Williams still expected in Brisbane

BRISBANE, Australia — Brisbane International organizers say Serena Williams still plans to compete at the Dec. 30-to-Jan. 5 tournament despite minor surgery on her big toes which forced her to withdraw from a Dec. 29 exhibition in Thailand.

Brisbane tournament director Cameron Pearson said Thursday he had been assured by Williams' agent that the WTA player of the year will "be fit and ready" for the event at the Queensland Tennis Centre.

Williams has been affected by chronic foot problems since treading on glass and badly cutting both feet in 2010.

The five-time Australian Open winner played at last year's Brisbane International but pulled out with an ankle injury at the quarterfinals. Later in the year, she won Wimbledon, the U.S. Open and gold in women's singles at the London Olympics.

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Top League refs frustrate Williams

Rugby superstar Sonny Bill Williams admits life in Japan isn't all plain sailing and there are certain things that are both frustrating and confusing.

Echoing the comments of many foreigners who have played in the Top League, the former All Black said he had been frustrated with the officials during Saturday's 32-22 loss to Toshiba Brave Lupus.

"That was blatant," Williams said, when asked about an incident that saw him tackled with both feet off the ground as he was looking to gather a chip ahead from Mike Delany. "Back home that would have been a penalty. Being taken out in the air is pretty dangerous."

Williams admitted he had been puzzled by some of the other decisions made by referee Shuhei Kubo.

"I was a bit frustrated by some of the calls. But that's how the game is played here. You've got to bite the bullet and move on and concentrate on doing something else better. If you get into a mind-set of frustration, it can have a snowball effect."

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Williams rallies to defeat Azarenka in U.S. Open final

NEW YORK — Finally tested, even trailing, at the U.S. Open, Serena Williams turned things around just in time.

Two points from defeat, Williams suddenly regained her composure and her strokes, coming back to win the last four games and beat Victoria Azarenka 6-2, 2-6, 7-5 on Sunday night for her fourth championship at Flushing Meadows and 15th Grand Slam title overall.

"I honestly can't believe I won. I really was preparing my runnerup speech, because I thought, 'Man, she's playing so great,' " Williams said during the trophy presentation after the 2-hour, 18-minute match, adding: "I'm really shocked."

Might be the only one.

After all, what really was stunning was that the top-ranked Azarenka made things as interesting as they were, given that she came into the day 1-9 against Williams.

Add in that Williams hadn't dropped a set in the tournament, losing only 19 games through six matches before Sunday. All part of a tremendous run she is putting together in reaction to her loss at the French Open in late May, the American's only first-round exit in 49 career major tournaments. Since then, she is 26-1, winning Wimbledon and the London Olympics.

There hadn't been a three-set women's final in New York since 1995, and Williams came through with a late charge to become the first woman to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the same season since a decade ago, when — yes, that's right — she did it.

"She never gives up," said Azarenka, who managed only 13 winners, 31 fewer than Williams. "She's definitely the toughest player, mentally, there is and she's got the power."

While Azarenka, a 23-year-old from Belarus, doesn't have the name recognition or bona fides of Williams, she did win the Australian Open in January, and was 32-2 (a .941 winning percentage) on hard courts in 2012. She also hadn't dropped a three-setter all season until Sunday, going 12-0 in matches that went the distance, including victories over defending U.S. Open champion Sam Stosur in the quarterfinals and 2006 champion Maria Sharapova in the semifinals.

As Sunday's third set commenced, Williams' mother, Oracene Price, told her from the stands, "Settle down."

Didn't happen right away.

"Well, she's a human being, you know, who has two feet, two legs, two hands," Azarenka said. "It's understandable."

When Williams double-faulted, slapped a bad backhand into the net and pushed a forehand long, Azarenka broke at love for a 4-3 edge, then followed that up by holding for 5-3.

One game from the title.

Azarenka was two points away at 30-all with the fourth-seeded Williams serving in the next game, but couldn't convert. And when Azarenka served for the victory at 5-4, she showed the jitters that probably are understandable given that this was only her second career Grand Slam final.

"Feels like there is no room for a mistake," is the way Azarenka described trying to deal with Williams' game. "There is no room for a wrong decision."

Azarenka slumped in her changeover chair, a white towel covering her head, as Williams kept saying, "Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!" while scurrying over to share the joy with her mother and big sister.

