Serena & Venus Williams Close To Facing Off At US Open

2015 Rogers Cup First Round | Sabine Lisicki vs Venus Williams | WTA Highlights

NEW YORK (AP) All in one fell swoop, Venus Williams eliminated one of the only two women who beat her younger sister this season and moved closer to a possible U.S. Open quarterfinal showdown against Serena.

Gathering herself after a mid-match dip in play Friday, Venus reeled off the last five games and beat 12th-seeded Belinda Bencic of Switzerland 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round at Flushing Meadows for the first time since 2010.

Did Venus get any family advice before facing Bencic, who defeated Serena last month en route to the title at a hard-court event in Toronto?

Yes, but thats between us, Venus said, breaking into a wide smile. I think it worked.

At 35, Venus was the oldest woman in the field. At 18, Bencic was the youngest to make it to the third round. She is mentored by Martina Hingis, who was sitting in the front row of her guest box in Arthur Ashe Stadium on a cloudy, breezy afternoon.

During an on-court interview after the victory Friday, Venus was asked about having reached her first major final in her U.S. Open debut back in 1997 about six months after Bencic was born. Venus happened to lose that match to Hingis.

Why do you have to bring all that stuff up? It makes me feel old, Venus replied, chuckling. I love the game. I love the U.S. Open. I love how everyone got behind me, even when I was down.

Venus trailed 4-1 in the second set before grabbing the last five games against a player she called tenacious.

Bencic takes the ball early, plays angles Hingis can appreciate, and is considered a likely future star of the game.

I feel like the people recognize me a little bit more sometimes, like, Oh, shes the girl who beat Serena. I dont think they know my name, Bencic said, but they just know I beat her.

Serena is seeking to complete a calendar-year Grand Slam at the U.S. Open and brought a 50-2 record in 2015 into her match against Bethanie Mattek-Sands on Friday night. Rafael Nadal was scheduled to face Fabio Fognini after that.

In other action, 13th-seeded Ekaterina Makarova of Russia, a 2014 semifinalist, was rebuffed in an attempt to get attention from a trainer for cramping in her taped-up right thigh while serving for the match, but eventually held on to beat 17th-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-3, 7-5.

I was so scared, said Makarova, who will play 40th-ranekd Kristina Mladenovic of France.

Defending champion Marin Cilic was among the men advancing in the afternoon, edging Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan 6-7 (5), 7-6 (1), 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-1. Benoit Paire of France eliminated No. 26 Tommy Robredo, and No. 19 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France beat Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine, both in straight sets.

After getting broken late in the first set Friday, Bencic looked to be making headway in the second against the 23rd-seeded Venus, breaking for a 3-1 lead with a running, down-the-line backhand passing shot that drew an errant volley.

But Venus won 21 of the last 29 points, including 11 of the last 12 she served, and wound up with a 31-12 edge in winners.

Looking ahead, she could face Serena early next week. Asked on court how aware she was of that, Venus said: At this point, if you dont know, youre Im not even going to say. I hope we both get to the quarterfinals. I do.

Venus will face 19-year-old Anett Kontaveit of Estonia, a qualifier ranked 152nd who beat Madison Brengle of the United Sates 6-2, 3-6, 6-0. Kontaveit hadnt won a Grand Slam match until Monday.

I have no idea how she plays or anything, Venus said. I will try to put the ball in the court again.

Since getting to the semifinals five years ago, Venus has lost in the U.S. Opens first round once, the second round twice and the third round last year.

She was asked whether it feels new and exciting to be headed toward the second week of the tournament again.

Its not new, Venus began, then paused before adding: Its always exciting.

( Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

Source: http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2015/09/04/serena-venus-williams-close-to-facing-off-at-us-open/

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2015 Browns Opponent Preview: Denver Broncos

Broncos vs. Texans highlights - 2015 NFL Preseason Week 2

Here is a look at one of the Cleveland Browns" 13 opponents for the 2015 season, the Denver Broncos.(Photo: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports)

Browns vs. Broncos -- Sunday, Oct. 18 -- 1:00 p.m. ET

After back-to-back home games against the Tennessee Titans and Oakland Raiders at the end of September, the Cleveland Browns will not play consecutive home games again until a three-week homestand spanning the last weekend of November and into December.

