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. Cheap Sabres Jerseys Authentic . But Bourque, who has missed three games with a lower-body injury, wont be in the lineup when the Habs travel to Buffalo to take on the Sabres on Wednesday. Cheap Sabres Jerseys .Y. -- Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo had little trouble picking up his first shutout of the season against a Buffalo Sabres team thats having trouble scoring goals. http://www.cheapsabresjerseys.com/ . Kuznetsov, who was selected by the Capitals in the first round of the 2010 NHL Entry Draft, has been playing for his hometown team Chelyabinsk Traktor of the KHL. Wholesale Sabres Jerseys . Louis. To which I would say two things: 1. Where there is smoke, there is or perhaps has been a little fire. Or, in other words, the two teams would appear to have at least spoken. And spoken is defined as one calling the other to inquire, no more, no less. Cheap Buffalo Sabres Jerseys . The giant slalom world champion slipped during her first run in the morning, landing on her back and then twisting forward before getting her leg caught in the protective material on the side of the slope. PITTSBURGH -- Pittsburgh Steelers offensive tackle Marcus Gilbert is dealing with a hyperextended elbow that an MRI revealed as significant, the sixth-year veteran said Sunday.Gilbert, who got hurt Friday night against the New Orleans Saints, intends to get an independent evaluation from Dr. James Andrews out of Birmingham, Alabama, to determine whether he needs offseason surgery.Gilbert classified the injury to his left elbow as something I can play through, and he hopes it heals over time.Ill be there no matter what, Gilbert said about the Monday Night Ftball season opener Sept. 12 against the Washington Redskins. No way Im missing that first game.Hyperextended elbows typically involvee a strained or torn ligament.dddddddddddd Gilbert wont confirm the exact nature of the injury, which resulted from Gilbert tossing his helmet toward the sideline in the first half of the teams 27-14 win in the Superdome.Gilbert signed a five-year, $30-million extension in 2014 and has been a steady presence on a quality Steelers line. He garnered Pro Bowl consideration for his play last season.The Steelers restructured Gilberts contract last week to save about $2 million in salary cap space. Gilbert gets part of his 2016 salary in the form of a signing bonus. ' ' '