ALLAN THE MAN

It was a match full of drama, especially on the third set, but eventually it was Belarussian Victoria Azarenka that prevailed at the Western & Southern Open 2013 in Cincinnati after the world number two defeated top-ranked Serena Williams 2-6, 6-2, 7-6.

 It was a match reminiscent of the US Open 2012 final between these two ladies but this time it was Williams who served for the match but was broken to force a tiebreaker in the third set.

Rafael Nadal’s resurgent 2013 campaign continued on Sunday with a 7-6(8), 7-6(3) victory over John Isner to clinch his maiden Western & Southern Open title. Nadal claimed a 26th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 title and 59th overall.

Nadal extended his career-best hard court winning streak to 15-0 in 2013, while joining Novak Djokovic as the only players to win five Masters 1000 crowns in a single year.

The past week, the coaching staff and players of Gilas Pilipinas has been showered with well-deserved accolades for its historic accomplishment in the FIBA-Asia tournament. 

Against all odds, the team finished second and booked a much-appreciated ticket to the World Cup of Basketball in Spain next year. So far, Iran, the Philippines, Korea, the USA and host Spain have qualified. We’ll have to wait for the rest of the 24 slots to be filled.

BIG man Japeth Aguilar makes his highly-awaited debut with Barangay Ginebra when the Kings open their PBA Governors Cup campaign opposite sister team Petron Blaze Sunday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

[ WATCH PBA GOVS' CUP FREE LIVE STREAMING HERE ]

The acquisition of the 6-foot-9 Aguilar during the season break has created excitement within the Ginebra camp, especially in the light of the former Ateneo stalwart’s improved showing with Gilas Pilipinas in the recent 27th Fiba-Asia Championship.

Rafael Nadal ousted Tomas Berdych in their Cincinnati semi-final, prevailing 7-5, 7-6(4). Nadal converted on his second match point to extend his winning streak on hard courts to 14-0 in 2013 and improve to 15-1 against Top 10 opponents. 

The Spaniard is into a 37th ATP World Tour Masters 1000 final, where he will be seeking a 26th title.

In an email statement, world number three Maria Sharapova said that she had ended the coaching partnership with tennis legend Jimmy Connors following her surprise opening round exit at the Cincinnati Open this week.

“It’s not the right fit for this time in my career,” Sharapova stated in an email sent to TENNIS.com.

The headlining attraction featured Mauricio Rua hoping to defend all of Brazil against loud mouthed xenophobe Chael Sonnen in a battle perhaps lacking in divisional relevance but long in name value.

The first round opened the way so many expected it to. Sonnen came out hard and fast, grabbing a takedown and working from top. Rua, much to the surprise of all, managed to work his way out and even take Chael down. That was unexpected.

It didn't last long, though, and Sonnen was back on top in control before you could blink. He worked hard from there, using his trademark offense of seemingly pittar patter punches.

Then, suddenly, he locked on a guillotine choke and after a short battle trying his best to get out of it, the Brazilian tapped out. Just like that.