Shanghai Masters Updates, Theo Epstein To Cubs

Nadal and Murray to 3rd round in Shanghai, Tsonga out
Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal both managed to make it to the third round of the Shanghai Masters. The Spaniard did it after defeating Guillermo Garcia Lopez in two sets while Murray passed after his opponent, Dmitry Tursunov from Russia had to pull out due to a thigh injury. Another big name, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, was defeated by Kei Nishikori from Japan, and this defeat is sure to hurt the chances of Tsonga for claiming one of the last spots at the ATP World Tour Finals in London.

Epstein hired by Cubs
Although Theo Epstein still doesn’t know what his official title at the Cubs will be, he is already looking forward to bring some refreshing ideas to the Chicago franchise, which hired him on a 5-year deal that is worth $20 million. Epstein became the youngest general manager for a MLB team when the Red Sox hired him back at 2002 when he was just 28 years old, and now he will have to work along Mike Quade, the Cubs’ current GM, who is under contract for another year. It is presumable that Epstein will be taking Quade’s position once his contract is finalized.

Melo eager to face Nuggets at Denver
Carmelo Anthony is hoping that there would be no more game cancellations as a game between the Knicks, his new team, and the Nuggets will be played at Denver in November 16, and the player is eager to go back to Pepsi Center and face the team that he spent 7 seasons with. The return of Melo to Denver marks this game as one of the most attractive ones in the opening day for the NBA 2011-2012 season, and since the player is fully recovered from knee and elbow surgery, he is just expecting owners and players can agree on a deal.

Mason traded to Houston
5 games was all Derrick Mason was able to play with the Jets, as the New York team just traded the wide receiver to the Texans after Mason failed to comply with the big apple’s franchise requirements as he only had thirteen catches for 115 yards in the five matches he was allowed to play in. “We were committed to try to make it work and get him to play better on the field at a level he was accustomed to, and what we were expecting,” Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum said.