Serena Advance in Australian Open
Serena Williams, who has won the Australian Open in alternate years since 2003, had a 6-3, 6-2 win over Yuan Meng of China in 75 minutes in the next match on center court. Williams endured excruciating heat and blinding sun at one end of the court. She let several service tosses drop during one game before shortening her motion, costing her some speed.

NFL Veteran Found Dead
Ten-year NFL veteran Shane Dronett, who was a member of the Atlanta Falcons’ 1998 Super Bowl team, was found dead at his home on Wednesday. He was 38. Officers were called to Dronett’s home near Atlanta on Wednesday morning in response to a possible suicide, according to a statement from the Gwinnett County Police Department. Police spokesman Illana Spellman confirmed Dronett’s body was found at the residence. The medical examiner’s office was examining the body to determine the cause of death. Dronett played at the University of Texas and was a second-round pick by Dan Reeves and the Denver Broncos in 1992. “As a coach, your players are your extended family, and anytime you lose someone it is like losing a loved one,” said David McWilliams, who coached Dronett at Texas and is now director of the Longhorn Letter Winners Association. “I will always remember Shane’s wry smile, his laughter, and the fact that he seemed so full of life. He was a great player, and was one of those rare guys who even liked practice. “It is a shock and a tragedy to lose someone so young.”

TAGS: Atlanta falcons, Australian Open, Serena Williams, Shane Dronett

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