inst the Mets, Bumgarner gave up four runs on six hits in five innings but claimed the decision in a 10-7 win. He also homered.The Giants have claimed six of the 10 meetings against the Dodgers.Maeda last pitched Aug. 16 at Philadelphia, fanning nine, walking one and holding the Phillies to two runs o

LONDON -- It was a foreboding touch to hear a gong-type noise played on U.K. television coverage as Andy Murray failed to save a fifth set point against Kei Nishikori in an epic 18-minute first-set tiebreaker on Wednesday.A similar booming sound played over Arthur Ashe Stadiums loudspeakers in Septembers US Open. After the mysterious noise, Murray melted down in a five-set quarterfinal defeat to Nishikori. But this time, Murray just about regrouped at the World Tour Finals to beat the world No. 5 6-7 (9), 6-4, 6-4.He still flirted with disaster here. Several times he got wound up into a similar state of agitation as he had in that fourth set at Flushing Meadows; he was distracted throughout, remonstrating with himself and shouting at his box.I didnt feel like I was hitting the ball as well as I would have liked, Murray later told a news conference. He was dictating so many of the points. For me it was frustrating. Didnt matter whether I tried to hit the ball a bit harder, adjusted my position on the court, nothing was making me hit the ball cleaner.As the match went on, I was getting kind of frustrated, then becoming like sarcastic with myself that I couldnt seem to hit the ball as clean as I wanted to. Yeah, I dont often do that, but today I was definitely being more sarcastic towards myself than usual.His frustrations almost cost him dearly when he failed to take two set points at 5-4 in the second set, having already been broken back once. He then needed four games to finally put away Nishikori, after building a 5-1 lead in the decider.No doubt about it, this was a step up in class for the Scot -- not since his French Open final defeat to Novak Djokovic in June had he faced a top-five opponent.There was nothing really in it, Murray admitted. He could have won in two sets, for sure. He was dictating many points. He had a number of chances.Murrays place in the semifinals is far from guaranteed, though, after Stan Wawrinka?rebounded from an opening loss to beat Marin Cilic 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3) in Wednesdays evening session at Londons O2 Arena.If Wawrinka beats Murray in two sets, and Nishikori wins against Cilic, then Murray will be out of the tournament and Djokovic will finish as year-end No. 1. But if Cilic gets his first win here, Murray and Wawrinka will both qualify for the semifinals regardless.All I know is if I want to have a chance to qualify, I need to win, said Wawrinka. Thats all I know. Thats all Im trying to do.Im going to try to play my best tennis, to beat the world No. 1. Its going to be a tough match. We played many times each other. Hes playing his best tennis so far. Its going to be interesting. Im happy to play here in front of his home crowd. Im sure its going to be a great atmosphere.One man who definitely wont be here at the weekend is Gael Monfils, who withdrew from the Tour Finals with a rib injury that he first picked up in Stockholm last month. The Frenchman had lost his opening two matches to Milos Raonic and Dominic Thiem -- Djokovic will now play alternate David Goffin in his final round robin match Thursday.Definitely I cant play for tomorrow because I still feel worse and worse, my ribs, that I had lately, Monfils told a news conference. Yeah, I feel that even yesterday was tough in the game. I feel unfortunately today I couldnt be feeling great and couldnt practice, so I just decide that I couldnt play tomorrow.Monfils announcement pushed Murrays own news conference even further back -- the Scot had already been scheduled to come in to press two hours after his match against Nishikori finished.I was in the ice bath after the match, he said when he finally turned up. That obviously helps kind of make you feel a bit better. But, yeah, sort of 10, 12 hours afterwards the body starts to stiffen up. Im sure tomorrow Ill be a bit sore. But its positive I get a days rest, a days recovery tomorrow.He will need the rest -- this was officially the longest three-set match in Tour Finals history at 3 hours, 20 minutes.Not quite as long as the near five-hour epic between Murray and Nishikori that went five sets in the Davis Cup in March, nor the three hours, 57 minutes they played in New York, but still draining.While it wasnt a vintage performance, Murray found a way to get the job done, stretching his win streak to 21 matches, one short of his career-best set earlier this summer.For now, he is quickly learning that it is one thing to get to the top of the rankings, and