Campus Maximus » ichael Malone is squarely on Team

PARIS - Canadas Fed Cup team has drawn a tough opponent for its first appearance in the elite World Group. The top-ranked Czech Republic will visit Canada for a first-round tie Feb. 7-8, 2015. "This will be our first World Group tie and the team knows that no matter who the opponent, it will be a very talented team that is one of the best in the world," Canadas Fed Cup captain Sylvain Bruneau said in a release. "This is very true of the Czech Republic as they have solid players and lots of experience winning in this competition." The official draw was conducted Wednesday at Roland Garros. In other first-round ties, Italy will host France, Germany will entertain Australia and Russia will visit Poland. The 2014 tournament will be decided in November when the Czechs host Germany in the final. Canada is currently ranked No. 8 in the world. Canada defeated Serbia 3-1 in the World Group II first round in February and beat Slovakia 3-1 in the World Group playoff in April in Quebec City. The host venue and playing surface will be announced at a later date. "We are very happy to be playing at home again as I believe it makes a difference to have the support of your home crowd," Bruneau said. "Even from the last tie against Slovakia, the core players on our team have improved so much. We now have another eight months to take further steps and be ready in February to try and win Fed Cup." Eugenie Bouchard of Westmount, Que., anchored the Canadian victory over Slovakia with a pair of singles victories. She will play Russias Maria Sharapova in the French Open semifinals on Thursday. The Canadian roster was rounded out by Aleksandra Wozniak of Blainville, Que., Torontos Sharon Fichman and Ottawas Gabriela Dabrowski. The Czech lineup boasts players like Petra Kvitova and Lucie Safarova. The Czech Republic has won the Fed Cup seven times, including back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012. The two countries last met in a World Group qualifying tie in 2002, when the host Czechs defeated Canada 5-0 on clay in Prerov. Canada has an all-time record of 0-5 against the Czech Republic. The winner of the tie will move on to the Fed Cup semifinals and will keep its place in the eight-country World Group for the following year. The loser will have to play a World Group playoff to maintain its spot in the elite level for 2016. The semifinals next year are scheduled for April 18-19, and the final for Nov. 14-15. In World Group II, its Argentina vs. the United States, Romania vs. Spain, Netherland vs. Slovakia, and Sweden vs. Switzerland. ——— With files from The Associated Press. Discount Air Max 1 . PETERSBURG, Fla. Cheap Air Max 1 China . Despite 11-1 records, theyre out and Big Ten winner Ohio State is into the national semifinals. http://www.cheapairmax1.net/.Kessy tried to show what he can do playing left wing for the Oilers in 5-0 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday in pre-season action. Wholesale Air Max 1 . Espanyol midfielder Sanchez intercepted Bilbao goalkeeper Gorka Iraizozs clearance and, having spotted a gap, risked using his less-favoured left foot to fire a beautifully precise long-range shot that bounced in from high up the near post in the 24th minute. Cheap Air Max 1 . - The fiancee of former New England Patriots player Aaron Hernandez is set to ask a judge to throw out allegations that she lied to a grand jury.SAN ANTONIO - Jeff Ayres had 15 points and rookie Kyle Anderson added 14 points as the San Antonio Spurs overcame DeMarcus Cousins 32 points and 11 rebounds to rally for a 106-99 victory over the Sacramento Kings on Monday night.Marco Belinelli scored 14 points and Tony Parker had 13 points and five assists for San Antonio (2-3).Rudy Gay scored 18 points for Sacramento (2-4). Carl Landry added 15 points and Darren Collison had 14.The Spurs forced nine turnovers in the third, outscoring the Kings 28-18 in the quarter. Aron Baynes reverse layup pulled San Antonio within 78-77 with 12.8 seconds left in the third.Andersons dunk on a 3-on-1 fast break with 9 minutes left gave San Antonio an 83-82 lead, which the teams would exchange until the Spurs took control in the final minutes.Anderson stole the ball in the backcourt and raced to the basket for a layup despite being hacked on the left forearm by Collison with 2:36 remaining.Cousins dominated with Tim Duncan missing the game to rest, hitting step-back jumpers when he wasnt bullying a series of defenders in the paint. He scored Sacramentos first six points and finished the first quarter with 13 points, including going 5 for 8 on free throws.Parker took it up on himself to score with the Spurs struggling early, running off screens for pull-up jumpers and driving to the basket. After pulling San Antonio within 14-9, Parker began distributing.Sacramento went on a 24-6 run after Bryce Cottons 3-pointer gave San Antonio its first lead with 7:31 remaining in thhe first half.dddddddddddd Cousins had six points, three rebounds, a steal and a block in the run. Gay had nine points in the run, including a three-point play gave Sacramento a 60-44 lead after sinking a free throw to complete a three-point playTIP-INSThe Kings: Sacramento coach Michael Malone is squarely on Team Pop in the Spurs coachs minor tiff with Robert Sarver. The Phoenix Suns owner apologized to the fans Thursday because San Antonio was without five players for a preseason game, leading Popovich to say he was surprised the speech wasnt uttered in a chicken suit. I got a kick out of the whole Phoenix thing and whats going on with that. I love watching it from a far. No one can ever question how Pop runs his team. His results speak for themselves. . G Nik Stauskas sat out the game by coachs decision to rest. The rookie guard out of Michigan is averaging 9.6 points in 24.4 minutes while playing the teams first five preseason games. . Sacramento entered Mondays game with five players averaging double-figure scoring in the preseason. Cousins upped his preseason average to 17.6 points in five games.The Spurs: Duncan sat out his second game of the season. Duncan is averaging 16.0 points and 7.7 rebounds in 29.7 minutes through three games. . San Antonio had broken 100 points just once in the preseason entering Monday. . Rookies Anderson, Green and Cotton have scored 91 points during the preseason.UP NEXTSan Antonio plays host to Atlanta on Wednesday.Sacramento visits Lakers on Friday. ' ' '