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Novak Djokovic has seemed like a man often having an argument with himself since he was unexpectedly knocked out in the third round of Wimbledon in July. Once an uncomplicated, all-business competitor, a less motivated, more philosophical Djokovic has emerged in recent months.Signs of this tension in Djokovic were on display Tuesday evening at the ATP World Tour Finals in Londons O2 arena in what was the closest thing he has ever had to a must-win round-robin match. The familiar, fierce competitor ultimately prevailed as Djokovic punched through to the semifinals with a 7-6 (6), 7-6 (5) win against Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic, against whom he is now 9-0.But it wasnt without signs of his ongoing interior struggle.If I had to pick one thing [to explain why I won], I would say it was my just hanging in there mentally, waiting for my opportunity to come, Djokovic said in his on-court interview after the match. Milos was playing very well. It was a very close match, just a few points separated us.True, but ...How often did the dominant Djokovic of recent memory allow an opponent who has never beaten him reach set point after Djokovic had forged ahead by a break?There were dangerous lapses against Raonic, who is capable of taking an opponents racket out of his hand with the sheer efficiency of his monstrous serve. Just as significant, Raonic led by a mini-break in each of the tiebreakers. His wounds from that point on were largely self-inflicted. Put them down to an understandable lack of confidence in key moments.Djokovic has probably dallied in like fashion before, but rarely at this event and in this venue, where he has routinely been at his zenith. He has won 20 of his past 21 matches at the O2 and captured the title four years in a row.All that raises a question: Why would anyone mindful of Djokovics 23-0 record against the other three men in his group call this round-robin engagement a must-win match?For one, Djokovic was recently stripped of his No. 1 ranking by Andy Murray. If Djokovic hopes to get it back and finish the year ranked No. 1, he will need to win one more match than Murray. Murray won his opener and plays Kei Nishikori on Wednesday (9 a.m. ET on ESPN3).?Heres another reason: Despite that 0-9 record against Djokovic, Raonic might be the best player who has yet to win a major. Hes hungry, dedicated and on the cusp of a breakthrough prefigured when he eliminated Roger Federer in the Wimbledon semifinals.But perhaps most important, Djokovic is under pressure to show hes not at war with himself. His identity as a hard-edged tennis champion is in conflict with self-absorbed concerns about his evolution as a person and the peace-and-love philosophy espoused by his Svengali-like adviser, Pepe Imaz.Things have gotten complicated for Djokovic in recent months. His nerves have showed signs of fraying. He has had a year that qualifies as spectacular, with two Grand Slam titles and a career Grand Slam in the books, yet his struggles after Wimbledon have been conspicuous.If he wins this event for a fifth consecutive time and retakes the top ranking, the losses in his past four outings will pale in significance. The crushing defeats inflicted by Juan Martin del Potro in the Olympic Games and Stan Wawrinka in the US Open final will be put down to his minor injuries.It was a very close match, Djokovic told reporters after beating Raonic. It really could have gone either way.It was a close match against Raonic, one that could have gone either way. But the important thing for Djokovic is that hes safely in the semifinals and on pace with Murray -- and nobody can argue with that. Nyle McFarlane Jersey Retro . -- Golden State Warriors coach Mark Jackson asked his players a simple question during Fridays morning shootaround: How many of them had ever been on a team 14 games over . Mike Fitzgerald Jersey Retro . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. https://www.cheapjerseyslines.com/les-dodson-jersey-retro/ . Miikka Kiprusoff had just announced his retirement after a decade-long run in Calgary and it would be up to Berra and Ramo to fill the void. Rod Rutledge Jersey Retro . The news was first reported on Gonzalezs Twitter account and confirmed by the Rockies. Gonzalez has a six-week window before position players have their first workout at spring training in Arizona. Shawne Merriman Jersey Retro . Their 38th instalment is arguably their biggest fight card to date, including three-title fights and a main event which was selected by the fans. The promotion boasts 14-straight years of business and is operated by MFC president Mark Pavelich, who is often overlooked in this country for the foundation hes established for MMA in Canada.Jessica Ennis-Hill has told SSN HQ that she is back in full training following an Achilles injury that forced her to rest during the winter season. The Olympic and world heptathlon champion says she is no longer injured and her sole focus is on becoming the first British woman to defend an Olympic title at the Rio 2016 Games in August.Ive had the Achilles injury and Ill have niggles now and then, but Im an older athlete now and thats the reality of it, said Ennis-Hill. Right now, Im not injured. Im back in full training and over the next few weeks we will ramp it up.The 30-year-old withdrew from the traditional end of May Gotzis outdoor meeting earlier this month, but dismissed reports she could be forced to miss this summers Games. Ennis-Hill finished fourth and secured qualification to Rio on her return to competition in Gotzis last year Yes, Im a bit behind schedule and Im disappointed to be missing Gotzis, but if I want to be at my best in August for the Olympics, I have to miss it and keep preparing. Its about getting it right for two days in August. My focus is Rio and nothing else.Ennis-Hill believes she is stronger, faster and in better shape than last summer when she won her second world title in Beijing just three months after returning to training following the birth of her first child, Reggie, in 2014. Coach Toni Minichiello has guided Ennis-HIlls career since she was a teenager Her coach Toni Minichiello agrees: Shes lifting more weights, shes stronger, she has more power. She is also a more experienced athlete.So what are Ennis-Hills chances of winning a second Olympic title at Rio? The athlete herself is as determined as ever. Rio is my only focus this year, why else would I be going there if it wasnt to try and win gold? I cant look beyond it. Ennis-Hill will go up against fellow British heptathlete Katarina Johnson-Thompson in Rio this summer Minichiello added: Four years ago, Jess was way ahead of her opponents; now the gap has closed. All the competiitors are better, and athletes like Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Canadas Brianne Theisen-Eaton are serious contenders and they are at their peak.ddddddddddddJess is 30 now and whereas 10 years ago she was made of rubber and recovered easily, now the reality is she has to manage more.The points score between the medallists will be closer than ever. 6800 points is likely to be needed to win, if you got 6800, you would be unlucky not to get gold, but the gap between that and the other places is going to be small. It will come down to a small slip up in one event that puts you out of contention. Jess strength is her consistency over all events - that is a skill in itself just to be steady.The pair also rubbished reports she would not compete at Rio because of the threat posed by the Zika virus. Ennis-Hill during the Team GB kit launch last month Asked whether she had ever considered not going to Rio, Ennis-Hill said: No, never have I or Toni thought like that. I get updates on the situation all the time and we take all the advice on offer.Minichiello added: Never have we thought we are not going. Let me put it like this, the Olympics is the absolute top of our sport, its how we are judged. You are always an Olympic champion, you do become a former world champion at some point, but the Olympics is the top of the sport. We will take all advice on offer and all precautions. A lot of the stories (about Zika) are scare stories; some of course are true. We will deal in facts. Ennis-Hill drops retirement hint Jessica Ennis-Hill may wave goodbye to athletics after the Olympics Ennis-Hill also revealed she could now compete in London in next years World Athletics Championships after previously hinting she may retire after competing in Brazil.I have thought about it a few times now, added Ennis-Hill.A lot depends on how I feel after Rio, my body and whether Ill be motivated, but I definitely wouldnt be considering it if the World Championships werent in London. Also See: Ennis-Hill back on track Rio Olympics news Team GB kit unveiled Brits who could star in Rio ' ' '