ning and Amos Ramon cracked a two-run triple in the sixth inning to accoun

Rafael Nadal must win the Rio Open to rebuild his fragile confidence, says Barry Cowan. The world No 5 suffered another setback at the weekend, losing 6-4 4-6 7-6 (7-4) to Dominic Thiem in the semi-finals of the Argentina Open.This latest loss for Nadal, which came on his favourite clay surface, was greeted with genuine concern by Sky Sports expert Cowan. Nadal will switch his attention to the Rio Open, starting tonight live on Sky Sports 3, and Cowan believes the 29-year-old is now preparing for a massive week as he tries to rediscover his Grand Slam winning form.He told Sky Sports News HQ: When you lose in the manner that Rafa lost a few days ago, lost his nerve at important stages, which was something which was happening with regularity in the beginning of last year. A massive week for Nadal and I almost go to say: I think hes got to win this week, I really do. Barry Cowan But crucially he lost to someone in Dominic Thiem who is going to be a very good player, who is young, who doesnt have the same mental baggage as a lot of players who are currently on tour and have lost to Nadal, three, four times.A massive week for Nadal and I almost go to say: I think hes got to win this week, I really do.I think it will really be a blow to his confidence and self-belief going forward if he has a poor week. Its five massive matches for him. Dominic Thiem will target another title in Rio after winning the Argentina Open Nadal must negotiate a tough field, which includes his conquerer Thiem, world No 9 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and clay court specialists David Ferrer and Fabio Fognini.Cowan said: Well they are all good players, but if you go back to what Nadal has done on clay. Heres a guy who is the best clay court player we have ever seen. Has won nine French Opens, who used to take the rest of the field to the cleaners.Normally Nadal at his best, you say: Well those players arent going to trouble him. But now you go yes, and I felt that against Thiem last week. Tie-break in the third, Im not so sure hes going to handle the pressure. Sky Live: Rio Open Rafael Nadal returns to Sky Sports as the top seed at the Rio Open He starts off with a double fault and if Im thinking it, Nadal for sure is thinking it and as soon as any top tennis player has doubts - and Rafa has got doubts at the moment - you dont play your best tennis. He needs to get back to winning titles. Watch day one of the Rio Open, starting tonight at 7pm on Sky Sports 3. Or watch from £6.99 without a contract, on NOW TV Also See: Sky Live: Rio Open Thiem triumphs in Buenos Aire ATP schedule Tennis on Sky Nike Air Max Plus Tn Ultra Nz . R.J. Umberger scored twice to lead the Blue Jackets to a franchise-record for consecutive wins with a 5-3 victory Tuesday night over the Los Angeles Kings. Vapormax Off White 2019 . Ryan Garbutt had a goal and two assists as Dallas snapped a six-game losing streak with a 5-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday night. http://www.airvapormaxnz.com/vapormax-flyknit-3-sale-nz.html . Ibaka equaled a career high with 20 rebounds, adding four blocked shots and 15 points as the Thunder smothered the Milwaukee Bucks offence in a 92-79 victory Saturday night. Air Vapormax 97 Womens . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Nike Tn For Sale Nz . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside.The Winnipeg Goldeyes stuck their formula of grabbing an early lead and relying on great pitching to run their season-opening winning streak to eight games Friday night. Justin Garcia was given an early 2-0 lead and struck out 12, as the Goldeyes (8-0) defeated the Lincoln Saltdogs (4-5) 5-1 in the second game of their four-game series before 3,310 fans at Haymarket Park in Nebraska. With the win, the Goldeyes continue to have a two-game lead over the St. Paul Saints in the American Associations North Division and extended their franchise record winning streak to begin a season. The eight-game streak is also tied for the third longest winning streak in team history. The Goldeyes won eight consecutive games in 1999 and 2009. Josh Mazzola hit a two-run home run in the top first inning, Casey Haerther singled in Mazzola in the third inning and Amos Ramon cracked a two-run triple in the sixth inning to account for Winnipegs scoring. "Its easier to pitch when you have a lead," Goldeyes pitching coach Jamie Vermilyea said on the TSN 1290 post-game show. "This iis eight in a row where we have scored first and it makes it a lot easier on the pitching staff.dddddddddddd" Mazzola, Haerther and Ryan Scoma each had two hits for the Goldeyes. Scoma, who went two-for-three in the game, is now batting .529 on the season. Aside from his 12 Ks, Garcia walked just one through six and a third innings and allowed just a RBI double to Ian Gac in the bottom of the first inning. Its Garcias second win in as many starts to begin the season. "The defence is going to be on their toes if youre not walking guys and throwing strikes. Its really as simple as that," Vermilyea said. Kaohi Downing, Brendan Lafferty and Aaron Correa combined for 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief. Ben Henry suffered the loss for Lincoln. He surrendered all five of Winnipegs runs. The Goldeyes and Saltdogs will meet again Saturday night in Lincoln. Winnipeg can claim its third consecutive series to start the season with a win. Game time is 7:45 p.m. Coverage with Paul Edmonds on TSN 1290 begins at 6 p.m. with Around the Association. ' ' '