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SEPANG, Malaysia -- Mercedes confirmed it was the team to beat at the Malaysian Grand Prix by setting the fastest times in both of Fridays practice sessions, although its Formula One rivals were closer than expected. Nico Rosberg, coming off his win at the season-opening race in Australia, was fastest in the second session and overall with a time of 1 minute, 39.909 seconds around the Sepang International Circuit, exceeding Ferraris Kimi Raikkonen by three-hundredths of a second. Raikkonen, who struggled in Melbourne, was also second fastest in the morning session behind Rosbergs Mercedes teammate, Lewis Hamilton. Although Mercedes was expected to dominate the early races of the season, and did so in Australia, the top six cars on Friday afternoon were separated by just two-tenths of a second, indicating a competitive race on Sunday. "We are still having some small issues and therefore we were not able to maximize everything today," Rosberg said. "The quickest teams seem to be closer together than in Australia, so we still have work to do overnight to improve our level of performance." Defending four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel overcame some technical issues that restricted his running in the morning session and was an impressive third fastest in the afternoon, while his Red Bull teammate Daniel Ricciardo was seventh. The bad news for Vettel was that he needed to change his computer power supply unit, which alternates the power source between the engine, the turbo and battery-stored energy. That means he is onto his third of the season, with a limit of five all year before penalties kick in. "Friday timings are not the most important in the world, but to be out there in the range with the other guys was a decent day," Vettel said. "It was not a completely smooth day for both of us; for myself, still some things to solve on the software side, programming the car, which sounds wrong but that is the way it is." Hamilton was fourth in the second session, ahead of Ferraris Fernando Alonso and Williams Felipe Massa. Hamilton is using the same engine that caused his early retirement from the Australian GP, with the team having fixed the misfire and preserved an engine which is also subject to the same five-per-season limit. McLarens Jenson Button was eighth quickest, ahead of Williams driver Valtteri Bottas and Force Indias Nico Hulkenberg. On a typically hot but dry day at Sepang, all drivers endured technical issues of some kind, ranging from the lack of downforce which caused several off-track excursions, high tire-wear from the consequent sliding, and fuel consumption issues with the new V6 turbo hybrid engines and the introduction of fuel usage limits. As in Melbourne, Lotus and Caterham were the teams to suffer most. Neither Lotus car completed a lap in the morning as the team continued to play catchup on its engine development after a strife-torn off-season. Pastor Maldonado sat out the afternoon too, and while Romain Grosjean made several trips out on track, he suffered repeated breakdowns. Caterhams Kamui Kobayashi had yet more problems with his energy-storage system, necessitating another replacement after two in Melbourne, meaning he is already closing in on the season limit. Eli Manning Cheap Jersey .Y. - Peyton Manning made his fifth MVP award a family affair. Saquon Barkley Cheap Jersey . The 28-year-old lefty made his MLB debut in 2013, making 10 starts and going 2-5 with 4.05 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Albers was named the Twins organizations minor league pitcher of the year for 2013. http://www.giantsonlineteamshop.com/oshane-ximines-jersey-cheap.html .J. -- Omar Cummings helped the Houston Dynamo advance to the MLS Eastern Conference finals. Doug Kotar Giants Jersey . - This is just the warm-up act for 18-year-old William Nylander. Julian Love Jersey . -- Downcast before the final game of what had been a difficult road trip, the Ottawa Senators found a way to dig out a little momentum in the desert before heading home.PHOENIX - Rob Gronkowskis ankle is fine. So are his forearm and knee. Hes way past those injuries that ruined his last three postseasons.You cant even hurt his feelings.So when Seattle nickel back Jeremy Lane says I actually dont think hes that good, the best tight end in the NFL says, simply, Everyones entitled to their own opinion.Of course, the 265-pound Gronkowski can change that opinion when the Patriots face the Seahawks and the 190-pound Lane in the Super Bowl on Sunday. Healthy again, he should be a handful.Ready to roll, he said Tuesday.Gronkowski missed the AFC championship games the past two years with a broken left forearm in 2013 and a torn ACL and MCL in his right knee in 2014. In the Super Bowl in 2012, he was limited by a high left ankle sprain. New England lost all three.The fun-loving but hard-working Gronkowski was back on a Super Bowl Media Day platform on Tuesday. His laugh and smile were present, just as they were three years ago. The questions were different.It feels good to be 100 per cent healthy, he said, and not get a million questions like last time about my ankle.Even when he got them, his sense of humour kicked in.Asked before the 2012 game how he was feeling, Gronkowski said with a grin, Good. How are you feeling?When another ankle question came up Tuesday, even though that body part hasnt sidelined him this season, he said, Its very good. Thanks for worrying about my ankle.Thats Gronkowski. He keeps a light touch whether hes healthy or hobbling. His upbeat character rubs off on teammates.The young man has had to deal with so much early on in his career and he has a great, great attitude and a great heart. Hes got a unique joy about him, Patriots special teams star Matthew Slater said. Even in the midst of that adversity, he was staying positive. He was focused on getting back on the field.Gronkowski rehabbed obsessively, played in the opener and gradually made a greater impact. He caught just 13 passes, although three were for touchdowns, in the first four games. But in each of the next fiive, he had at least five catches with 100 or more yards receiving in three of them.dddddddddddd He knocks down defenders and keeps on running.Totally back to my old self, said Gronkowski, who holds NFL single-season records for most touchdowns and yards receiving by a tight end. Going into that Cincinnati game (six catches for 100 yards) in Week 5, everything just kicked in and I felt good, he said.He has a touchdown catch in each of his two playoff games.But now he must face the NFLs best defence. Seattle allowed the fewest points, yards and yards passing.Depending on where he lines up — wide, in the slot or right next to the tackle — Gronkowski will be covered by different defenders. On some plays, it will be 232-pound safety Kam Chancellor. On others it could be linebackers K.J. Wright or Bobby Wagner. And when the Seahawks play a zone defence, cornerbacks Richard Sherman and Byron Maxwell may get a crack at him.No matter who covers him, Gronkowski wont back down.He recalled that in high school when someone would deliver a big hit, he and his teammates would go crazy.Hes taking that same passion for physical play into the most important game Sunday.It gets you amped up, Gronkowski said. Thats whats so special about (football) is how hard you can go and just take whatever you have built up and just go full speed at someone and level them. And someone can do that to you, so youve got to be ready at all times.No wonder wide receiver Julian Edelman calls him just a big goofball who has fun playing football.Or why team owner Robert Kraft said Tuesday, In our next life, a lot of people might want to be Rob. He never has a bad day.Now, for the first time in four years, he has a healthy shot at having a good day in the final game of the Patriots season.Its definitely a tough experience being hurt for big games, Gronkowski said. Definitely dont take the game for granted anymore. Its an honour to be out there on the field with my teammates.___Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP_NFL ' ' '