Samantha Stosur kept the Australian flag flying in the Olympic womens singles tennis competition with a gutsy opening round victory in Rio.While Stosur gave Australian fans something to cheer, Daria Gavrilova and mens hope Sam Groth made first round exits.Stosur got her Olympic campaign against big-hitting Latvian teenager Jelena Ostapenko off to shaky start, losing the first set in just 26 minutes, but she fought back to take the match 1-6 6-3 6-2.Her match finished under lights at the same time as Groths, who did it tough against Belgian eighth seed David Goffin 6-4 6-2.Stosur, the eighth seed, said she didnt feel she was playing too badly in the opening set but world No. 41 Ostapenko was on fire.She really wasnt missing a beat ... there wasnt a lot to do when she was playing as well as she was, Stosur said.I was able to get an early break in that second and by the end, I was dictating play compared to the first set, so it was really good for me to turn things around.Stosur will next play Japans world No.35 Misaki Doi, who overcame Yaroslava Shvedova in straight sets.Earlier in the day on centre court, Gavrilova was ousted by world No.1 Serena Williams.Gavrilova said her late night playing doubles with Stosur before her singles match took its toll.The pair had a three-set loss to Swiss combination Martina Hingis and Timea Bacsinszky.Gavrilova started well in the swirling wind on centre court against the Olympic champion but the second set was more one-sided with the American closing out the match 6-4 6-2.World No.46 Gavrilova said she ran out of steam in the second set.I got really tired in the second set at 2-1 (against Williams), Gavrilova said.I didnt have enough rest as I played pretty late and I think it affected me.You cant be flat playing against Serena because you have to run all the time.The conditions were tough on centre court with the wind, which delayed the start of play on most of the outer courts, affecting the power Gavrilova could generate from one end.Williams broke the 22-year-old to lead 4-2 but Gavrilova showed her fight, breaking the four-time Olympic medallist to love when she was serving for the first set.But Williams broke right back in the next game to wrap up that set.Playing in her fourth Olympic games, Williams said it was a tough first round encounter.The first set was really tight and the conditions didnt make it easy, Williams said.We played some wonderful points in the first set.She has a lot of big wins and she plays really well. Swell Offered Italia .Y. - New Orleans forward Anthony Davis was chosen Friday to replace the injured Kobe Bryant in the NBA All-Star game that will be played in his home city. Swell Italia . But the quarterback hopes to stay involved in football after officially calling it quits Tuesday. "Id love to look at those opportunities as they arise," Pierce said in an interview from his Winnipeg eatery. http://www.swellbottiglie.it/ . 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. Swell Italia Offerte . -- Edmontons Val Sweeting is two wins away from a trip to Winnipeg to play in Canadas Road of the Rings in December. Swell Bottiglie . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. ST. LOUIS -- St. Louis Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina believes a little rest is all he needs after an MRI exam on his right knee showed only inflammation. Hes hopeful of being back in the lineup on Tuesday. "Everything came back negative and thats a relief," Molina said Sunday. "A couple days and Ill be ready to go." Molina, who topped NL vote-getters for the All-Star Game, was certain hed be ready for that game. He said the knee had been bothering him for a month but felt worse Friday, especially when he ran, "so that scared me." So the team sent him for medical tessts.dddddddddddd "Yeah, its definitely something thats worrisome, such a valuable piece of our team," manager Mike Matheny said. "There was no question about it, it was best to get it looked at." Matheny said it would be a day to day situation. The Cardinals have Monday off. Molina leads the National League with a .346 average, was tied for the league lead with 26 doubles and among the league leaders with 106 hits. Hes played in 81 of the first 86 games and led major league catchers in innings. Backup Tony Cruz made his ninth start Sunday against the Marlins. ' ' '