Kaminzimmer » s, but Ana Ivanovic prevented

BRISBANE, Australia -- This was one time Serena Williams didnt mind being pushed into the deep end, to use her own description. The top-ranked Williams carried her winning momentum from 2013 into the new season, beating No. 2-ranked Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 7-5 on Saturday to defend her title at the Brisbane International and set the tone for the Australian Open. She extended her winning streak to 22 matches with the emphatic win over the reigning Australian Open champion, making it back-to-back victories over two of her main rivals. She beat four-time major winner Maria Sharapova in straight sets in an intense semifinal, her 14th consecutive win in that frosty duel. She improved to 14-3 against Azarenka, the last person to beat her last year. Before the semifinals, Williams said there was nothing like being "thrown into the deep end straight away." Having come through those challenges, she thought it was the ideal season-opening tournament. "It was a great test. It showed me where my level was," Williams said, looking ahead to the Australian Open. "Im happy I was able to play both Maria and Victoria, because they brought their A games against me. I know now what I need to do for Melbourne -- I look forward to it." The years first major starts Jan. 13 at Melbourne Park and Williams, who won 78 of her 82 matches and collected 11 titles last year, is positioning herself as the favourite to claim a sixth Australian title after winning a tournament featuring six of the top 10 women. Williams has so many trophies now, she said she doesnt know where they all are -- "some are MIA" -- but that doesnt stop her from collecting more. This was her 58th, including 17 majors. Immediately after the loss, Azarenka said she hopes to face Williams again in Melbourne -- as the top two ranked players, they can only meet in the final. "I cant say Im satisfied today, but I want to take the positive, what Ive done today, and build from here towards the next week," Azarenka said. "This is the first week where you really test yourself where your game is at, and from here you can take the positives and the things that you have to work on and really go after that." Williams earned the first break in the seventh game and hit fired consecutive aces to finish off the first set in 37 minutes. She went up a break immediately in the second set before Azarenka won four straight games to take a 4-2 lead. Williams, who was comparatively silent against a screeching opponent for the second straight night, let out a scream of relief and satisfaction after hitting an overhead winner to break back in the seventh game. And she yelled and pumped her arm again after converting a break in the 11th game with a backhand down line. Serving for the championship, Williams started with two aces -- her 10th and 11th -- and then hit a service winner to set up two championship points at 40-15. She fired an unreturnable serve to finish it off. The Williams sisters were hoping to both win a WTA Tour event in the same week for the first time in 15 years, but Ana Ivanovic prevented that when she beat Venus Williams 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 in the final of the ASB Classic in Auckland, New Zealand. It was the end of a personal drought for second-seeded Ivanovic, who claimed her 12th career singles title and her first since Bali in 2011. Venus Williams was the crowds sentimental favourite after reaching the final of her first tournament since September. After a long struggle with injury and illness, her form in Auckland supported her claim that she is fitter and healthier than she has been in years. The mens final in Brisbane on Sunday will feature two 32-year-old former No. 1s. Top-seeded Roger Federer and Lleyton Hewitt earned three-set semifinal victories to advance, renewing a rivalry that stretches back to the last millennium. Federer beat No. 8-seeded Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 6-7 (3), 6-3 immediately after Hewitts 5-7, 6-4, 6-3 win over second-seeded Kei Nishikori of Japan in sweltering heat topping 40 Celsius (104 F). The pair have met 26 times dating back to 1999, with Federer leading 18-8 including 16 of the last 17. Jamie Langenbrunner Jersey . And thats good news for Canada. Kelly, who plays No. 8 at the back of the scrum, is captain of the Canadian womens team. New Jersey Devils Jerseys . Dwyane Wade took over in the fourth quarter. http://www.devilssale.com/authentic-scot...-devils-jersey/. The 49ers announced the deal Tuesday. San Francisco selected Lloyd in the fourth round of the 2003 draft. Ken Daneyko Jersey . Winners of two straight, the Flames will try to become the first team in 25 years to go three consecutive games without taking a penalty Saturday night in San Jose. Martin Brodeur Jersey . Just ask last seasons Supporters Shield winners, the New York Red Bulls, who were resoundingly defeated last weekend by a rampant Vancouver Whitecaps in a match which produced two contenders for MLS Goal of the Week from Sebastian Fernandez and Pedro Morales.PITTSFORD, N.Y. -- Bills general manager Doug Whaleys patience is growing thin after starting defensive tackle Marcell Dareus experienced his latest off-season setback by failing a pre-training camp conditioning test. "Its cause for concern," Whaley told The Associated Press after the Bills held their first practice -- minus Dareus -- in suburban Rochester on Sunday night. "You always are disappointed when one of your guys isnt ready. But we think hes not far off. So hopefully sooner than later." Whaley then expressed confidence in Dareus, whose string of troubles include drug possession and reckless driving charges in two separate arrests in May. "His mindsets better once hes here," Whaley said, referring to the practice field. "And I think well find out with his actions. And I think hes ready to disprove all this stuff that hes a bad seed." The Bills placed Dareus on the active/non-football injury list on Saturday because the 2011 first-round draft pick did not report to camp in shape, coach Doug Marrone announced shortly before the start of practice Sunday. Marrone declined to say whether he was disappointed in Dareus latest setback. "I just think right now he just needs to focus on getting himself ready, getting on the field, and focusing on football," Marrone said. "And I think thats what hell be ready to do." Dareus was not present for practice and has not been spotted at the teams training camp facility since players began reporting on Friday. Under the observation of trainers, he must now work himself back into shape, and then pass the tests to be cleared for practice. This isnt a good start for a player who has encountered a series of on- and off-field problems over the past seven months. In early May, Dareus was arrested in his native Alabama and charged with possession of synthetic marijuana and drug paraphernalia. Fourr weeks later, he was allegedly racing teammate Jerry Hughes when he crashed his 2012 Jaguar into a tree near a busy intersection not far from Ralph Wilson Stadium.dddddddddddd Dareus was charged with reckless endangerment and ticketed for several traffic violations, including drag racing. The NFL could potentially discipline Dareus for his off-field troubles with a fine or suspension. After the crash, Dareus consulted with Marrone and decided to take two weeks off from voluntary practices. He returned for the teams three-day mandatory minicamp in mid-June, but did not speak to reporters. Dareus troubles date to the end of last season when he was benched for parts of the final two games for breaking team rules. Marrone had previously taken responsibility for mentoring Dareus. "I just want to make sure that Im clear that everyone understands that I believe in Marcell, and I will do everything I can to make sure that we can get him on the right track," Marrone said in June. "Im going to do everything I can to help a 24-year-old man make better decisions." And yet, its unclear whether the player is listening. Even Dareus teammates have publicly expressed concerns over his poor decision-making. Veteran defensive tackle Kyle Williams, last month, said he hoped the car crash was a wake-up call for Dareus. "Hopefully, its to a point where its kind of an epiphany, and he comes alive and turns the corner and does his best," Williams said then. NOTES: LT Cordy Glenn, who is on the active/non-football illness list, watched from the sideline. DT Alan Branch, also on the illness list, did conditioning drills on the sideline. ... LT Seantrel Henderson did not return after being escorted to the locker room an hour into practice. WR Marquise Goodwin also did not return after being escorted off. The Bills had no updates on the players status. 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