ERST LESEN! » s staff. Benkert was eligible to pl

LONDON -- On the several occasions the question surfaced earlier this fortnight, Serena Williams batted it out of the air like one of her 120 mph aces.What would it mean to collect a 22nd Grand Slam singles title and reach the Open era record of Steffi Graf?Williams, who has been hearing variations on this reoccurring theme for a full year now, has developed an impenetrable defense: essentially, no comment.I dont know, she said Thursday after reaching her ninth singles final here at the All England Club. My goal has never been 22. I dont talk about that anymore.After Saturdays emphatic 7-5, 6-3 victory over Angelique Kerber, let the conversation begin. Its Serena and Steffi, long since retired, in a dead heat. Only Margaret Courts all-time record of 24 is beyond them.With an easy forehand into an open court to win the match, Williams fell dramatically, almost cartoonishly, backward to the grass. When she popped up, she flashed the victory sign -- two fingers on each hand -- and positively beamed.And there, intrepid reporters, was your answer regarding the elusive 22.I have definitely had some sleepless nights, if Im just honest with a lot of stuff, Serena said. Coming so close. Feeling it, not being able to quite get there.But, you know, it makes the victory even sweeter to know how hard I worked for it. ...Its obviously a great relief.She was already the oldest woman to win a Grand Slam singles title in the Open era, which came a year ago at Wimbledon. Now, Williams, nearly 35, adds a year to that. This is her ninth major title after turning 30 -- far and away best total ever. Court and Martina Navratilova had three each.It is worth noting that Serena has now reached the final at seven of the past eight Grand Slams. For the record, No. 1 Novak Djokovic is six for his past seven.It was a composed, controlled performance by Williams in front of some of her favorite people, including sister Venus, Beyonce, Jay Z and Ellen DeGeneres.After winning four consecutive majors to reach 21, Serena found herself in a holding pattern. She lost in the semifinals of last years US Open (surprisingly, to Roberta Vinci), then to Kerber, the 28-year-old German, in the Australian Open final and Garbine Muguruza in the recent French Open final.Now, 5? months since losing to Kerber Down Under, she is over that formidable hump.Well, this tournament I came in with just a different mind frame and mindset, Williams said. I knew in Melbourne I thought I played well, but honestly Angelique played great, she played better. She just played really good tennis.So I knew that going into this one, I just needed to keep calm, be confident, just play the tennis that Ive been playing for well over a decade.Serena thus defended her title here and became a seven-time Wimbledon champion, tying Graf and Dorothea Lambert Chambers for third on the all-time list behind Navratilova (nine) and Helen Wills Moody (eight). This one came, incredibly, 14 years after the first, in 2002, as a 20-year-old.?Williams up-to-the-minute list of major trophies: six at the Australian Open, three at the French Open, seven at Wimbledon and six at the US Open.The last time two women met in two Grand Slam finals in the same year? A decade ago, when Amelie Mauresmo beat Justine Henin in Melbourne and Wimbledon. Kerber was hoping to do the same to Serena.Kerber, a better mover, consciously tried to push Serena around and attack her backhand. Aces aside, a formidable breeze favored Kerbers ability to adjust on the fly.The two punched and counterpunched their way to the brink of a first-set tiebreaker, but two loose errors from Kerber gave Williams two set points. A majestic backhand, deep and in the corner, was too good for Kerber to return. That unleashed a screaming Serena, who suddenly seemed to want this very much.With Williams serving the seventh game of the second, a break point -- the first of the match -- suddenly appeared. Serenas response was a 117 mph ace, followed by a 124 mph ace -- a quick end to any thoughts of giving in to Kerber.Serena finished in a blur, winning the last eight points.?I think I played what I could today, Kerber said in her postmatch interview. I can just say, I mean, Serena was serving unbelievable today. At the end I was trying everything, but she deserved it today.Yeah, I mean, I think I was not the one who [lost] the match. I think she won the match.Maybe this is the rivalry womens tennis has been aching for? Williams will be No. 1 exiting this tournament (for the 177th consecutive week), and Kerber will be No. 2.And now those snarky scribes have a whole new line of questioning to investigate: How long before Serena Williams passes Courts all-time record of 24 majors? It could happen as soon as next years Wimbledon -- or perhaps sooner.The Rev. Margaret Court, watching from the Royal Box, was more than a casual bystander.Going forward, there will be much discussion about Serena equaling Courts 24 majors.?No, not for me. Ive learned a lot about 22, Serena said. I learned not to get involved in those debates and conversations. I just learned to just play tennis. Thats what I do best.Shaquille ONeal Heat Jersey .com) - The game was all punts and field goals before Kodi Whitfields catch. Tim Hardaway Heat Jersey . 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Let us know which side youre on for UFC 167 use the hashtag #TeamLynch or #TeamJC on Twitter.CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Matt Johns will be Virginias starting quarterback on Saturday at Georgia Tech.Coach Bronco Mendenhall made the announcement Monday, saying that Johns, who started every Cavaliers game last season, will replace struggling transfer Kurt Benkert.The Cavaliers (2-8, 1-5 Atlantic Coast Conference) lost their fifth straight on Saturday, 34-14 against Miami. Benkert fumbled the ball away twice after halftime, and Johns replaced him with about five minutes to play.Mendenhall was effusive in his praise of Johns for his leadership all season, even after losing the starting job.Im genuine, authentic when I say this, Mendenhall said. He is an amazing human being and a really good player and a good leader. I think our team recognizes that and no one wants success for him more than his teammates.The coach says Benkert, who has started the first 10 games this year, has reached the point of needing to take a step back after his recent struggles. He has thrown for 20 touchdowns, but also 11 interceptions, and has struggled under pressure, which has been plentiful. Virginia has allowed 31 sacks.I think its the best thing for our team. I also think its the best thing to do for Kurt, Mendenhall said. I think hell grow and develop more by playing this role for a little bit, and I have to let Matt have his chance. Hes done way too much for the program.Linebacker Zach Bradshaw, like Johns a senior, believes the team will get a boost from the switch.Obviously we love both Kurt and Matt, and Matts been around forever ... he sttarted last year, Bradshaw said.dddddddddddd Im really happy for him that he has this opportunity. If theres anyone on the team that deserves it, its him, especially being put in the situation that he was put in, he hasnt complained once.Johns threw for 20 touchdowns with 17 interceptions last season as Virginia finished 4-8. His interception total led the nation, and when the stronger-armed Benkert arrived as a transfer from East Carolina, he was a better fit with the up-tempo offense preferred by Mendenhall and his staff. Benkert was eligible to play immediately because hed earned his degree and he won the starting job.Johns had only been in games as the holder on field goals before Saturday, and threw a touchdown pass on a fake field goal against North Carolina. He was 3 for 7 and had three passes dropped against the Hurricanes.Johns was not made available to the media on Monday, but after the loss to Miami, said he remains on board with what Mendenhall is trying to build at Virginia. The Cavaliers have not been to a bowl game since 2011.The culture is changing, and thats something you see on the inside of the walls, not something you see from the outside looking in, he said after the game. Moving forward, the culture will be established and coach Mendenhall has done a great job of that.---More AP college football: www.collegefootball.ap.org---Follow Hank on Twitter: www.twitter.com/hankkurzjr ' ' '