NEWS » ear ago, startinng 11 games and finishing with 46 tackles and fi

After starting her new partnership with Barbora Strycova of the Czech Republic on a winning note by clinching the Cincinnati Open on Sunday, Sania Mirza has said that she has no regrets anymore about having failed to win an Olympic medal in Rio last week.Sania, who lost the bronze medal play-off in the company of Rohan Bopanna to Radek Stepanek and Lucie Hradecká, left Rio in tears, but has bounced back strongly by claiming her sixth title of the year.Speaking exclusively to ESPN from Cincinnati, Sania admitted that while the loss was extremely shattering she is very proud to have responded to the emotional turmoil by producing some high quality tennis in the course of the week.I dont believe in regrets, Sania said. As an athlete I cant harp on about whether I made that forehand or someone made a serve or we would have won the match, thats not how sport works. In sports it is just about trying and fighting. Some days you fight and fail and some days you succeed and thats why sport is a great leveler.Was it disappointing and extremely shattering? Of course it was, but does that mean my world is over, no of course not. Of course I would have liked to win a medal, its really unfortunate it didnt happen. We tried our best thats all we can do but people have to take things in perspective and understand that we were fourth best in the world. I understand you dont win a medal for that but I will take that, Id rather be the fourth best than the 100th best.The final in Cincinnati also provided an additional sub-plot with Sania overcoming former partner Martina Hingis, who played with American Coco Vandeweghe, 7-5, 6-4 in a tightly contested final.Sania and Hingis had announced the break-up of their hugely successful combination during the Rio Olympics after a string of below-par performances. While not wanting to dwell on the reasons behind their split other than reiterating what was said in their official statement at the time, Sania did concede that playing against Hingis was not the easiest situation.We played each other in the final, which is of course the best time to play each other, she said. It was not the easiest situation, it is a bit weird. There are nerves but at the end of the day we are tennis players and we have to try and win and do our best and we both tried to do the same thing.We had a great partnership but it was time to move on and we have moved on. Weve both had a great tournament. I have to look forward and I have to focus all my energy on this partnership which is obviously doing great.Not surprisingly, Sania was all praise for 30-year old Strycova, who like her plays right-handed with a double-handed backhand. Sania said Strycova was a great fighter and as an example, pointed to the final itself where they were trailing 1-5, 15-40 in the first set before storming back to clinch the next six games to pocket the set.We are really happy, it was a new partnership and we are obviously very happy and excited to have started this way and winning one of the big tournaments of the year, she said. We had a really tough draw. We have beaten some big teams and for us it has been an amazing week.As professional athletes you have to first see whether you match each other on the court, which is what I thought which is why I approached her to play when that split had happened. Obviously I was right because our playing styles compliment each other. We are similar personalities and we will get to know each other better in the course of time. We fight for every point.Strycova and Sania now head to New Haven for their last build-up tournament before the US Open in September. Sania won the final Grand slam of the year in 2015 with Hingis as part of a dream run that saw them construct a 41-match winning streak. Sania is hoping to go from strength to strength with Strycova on her most preferred playing surface - hard courts - for the remainder of the season.We play 25 weeks a year and we cant peak on all those weeks, she said. We are going to have times when are going to play our best and lose and sometimes not play our best and still win. Thats why longevity counts in tennis and sport.Consistent performances matter, its not a flash in the pan of one odd tournament. I have won six tournaments this year and played a bunch of finals which is huge already for this year. The hard courts are my favourite surface. I am looking forward to the next few weeks. I am not going to put any added pressure on myself that this what I need to do or should do.While Sania has turned to a new womens doubles partner, she is not changing course in the mixed doubles, where she will continue to team up with Ivan Dodig, with who she has played the first three Grand Slams of the year.Although Sania spoke warmly of her friendship and understanding with Bopanna in Rio, she says that she remains committed to the partnership with the Croat and the prospect of an all Indian pairing is not on the cards in the immediate future. Jonathan Isaac Magic Jersey .J. Ellis hit two-run homers and the NL West champion Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the San Diego Padres 4-0 Saturday night. Shaquille ONeal Magic Jersey . Rousey will put her perfect 8-0 record and hardware on the line against another undefeated fighter, 7-0 Sara McMann in the main event of UFC 170, which will be held at the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas Nevada on February 22nd. http://www.magicauthentic.com/kids-evan-fournier-magic-jersey/ . -- Jimmy Walkers first PGA Tour trophy came with a special gift tucked inside. Dwight Howard Magic Jersey . The defence is doing its part, too. Drew Brees threw a pair of touchdown passes in the first half and the guys on the other side made sure that was enough, sending the Saints to a 17-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons on Thursday night. Jerian Grant Magic Jersey . But what about the officials? Every sport has officials and they also have stories about hard work and sacrifice but their accomplishments are seldom recognized by anyone outside their inner circle. Oklahoma cornerback Jordan Thomas was arrested and could face charges of interference, public intoxication and assault and battery on Thursday morning, according to the Cleveland County Sheriffs office in Oklahoma.According to Cleveland County Sheriffs office, he was released from custody at 11:13 a.m. CT.According to the arrest report released by the Norman Police Department, the police were called to a Norman bar after a fight and when the arresting officer arrived on the scene Thomas was running away. After a foot chase, Thomas was eventually caught and arrested. The arresting officer wrote Thomas had slurred speech, had the odor of alcohol coming from his person and admitted to having 6 shots.A junior, Thomas was a key member of Oklahomas defense a year ago, startinng 11 games and finishing with 46 tackles and five interceptions to earn All-Big 12 second-team honors.dddddddddddd As the lone returning starting cornerback, he is expected to be a big part of Oklahomas secondary in 2016.The recent arrest isnt Thomas first off-the-field incident. He was arrested in December for failure to appear in court for a traffic violation. Thomas also has been suspended twice for undisclosed team violations during his time with the program.Asked for comment, a University of Oklahoma spokesperson said, We are aware of the situation, will monitor it and react accordingly.ESPNs Adam Rittenberg contributed to this report. ' ' '