Kim Clijsters, having already whipped up on one of the Williams sisters at this year’s U.S. Open, will get her shot at the other. Clijsters, who returned to the pro circuit this year after getting married and having a baby, defeated Venus Williams in the fourth round of the Grand Slam. Her next hurdle will be to face defending champion Serena Williams, who’s now in the position to defend family – and personal – honor.  “She’s such a great person and I, like, only wish the best for her. But not in the next match,” said Serena, who improved to 23-1 in Grand Slam singles matches this season by beating No. 10 Flavia Pennetta of Italy 6-4, 6-3 Tuesday night. Williams and Clijsters both have 12-match winning streaks at the U.S. Open. Clijsters won the first seven en route to the 2005 title, the last time she played in New York, and now has five this year, the last a 6-2, 6-4 win against 18th-seeded Li Na of China. “I’m glad I got through it again, stayed focused on my game,” Clijsters said. “I wanted to be aggressive and I think that’s what helped winning those important points today.”

The world’s former No. 1 tennis pro, Kim Clijsters, defeated Venus Williams in the fourth round of the U.S. Open Sunday, and by the sound of the crowd, it seemed as though the match took place in Belgium rather than in New York. When Clijsters spanked American Williams in the first set 6-0, the crowd roared its approval, and as Williams roared back to return the favor, winning 6-0 in the second set, the crowd grew silent. Coming down the stretch, as Clijsters appeared poised to snatch the match, which she eventually did 6-4, the crowd found new life, cheering her on loudly. “Thank you guys so much for helping me,” Clijsters told the crowd, when she had provided the latest and strongest evidence that she is back for real by beating Williams by the mood-swinging score of 6-0, 0-6, 6-4 in the fourth round. Clijsters, returned to the pro tennis circuit last month at age 26, after delivering a baby girl, Jada. “I think so many people can relate,” said Lynch, a New Jersey native and former professional basketball player. “How many woman in the world have a child and try to make it work with their career?” Earlier in the day, Venus’s little sister, Serena, defeated Diana Hantuchova of Slovakia, 6-2, 6-0, to advance to the next round.

Both Serena and Venus Williams have advanced to the third round of this year’s U.S. Open. The second-seeded Serena was near perfect, whipping the 51st-ranked Melinda Czink of Hungary 6-1, 6-1 Wednesday night. “I definitely made adjustments,” Serena said. “I knew her game better today.” If she is to go on to win the tournament, Serena would capture her fourth U.S. Open championship and 12th Grand Slam singles title overall. She would also become the first woman to win consecutive titles at Flushing Meadows since elder sister, Venus, in 2000-01. In what is becoming a regular showdown, the sisters could face off in the semifinals. Third-seeded Venus Williams won earlier Wednesday, eliminating Bethanie Mattek-Sands of the United States 6-4, 6-2. “I’m still playing well and I feel I’ll continue to play better as the rounds go on,” she said. “I’m trying not to make this injury a factor at all.” The Williams sisters will join forces Thursday in the first round of doubles, taking on Julia Goerges and Arantxa Parra Santonja.

Tennis wonders Serena and Venus Williams are looking to own a chunk of the NFL Miami Dolphins. The duo are currently in negotiations with team officials to secure a deal, Reuters News reported Wednesday. “There have been preliminary talks and hopefully it will work out,” Serena Williams told reporters after her second round win over Kazakhstan’s Yaroslava Shvedova at the Toronto Cup. “That would be a great opportunity for both of us. We’ll see what happens, you never know.” If the deal were to go through, the Williams sisters would join musicians Jimmy Buffet and Gloria and Emilio Estefan, who became minority partners in the team earlier this year. Buffett, owner of Margaritaville Enterprises, signed a deal in May, which includes the team’s stadium being renamed after his LandShark Lager beer for the 2009 season. The Williams, who live in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, are not described as big NFL fans but view the Dolphins as a vehicle to promote themselves. “Venus and I are always trying to expand our brand,” said Williams. “If the opportunity presents itself we would love to see where it can take us. “Hopefully we’ll be able to expand our brand.”

Richard Jefferson Joins Spurs
In a move that allowed the Milwaukee Bucks to lop off a major chunk of its weighty payroll, the team sent high-flying swingman Richard Jefferson to the San Antonio Spurs for three aging hoopsters. In return for Jefferson, who is due $29.2 million in the final two years of his contract, Milwaukee got Bruce Bowen, Kurt Thomas and Fabricio Oberto, all of whom had expiring contracts. The Bucks then sent Oberto to the Detroit Pistons for forward Amir Johnson. It appeared to be a move that benefited all sides involved. By unloading Jefferson’s fat salary, Milwaukee has more leeway to add other important components, while the Spurs added instant offense. During his single season with the Bucks, the 29-year-old Jefferson averaged 19.6 points. “His age helps us transition our team into a new era,” Spurs general manager R.C. Buford said.
Venus Advances at Wimbledon

Venus Williams, her eyes set on a sixth Wimbledon title, overcame a stumble or two Tuesday to defeat Swiss player Stefanie Voegele 6-3, 6-2. But once Williams found her footing, she won 14 consecutive points to help take a 5-1 lead.  She improved to 51-4 at the All England Club since 2000, when she won the title for the first time.

