MELBOURNE, Australia -- Alex Bogomolov Jr. is making the most of his belated arrival in the limelight. After a mostly mediocre career, the 28-year-old put together the best results of his life last season, rising from outside the top 100 to No. 33 in the rankings to be voted by his peers as the most improved player in 2011. But it isnt just his tennis thats attracting attention at the Australian Open. In November, he announced that he wanted to play for Russia, the country of his birth, instead of the United States, where he had lived and trained since 1992. The switch was approved by the International Tennis Federation in December and this is the first Grand Slam he has played under the Russian flag. Bogomolov is set to make his Davis Cup debut for Russia in a first-round match against Austria next month. He then can apply for acceptance to play at the Olympics later in the year. Just one problem: after supporting Bogomolov through his development, the United States Tennis Association wanted compensation. In December, the USTA received a check for $75,000. "They invested their time and their finances in me. I think it was only right for me to pay them back," Bogomolov said Tuesday after his straight-set win over Daniel Gimeno-Traver. "Its a big load off my shoulders. Everything is peaceful. Everything is good." That wasnt the case on the eve of the Australian Open when Bogomolov sparked a mini-drama by tweeting: "A players strike here at the Australian Open?? YES SIR!!" A player stoppage at the first Grand Slam of the year never looked close to happening. Yet Bogomolovs tweet, which followed a player meeting on Saturday, was a real indication of a concerted push by the players to force changes to the tour. "As far as the tweet, I was very excited as far as how the players were united. Ive never been to a meeting like that before in my life," Bogomolov said. "I know all these guys for 12 years already. The way everybody is sticking by each other, the way everybody is on the same page, is inspiring." Talk of a player strike also cropped up a few months ago, with several top players unhappy about the length of the season. Prize money at Grand Slam tournaments is another top issue, with the players set to meet again in March to decide on a course of action if there has been no progress. Bogomolov, who sees himself as an elder statesman of the mens tour, is happy to carry on being a spokesman for players rights. "Im 28 years old, Im trying to sort of improve the game for the younger generation thats coming up, for the fans, for the tournaments," he said. "Im at the end of my career. Were trying to make it better for the guys coming up." He may be close to the end of his career, but Bogomolov is only just reaching his peak after coming through a couple of rocky periods early on. In 2005, he sat out a 1 1/2 month ban for ingesting a banned substance contained in an asthma treatment. The following year, his two-year marriage to former WTA professional Ashley Harkleroad ended in divorce. Back in Melbourne where he failed the anti-doping test seven years ago, Bogomolov is seeded for the first time at a Grand Slam and through to the second round. "At 28 years old, its kind of surreal," Bogomolov said. "But its very exciting." jerseys cheap nfl .C. -- The B. Cheap Philadelphia Phillies Jerseys . PAUL, Minn. http://www.jerseyscheapnfl.us.com/ . He can change that Sunday. So could Dario Franchitti. Its been 22 years since Rick Mears became the third driver with four Indy 500 victories. wholesale jerseys . The investigators said they have ruled out problems with his skis, trail conditions or signage. Although they would not estimate Schumachers speed, they said it was not considered a significant factor in the Dec. 29 crash at Meribel in the French Alps. "His pace was completely normal for a skilled skier," said Lt. Cheap Washington Nationals Jerseys . Testaverde is one of 12 former players to be picked by the National Football Foundation as part of the latest Hall of Fame class.CLEVELAND -- Anthony Davis isnt worried about making the All-Star team. He may have nothing to fear. Davis padded his resume by scoring 30 points with eight blocks and seven rebounds and Eric Gordon scored 20, leading the New Orleans Pelicans to a 100-89 win over the puzzling Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday night. Davis, one of three No. 1 overall picks on the floor, was dominant from baseline to baseline as the Pelicans won their third straight. With New Orleans hosting next months All-Star weekend, the Pelicans are hoping their second-year star will be added to the Western Conferences squad when reserves are named Thursday night. "Everybody keeps talking about All-Star, and should he be an All-Star," New Orleans coach Monty Williams said. "All you have to do is look at tonight. Show me other bigs who are doing it on both ends like he does every single night." Davis dislocated his left index finger in the final minutes, but got taped up during a timeout and stayed in. New Orleans scored 16 straight points to close the first half and opened a 22-point lead in the third, causing some fans to boo the listless Cavaliers, who followed a 3-2 trip out West by going 1-4 on their homestand. Clevelands lone win was against Milwaukee, which has the NBAs worst record. "Our competitive spirit is non-existent," said Cavs coach Mike Brown. "Maybe I need to shake some things up." Kyrie Irving scored 23 and Dion Waiters 21 for Cleveland. Rookie Anthony Bennett, the first pick in last years draft, scored a season-high 15 and was the lone bright spot for the Cavs. A major disappointment so far, the 6-foot-8 Canadian added eight rebounds and played 31 minutes -- his most action this season. Davis scored 11 points in the third quarter, when he showed off his well-rounded game. He swished a long jumper, dropped a runner, nailed a bank shot and, of course, dunked. Missing Anderson Varejao, who was out with a hyperextended and bruised left knee, the Cavs had no defensive answer for Davis, who was coming off a 22-point, 19-rebound, seven-block performance in a win over Orlando. As the Pelicans were putting the finishing touches on the win, Davis injured his finger and came to the bench in obvious pain. He bent over as a ttrainer worked on his fingers and several of Davis teammates patted him on the back as he was treated.dddddddddddd "He said, tape it up. Im going right back," Williams said. "That to me says more about him than any number or stat that he can put up. His heart and his willingness to do whatever it takes for his team is why hes an All-Star in my opinion." Davis returned to the floor, but didnt have to do much in the final three minutes as the Pelicans had already wrapped up their 10th road victory. Davis said the All-Star talk is not distracting. "Its cool," Davis said. "I hear it, but Im trying to win games. Im trying to get better each and every day. If it happens, Ill be more than grateful and more than excited to be able to play." The Pelicans outscored the Cavs 16-0 over the final 5:25 of the second quarter to open a 56-44 halftime lead. Gordon had six points during the spurt, which included a possession where all five New Orleans touched the ball before Davis dunked. Cleveland, which scored just six points in the third quarter of a loss to Phoenix on Sunday, missed its last nine shots of the period. The Cavs committed three turnovers in the last four minutes and shot only 5 of 20 from the field. Irving said the Cavs have not tuned out Brown, whose second second stint with Cleveland has not gone well to this point. "As a team, we go through stretches where its ups and downs, thats just part of the game," Irving said. "I leave my trust with coach Brown, Im riding with him. Whatever he says and whatever he needs me to do, Im going to go out there and do. Im pretty sure all of my teammates feel the same way and thats where that rests. Anything he needs us to do, Im willing to do and I know my teammates do as well." Notes: Clevelands Luol Deng scored just six points. Hes been slowed by a sore Achilles. ... The No. 34 banner representing former Cavs guard Austin Carrs retired number was mysteriously missing from its usual place hanging from the arenas rafters. The Cavs are investigating the disappearance. Carr, the No. 1 overall pick in the 1970 draft who played nine seasons for Cleveland, joked, "Maybe Im coming out of retirement." ... New Orleans has won six of seven vs. Cleveland. cheap jerseys wholesale jerseys ' ' '