another thing to stay there. He must match or outdo Novak Djokovics results here to finish year-end No. 1, and it could come down to a straight shootout in Sundays final.I think for the tournament and for everyone interested in tennis that would probably be the perfect way to finish the year, admitted Murray.Custom Chris Bosh Jersey .Y. -- Buffalo Bills coach Doug Marrone has drawn on his Syracuse connections once again by hiring Rob Moore to take over as receivers coach. Cheap Custom Heat Jersey . The parade and rally were held to celebrate the Saskatchewan Roughriders 45-23 win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Sunday in the CFLs championship game. http://www.customheatjersey.com/ . Ancelotti says Ronaldo has recovered from a hamstring injury but "but he doesnt feel comfortable yet so we wont risk him." Madrid is third in the Spanish league, six points behind leader Barcelona, going into Saturdays game against Valladolid. Wholesale Custom Heat Shirts . Following a lopsided 5-2 loss against the New Jersey Devils on Wednesday night, Paul MacLean told reporters that "theres a lack of focus, theres a lack of leadership and theres a lack of preparation" with his struggling team. That came on the heels of Bryan Murray taking the unusual step of going into the locker room at the Prudential Center and addressing the players himself. Custom Heat Jerseys . Despite the cost, effort and an improved steroid test, its possible that very few -- if any -- positives will be detected, Dr. Richard Budgett told The Associated Press in an interview. "We just dont know what the results from Torino will be," Budgett said.LOS ANGELES -- Despite having a starting rotation that continues to be ravaged by injuries, the National League West-leading Los Angeles Dodgers remain a confident bunch heading into a three-game showdown beginning Tuesday with the second-place San Francisco Giants.Were looking forward to it, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said.Adrian Gonzalez launched three of the Dodgers seven home runs and had a career-high eight RBI in Mondays 18-9 romp against the Reds in Cincinnati. However, the injury bug struck again as neck and back problems plagued starter Scott Kazmir, who couldnt make it out of the third inning and allowed four runs on six hits with three walks and a strikeout.Kazmir is expected to undergo an MRI in Los Angeles on Tuesday.Kazmir is the latest in a string of casualties that have hurt the clubs starters for much of the season. Ace Clayton Kershaw (herniated disk), who is scheduled to throw another bullpen session Tuesday and could return in September, Brandon McCarthy (right hip soreness) and Rich Hill (blisters on pitching finger) remain on the disabled list.However, Hill, who has yet to make his Dodgers debut since being acquired from the Oakland Athletics at the trading deadline, and Brett Anderson are penciled in to start against the Giants on Wednesday and Thursday, respectively. Anderson, who returned Aug. 14 from herniated disk surgery against the Pittsburgh Pirates, served up five runs and lasted just one inning before departing with a wrist injury. Anderson also had his last start Saturday cut short by a blister on his left index finger Saturday at Cincinnati.Another staarter, Bud Norris, has been in and out of the rotation with injuries, while Hyun-Jin Ryu (left shoulder surgery) has yet to pitch this season.ddddddddddddStill, despite all those painful scenarios, they havent short-circuited the Dodgers (69-55) battling the Giants for the division lead.The Giants (68-56), who were off Monday and trail the Dodgers by a game after a four-game split with the New York Mets over the weekend, have stumbled to an 11-23 record since the All-Star break.I do think were playing better ball, manager Bruce Bochy said, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. The guys are swinging it pretty good. Some games weve scored some runs and the pitching has not been quite as sharp.Giants All-Star Madison Bumgarner (12-7, 2.25 ERA) will oppose the Dodgers Kenta Maeda (12-7, 3.29 ERA) in the opener.Bumgarner is 0-1 with a 4.09 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers this season. In his last start Thursday against the Mets, Bumgarner gave up four runs on six hits in five innings but claimed the decision in a 10-7 win. He also homered.The Giants have claimed six of the 10 meetings against the Dodgers.Maeda last pitched Aug. 16 at Philadelphia, fanning nine, walking one and holding the Phillies to two runs on three hits in six innings. Maeda is 4-0 with a 3.45 ERA since July 23.He beat the Giants in his only start against them on April 17, limiting San Francisco to a run on four hits in seven innings with seven strikeouts and a walk in a 3-1 decision. ' ' '