DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Serena Williams says she aske

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DUBAI, United Arab Emirates -- Serena Williams says she asked for a wildcard into the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships to combat boredom once she believed her back injury was on the mend. "My back finally started to feel better but it wasnt better in time for me to play Doha at the level Id like to play," said Williams, in a pre-match media interview on Monday. "So then it became more about what can I play next and this was next on the calendar. "It gets boring to have to practice every day. I was like, I dont want to practice anymore. I want to play a match." The American has been sidelined with an aching back since losing a three-set, fourth-round match to Ana Ivanovic at the Australian Open last month. The top-seeded Williams isnt just playing singles this week in Dubai. She and sister Venus, who also was given a singles wildcard into the main draw, were granted a wildcard into the doubles as well. "I think its actually going to be good for me to do (play singles and doubles) because it will give me some more match play," Williams said. "I need to get used to the conditions and moving so its definitely helpful." Williams, who received a first round bye, will play the winner of the all-Russian encounter between Alisa Kleybanova and Elena Makarova in the second round. In the doubles, the Williams sisters will face the second-seeded Russian pairing of Makarova and Elena Vesnina in the first round. Charles Mann Redskins Jersey . The 21-year-old Wickham headed Sunderland into a 26th-minute lead --to add to the double he scored at Manchester City and his strike in last weekends win at Chelsea -- and then sealed the win with a late header. Dwayne Haskins Youth Jersey . “Im not sure well get Melky Cabrera at all,” said Gibbons. The 29-year-old left fielder struggled all season with knee and hamstring problems. Cabrera was first on the disabled list from June 27-July 20 with tendinitis in his left knee. http://www.redskinsrookiestore.com/Reds ... en-Jersey/. After Mariota was pushed around by Stanford on Thursday, finishing 20/34 with 250 yards and two touchdowns in Oregons Title hope-crushing defeat, hes going to need a poor performance or two from the remaining frontrunners to have a shot at the most coveted individual trophy in college sports. DaRon Payne Youth Jersey . -- First baseman Carlos Pena and outfielder Brennan Boesch have signed minor league deals with the Los Angeles Angels. Dexter Manley Redskins Jersey . Setting United on its way to a 2-0 victory, Rooney sent the ball high from inside the halfway line over goalkeeper Adrian after just seven minutes. "Its just instinct, Ive turned and had a quick look and seen the goalkeeper off his line," Rooney said. CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Chris Heisey did a lot of standing around before he got his chance to snap Cincinnatis historic slump. Heiseys pinch-hit single in the bottom of the ninth inning ended the Reds longest scoreless streak to open a season and sent Cincinnati to a 1-0 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday night following a long rain delay. The Reds set a modern franchise record by failing to score in the first 17 innings of the season. Their previous worst was 13 scoreless innings in 1909 and 1934. It got broken by a player making only his second at-bat of the season. "Theres nothing like it," Heisey said. "Sit around 10 hours, then get one at-bat. Thats part of being a pinch-hitter." Ryan Ludwick and Todd Frazier opened the ninth with singles off Carlos Martinez (0-1). After a sacrifice, Brayan Pena was walked to load the bases and Heisey singled to centre. "Hits have been at premium these past two days," Heisey said. "Its nice to play close games early and get the blood pumping." The Reds were the last team in the majors to score a run this season. Heiseys hit broke an 0-for-11 slump with runners in scoring position and gave Bryan Price his first win as the Reds manager. "It feels great from a selfish standpoint," Price said. "From a team standpoint, its even better. It was important to get that first win and get the ball rolling." J.J. Hoover (1-0) pitched out of a threat in the ninth, getting Matt Adams on a called third strike with two runners aboard. "It all comes down to the big hit," Cardinals manager Mike Matheny said. "When youre having trouble getting many of them, you just need the right one at the right time. They put it together when they had to." The NL Central rivals waited 2 hours, 40 minutes to get started. They wanted to get the game in because heavy rain was forecast for Thursday afternoon when they conclude their series. The Reds promoted it as opening night, complete with pregame player introductions and postgame fireworks. The introductiions were cancelled because of the long delay, and the fireworks were shot off as the grounds crew removed the tarp and prepared the field for the first pitch.dddddddddddd Neither starter had a problem because of the delay. Left-hander Tony Cingrani gave up a pair of singles and two walks in seven innings. He spent the off-season working on his secondary pitches. Last year, he threw his fastball 81.7 per cent of the time, the second-most by a starter in the majors, according to STATS LLC. Michael Wacha allowed three hits in 6 2-3 innings. He got shortstop Zack Cozart to ground into a forceout with the bases loaded in the fourth. Cozart saved a run with a diving catch in centre field in the eighth, grabbing Matt Carpenters sinking liner with a runner in scoring position. The defending National League champions opened the season with a 1-0 win on Monday, when Yadier Molinas seventh-inning homer made the difference. It was the first time since 1953 that the Reds were shut out on opening day. Its the first time in Great American Ball Parks 12-year history that theres been back-to-back 1-0 games. St. Louis hasnt started a season with back-to-back shutouts since 1963, when the Cardinals posted three consecutive shutouts. NOTES: RH Lance Lynn starts for the Cardinals on Thursday. He beat the Reds three times last season. RHP Homer Bailey, who missed time during spring training with a strained groin, starts for the Reds. ... Cardinals OF Jon Jay carries a 14-game hitting streak from last season. ... Joey Votto doubled in the first inning for his 1,000th career hit. ... Cingrani picked Adams off first base in the fifth inning. He led the Reds staff by picking off six runners last season. ... Reds manager Bryan Price said RH Jonathan Broxton could come off the DL during the series in St. Louis next week. Hes recovering from surgery on his pitching forearm last August. Broxton would become the closer until Chapman returns. ... C Devin Mesoraco also could be activated off the DL in St. Louis. Hes sidelined by a strained oblique. ' ' '