The Browns are home at FirstEnergy Stadium just once in the month of October, and will look to make it count against Pro Bowl quarterback Peyton Manning and the defending AFC West Division Champion Denver Broncos, who are coming off of a 12-4 season that ended in the second round of the playoffs with a home loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

The home game against the Broncos is one of just two games at FirstEnergy Stadium over a seven-game stretch that starts with a road contest at the San Diego Chargers on October 4 and continues through back-to-back AFC North Division matchups against the Cincinnati Bengals on November 5 and the Pittsburgh Steelers on November 15.

NUMBERS GAME

With future Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Peyton Manning at the helm of the Broncos" offense, Denver averaged 30.1 points, 402.9 total yards and 291.3 passing yards per game during the 2014 regular season. Their point total was the second-highest in the NFL, while the yards and passing yards were both fourth in the league.

Manning and the Broncos passed for 1,000 more yards than their opponents last season. With Manning being sacked only 17 times, he was able to complete 395 of his 597 attempts (66.2 percent) for 4,727 yards and 39 touchdowns against 15 interceptions. He averaged 7.9 yards per attempt, completed an 86-yard throw and held a 101.5 quarterback rating heading into the postseason.

Wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders were Manning"s top two targets, as they combined for 212 catches. Thomas turned 111 catches into 1,619 yards and 11 touchdowns, while Sanders added 1,404 yards and nine scores on 101 receptions.

Although Thomas and Sanders are back, the Broncos have moved on from wide receiver Wes Welker and tight end Julius Thomas, the latter of whom led the team with 12 touchdown catches, meaning nearly one-third of his 43 receptions went for scores last season.

While the Broncos were middle of the pack in rushing yards per game, running back C.J. Anderson accounted for 849 yards and eight touchdowns on 179 carries. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry, and turned 34 receptions into 324 yards and a pair of scores while catching the ball out of the backfield.

Defensively, inside linebacker Brandon Marshall led the way with 113 total tackles, 91 solo stops and 22 assists. In addition to having more solo tackles than any one of his teammates had total tackles, Marshal had two sacks and a forced fumble.

In terms of rushing the passer, linebackers Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware combined for 24 sacks of opposing quarterbacks. Miller registered a team-best 14 sacks, and Ware, whom the Dallas Cowboys let go in free agency prior to last season, collected 10 stops of quarterbacks behind the line of scrimmage.

PERSONNEL CHANGES

With the loss of Julius Thomas in free agency, the Broncos hit the ground running in building up the tight end position in the offseason. They re-signed Virgil Green, and reached contract agreements with Owen Daniels and hybrid tight end/fullback Joe Don Duncan. They also added offensive linemen Ben Garland, Gino Gradkowski and Shelley Smith.

Defensively, the Broncos re-signed linebackers Steven Johnson and Marshall. Then, they added defensive end Antonio Smith, linebacker Reggie Walker and safety Darian Stewart through free agency.

Although the Broncos spent three of their first four picks in the 2015 NFL Draft on offensive players, their first selection was to help the defense: edge rusher Shane Ray. In the second round, the Broncos addressed the offensive line by selecting Ty Sambrailo and center Max Garcia (fourth round), to go along with tight end Jeff Heuerman (third) out of Ohio State. Then, Denver added defensive backs Lorenzo Doss (fifth round), Taurean Nixon and Josh Furman (seventh), nose tackle Darius Kilgo (sixth) and quarterback Trevor Siemian (seventh).

FAMILIAR FOES

Browns offensive lineman Eric Olsen was selected by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 2010 NFL Draft out of the University of Notre Dame and played in one game during his rookie season.

Browns offensive lineman Vinston Painter was chosen by the Broncos in the sixth round of the 2013 NFL Draft out of Virginia Tech, and spent the entire season on Denver"s practice squad.

Broncos safety T.J. Ward was a second-round pick of the Browns in the 2010 NFL Draft and spent the first four years of his NFL career with Cleveland before heading to Denver in free agency during the 2014 offseason.

Heuerman (Ohio State), cornerback Bradley Roby (Ohio State) and defensive end Derek Wolfe (Cincinnati) went to college in Ohio.

Wolfe (Lisbon/Beaver Local High School) is an Ohio native.

Broncos defensive assistant Chris Beake was a Browns assistant during the 2011 and 2012 seasons.

Tom Heckert, Denver"s director of pro personnel, was the Browns" general manager from 2010 to 2012, while his national scout, John Spytek, and assistant director of pro personnel, A.J. Durso, also worked in the Browns" front office.