"Being so close, it hurts deeply," Azarenka said. "To know you don't have it. You're close; you didn't get it."

In the men's final, scheduled Monday, defending champion Novak Djokovic will face Olympic gold medalist Andy Murray. It's the fifth consecutive year the tournament will conclude on Monday instead of the scheduled Sunday because of bad weather.

Djokovic beat David Ferrer of Spain 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 in a semifinal that was halted in the first set because of impending rain Saturday and wrapped up Sunday.

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Williams' MVP plaque sold at auction

BOSTON — A 1949 MVP plaque owned by Boston Red Sox slugger Ted Williams has sold for nearly $300,000 at the first major auction of his sports, military and personal memorabilia.

Nearly 800 items sold Saturday at the auction at Fenway Park. Among them was a baseball that Babe Ruth signed for Williams, which sold for $195,500. Hunt Auctions Inc. says that sale set a record for a baseball signed by Ruth that wasn't used in a game.

Williams' 1957 Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Award for outstanding batting achievement sold for $230,000. An 8-year-old Texas boy and his parents were the winning bidders on Williams' 1957 Silver Bat award, which sold for nearly $200,000.

The auction coincided with the 10th anniversary of Williams' death at 83 and Fenway Park's 100th anniversary.

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Williams memorabilia to be sold

BOSTON — He was a skilled fisherman, a veteran of two wars and an accomplished hunter. Oh, and Ted Williams also played baseball.

Fans seeking to buy items once owned by legendary Red Sox slugger Ted Williams traveled to Boston's Fenway Park on Wednesday for a preview of the first major auction of sports, military and personal memorabilia documenting Williams' life.

The preview runs through Friday at the world's oldest baseball park and home field of the only team that Williams played for during his 1939-1960 major league career. The auction will be Saturday and some of the proceeds will benefit The Jimmy Fund, a charity affiliated with Boston's Dana-Farber Cancer Institute for which the slugger helped raise money during his lifetime.

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Bills give Williams record $100 million contract for defender

Jackpot: Defensive end Mario Williams poses with Buffalo Bills head coach Chan Gailey (right) and general manager Buddy Nix on Thursday after signing a six-year, $100 million contract with the team. AP

NEW YORK — Megatron and Mario, the richest players in the NFL.

When linebacker-end Mario Williams signed a six-year contract Thursday with the Buffalo Bills worth $100 million, $50 million guaranteed, he became the highest-paid defensive player in league history. Williams' mega-deal followed by one day the $132 million contract the Detroit Lions gave their star receiver, Calvin Johnson.

Johnson's haul is the most for any NFL player at any position.

Other than Peyton Manning, whose search for a new team continues, Williams was the most sought free agent in this year's class; Johnson already was under contract in Detroit.

"It's one of those things you don't get many chances like this, and opportunities to come in and be the guy who can help the team get across the hump," said Williams, who was in Buffalo since the free agency period opened Tuesday, having been flown in from his home in North Carolina. "And that's definitely what I'm here for. My whole intention is to come here, work with guys like Kyle (Williams) and (Marcell) Dareus and make this thing happen."

The first overall draft pick by Houston in 2006, Williams became a pass rushing force and all-around standout at end before moving to linebacker in the Texans' new 3-4 alignment last year. But he played only five games in 2011 before a torn chest muscle sidelined him.

Buffalo targeted Williams to upgrade a defense that ranked 26th overall and 28th against the run. The Bills had only 29 sacks last year; Williams has 53 for his career.

Earlier Thursday, guard Ben Grubbs agreed on a five-year, $36 million contract with New Orleans, where he will replace All-Pro Carl Nicks, who left the previous day for NFC South rival Tampa Bay. Grubbs gets $16 million guaranteed, including a $10 million signing bonus.

"Ben comes to us from an offense in Baltimore that experienced a lot of success, both running the football and in pass protection," Saints general manager Mickey Loomis said. "He was a big part of that and we believe that he can come right in and fit into our program without missing a beat."

Nicks is considered one of the league's best pass blockers and was a key part of the Saints' record-setting offense. Grubbs made the Pro Bowl last season with the Ravens.

