NEWS » s will be much more rested than they were before

Mason, OH (Sports Network) - World No. 1 Serena Williams needed all three sets to win her second-round match Wednesday at the $2.37 million Western & Southern Open, a hardcourt U.S. Open tune-up. Following an opening-round bye, the reigning U.S. and French Open champ lost the opening set against qualifier and rising Canadian Eugenie Bouchard before charging back for a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 decision at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. The American needed 1 hour, 47 minutes to advance, which she did with the help of seven aces and six breaks of serve. Bouchard is currently ranked No. 62 in the world. Williams, fresh off her title in Toronto last week, will encounter German Mona Barthel in the third round on Thursday. Meanwhile, sixth-seeded former French Open runner-up Sara Errani of Italy snuck past Slovenian qualifier Polona Hercog 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 and seventh-seeded former Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova fought off qualifier Marina Erakovic of New Zealand 6-4, 6-7 (7-9), 6-3. Ninth-seeded German and 2012 Cincy runner-up Angelique Kerber beat Russian Alisa Kleybanova 7-6 (7-3), 6-2, while 11th-seeded former U.S. Open champion Samantha Stosur of Australia handled American Jamie Hampton 6-3, 7-6 (7-3). Stosur was the titlist in Carlsbad two weeks ago. Also on Day 3, 12th-seeded Italian Roberta Vinci held off German qualifier Andrea Petkovic 6-4, 6-7 (3-7), 6-3 and the aforementioned Barthel vanquished 16th-seeded Russian Maria Kirilenko 6-4, 6-4. This weeks winner will earn $426,000. The tournament is part of the U.S. Open Series, or the North American hardcourt events that lead up to the U.S. Open, which will commence August 26. Todd Ewen Jersey .com) - Manchester City midfielder David Silva is expected to miss the next four weeks because of a calf problem. Nick Ritchie Jersey . PAUL, Minn. https://www.cheapducks.com/ . - After leading the Saints to a fourth playoff appearance in five seasons, Drew Brees expressed confidence in the direction of his team and, perhaps more importantly, showed a willingness to listen to contract proposals if the team needs his help getting under the NFLs salary cap. Korbinian Holzer Jersey . The Cincinnati Reds remain perfect with their speedy rookie outfielder in the starting lineup. Max Comtois Jersey . LOUIS -- St. The NSW Swifts must break through two big historical barriers to overcome arch-rivals Queensland Firebirds in the trans-Tasman netball Australian conference final.Despite their record as a netball powerhouse, the Swifts have surprisingly lost all 10 matches theyve ever contested in Brisbane, including last years epic grand final which was decided by one goal at the death.Its just as well that Mondays big match wont be won on paper as Swifts fans will be further concerned to learn the Firebirds have never lost a finals match in Brisbane.First though, the New Zealand conference final will be contested on Sunday, with the unbeaten Southern Steel hosting Waikato-BOP Magic in Invercargill.Magic are the only one of the 10 teams to have made each of the nine finals series, but they will start as underdogs against a Steel side that scored 10-goal wins over them in both regular season clashes.The Firebirds are the first defending champions from Australia to make it back to the finals the following season.Theyve done it just in time, with the competition finishing in its ninth year and being replaced in 2017 by separate tournaments in Australian and New Zealland.dddddddddddd.The Swifts can take heart from the fact they won their last scrap with the Firebirds in late May in front of a competition-record crowd of 13,314 at Sydneys Qudos Bank Arena.The two teams met at the corresponding stage of last years tournament, but the Swifts will be much more rested than they were before the 2015 Australian conference final.They lost to the Firebirds by 11 in Brisbane, less than 48 hours after winning a home elimination game.We had to play on the Friday night and then had to travel Saturday and play the Sunday lunchtime, Swifts goal attack Susan Pettitt recalled.That was obviously an experience and something that was very difficult for us to do, turning around in that quick a time to match up against the Firebirds, who are a quality side.Weve had an eight-day turnaround (this year), so its a little bit longer than a normal week.Mentally and physically its an advantage to have the whole week to prepare to get our bodies right from the last game and to work on things we want to work on. ' ' '