Serena Still Hanging in Australian Open Three-time Australian Open champ Serena Williams has advanced to  face No. 8-seed Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia in the quarterfinals after he opponent withdrew Sunday after an apparent battle with heatstroke. Victoria Azarenka, the 19-year-old from Belarus, started the match strong, defeating the normally powerful Williams 6-3 in the first set. “I feel so bad; she was playing so well,” Williams said in a brief interview with Australian television. “She can’t risk it, so I hope she did the right thing. She’s obviously playing really well and has so many other Australian Opens out there for her.” Azarenka began to cry, covered her face with her left hand as she walked toward the net and retired from the match. Williams was there to meet her as the crowd cheered supportively. Azarenka was then helped off court, still distraught, by two officials. No details of her condition were immediately available, although the tournament director, Craig Tiley, said that she had been ill the night before.

It’s a Philly Affair in Memphis Former 76ers guard Lionel Hollins, who took over as head coach of the Grizzlies after replacing another former Sixer Marc Ivaroni, attempted to have two other former Philadelphia Sixers join him on the bench as coaches: Johnny Davis, a former Sixers coach, and Maurice Cheeks who was Hollins backcourt mate back in the day and the most recently fired Sixer head coach. Initially, Cheeks indicated that he would join Hollins, but he recently declined the offer. “But he decided he wanted a little more time to himself,” Hollins said. “I certainly understand that. He’ll have opportunities later.” The Philadelphia Daily News reports that Hollins said he wanted two experienced men with him ”who will have huge responsibility, who have the right to stop a practice and coach because they know what to look for. I’m not egotistical. I know basketball, but I also know the value of having good people around you.”

Philly fires Mo Cheeks. Maurice Cheeks, whose Philadelphia 76ers has failed to muster a winning record after making the playoffs last season, was fired Saturday. The front office had hoped that by acquiring power forward Elton Brand and extending swingman Andre Iguodala – to the tune of $80 million apiece – and giving another $25 million to guard Louis Williams, that the team would be competitive in the East. However, after reaching a disappointing 9-14, Cheeks became a casualty in a city starving for an NBA championship. Ironically, Cheeks, a graduate of West Texas State, led the 1983 76ers to the NBA championship, the last time the feat was accomplished in Philadelphia. 

NFL season begins tonight. The Giants hope to defend their Super Bowl title as the NFL officially begins its regular season today. Meanwhile, New England is among top contenders, Adam “Pacman” Jones will try to show he’s worth his welcome back into the league from

suspension, and Chad Ocho Cinco, formerly Chad Johnson, will likely do his best impression as the Dennis Rodman of football. Keep up with all the action by visiting BET.com.

Clippers’ Brand signs with 76ers

After publicly saying he would return to the Los Angeles Clippers, forward Elton Brand signed a five-year, $80 million deal with the Philadelphia 76ers. Does this mean Baron Davis won’t sign as well? Playa Hatter has the latest.

Shaq, Shaunie O’Neal may be reconciling

Just weeks after he infamously rapped that “Kobe ratted me out, that’s why I’m gettin’ divorced,” an NBA star is cozier with his estranged wife. Shaquille O’Neal, whose “free-style” dis of league MVP Kobe Bryant was broadcast on TV and splattered across Web sites, has been spotted recently with Shaunie O’Neal, from whom he began divorce proceedings months ago. The couple reportedly spent the Fourth of July together in the Cayman Islands. A photo showing Shaunie in a bathing suit as she reclines against a resting Shaq is Exhibit A. The Phoenix Suns center rapped at a New York nightclub last month in reference to Bryant’s NBA championship loss and his reported statements to Colorado cops about Shaq’s affairs when Bryant was accused of rape.

Alonzo Mourning Charities won’t face lawsuit
Attention NBA veterans: The Wynn Las Vegas Casino doesn’t play. The luxury gambling and hotel resort that recently threatened retired baller Charles Barkley with criminal charges over a betting debt has decided to drop a lawsuit against player Alonzo Mourning’s non-profit. Miami Heat center ’Zo’s charity allegedly failed to pay the Wynn in full for a convention bill during last year’s All-Star Week. The casino had first named the NBA, mistakenly it claims, along with Alonzo Mourning Charities, in the $50,000 suit. But spokeswoman Jennifer Dunne says the Wynn’s debt was paid last week, nixing the Clark County District Court action. ’Zo had used the Wynn for a charity pool tournament and silent auction.