arguments, according to a person with knowledge of the situation. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.Even if Peterson were to win a shorter suspension with an appeal, the Vikings actually playing him would be an implausible scenario given the heat they have taken and the long time Peterson has been away from the team. The Vikings have six games left and host the Green Bay Packers on Sunday.The Vikings issued only a brief statement: We respect the leagues decision and will have no further comment at this time.Fullback Jerome Felton said on Twitter that characterizing his feelings on the NFLs decision as a disagreement would be the understatement of the year. In Pittsburgh, Steelers safety Mike Mitchell questioned the system that gives Goodell executive power on player discipline.Im not just trying to bash him or come down on him, but I think players would feel better if he wasnt just judge, jury and executioner, Mitchell said.Peterson has said he intended no harm to his 4-year-old son, only discipline. Peterson was on a special exempt list at the sole discretion of Goodell, essentially paid leave while the case went through the legal system.The NFLPA said Peterson was told that would count as time served toward a suspension, citing an unidentified NFL executive. League spokesman Brian McCarthy said the stay on the exempt list was taken into account, citing aggravating circumstances for the extended susspension.ddddddddddddGoodell announced Aug. 28 tougher punishment for players involved with domestic violence. That action stemmed from a torrent of criticism for the initial leniency toward Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice following a caught-on-camera knockout punch of the woman who is now his wife. Rice was later suspended indefinitely and recently had his appeal heard by an arbitrator.According to the enhanced policy, first offences of assault, battery or domestic violence bring a six-game suspension.Goodells letter to Peterson cited the aggravating circumstance, pointing to the childs age and the significant physical difference between him and his son.Further, the injury inflicted on your son includes the emotional and psychological trauma to a young child who suffers criminal physical abuse at the hands of his father, Goodell wrote. Second, the repetitive use of a switch in this instance is the functional equivalent of a weapon, particularly in the hands of someone with the strength of an accomplished professional athlete.Goodell also came down on Peterson for showing no meaningful remorse for hurting the boy and expressed concern that he may feel free to engage in similar conduct in the future.The injuries to the boy occurred in May. Peterson was indicted in September, a few days after the season opener. The Vikings put him on the inactive list for the next game. The day after, they announced he would resume playing until completion of his due process in court.But with the Rice backlash as a backdrop, Peterson, the Vikings and the NFL were inundated by protests as corporations cancelled sponsorships. The Vikings relented and less than two days later he was placed on the exempt list.The union has accused the league of overstepping bounds spelled out in the collective bargaining agreement.The decision by the NFL to suspend Adrian Peterson is another example of the credibility gap that exists between the agreements they make and the actions they take. Since Adrians legal matter was adjudicated, the NFL has ignored their obligations and attempted to impose a new and arbitrary disciplinary proceeding, the NFLPA said.Petersons salary for the season was $11.75 million. He will keep the money accrued while on the exempt list. But the NFLs punishment has now amounted to a 14-game ban, with six unpaid weeks. Thats the equivalent of a fine of more than $4.1 million.Peterson will turn 30 in March. There are three years and $45 million remaining on his contract, but none of it is guaranteed. The Vikings would take only a $2.4 million hit on their 2015 salary cap if they cut him before next season.___AP Sports Writer Will Graves in Pittsburgh contributed to this report.___AP NFL websites: http://www.pro32.ap.org and http://www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '