Brisbane, Australia (Sports Network) - Serena Williams advanced to the final at the season-opening Brisbane International after Victoria Azarenka pulled out of their highly anticipated semifinal because of a toe injury. Azarenka had a minor procedure performed on the toe, trying to make sure she is fully ready for the Australian Open, which starts in 10 days. "Its a right toe infection," said Azarenka on Friday. "Its been there for about 10 days and its been getting worse a little bit. I had to make sure I could be fully recovered and ready for the Australian Open. Its a compromise I kind of had to take. But its very unfortunate timing, because I was really excited to play today." Maybe not so much, though. Williams has dominated the series with Azarenka, winning 11 of the 12 lifetime meetings. "I like Vika. I think shes a great player. I love playing her. It sucks," Williams stated about not being able to play Azarenka, although she did have sympathy for her injury. "I had that toe problem just a couple of weeks ago and its painful -- God, its so painful. Doesnt sound painful, but it is. You cant walk with that. I hope she gets better fast." Williams will meet Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in Saturdays final. The Russian ended Ukrainian lucky loser Lesia Tsurenkos run with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 triumph in the only semifinal played Friday. Pavlyuchenkova will take a 3-1 lifetime mark in finals into Saturdays title match. She was last years runner-up at the U.S. Open tune-up in Washington and hasnt won a title since 2011 in Monterrey. Williams, meanwhile, is gunning for her 47th career title. She won seven times last year, including Wimbledon, the London Olympics and the U.S. Open. The 31-year-old American superstar has won all three lifetime meetings with Pavlyuchenkova, including a 6-2, 6-1 thumping in last years only matchup in Madrid. http://www... . The 20-year-old Calgary resident outraced the five-time Olympic goal medallist in the 50-metre backstroke Saturday at the Mel Zajac Jr. [url=http://www.flyknitrosheone.nl/nike-roshe-one-schoenen-nederland/nike-roshe-... . -- Dario Franchitti put plenty of cars between himself and IndyCar points leader Will Power for the start of Sundays race at the Milwaukee Mile -- and he didnt need a lottery to do it. [url=http://www.flyknitrosheone.nl/nike-roshe-one-schoenen-nederland/nike-roshe-... . 1. Grigorenko once again edged out Sarnia Sting winger Nail Yakupov for top spot. In 36 games in the QMJHL this season, Grigorenko has 25 goals and 58 points. The 17-year-old is 10th in league scoring despite missing time to play in the World Juniors where he helped Russia to a silver medal finish. [url=http://www.flyknitrosheone.nl/]http://www.flyknitrosheone.nl/ . -- If Dwight Howards days are numbered in Orlando, he doesnt resemble a man who isnt fond of being in a Magic jersey.BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - David Frost never flinched in his showdown with Hall of Famer Fred Couples even with his first major championship on the line and a late rain delay to ponder the stakes. Frost parred the final two holes to hold on for a one-stroke victory over Couples on Sunday in the Regions Tradition, the South Africans first major title in 17 attempts on the Champions Tour. "We came in from the break and I said to myself, Its not going to be easy," Frost said. "Freddys got nothing to lose. Hes going to go out there and hit the shots and fire at the pins. Ive just got to kind of accept it and be up to the challenge." Both birdied No. 16 after play resumed with the sun shining after a delay of 1 hour, 8 minutes for lightning in a round played at times in driving rain. Couples and Frost both shot 4-under 68, and Frost finished at 16-under 272. It was Frosts second victory of the season and fifth career win on the 50-and-over tour. "We both played very hard today. I dont know who wanted it more, me or him," Frost said. "Hes just such a tough competitor. I didnt think I had it in me, all the good shots he hit out there. I just had to try to stay on top of him." The two bumped fists coming up on 18 in what had ultimately turned into a two-man duel. "He played very well," Couples said. "I gave him pretty much everything I had. I hit some pretty good shots. I drove it pretty well. He was just better the whole day. He stayed one ahead and thats where we ended up." Also the Toshiba Classic winner in March in California, Frost hit his approach shot to 10 feet of the closing hole and two-putted to match Couples par. Couples had sent his approach into the bunker at right and his potential birdie putt went just to the left. "I said to myself, If he makes his (putt), Im just going to have to make mine. Ive been in this match play situation many times before and thats just how I try to envision whats going on," Couples said. "You cant help it if hes going to roll his putt in." The next round of heavy rain started within a couple of minutes of the end of the round, which opened in the morning with a two-tee start.dddddddddddd John Cook and Esteban Toledo finished three strokes back, while Michael Allen, Russ Cochran and Duffy Waldorf were 12 under. Cook closed with a 66 and Toledo, Mexico, had a 67. Couples was seeking a second straight win in a major. He sat out the Senior PGA Championship three weeks ago but won the Senior British Open in 2012. Frost had come close in a major before but this time managed to nurse his one-stroke lead through the final round. He lost to Tom Lehman in a three-way playoff at the 2010 Senior PGA Championship. Frosts only bogey came on No. 14 while Couples got his 68 with six birdies and two bogeys. Couples, who had a 3-footer for birdie on No. 15, left the next hole with a grin after matching Frosts birdie. His expression turned to a wince when his second shot on No. 17 went far to the right, landing down a steep slope from the green next to the grandstands. He two-putted for his fourth straight par on the hole and couldnt make up that stroke. "Really, the letdown, I hit a terrible shot on 17," Couples said. "I smoked it down there and I just tried a shot that maybe Im not accustomed to. Under that kind of pressure, I think it was a mental blunder to not hit the green there and not make birdie." Cook had beaten Frost in a playoff at the season-opening Mitsubishi Electric Championship in Hawaii, and made a final-round run at Shoal Creek. Cook birdied five of the first eight holes and finished his round with a 66 a couple of minutes before the weather delay. "We were running all day trying to outrun it," Cook said. "I guess this is the very definition of scattered thunderstorms. They were all over the place." Langer, the points leader, closed with a 63 to tie the course record with Gary Player from the 1984 PGA Championship. Langer had 10 birdies and finished at 10 under. "If I had made some putts earlier in the week," he said, "it would have been pretty nice." Two-time defending champion Tom Lehman tied for 22nd at 6 under. cheap nfl jerseys wholesale jerseys cheap jerseys cheapjerseyswholesale wholesale jerseys ' ' '