Another offensive lineman switching teams was Steve Hutchinson, a five-time All Pro with seven Pro Bowls who left Minnesota for Tennessee. Hutchinson changed teams as a free agent once before, in 2006 when he left Seattle for the Vikings. The Seahawks gave him a transition designation, but then couldn't match the deal he got with Minnesota, which included stipulations the Seahawks couldn't handle under the salary cap.

"I still see him playing at a high level, even in his 11th NFL season," said Titans coach Mike Munchak, himself a Hall of Fame guard. "He brings experience and success to our line and into the locker room."

Kansas City agreed to a three-year, $9 million deal with tight end Kevin Boss, who spent one season with Oakland after four with the New York Giants. The Chiefs' starter at the position, Tony Moeaki, missed all of 2011 with a torn left knee ligament.

San Diego bolstered its receiving corps by adding Eddie Royal in a three-year agreement.

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All eyes on Williams sisters as Wimbledon looms

WIMBLEDON, England — Two simple words at the end of a June 7 tweet said it all: "Serena's back!"

Guess who's back: Serena Williams enters Wimbledon in search of her fifth title at the All England Club. AP

And Venus is, too.

Yes, as Serena Williams announced to the world less than two weeks ago, the most successful tennis-playing siblings in history are returning from lengthy layoffs right on time for Wimbledon, where they just so happen to have won nine of the past 11 singles championships.

For Serena, it will be her first Grand Slam tournament — and only second event — since she took home a second consecutive title from the All England Club in July 2010. Her nearly yearlong absence resulted from a series of health issues, including two foot operations and blood clots in her lungs, that she said left her depressed and "on my deathbed." Venus, meanwhile, was sidelined by a hip injury from January until June.

"I feel like we've been on a similar road together. Her road hasn't been as arduous or as long as mine, but I know what she's been through coming back," Serena said when she made her 2011 debut at a tuneup tournament this week in Eastbourne, England. "We've been really enjoying our time just getting back together and practicing next to her and looking over and seeing her play so well. I'm like, 'OK, I've got to do better.' "

There are, to be sure, other plot lines worth tracking.

Among them: Can Roger Federer make a real run at a seventh Wimbledon title? Can Rafael Nadal extend his recent excellence to five titles in a span of six Grand Slam tournaments? Can Novak Djokovic recover from the end of his 43-match winning streak to win a major title other than the Australian Open? Can Andy Murray finally — and mercifully — put an end to the locals' 75-year wait for a British male champion at the All England Club? Might No. 1-ranked Caroline Wozniacki win her first Grand Slam title? Could China's Li Na win her second in a row? Will Maria Sharapova end her 3?-year major drought?

But the biggest curiosity, at least at the outset, is: How will the Williams sisters do?

"It will be interesting to see how they come back. I think it's interesting for the tour. It's a good story," Federer said Saturday. "It's been an up-and-down, bumpy road for the women's tour as of late. But we'll see now how it goes here with the sisters back in the game."

Part of the interest stems from wondering how much longer they'll be around. Venus turned 31 on Friday; Serena will be 30 in September.

"Whenever they enter a Grand Slam tournament, it's double the excitement and double the intrigue, I think, that they bring to the sport. They just bring a different level of tennis also, as far as the power and the emotional content," said ESPN2 analyst Chris Evert, who won 18 Grand Slam titles.

"It would be monumental in my mind if Serena pulled off a win," Evert added. "I personally don't know how it's humanly possible for someone to take a year off like that and have gone through what she's been through physically with her ailments and . . . it would almost shock me if she did. But knowing Serena and the way she's come back before, you can never count her out."

Evert — who said she never was away from the tour longer than four months — is one of only five women in tennis history who have won more major championships than Serena's 13. The others are Margaret Court (24), Steffi Graf (22), Helen Wills Moody (19) and Martina Navratilova (18). Among active players, of course, Serena ranks No. 1, followed by Venus with seven.

No one else in this year's Wimbledon women's field has more than three Grand Slam titles (Kim Clijsters has four, but she pulled out with a foot injury).

Indeed, it's remarkable to examine the measurable ways in which Serena and Venus have dominated women's tennis, in general — and the All England Club, in particular — across the years. That's why Serena is seeded No. 7 at Wimbledon, despite being ranked 26th; Venus is seeded 23rd, despite being ranked 33rd.

"You know," Sharapova said, "they're obviously the ones to beat on grass."

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