HISTORY

The Browns are just 5-19-0 all-time against the Broncos and 2-9-0 in home games. The Browns have lost 10 straight games to the Broncos. Their last victory, a 30-29 decision, came in Denver on October 8, 1990.

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Source: http://www.wkyc.com/story/sports/nfl/browns/2015/09/04/2015-browns-opponent-preview-denver-broncos/71641306/

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Reggie Wayne Happy About Tom Brady Verdict: "That"s My Quarterback"

Tom Brady Beats the NFL In Court and Gets "Deflategate" 4 Game Suspension Nullified By Judge!

FOXBORO, Mass. Reggie Wayne broke some hearts in Indianapolis on Thursday night.

The still-recently signed wide receiver was the lone New England Patriots player who would talk about U.S. District Court Judge Richard Bermans decision to vacate Tom Bradys suspensionThursday night. Wayne was asked if he was happy to see Bradys suspension nullified after the Patriots lost their preseason finale 12-9 to the New York Giants.

Yeah, thats my quarterback, Wayne said. So, yeah I am.

Peyton Manning and Andrew Lucks former-favorite target calling Brady his quarterback? Thats got to hurt the feelings of many a Colts fan.

Im excited hes available, Wayne said. Now Reggies gotta take care of what Reggies gotta take care of. Thats getting in my playbook, correcting all of the mistakes I made tonight and get better. Ive only been here a week and-a-half or so, so Im behind the eight-ball. Im excited hes available, and now I gotta do my job.

Wayne caught two passes on 10 targets for 24 yards from third-string quarterback Ryan Lindley. Wayne officially signed with the Patriots on Aug. 25 after spending his first 14 seasons with the Colts, and now he has a week to fully catch up before New Englands regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Steelers next Thursday.

I dont have a choice, Wayne said. The week is going to be here regardless of if Im ready or not. Theres a lot of stuff I can learn from tonight. Like I said, its still a week where I can continue to prepare and get ready.

Thumbnail photo viaStew Milne/USA TODAY Sports Images

Source: http://nesn.com/2015/09/reggie-wayne-happy-about-tom-brady-verdict-thats-my-quarterback/

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Lawrence Phillips: Imprisoned NFL Player Charged With Murdering Cellmate

Did Lawrence Phillips Murder His Prison Cell Mate?

Getty

Things are going from bad to worse for Lawrence Phillips. The former NFL player is already doing time in prison, and has now been charged for allegedly murdering his cellmate. Yikes!

Lawrence Phillipsprison time may soon be lengthened. The one-time St. Louis Rams running back is already serving a 31 year sentence in a California jail cell, but now, hes added a murder charge to his list of offenses, and if found guilty, he could face many, many more years behind bars.

The 40-year-old has been charged with first degree murder in the death of his cellmate,Damion Soward, 37, who died of strangulation in April in the Kern Valley State Prison. He is expected back in court on Sept. 15.

Lawrence was a top college football player at the University of Nebraska, even helping lead the team to a National Championship. He was drafted sixth overall in the 1996 NFL Draft by the St. Louis Rams, but was released from the team after just one season. Hebriefly played with the Miami Dolphins in 1997 and the San Francisco 49ers in 1999, but was let go from both teams quickly for his inability to stay out of trouble and inconsistency on the field.

Trouble continued to follow Lawrence after his football career was over. He was arrested in 2005 after allegedly driving a car into three teenagers. At the time, he was also wanted by San Diego police for multiple domestic-abuse incidents, with a former girlfriend claiming he had choked her to the point of unconsciousness. He was sentenced to ten years in prison (eventually reduced to 7) on the felony assault charges for the car in 2008, and 25 years were added to his sentence in 2009 for the domestic assault charges.

Damion was found dead by choking in the pairs cell on April 12, 2015, and Lawrence was immediately regarded as the primary suspect. The official murder charge was brought on Sept. 1.

Alyssa Norwin

Source: http://hollywoodlife.com/2015/09/03/lawrence-phillips-murder-charge-prison-cellmate-dead/

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RIP, Dean Jones

Dean Jones: Career Highlights (Cricket)

The celebrated actor from countless Disney films in the 60s died today at age 84, from Parkinsons. You may know him best from this:

But his life was far more interesting and complicated, according to Christianity Today:

For years he had deceived himself into believing that the Hollywood lifestyle would satisfy him, but it had only left him depressed and suicidal. He addictively sought the comforting roar of audience approval, but such pursuits had only shattered his first marriage (which ended in divorce) and alienated him from his children. He began to see life as a pointless exercise in futility, to be managed by copious amounts of alcohol and a parade of affairs.

