PARIS – Milos Raonic almost seemed offended by the question. Vans Wholesale Uk . On Wednesday, Raonic was asked about the challenges that will come facing Frenchman Gilles Simon at the French Open on Friday with a partisan Parisian crowd likely looking to influence the outcome of the third-round match. "The lines are the same, courts are the same, go out there and play tennis," Raonic said describing his approach. So, a hostile crowd doesnt bother the eighth seed at all? "I hope not," Raonic quipped. The Thornhill, Ont. native is used to playing in enemy territory. Last year he beat Frenchman Michael Llodra, ranked 55th at the time, in four sets in the second round at Roland Garros. He beat James Blake in straight sets in the third round of the US Open in 2012 although the American did enter the match ranked 114th. Raonic has fallen victim to the hometown hero at a slam, though, losing to former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt in four sets at the Australian Open two years ago. But Raonic insists the Australian fans had no impact on him. "I think the only thing it really brought out was the best in Lleyton. I dont think it really got down on me. I have been in situations since then, I have played James in New York, so I have been in similar situations and I cant really predict, assume, or worry too much about whats going to be happening and whats going to be said. Ive got to focus really on just playing." Most recently, Raonic posted an impressive five-set marathon win over Janko Tipsarevic during Davis Cup play in Belgrade last year. He lost to Novak Djokovic in straight sets a couple days later although the opening set went to a tiebreak. "Its never easy playing Novak with a Serbian crowd. There are many situations I have already been in. I have learned from them and I just keep it within myself. I just focus on myself," the 23-year-old said. Simon and Raonic played just once before with Raonic triumphing in a tight three-set battle in Portugal (Estoril) three years ago. "I played him on clay there," Raonic said. "I think Im a much better player than I was back then, but at the same time I believe he plays much better here than he does throughout the rest of the clay events." Simon, the 29th seed, has cruised through his first two matches of this years French Open dropping just 11 games. In contrast, Raonic has lost 23. "Its going to be a difficult match," Raonic said. "But I think I will have my opportunities to take control and dictate and thats going to be the most important thing." Raonic has run into some rough patches early in his two matches in the French capital. He was forced into a tiebreaker in the opening set against Jiri Vesely on Wednesday ultimately besting the 81st-ranked Czech 7-6(4), 6-4, 6-1. "I felt like in the beginning I was just missing a little bit of intensity and I was letting him dictate a little bit too much. Then in the important moments I played the right way," Raonic explained. "At the beginning of the second, I sort of fell into the same slump a little bit with intensity, but then I feel like I did the right thing for the rest of the match and I gave myself plenty of opportunities." Raonic was asked why, at times, intensity is an issue early in these matches. "Sometimes you go in maybe sort of calculating, because it is three out of five, which youre a little bit unused to because [most tournaments are best of three]. I think thats really the only thing. And, also, at the beginning of matches you sort of try to find your way into it. You cant go out trying to hit close to the line, because thats never going to really work. Maybe once in a while it will, but you sort of have to find your way in. I just wasnt gradually picking it up the way I needed to during the first." In general, though, Raonic is happy with how his tournament is progressing. He beat Australian wildcard Nick Kyrgios 6-3, 7-6, 6-3 in the first round on Sunday. "I feel like Im playing better and I think I dealt a little bit better with it when I got things figured out as far as intensity. I held it on a little bit better where I struggled a little bit with my match three days ago." Cheap Vans Shoes Uk . Harrison Barnes had 15 points and Reggie Bullock scored 11 for the Tar Heels (17-3, 4-1 ACC), who took the court for the first time without starter Dexter Strickland. The junior guard tore his right ACL last Thursday at Virginia Tech and will miss the rest of the season. Vans Shoes Uk Sale ." Those traits were clear to the 24,071 at Olympic Stadium on Saturday as the Impact dominated the scoring chances but settled for a 2-2 draw with the New York Red Bulls in a battle of