hink were going to be something to watch.Rector has become m

LONDON -- Serena Williams looked weary. She took small steps, staring at the ground. The racket, held gingerly by the very end of the grip, dangled loosely beside her leg. It looked like she might drop it.Williams stepped up to the service line and in what seemed the blink of an eye -- bang, crack, bang, bang -- hammered out three aces and one serve that Svetlana Kuznetsova barely touched. It was just the third game of the fourth-round clash Monday at Wimbledon, but by the time Williams won the match 7-5, 6-0 in an hour and 16 minutes, it seemed the world No. 1 of old was back among us.And it looked like her sister, Venus, is as well. While Serena was scorching the damp Centre Court with aces, Venus was ripping into Carla Suarez Navarros vulnerable serve over on Court No. 1 en route to a 7-6 (3), 6-4 win. Venus, at age 38, is up to No. 8 in the WTA rankings and in the quarterfinals for the first time since 2010.[Venus] knows how to play, Serena reminded the assembled media after her win. I say this constantly. I feel like shes my best opponent, my toughest opponent.Venus might also be her real opponent come Saturday afternoon. Venus plays unseeded surprise quarterfinalist Yaroslava Shvedova next, and the winner gets either No. 4 Angelique Kerber or No. 5 Simona Halep.She served good, Suarez Navarro said of Venus. You know, shes there every time. She fight. Sometimes she looks like she was tired, but then she served and returned really good.Much the same could be said of Serena on this Fourth of July. Any American missing home needed only to peek into Centre Court to witness a spectacular display of fireworks. Williams smoked 14 aces, but her ground game was even more impressive.Kuznetsova, a free-spirited, two-time Grand Slam champion, is in resurgence again. Shes 31, but more dangerous than her No. 14 ranking because of her outstanding mobility and retrieving ability. The score line was deceptive: Despite that spectacular serving display in the third game, Kuznetsova would not cave.She engaged in spectacular rallies throughout the first set and broke Williams to take a 5-4 lead, then served a poor game to give the break back.By then, the grass was so greasy that both women feared for their safety. They complained, and the tournament referee ordered the roof closed. The interruption proved to be an unfortunate episode for Kuznetsova, because it allowed Williams to unwind and take a breather. It enabled her to get with her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. Hes her stress-buster.Patrick gave me some tips on what I could do, Serena said, Hes very calm. Sometimes I dont understand because Im really worked up a lot, as you can see. Hes just so sangfroid all the time. I think that really helps me. It helps me realize that when Im calm, I usually can find answers. Hes been a wonderful coach to me. Hes great at what he does.When play resumed, Serena hit new heights. She didnt lose another game against one of the most proficient guerilla warfare specialists in the game. Williams backhands sounded like bones snapping, while forehands flew like tracers. Williams hit 43 winners in just 18 games, 22 from the baseline.I moved very well, as well, Williams said. Especially when I want to. Ive been wanting to lately just kind of get out there and pretty much get every ball back. Ive been working on my defensive game. I feel like Ive got an extremely strong defensive game, and always have throughout my career. I wanted to bring it up to par again the way it was.Neither of the Williams sisters gets enough credit for her ability to play defense. Its an easy oversight to commit, because the offense of each is so persuasive. But Venus has always had remarkable range around the court, and even now, shes still running down and digging out balls like a 25-year-old.Ironically, Serenas defensive abilities have been interdicted by her service return. Its still the best in the womens game. Certainly, its the most aggressive. Serenas biggest problem when it comes to having her defense acknowledged is the quality of her offense. It simply keeps points from developing.Its a nice problem to have. Sam Huff Jersey . For the Wild it was their first win of the season and they now have a record of 1-1-2 while the Jets fall to 2-2. Jets start a six game home stand Friday with another divisional game, home to the Dallas Stars. Alex Smith Jersey . -- Peyton Manning will have all of his wide receivers available for the first time in a month when the Denver Broncos begin their playoff run Jan. https://www.redskinssportsgoods.com/Womens-Sean-Taylor-Inverted-Jersey/ . Bradwell was scheduled to become a free agent Tuesday. Born and raised in Toronto, Bradwell is entering his sixth CFL season, with all six played for his hometown Argonauts. Russ Grimm Jersey . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. Dwayne Haskins Womens Jersey . Sgt. Eric ONeal says most of the arrests at Monday nights game were for public drunkenness, though one person was taken into custody on suspicion of trying to steal a seat from the stadium. STANFORD, Calif. -- As hard as the decision was last winter, Michael Rector knew there were many good reasons to return to Stanford for a fifth season and delay his NFL career.He could pursue his education in human biology, become a more well-rounded receiver to improve his draft status and be better prepared for the NFL. He could also help the Cardinal accomplish one of the few things they havent done yet during their recent run of excellence.Stanford opened fall practice Monday with hopes of doing more than winning a fourth conference title in the past five seasons.Were kind of tired of just winning the Pac-12, Rector said. We want to do bigger and better things. Always the goal is to win the Pac-12, but hopefully we can go to the national championship. Thats what were working for.Rectors decision to return to school this year is a reason why the Cardinal could be in position to do just that despite entering camp with uncertainty about whether Keller Chryst or Ryan Burns ends up as the teams replacement for Kevin Hogan as starting quarterback.With Heisman Trophy runner-up Christian McCaffrey back for a third season and game-breaking back Bryce Love poised to take on a bigger role in his second season, Rectors speed on the outside gives Stanford the potential for a diverse offense that will be extremely difficult to defend.Its really exciting, coach David Shaw said. Now we have three guys who run sub 4.4, fast and explosive, have game experience. They all have established roles but also have versatility where we can do more with them.The one question on offense for the Cardinal is whether Chryst or Burns will step up and seize the quarterback role that Andrew Luck and Kevin Hogan excelled at so often the past seven years.ddddddddddddRector said hes confident that either quarterback can do the job, especially with all the playmaking options Stanford has to relieve pressure on a first-year starter -- especially when all three burners take the field at the same time.I think that will be scary for opposing defenses, Rector said. All three fast guys, all three can do something with the ball in their hands. It will be interesting to watch how defenses line up against that. I think were going to be something to watch.Rector has become more than just a fast guy on the outside in his three seasons at Stanford. He had 34 catches for 559 yards and seven touchdowns last season when he helped the Cardinal finish third in the nation for their highest final ranking since being No. 2 in 1940.He has added better route running, more consistent hands and elusiveness after the catch to the straight ahead speed that has made him so dangerous.Its been a progression throughout my career to show more versatility that Im not just a deep guy, Rector said. I can do any route in the book. Now that I have that under my belt it was more about coming back and working in the details and make myself a better player.But its his speed that will still have the biggest impact on Stanfords offense with the way it puts fear in opposing defenses.Hes been making plays since he got here, fellow receiver Francis Owusu said. Its very exciting to have him back. Hes such a deep threat. He helps make sure those DBs are playing back and that helps everyone. Having speed at receiver is always a good thing. ' ' '