According to his autobiography,Under Running Laughter, Jones heard a voice in his spirit one evening, saying his lifestyle will never satisfy you. He started thinking:Could I continue to deceive myself into believing that whatever vacuum existed within me would be filled in the future by more and bigger portions of that Id consumed in the past?

Later, after a drunk-driving accident almost claimed his life, Jones reached his breaking point. Though hed grown up in a religious home and even briefly attended Asbury, a Christian college in Kentucky, Jones had rejected the faith of his family. After his near-death accident, he was ready to stop running from G*d, crying out, Ive done everything in this world I thought would make me happy and it doesnt work. I have everything and I have nothing. I have no choice but to believe. If you dont exist, then Im a dead man.

After his conversion, Jones felt a peace hed never known before, and he felt whole for the first time. He righted his blighted relationships, remarried (he and Lory have been together 36 years), and began seeking out projects on and off screen that he could do for the glory of G*d.

Latein his career, he took on stage roles with a religious bent:

In 1986, Jonesstarred inInto the Light, a musical about scientists and theShroud of Turin, which closed four days after it opened. He had far more success touring in the one-man showSt. John in Exileas the last surviving Apostle ofJesus Christ, reminiscing about his life while imprisoned on the Greek island ofPatmos.

But one of his most famous rolesand something of a legend in theater circleswas the character of Bobby in the Stephen Sondheim musical Company in 1970. Company isa cynicalmusical comedy about the challenges and pitfalls of modern day marriage in New York City. Jones played the musicals centerpiece, the storys sole bachelor, dealing with his married friends and neighbors. He created the role at a time he was undergoing a painful divorce; shortly after its first performance, he asked that he be let out of his contract. The producer and director, Harold Prince, agreed, on one condition: Jones would have to record the cast album.

He did, and the arduous process was captured by acclaimed documentary filmmaker D.J. Pennebaker.

Here is Dean Jones recording the definitive rendition ofBeing Alive 45 years ago, in what some would argue was the performance of his life. I wouldnt disagree.

Eternal rest, Mr. Jones.

Source: http://www.patheos.com/blogs/deaconsbench/2015/09/rip-dean-jones/

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Out of the spotlight, Venus Williams grinds out win at US Open

CLASSIC: Venus Williams vs Amelie Mauresmo US OPEN 2002 SF

NEW YORK With the spotlight firmly on her little sister Serena stalking a calendar year Grand Slam at the U.S. Open, Venus Williams quietly goes about the business of winning like a champion.

Monday, she had to tough out a 2-hour, 45-minute match at Arthur Ashe Stadium against the unseeded and undaunted Monica Puig, winning, 6-4, 6-7 (7), 6-3.

After being up a break in the second set, Williams found herself extended to a tiebreaker as the gritty Puig ran down everything and managed to keep her opponent pinned on the baseline. In their only other meeting in 2013, Puig forced three sets in a loss in Charleston.

Yeah, I was a little bit shocked I was still out there, Williams said of being carried to a third set. I thought I had the match wrapped. She played really good points.

The two-time Open champion, who is 35, and the 85th-ranked player in the world, who is 21, exchanged long rallies during an intense, high-quality match with no timeouts. They then exchanged compliments after it ended.

I am so excited I had this opportunity, Puig said. Compared to two years ago, we still had the same fight in a long match. At 35 years old, I hope I am playing that well. She is a great champion, great fighter and one thing nobody can take away from her is all the titles she has to her name. Honestly, I dont care what anybody says about her age or anything else, shes a great champion. In my eyes, a real honor to play her again and hopefully, I can play her a couple more.

Williams said: Give her a lot of credit, too. She had a lot of really good shots at the right moments, so shes a really good competitor.

As for the lack of timeouts, somewhat unusual in a womens match of that length, Puig said: I just think we are both extremely healthy at the moment. No need for that. It was a match we had no time to let our mind wander away from what was going on. If someone dropped the intensity for even a second, the other one was already reading it.

In other opening matches, Sloane Stephens comeback season was derailed by fellow American Coco Vandeweghe, 6-4, 6-3. And Eugenie Bouchards dismal year was brightened by a win against Peters Township native Alison Riske, 6-4, 6-3.

