etroit was 4 + games behind the Red Sox.Dombrowskis tenure in Detroit ended abr

HALLE, Germany -- Top-seeded Roger Federer looked rusty in beating German wild card Cedrik-Marcel Stebe 6-3, 6-3 on Wednesday to reach the quarterfinals of the Gerry Weber Open, his usual tune-up for Wimbledon. His first singles match on grass as he prepares to defend the Wimbledon title wasnt all smooth sailing but Federer was never really threatened. "Im always pleased when I win, no matter how I win," Federer said. Gael Monfils reached quarterfinals as well, then announced he will miss Wimbledon. After defeating Czech qualifier Jan Hernych 6-2, 6-3, Monfils said he withdrew his request for a Wimbledon wild card because he had to deal with a personal problem that could not be delayed. He didnt elaborate. Mikhail Youzhny also advanced to the last eight by upsetting fourth-seeded Kei Nishikori 6-1, 6-7 (4), 6-3. German wild card Mischa Zverev went through by beating Mirza Basic 7-6 (5), 6-3 after coming from behind in both sets. Four of Federers seven Wimbledon titles have come after Federer had also won the build-up event in Halle. His link to the Halle event, where has five titles, is so deep that he has had a street named after him. Now ranked No. 3 in the world, Federer has not won a title this year and is coming off a quarterfinal loss at the French Open. Serving for the first set, Federer produced four straight errors to waste two set points and drop his serve with some very sloppy play. He bounced back in the next, however, to win the set. Federer hit two wild backhands to help Stebe hold his serve in the seventh game of the second. Federer also committed a double-fault on his first match point, but hit a volley winner to end it. "I got an early double-break lead in the first, I got up a break in the second, it was pretty straightforward," said Federer, who next faces Zverev. Monfils was once ranked No. 7 in the world but the Frenchman missed several months last year because of a knee injury. He was ranked No. 119 in May before moving up to No. 67. Monfils, who has never passed the third round at Wimbledon, said it was a pity he would have to miss it for the second straight year and fourth time in six years, especially because he felt he was beginning to play better on grass. For a player who says he has trouble moving on grass, Monfils was at his acrobatic best against Hernych, at one point even having to jump over the net. Trying to save a break point, the Czech qualifier dived to his right to reach a ball at the net and managed to send it over. Monfils raced forward, failed to reach it in time and his momentum carried him over the net. The two touched hands and Monfils got back to his side to eventually break serve for a decisive 4-2 lead in the second set. The Frenchmans enthusiasm did not always result in points -- he once jumped high for a smash, only to rip it into the net. But another time, he chased down a lob and hit a perfect backhand winner on the turn. "I was happy, I was having fun," Monfils said. "Grass is not natural for me, but I am getting better. I have to focus on not falling, not injuring myself. I cannot take off as fast as I want to and I have problems braking. But I was comfortable today, I was leading all the time." Russias Youzhny was not quite as spectacular as Monfils but his steady game carried him past Nishikori in the first set. "He started well, he was hitting a lot of first serves and I was missing everything," the Japanese said. Nishikori said it was not easy to adjust to grass and that he would remain in Halle for a while to practice more and play doubles. Youzhny was twice a semifinalist in Halle, including last year, and lost to Roger Federer both times. Basic, a Bosnian who upset seventh-seeded Jerzy Janowitz in his first match in the main draw of an ATP Tour event on Tuesday, squandered a 4-1 lead in the first set and a 2-1 break lead in the second. He saved three match points on his serve but Zverev closed it out with a service winner.Hydro Flask 32 Oz Sale Cheap . PAUL, Minn. Hydro Flask Coffee Ireland . "Theyve both been real good," said Babcock. "Havent changed our minds." A decision has seemingly been made - Sundays Group B-deciding tilt against Finland ahead - but it could not have been an easy one. Price opened the tournament with a sturdy 19-save performance against the Norwegians, yielding just one goal. http://www.cheaphydroflaskireland.com/ .Y. -- Marcell Dareus and the Buffalo Bills defence made life miserable for Super Bowl MVP Joe Flacco. Hydro Flask Clearance . -- Jakob Silfverberg is making himself right at home with the Anaheim Ducks, scoring four goals in his first four games. Hydro Flask 32 Oz Ireland . Defencemen Drew Doughty, Shea Weber and forward Ryan Getzlaf also scored for the Canadians, who started their gold-medal defence 2-0. Goalie Roberto Luongo, getting the call in place of Game 1 starter Carey Price, was solid when needed in making 23 saves for the shutout.DETROIT -- Dave Dombrowski was back in his old ballpark, exactly one year after being hired by the Boston Red Sox.He made the trip to Detroit with the Red Sox for a four-game series that began Thursday. Its Bostons first visit to Comerica Park this season.I guess mixed emotions. Many great memories, and also looking forward to seeing a lot of friends, he said. Its just unusual because the last time I was in the ballpark was a little over a year ago, and didnt end on the best of circumstances.Dombrowski was let go in early August after nearly 14 seasons as president and general manager of the Tigers. He wasnt on the market for long, taking over as Bostons president of baseball operations on Aug. 18.Detroit played a three-game series at Boston last month, so this isnt Dombrowskis first time going up against his former team. He said he had a chance to say hello to players and staff at that series.Although the move to Boston took Dombrowski to a different division, the Tigers and Red Sox are still competing against each other. Boston entered Thursday as the American Leagues top wild card. Detroit was 4 + games behind the Red Sox.Dombrowskis tenure in Detroit ended abruptly after the Tigers made sseveral moves before the trade deadline last year.dddddddddddd Detroit traded stars David Price and Yoenis Cespedes in some of those deals, receiving pitching prospects Daniel Norris, Matt Boyd and Michael Fulmer in return.Those young pitchers -- particularly Fulmer -- have been instrumental in keeping the Tigers in the playoff hunt this season. But Dombrowski wasnt interested in taking too much credit for that Thursday.At the time, we focused on trying to do the best job we possibly could and trying to get the best young talent to sort of build on the future, thinking it was important to get young pitching, but theres a lot of people involved in those discussions, Dombrowski said. Im happy for those players that theyve done well, but its really not my circumstances to comment.The Tigers kept much of their front office intact after Dombrowskis exit, promoting Al Avila to general manger. Now Dombrowskis focus is on the Red Sox and his new challenges with them.After a year, I think you start to settle in, he said.---Follow Noah Trister at www.Twitter.com/noahtrister ' ' '