Venus Williams, who won her 40th singles title Saturday by whipping France’s Virginie Razzano in the finals match of the Dubai Tennis Championship, stood up for an Israeli player who was denied entry into the tournament by the United Arab Emirates. “I felt like I had to talk about her [Shahar Peer],” Williams said during the presentation of the prize. “I thought it was brave of her to come here and try and play despite knowing that it is not going to be easy for her. My dad grew up in an area where if you spoke too much, it was your life. So I felt I had a small opportunity to say something where everyone will listen. I am not here to rock any boat or upset people, I am just here to do things that are right, and I think right things are already happening next week and right things will happen next year,” Williams added. “Obviously, Andy Ram got his visa, so I’ll be happy to come and defend next year. If everyone is not given the equal opportunity to play, I’d rethink but I love this tournament. They really care about the players.” Williams only reached the semifinals in Dubai in 2002, but she got after Razzano this time around, defeating her 6-4, 6-2.

Kevin Johnson will hold court as mayor. Barack Obama isn’t the only Black man to make political history in last week’s elections. Ex-Phoenix Suns star Kevin Johnson was voted Sacramento’s first Black mayor. Johnson, who specializes in community development, was once among the NBA’s most talented point guards. He convincingly defeated incumbent Heather Fargo in the mayoral race. Like Obama, “KJ,” as he was called on the court, faces the task of reversing an enormous financial deficit. Sac-town is reportedly $58 million in the hole.

Venus Williams wins WTA Championships. Venus Williams is the first American to win the Sony Ericsson WTA Championships since her sister Serena took the title in 2001. Williams beat Vera Zvonareva in the final win, as her younger sister sat out the remainder of the tournament due to injury. “It was a hard fought match right down to the end,” Williams says. “I am so excited. I wanted it so bad.” Williams’ $1.3 million prize in the tournament moves her past Martina Navratilova into fourth place as top tennis money-makers.

Top tennis player wins competition in Switzerland.

Venus Williams has her second singles tennis championship of 2008 after beating Italy’s Flavia Pennetta Sunday in Switzerland. The Zurich Open title is Williams’ first since she won it as a teenager in 1999. “I love the pressure,” Williams says of winning. “I need it in my life.” The player also defeated her sister Serena for the Wimbledon women’s singles title this year.Infection leads to UNC center’s amputation. Kenny George’s college basketball career is likely over after the 7-foot-9 player lost part of his foot. The UNC Asheville center suffered from a staff infection during the summer, resulting in several surgeries reportedly necessary to save George’s life. Removing part of his right foot was necessary to heal the player, doctors say. “This just breaks our heart,” says Dave VanderMeulen, George’s high school coach. “I’ve talked to Kenny and he’s dealing with what kind of mountain he’s facing and reflecting on what could have been…his parents are trying to keep his spirits up, but they are devastated, as any parents would (be) whose child lost part of a limb.”

Willie Horton celebrates 66^th  birthday. Baseball great Willie Horton celebrated his 66^th birthday this weekend in what is observed as “Willie Horton Day” in Michigan. The seven-time All-Star and retired Detroit Tigers player is honored every year on Oct. 18 after being recognized in state legislation. Apart from his talent as a player, Horton became known as a concerned community activist. Horton was among city leaders who worked to quell disturbances during Detroit’s 1967 race rebellion.

Josh Howard on YouTube controversy: “That’s not me.”

A contrite Josh Howard says he’s sorry for offending fans and hopes to win them back after he was caught on video dissing the national anthem. Howard can be seen on YouTube video at fellow NBA player Allen Iverson’s celebrity flag football game this summer as the “Star Spangled Banner” is performed, saying: “I don’t celebrate that s–t. I’m Black.” Howard has since changed his tune, claiming that he was joking. “I know that’s not me,” he says. “I love this country. If it wasn’t for this country, I wouldn’t be out here playing basketball. For me to have that opportunity is the greatest.” He adds that he attended military school and that the widely viewed video doesn’t represent him. “That’s not Josh Howard,” says the Dallas forward. “That was an idiot.” Howard insists that he’ll win back any fans he’s lost. “Whatever it takes for me to do it, I’m going to do it,” he says.

Tennis phenom holds court in Germany. Venus Williams has moved into the second round of the Porsche Grand Prix after beating Anna-Lena Groenefeld. Williams is appearing in the German tournament for the first time in 10 years. “She hit some great shots, but my experience helped me,” Williams says of her Tuesday win. She ranks as a sixth seed in the competition and will next face Katerina Bondarenko.

Sports camp organizer said to have conned parents out of cash. The same Michigan man who cops had to help escape an angry crowd at a high school football game this week has been arrested. Anthony Bolden, 48, allegedly conned parents out of $17,000 by accepting cash from parents of youth who’d hoped to participate in a University of Michigan football camp. Cops say Bolden took the money, then wrote a bad check to cover the camp’s expenses. Parents were forced to pay a second registration fee in order to have their children attend the camp. Bolden is charged with five counts of larceny and has 40 criminal complaints pending against him.