miaowang123: But that doesnt mean the others arent a threat

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ROME -- Serena Williams kept the crowd from being a factor in a 6-3, 6-0 victory over 10th-seeded home favourite Sara Errani to win the Italian Open for the third time Sunday. Trent Brown Patriots Jersey . Errani was bidding to become the first Italian to win the tournament in nearly 30 years but the top-ranked Williams quickly took control in both sets and Errani appeared slowed by a left thigh problem. Errani left the court for an injury timeout while trailing 5-3 in the opening set and came back with her thigh bandaged. On the final point before she left the court, Errani pulled up and let a shot from Williams pass by her without even attempting to get to it. "Im sorry. You were unbelievable all week," Errani told fans during the victory ceremony, as she brushed back tears. "I tried to do my best and stayed on the court only for you." Williams other Rome titles came in 2002 and last year -- and she went on to win the French Open on both occasions. "Im also sorry for Sara today," Williams told the crowd in Italian. "She really played great all week." Later, seven-time champion Rafael Nadal was facing Novak Djokovic in a No. 1 vs. No. 2 meeting in the mens final of the last key clay-court tuneup for Roland Garros, which starts next weekend. A left thigh problem prompted Williams to withdraw before her quarterfinal match at the Madrid Open last week but now she appears back on track for the French. "Im not 100 per cent but Im just kind of going on adrenaline," Williams said. Organizers attempted to whip up patriotic fervour by having the Italian anthem sung before the players walked out onto the court, and fans continuously chanted "Sara, Sara" to try and encourage Errani in an atmosphere that more resembled a Davis Cup or Fed Cup setting. But Williams jumped out to a 3-0 lead and while Errani had a few chances to get back into the first set, Williams overpowered the Italian with her serve -- she had seven aces to Erranis none -- and overall attacking game. Still, Errani could console herself by becoming the first Italian runner-up in the tournament since Raffaella Reggi took the 1985 title in Taranto. The last Italian man to win was Adriano Panatta back in 1976. When former Italian player Lea Pericoli asked Errani during the trophy presentation if she was "disappointed" with her showing, the crowd responded with boos and whistles. Pericoli then acknowledged that Erranis appearance in the final was an accomplishment by itself. Injury permitting, Errani was slated to play the doubles final later with partner Roberta Vinci against Kveta Peschke and Katarina Srebotnik. It was the 60th title of Williams career, and a large portion of those trophies have come in recent years for the 32-year-old American. Martina Navratilova holds the record with 167 titles and Williams needs seven more to match Billie Jean King for sixth place on the all-time list. "Im like a fine wine, I guess -- at least my tennis is," Williams said. "My game gets better with age." Jeremy Hill Patriots Jersey . The Blueshirts hope to stay alive once again when they host the Pittsburgh Penguins in Sundays Game 6 battle at Madison Square Garden. Isaiah Wynn Patriots Jersey . The biggest collapse in franchise history was a long time ago, and he was too busy trying to make sure it didnt happen again.ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. -- The worlds former No. 1-rated female boxer has signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship, setting up a possible bout between two of the top global women athletes. UFC President Dana White tweeted last week that Albuquerque fighter Holly Holm has agreed to terms with the worlds largest mixed martial arts promotion. Holm also posted on her website that she signed with the UFC. Talks between the 32-year-old boxer turned mixed martial arts fighter and the UFC had stalled for months with both sides exchanging public criticism. Terms were not disclosed. Last year, Holm announced her retirement from boxing to focus on an MMA career. She has a 33-2-3 record as a boxer and iss 7-0 as an MMA fighter. Kenny Britt Jersey. Fans hope Holms signing means an eventual fight with UFC womens bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. Holm told UFC.com that although she wants to fight Rousey, she knows she has more MMA training to do. "Theres a lot to work on in MMA, and obviously I want to work on armbar defence, not just for Ronda, but for all the girls," said Holm. "Rousey) is not the only one that has more of a ground game than me. A lot of people do, but obviously shes the best at it right now. But that doesnt mean the others arent a threat as well." It was still unclear when Holm will make her UFC debut. She is recovering from a broken left arm. Cheap Hawks Jerseys Cheap Celtics Jerseys Cheap Nets Jerseys Cheap Hornets Jerseys Cheap Bulls Jerseys Cheap Cavaliers Jerseys Cheap Mavericks Jerseys Cheap Nuggets Jerseys Cheap Pistons Jerseys Cheap Warriors Jerseys Cheap Rockets Jerseys Cheap Pacers Jerseys Cheap Clippers Jerseys Cheap Lakers Jerseys Cheap Grizzlies Jerseys ' ' '