News » facility at Downsview Park late last month

BAD GASTEIN, Austria -- Sara Errani made a successful transition from grass to clay with a straight-sets win over Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic at the Gastein Ladies on Tuesday, three days after winning the doubles title at Wimbledon with fellow Italian Roberta Vinci. The 14th-ranked Errani, who was seeded second, saved five of six break points against her serve to defeat Siniakova 6-3, 6-2. Errani, who next plays Paula Ormaechea of Argentina, is the highest ranked player left in the event after top-seeded Flavia Pennetta pulled out injured on Monday. Earlier, defending champion Yvonne Meusburger edged Tereza Smitkova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (9), 4-6, 7-5 to reach the second round. The sixth-seeded Austrian won four straight games from 5-3 down in the final set to close out the victory. The 99th-ranked Smitkova led 30-0 while serving for the match at 5-4 but failed to score another point in the game. Also, No. 3 Carla Suarez Navarro of Spain defeated Laura Siegemund of Germany 7-6 (3), 1-6, 6-4; No. 4 and 2009 champion Andrea Petkovic of Germany beat Jana Cepelova of the Czech Republic 7-6 (8), 7-5; No. 5 Elina Svitolina of Ukraine downed Patricia Mayr-Achleitner of Austria 6-1, 6-4; and No. 7 Camila Giorgi of Italy defeated last years finalist, Andrea Hlavackova of the Czech Republic, 6-2, 6-3. Tony Oliva Jersey . With the results, North America claimed 2.5 of the three available points, opening up a 17.5-12.5 lead in the overall standings. A total of 60 points are available, meaning the first team to 30.5 points will win the Continental Cup. Addison Reed Twins Jersey .J. - Percy Harvin is ready to go, and theres no question in his mind hell be playing Sunday. http://www.twinssale.com/twins-kirby-puckett-jersey/ . - Veteran Kings defenceman Robyn Regehr, sidelined since Game 1 of the Anaheim series, says hes close to returning. Rod Carew Twins Jersey . Goins is the early favourite to win the starting job at second base. Pillar is an outsider to secure a role off the bench, which becomes an even more difficult spot to win if the number of back up jobs is reduced by one. That happens if the Blue Jays decide to start the season with an eight man bullpen. Bert Blyleven Twins Jersey . The Canadiens captain, who underwent surgery on his injured biceps in the off-season, had been skating with the team in a non-contact capacity since last week.TORONTO -- Toronto Argonauts owner David Braley has people kicking the tires of the franchise he hopes to sell, but his top priority is securing the team a lease at BMO Field. The Argos and B.C. Lions -- the CFL teams Braley owns -- have been for sale since last September when the 73-year-old Hamilton businessman stated hed sell one or both by his 75th birthday. Braley said Tuesday he has several potential suitors for the Lions but refuted a Toronto Star headline stating he had "multiple offers" for the Argos. "I dont have multiple offers," Braley said in a telephone interview. "Ive had multiple people approach me, thats the truth. Its now three but thats beside the point." Braley wouldnt say if Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment -- which owns the NHLs Maple Leafs, NBAs Raptors and Toronto FC of Major League Soccer and also operates BMO Field -- was one of the parties interested in the Argos. But Braley was adamant his top priority is reaching a lease agreement with MLSE for BMO Field. "Thats the first step in the process," Braley said. "I would say thats not out of the question . . . I believe theres a very good chance well get this thing sorted out. "Then the second step is are they (MLSE) interested in buying it? Thats a separate issue." Time is of the essence. The Argos lease at Rogers Centre expires after the 2017 season. MLSE has proposed a $120-million renovation of BMO Field, with the first phase expected to be completed in time for next summers Pan-Am Games. The opening part of the project went ahead without $10-million funding commitments from both the provincial or federal governments, resulting in the third and final phase -- which included the installation of a playing surface capable of accommodating a CFL franchise -- being placed on the back burner. CFL commissioner Mark Cohon expects the Argos and MLSE to resume talks in the coming weeks. Should either the provincial or federal governments not commit financially to the BMO Field expansion, Cohon said the league will look at how it could raise the $10-$20 million needed to ensure the third phase went ahead. "I think whats most important is we come up with the right lease agreement that works for MLSE as the operator of BMO Field but also works for the future of the Argos and can make them a profitable franchise," Cohon said. "Then the next phase after that would be the discussion around other incremental areas we can support BMO Field. "The important thing is for our fans and partnerrs to know theres a solution at hand and were trying to work through that.dddddddddddd If we can get them in there it makes the team a lot more attractive for a future purchaser. Thats what were focused on." A move to BMO Field would seem the most practical and logical for the Argos. The facility is outdoors, permanent seating would be increased to 30,000 -- and could expand to 40,000 for special events -- with parking and transit nearby. It would provide a more fan-friendly and intimate atmosphere than the cavernous Rogers Centre, which can hold over 50,000 spectators for football. More than 53,000 fans watched Toronto beat Calgary 35-22 there for the 100th Grey Cup in November 2012. But the momentum from that event has never translated into bigger home crowds for the Argos, who are averaging 17,562 spectators per game this year. After finishing first in the East Division last year, Toronto (3-8) has struggled yet remains tied with Hamilton (3-7) and Montreal (3-8) atop the conference standings. Braley, who bought the Argos in 2010, has been criticized this year for being an absentee owner and running the Argos on a tight budget. Players anonymously expressed their frustration having to practise at multiple venues this summer before moving into a permanent facility at Downsview Park late last month in a multi-year partnership with MLSE. In the front office, Toronto is currently without a head of ticket sales, director of corporate sales and a marketing director. Braley admits hes been bothered by the criticism hes faced. "I guess a little bit but I have to take the blame, Im the owner," he said. "But I have no intention of throwing the keys on the table. "Im making sure its supported properly, theres been no shortage of funds. Its an embarrassment we were almost three-to-four weeks late getting into our new quarters, that caused aggravation among people and I apologize. But we spent a considerable amount of money putting absolutely new facilities in place for the team to practise." Braley still intends to sell one -- or both -- of his teams come his 75th birthday. He says he has "several buyers" in place for the Lions franchise, which he bought in 97. "Those discussions will proceed after the end of the season," he said. "Well see how real they are for sale now, one year from now or down the road. "Thats just the normal process. I have multiple people, the question is to pick the best one for the team and for the league. Thats the tough part." ' ' '