Stephens had once reached No. 11 in the world without winning a tournament or ever reaching a final. But this summer, she reached the Washington final and won, validating a lot of hard work after a disappointing 2014.

I was trying my b**t off and it just wasnt there, Stephens said. I mean, I hit some good shots, she hit some better ones. Thats kind of how it was.

Bouchard, 21, has plummeted in the rankings after reaching No. 5 last season. She currently is No. 25 and looking down rather than up with 10 opening-round losses this season.

She fought back from a break down in the first set against Riske on Monday, an improvement in Grand Slam performance over first-round losses in the French Open and Wimbledon.

Its great to get one win, Bouchard said. Im just focused on one day at time, one point, one match. Not looking ahead at all. Not getting ahead of myself.

Source: http://www.post-gazette.com/sports/other-sports/2015/08/31/Out-of-the-spotlight-Venus-Williams-grinds-out-win-at-U-S-Open/stories/201508310187

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Tuesday"s PM Hot Clicks: Emmy Rossum; Rousey talks retirement

Joe Rogan Experience #690 - Ronda Rousey & Edmond Tarverdyan
Is Rousey"sCareer Almost Over?RondaRousey may be one of the most dominant athletes there is, but she still has retirement in sight. Rouseytold UFC commentator JoeRoganon his podcast that she has about three years left.I dont want to be fighting in my 30s, Rousey told Rogan. By 30s, I mean like 31, 32. If youre actually 30 years old thats 30, not 30s. Once you add the one, thats 30s, plural. Im 28.Rousey also let it be known that she has accepted U.S. Marine Jarrod Haschert"sinvitation to attend his Marine Corps Ball in December, adding to what has already been a busy year for her, as you can see in the gallery above. (Click here for full-size gallery.)Melo Gets a VICE Series

VICE has a reputation for doing fearless reporting from war zones, so it only makes sense that it would partner with a guy from the Knicks. Carmelo Anthony is a founding partner of a new VICE channel called The Clubhouse, according to The New York Times. Melo will have his own series on the channel, in which he will travel around the world to look at sports culture.

People Still Love JoePaterno

Beer cans honoring former Penn State football coach Joe Paterno are flying off the shelves in Western Pennsylvania, to the tune of a million cans a week. In the beginning, there was some reluctance,saidMark Dudash, owner of the company. [But] one distributor would order one palette, then the next day four palettes and then next day a half of a truckload. ...We had hoped by the fifth Penn State game to have sold 500 barrels worth. We"re up to 3,000 barrels already.

P.M. Lovely Lady of the DayEmmyRossum, actress andtortured Knicks fan, is yourLLOD. Our friends at Peoplereported Monday thatRossumand SamEsmail, a writer for smash hitMr. Robot,got engaged over the weekend. (Click here for full-size gallery.)Google Has a New Look

Your internet experience will never be the same. Google, the one website everyone uses, has a new logo. Change is terrifying.

VinceWilfork Has a Better LookIt"s Not What You Think It IsVin Scully is the Best, Part 1,841

Giants shortstop Brandon Crawfords infant daughter was spotted using an iPhone in Monday nights game, much to the amazement of 87-year-old Vin Scully.

The Perfect Sequel to the Duck VineOdds & Ends

The NFLs quest to dominate every aspect of American life took another step forward with Tuesdays announcement that the traditional Tuesday media day at the Super Bowl is nowa made-for-TV event on the Monday night before the game... We have a cool story from TimNewcombonhow baseball teams put those cool logos incenterfield... A Virginia teen pretended to be a cop and got busted when hetried to pull over a real cop... SB NationphotoshoppedAndreAgassisglorious90smulletonto the tennis stars of today ...Kanyespresidential bidhas the blessing of the White House...Wannasee someGIFsof Vladimir Putin working out?VICE Sports has you covered

Beast Mode Does Infomercials

Marshawn Lynch sells Skittles on home shopping channel

Watch Marshawn Lynch on a home shopping channel selling his favorite candy, Skittles.

Australian TV Host Petrified of Enormous Shark

Click here for previous versions of Hot Clicks, and visit ourExtra Mustard Pagethroughout each day for more offbeat sports stories and the latest Cheerleader of the Week gallery. Also check out theSwimDailyPagefor the latest updates andinstagrampictures of models who have appeared in our issues.

Source: http://www.si.com/extra-mustard/2015/09/01/hot-clicks-emmy-rossum-ronda-rousey-retirement

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