.The Crimson Tide enter the postseason looking

Novak Djokovic twice came from behind to defeat Rafael Nadal in straight sets in their Rome Masters quarter-final. A 7-5 7-6 (7-4) win means the world No 1 will now advance into Saturdays semi-finals where he will play sixth seed Kei Nishikori who beat Dominic Thiem 6-3 7-5, while Andy Murray will face lucky loser Lucas Pouille.Nadal had his chances to end a six-match losing streak against Djokovic but wasted a break advantage in the first set, then missed five set-point chances in the second. Novak Djokovics set point in the opener was majestic... Djokovic recovered from a break down to secure the opener in dramatic fashion. Nadal initially went 4-2 up against the serve, largely thanks to a drop shot that found a home three times in the early stages.Mid-way through the set, Djokovic began finding his rhythm and threatened with some trademark returns from the back of the court. He held a 10-minute game to remain 3-4 down before more excellent work from the back of the court earned Djokovic a break of his own.Djokovic led 6-5 heading into the final game but defeated Nadals serve in a pulsating manner. Another Nadal drop shot had him on course for 6-6, but Djokovic converted his fourth set point by winning an astonishing rally. Novak Djokovic lost his cool and threw his racket Nadal then crucially failed to convert five set points to force a decider. Leading 5-4 in the second set having broken Djokovics first service game, Nadal continued to put himself on the brink but could not cross the line.Djokovic saved all five set points and remarkably broke back before winning a thrilling tie-break 7-4 in a memorable demonstration of grit and athleticism from both players.Current Rome Masters champion Djokovic now has a 26-23 head-to-head record against Nadal.Watch the Rome semi-finals on Saturday, live on Sky Sports 3 HD from 1.30pm. Also See: As it happened Murray into Rome semis Tennis on Sky Get a NOW TV pass George Hill Jersey . This should be celebrated because it will not always be this way. With the amount of money given to players by their clubs these days, it is a wonder that so many of those teams allow the sport to continue to take away many of their assets so they can play for a different team in the middle of their season. Kevin Porter Jersey . Manuel was offered a position the day he was fired. He accepted earlier this week and the team made the announcement Friday. https://www.thecavalierslockerroom.com/Tristan-Thompson-City-Edition-Jersey/ . - Baltimore Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco is not a fan of his teams use of the wildcat formation, saying "it makes you look like a high school offence. J.R. Smith Cavaliers Jersey .Y. -- Sabres defenceman Tyler Myers had no intention of changing his hard-hitting style before taking part in a disciplinary hearing for his illegal check to New Jersey forward Dainius Zubrus head. Alec Burks Jersey . -- The boos poured down on Tom Brady and the New England Patriots at the end of a horrible first half. The Alabama Crimson Tide head into the postseason with a chance to become the third wire-to-wire champion in the history of The Associated Press college football poll.Alabama was No. 1 in the final AP Top 25 of the regular season Sunday, just as it has been since the preseason. The Ohio State Buckeyes are No. 2, the?Clemson Tigers?are No. 3 and the?Washington Huskies?are No. 4.The College Football Playoff pairings were to be released later Sunday.Penn State was fifth, followed by Michigan, Oklahoma and Wisconsin.The Crimson Tide enter the postseason looking to win back-to-back championships and to join Florida State in 1999 and Southern California in 2004 as the only teams to be AP No. 1 from start to finish.Alabama would be the 12th team to win two straight AP championships.With so few teams pllaying on championship weekend, there was not much movement in the rankings.dddddddddddd But there was movement for the teams that did play this weekend:Penn State jumped three spots by winning the Big Ten title game.No. 7 Oklahoma moved up two spots after beating Oklahoma State to win the Big 12.No. 18 Virginia Tech lost 42-35 to Clemson in the Atlantic Coast Conference championship game and moved up one spot.No. 20 Florida dropped five spots after getting blown out by Alabama in the Southeastern Conference title game.No. 23 Temple beat Navy for the American Athletic Conference championship and moved into the rankings for the first time this season.Navy dropped out. ' ' '