Dinesh Karthik, currently playing for Tamil Nadu as a specialist batsman, is disappointed that a hairline fracture to his little finger on his right hand coincided with Indias hunt for a wicketkeeper to replace the injured Wriddhiman Saha in Mohali. Justin Williams .While it is understood that the selectors would have anyway preferred Parthiv Patel, because of his improved wicketkeeping and experience, Karthik still rued the timing of his injury.When there is an opportunity to play for the Indian team and you get injured at that time, it is definitely disappointing, he told ESPNcricinfo. I got hit in the first [Ranji Trophy] match against Mumbai. I kept in two matches after that, but it caused quite a bit of pain. Then, my doctor and physio told me that if I continued to keep wickets it could lead to a stress fracture and jeopardise my season. So, I had to rest.I padded my little finger heavily and thought I will push myself for another game, but after the third game it was impossible; it was hurting too much. Even during the Dharamsala game against Uttar Pradesh, I couldnt keep in the second innings because I had kept for nearly 160 overs in the first innings.Karthik hasnt kept for four matches, but hopes to return to his preferred position ahead of Tamil Nadus last league game against Gujarat in two weeks. It is healing and getting better with time, he said. After two-three weeks of rest, I should be better.This isnt the first time Karthik has been overlooked for a wicket-keeping berth even in a stop-gap position. Naman Ojha was chosen as Sahas replacement for the third Test in Sri Lanka last year. This season, however, Karthik may have slipped down the pecking order despite being Tamil Nadus top scorer because of his injury. But he still hopes the improvements hes made as a keeper would be recognised.I am very concerned about my contributions as a keeper, he said. I have been working with Sameer Dighe for the last three-four years whenever I have got the opportunity. Its just been one-on-one two or three-day camps a lot of times. Thats really helped my keeping. Even this season, before the Duleep Trophy, I went and had a few sessions with Sameer in Mumbai.Keepers are judged a lot like umpires; you are only remembered for your bad ones. Sometimes if you have taken five catches you could have still had a bad day, wherein if you havent taken any catch you could have still had a good day, by getting into the line of the ball correctly and taking those difficult ones. The chairman of selectors MSK Prasad knows what keeping is about. I think he will do a very fair job for the keepers.Karthik last played a Test over six years ago. His last international was over two years ago. While hes aware of the competition around him, he said he wasnt bogged down by it. Its important to be competitive and trying to keep getting better at the sport,Thats something I have always focused on - trying to improve myself in an all-round perspective. I must say thats one of the reasons why I am able to contribute still for Tamil Nadu. Rogers Hornsby . Brandon Morrow allowed five runs on six hits over three innings. He struck out two, walked one and hit a batter. Edwin Encarnacion had a two-out, bases loaded two-RBI double in the third inning. Mike Matheny . Vancouver Whitecaps and Toronto FC failed to make the postseason while Montreal Impact fell at the first hurdle losing heavily to Houston Dynamo in the Eastern Conference Knockout Round. http://www.custommlbcardinalsjersey.com/custom-steve-carlton-jersey-large-581q.html . MORITZ, Switzerland -- Fog prevented downhill racers from getting their Olympic dress rehearsal. LONDON -- Novak Djokovic may have found a little comfort had he glanced over to the celebrity box after losing the first set of his Tour Finals opener.Among the guests to see his 6-7 (10), 6-0, 6-2 win against Dominic Thiem at the O2 Arena Sunday afternoon was Jose Mourinho. The Manchester United manager had departed before the evening session, when?Milos Raonic scored his first Tour Finals win, beating Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-4.Mourinho likes his tennis and is usually spotted cheering on Andy Murray at Queens Club, just a few minutes down the road from his London home. He even gave the Scot some advice on dealing with pressure at the grass-court event two summers ago, following his Premier League title win with Chelsea.But Mourinhos stock has fallen since. Sacked by Chelsea and struggling with United, the Portuguese has plenty in common with Djokovic. The Serbs ability has also been questioned, despite his dominance in recent years, after losing the world No. 1 spot to Murray following 122 consecutive weeks at the top.Djokovic looked determined to reassert his supremacy here, though. This is his patch, after all. He is seeking a fifth consecutive title in London, and a sixth overall which would tie him with Roger Federer for the record.More importantly, it would signal an immediate return to the top of the rankings, and guarantee him to be year-end No. 1 for the fifth time in just six years.There are multiple permutations by which Djokovic can immediately get his old ranking back, but, like Murray, the simplest answer is that it is in his own hands. If he wins two group stage matches and takes the title, he will be the year-end No. 1.Before the start of play, Djokovic was a combined 23-0 against his group opponents, and 3-0 against Thiem including their Roland Garros semifinal, whom he had yet to lose a set to.Tour Finals debutant Thiem, the ambitious 23-year-old who has won titles on every surface, is touted as the next star of the mens game, and duly stood and traded with Djokovic in the first set.Dominic started very well, he put in a great effort and I thought we played a very high level from the very first point, Djokovic said in his on-court interview.The crowd was bbrought to life when Thiem brought up two set points in the tiebreaker at 6-4. Giovanny Gallegos. But he handed Djokovic the ultimate get out of jail free card by double-faulting on both. Oh, what pressure does to a player.Djokovic would manage to save another three set points before Thiem finally took his sixth chance, closing out the first set in 67 minutes -- but only after Djokovic had failed to take one of his own.It was unusual that Djokovic did not even attempt to intercept the forehand winner that Thiem blasted down the middle of the court. The all-conquering Djokovic of six months ago -- the best returner the game has ever seen -- would surely have been scampering after it.Perhaps he knew it. The Serb struck a ball out of frustration, and it narrowly missed Boris Becker in his players box.It was definitely not easy. He [Thiem] was going for his shots, Djokovic said. The tiebreak was deservedly won by him. He was the better player in the tougher moments.Almost as if he was personally affronted by surrendering his first ever set to Thiem -- and the roar that greeted it from a crowd eager to see a competitive match -- Djokovic then bageled the Austrian in just 23 minutes to level the match at one set all.After that [opening set] I managed to regroup and play very well, Djokovic continued. I definitely didnt want to let him start off well in the second set. I knew the first couple of games were crucial. I managed to get a break in that opening game. After that I just felt very comfortable on the court. I put a lot of returns back and made him play an extra shot.Thiem simply crumbled under scoreboard pressure, seeing his name in lights leading the 12-time Grand Slam winner. He won just 44 percent of points on his first serve compared to 76 in the first set.Djokovic broke again for 2-1 in the decider and was done with it, losing just one more game to wrap up the win in two hours, two minutes.It was a good match with a great first set, Thiem said on court. After the first set I lost a little bit of energy which is required to play against Novak. ' ' '