Offtopic/fun » solved.ddddddddddddather than set any major ta

When Venus Williams pushed one last forehand long to lose in the first round for the first time in her record five Olympic singles tournaments, her opponent celebrated as if having claimed a gold medal, dropping down on the green hard court to plant a kiss on the white five-ring logo.This was clearly a very big deal to Kirsten Flipkens, a Belgian ranked 62nd and only once as far as the semifinals at a Grand Slam event.Just two points away from winning on four occasions while portions of the crowd turned hostile toward her, the 36-year-old Williams faded as Saturday nights match stretched past 3 hours and she was stunned 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 (5) by Flipkens on Day 1 of tennis at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics.The 36-year-old American -- owner of four gold medals and seven Grand Slam titles -- labored at times and showed frustration by shouting Ridiculous! after one point Saturday.Afterward, Williams did not speak to reporters. Instead, U.S. womens tennis coach Mary Joe Fernandez did, saying that Williams was sick before arriving in Brazil. Fernandez added that Williams had cramping, dehydration and an upset stomach after her loss, but still hoped to play doubles Sunday with younger sister Serena.I would be highly surprised if she didnt play, because this has been her goal for the last four years -- to come back to the Olympics, Fernandez said. She wants to win a medal so badly in anything. Knowing Venus, she will be out there, no matter how badly shes feeling.Williams owns four gold medals: one in singles and three in doubles. She owns 21 Grand Slam titles: seven in singles, 14 in doubles. But she labored at times Saturday and even showed frustration by shouting Ridiculous! after dropping one point.With U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry watching, the fifth-seeded Williams was broken while serving for the victory at 5-3. She was two points from a win four times but could not close out Flipkens, who is ranked 62nd and reached the semifinals of a major tournament only once.Williams was coming off a run to the semifinals at Wimbledon last month, her best showing at a major since 2010. That also made her the oldest woman since 1994 to reach a Grand Slam tournaments final four. And it helped her attain her best ranking since revealing in 2011 that she had been diagnosed with Sjongrens syndrome, which can cause joint pain and fatigue.Shes used to not feeling 100 percent with her Sjongrens, and I think thats why we saw her compete and fight to the end, Fernandez said. ?Credit to Flipkens, who hung around and defended so well and made her play extra shots.Williams is the first tennis player to participate in singles at five Olympics, and never had failed to reach at least the third round before, claiming a gold at the 2000 Sydney Games. She also won doubles golds in 2000, 2008 and 2012. But against Flipkens, who was making her Olympic debut, Williams failed to find the right measure on most of her strokes and wound up with 13 fewer winners on courts that competitors agree are playing slowly. Williams, once possessor of one of the best serves in womens tennis, hit one ace, five fewer than Flipkens.This is just one of the most epic matches in my life, Flipkens said.The fans couldnt seem to settle on which woman they wanted to win. They greeted Williams far more loudly and warmly during prematch introductions, although perhaps that was because of her far-greater name recognition. Later, though, they roared when Williams made mistakes. They clapped when she double-faulted. They even gave her grief for the common and innocuous practice of catching a ball toss that wasnt good.When one group of spectators bellowed a USA! USA! chant late in the third set, others responded by booing (Kerry had left by then).They just enjoyed my game because, I think, Im a little girl trying to do some special stuff to get a chance to beat a champion like that, Flipkens said. Wholesale Nike Shoes For Sale . I cant pinpoint a date, but I do remember a player from my youth. Brian Downing was with the Chicago White Sox at a time when I listened to every game I possibly could on the radio. That particular season the late great Harry Caray was calling the White Sox games. Nike Shoes Outlet China . Supported by three-run homers from Jayson Werth and Wilson Ramos, the young right-hander went seven strong innings in the Washington Nationals 8-4 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday night. http://www.nikeshoesoutletwholesale.com/nike-air-vapormax-sale/vapormax-flyknit-cheap.html . The CFLs leading rusher kept adding to his gaudy numbers this season and scored the winning touchdown with just over two minutes to play. 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While her three-year-old stakes campaign was stymied by a worse-than-expected injury, Heartlings is ticking all the boxes to make a sound return to racing at four.Trainer Kerry Parker says she has put her injury issues behind her ahead of Saturdays Fugen Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill.Parker still holds Heartlings in the high regard which prompted him to run her in the Group One Vinery Stud Stakes, two Group Two races and a Group Three during the autumn carnival.While she failed to make a major impression on those races, the reason for her underperformance was originally suspected to be a foot abscess which turned out to be a more serious injury.She had to have an operation on a pedal bone in her hind foot, Parker told AAP.Its taken a while to get over that and re-grow that foot.Parker said the big-framed mare also had her fair share of issues with her knees bbut they appear to be solved.ddddddddddddather than set any major targets for the preparation, Parker said getting Heartlings back to the winners circle was his first priority.Its a little bit harder now shes a four-year-old, Parker said.When youve got a three-year-old filly thats bred like she is you can aim at an Oaks.With her two wins coming at 1400 and 1500m, Heartlings shapes as a horse who can build into her preparation.Shes not as wound up as she was first-up last time, he said.Shell improve on whatever she does Saturday.Heartlings is a $15 chance to resume a winner with Brisbane trainer Tony Gollan hoping $4.20 favourite Salmanazar can be his first Sydney winner since he established a base at Rosehill earlier in the year. 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