Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington.

NEW YORK -- As Gael Monfils matches go, his US Open quarterfinal clash with French countryman Lucas Pouille might have seemed a big, old bore. It lacked the spectacular circus shots and athletic feats that have become Monfils trademark. It was missing the gut-wrenching drama he created in his 2014 French Open quarterfinal with Andy Murray?and the shot-making fireworks of his five-set quarterfinal dogfight with Roger Federer?at Arthur Ashe Stadium the same year.Even so, Monfils performance Tuesday got him something those other storied battles did not: a place in a Grand Slam semifinal for the first time in eight years. Playing cold, no-nonsense tennis, Monfils bounced a flat Pouille 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 in a hair over two hours.Pouille, 10-10 in Grand Slam matches and just 22 years old, was bidding to become the first man in Open tennis history to win four consecutive five-set matches at a major. He showed why no one has been able to pull off the feat with a game that faded gradually but inexorably, like the signal of a radio station on a long car ride.I was a bit tired today, Pouille admitted afterward. I played four matches, one in four sets and then all three in five. It would have been better if I played a bit less time on court. Its OK. I did my best.Pouilles self-induced shortcomings shouldnt be counted against Monfils. He played a gem of a match, tagging 13 aces at speeds of up to 135 mph. His groundstrokes were crisp and purposeful, beautifully balanced between consistency and probing aggression. Monfils knew that moving Pouille would pay dividends.Pouilles fluorescent pink and yellow outfit seemed more apropos for a day at the beach; perhaps thats why he so often seemed to be running in sand. He never managed to get to break point, and not even a lifeguard could have saved Pouille from drowning in 44 unforced errors, compared to 15 by Monfils.Even a fit Pouille would have had his hands full with this version of Monfils. The No. 10 seed here, Monfils is 18-2 on hard courts since Wimbledon and has now won 19 straight sets since he absorbed a bitter loss from match point up against Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals at the recent Olympic Games.Monfils is competing with a steely glint in his eye, but he denies its because hes less concerned with showmanship and dazzling feats of athleticism than finding ways to win. Two days ago,?during his fourth-round match against Marcos Baghdatis,?he paused mid-point to -- no kidding -- fiddle with a shoelace.It was just one point in a perfect, clean win against Baghdatis, Monfils said. [But] you make it up like, Oh, hes doing a show.The other thing that sticks in Monfils craw is the way pundits dont seem to understand that theres no rule that walloping a full 360-degree helicopter smash cant be fun and a great way to win a point. Today, if I had a 360 smash, definitely I [would have] done it, but I didnt get the ball, he said.Monfils added that those frequent diving volleys and retrieves arent attempts to leap straight into the hearts of his audience. Come on, he said. To be honest, I gonna hurt myself for people? No. I dive because I want to win the point. Whats the point to make the show and lose, actually?All true, but its also a fact that Monfils recently turned 30. Some of the abandon that once characterized his game must have been tempered over the years by experience, as well as his long history of injury. He has been healthy lately, which is partly the reason for his surge in the rankings. He said he has been more careful about his fitness and has adopted some new training habits. But that doesnt mean he is reining in his explosive impulses and instincts or making concessions to age.I think Im very blessed genetically, he said. I guess the only thing that is a bit different is the recovery. I think its a bit tougher. But if [thats] not [in play], Im even stronger than before.A stronger, healthy, focused Monfils spells danger for every other player on the tour. Monfils is high on the short list of best active players who havent played a Grand Slam final, and on his recent form, its clear hes at or near the peak of his powers. His concentration hasnt wavered, either. His serve is simply blazing. He won 85 of his first serve points against Pouille, who was able to get just 66 percent of Monfils serves back into play.Monfils seems to have unearthed an important lesson in all this: Now that I get to be more consistent with the winning, its tougher for some people to say that Im just a showman.Welcome to the real world. Nike React Sale . -- The Sacramento Kings are set to become the first major professional sports franchise to accept Bitcoin virtual currency for ticket and merchandise purchases. Nike React Sale Australia .B. - Sebastien Auger made 44 saves as the Saint John Sea Dogs edged the visiting Acadie-Bathurst Titan 2-1 on Saturday in Quebec Major Junior Hockey League action. http://www.cheapnikereactaustralia.com/ . With the short-handed Warriors needing help from someone -- anyone -- to stop a three-game skid, ONeal returned from right knee and groin injuries that had sidelined him for four games and put up season highs with 18 points and eight rebounds. It was just enough to help lift Golden State to a 102-101 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans on Tuesday night. Nike React Australia . According to a report from the Vancouver Province, the Lions are expected to replace former DC Rich Stubler with defensive backs coach Mark Washington. Best Nike React Shoes . Tracey comes to the Blue Bombers after spending over a decade with Queens University. Most recently he was the schools assistant football coach. INDIANAPOLIS -- Tyler Wideman and Avery Woodson each scored 14 points and Butler faced little resistance from Bucknell, as the Bulldogs cruised to an 86-60 win on Saturday.The game was the opening round of the Las Vegas Invitational, with first and second round games played at campus locations before shifting to Las Vegas for the semifinals and finals.Both Wideman and Woodson had efficient afternoons shooting. Wideman finished 6 of 8 from the field while Woodson shot 5 of 7.Kelan Martiin added 13 points and six rebounds for Butler (3-0), which shot 62.dddddddddddd1 percent from the field.Nana Foulland paced Bucknell (2-2) with 16 points.Butler leapt out to an 18-6 lead and held a 44-33 lead at halftime. Andrew Chrabascz drilled a 3-pointer to open the second half and a Martin jumper with 15:08 left pushed the Bulldogs lead to 20 ( 57-37). ' ' '