still-winless Major League Soccer teams. http://www.vanssaleuk.com/ . He was 26. Edwards, the Supercup Championship leader, was in the passenger seat as an instructor for a private training session at Queensland Raceway at Willowbank, outside Brisbane, Porsche Motorsport said.SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Winning consecutive games this season has been a difficult task for the Sacramento Kings. And winning two in a row at hadnt been done all season until Friday night. DeMarcus Cousins had 24 points and 14 rebounds, Rudy Gay added 22 points and 10 rebounds, and the Kings beat the undersized Orlando Magic 103-83. The Kings won back-to-back home games for the first time since a three-game string in March 2013. It was only the third time all season that the Kings have registered consecutive victories. "I continue to learn and try to figure out this Rubiks Cube," Kings coach Michael Malone joked. Its been a trying season for the first-year coach, who has seen the Kings defeat some of the leagues better teams, but not display the same effort against teams with losing records. And too many times the result has been a loss. The Kings have been impressive recently against some of the NBAs upper-echelon teams, defeating Miami, Houston and Portland. "This is a big win for us, we needed to back it up," said Gay, referencing Tuesdays impressive victory over Portland. Cousins delivered offensively against Orlando, making 9 of 16 shots, hitting all six free throws, and adding six assists and three steals. Gay, acquired in a trade with Toronto early this season, delivered a strong overall game as well. He made 8 of 13 shots and had five assists. The Kings are 6-8 since Gay joined the team. "Rudy has helped us out so much and gives us another option offensively," Cousins said. "Hes been a great addition." Tobias Harris had 16 points and Aaron Afflalo scored 15 for Orlando, which matched a season high with its sixth straight loss. The Magic didnt have a starter taller than 6-foot-9 and set season lows for points and shooting (33 per cent). Orlando was without starting centre Nik Vucevic for a second straight game. Vucevic, averaging 13 points and 11 rebounds, was sent back to Orlando on Wednesday after sustaining a concussion during Monday nights loss to the Los Angeles Clippers. "Let me check my watch here. I dont think they are going to cancel that game tomorrow (in Denver), so you better get ready," Orlando coach Jacque Vaughn said he told his teaam after the lopsided loss. Cheap Wholesale Vans Shoes. . "Thats what this thing is about and this is what you do. If I am a doctor and I have surgery scheduled for tomorrow I just cant stop. I got to play and I got to be ready and be mindful of what my professionalism is about. You stay ready," he said. Victor Oladipo had 13 points and Glen Davis added 12 points and 12 rebounds for the Magic. Derrick Williams and Jason Thompson each scored 14 points for the Kings. Jimmer Fredette had 11 and Isaiah Thomas contributed nine points and seven rebounds. Thomas made a three to extend his streak to 28 games, the fourth-longest in franchise history. Sacramento shot 51 per cent and outrebounded Orlando 54-37. "The shots werent falling, but at the same time we still have to defend and be able to hold down that floor," Harris said. "Ill give them the credit, they made a lot of tough shots and their offence was clicking and rolling." Fredette scored eight points in a 65-second span in the second quarter, making a pair of 3s. He was part of the reserve unit that sparked the Kings, who trailed by six points entering the second. "We needed a lift in the second quarter, we were going through the motions," Fredette said. "We (the bench) played well. We got the lead and the starters took it from there." The Magic cut the lead to nine several times in the fourth quarter. But Williams scored six points in as the Kings went on a 12-0 run. A fastbreak dunk by Williams that came off a cross-court pass by Cousins put the Kings ahead 97-75. Cousins scored 10 points and Thomas had nine in third quarter when Sacramento opened a 76-64 lead. The Kings made 13 of 14 free throws in the quarter. Ahead by six points at the half, the Kings quickly extended their lead. They made six straight free throws, the final four by Thomas, to take a 68-51 lead. NOTES: Thomas, who was scoreless at halftime, missed all six shots in the first quarter when the Kings trailed 24-18. Orlando shot 4 of 17 in the second quarter when it was outscored 28-16. ... The Magic are 3-15 on the road this season. They conclude a five-game road trip Monday in Dallas. ... The Kings made 18 of 19 free throws. ' ' '