s 65 percent).She clocked her second-lowest average fir

LONDON -- Her champions heart still beat with life and hope. Venus Williams had played through seemingly endless deuces. Swatted away break points. A burst of energy got her to deuce one more time, and she capitalized by walloping a desperate inside-out forehand winner.Then Williams opponent did her part. Angelique Kerber, up a set, missed a service return and saw her second-set lead trimmed to 3-2. Williams still had a chance. She might still find a way to win this Wimbledon semifinal.Williams trudged to her chair, breathing through parted lips. She sat, a blank look on her face. She popped the red plastic cap on her water bottle, took a sip. She closed her eyes, as if something she didnt particularly care to read were written in the air in front of her. The message might have been: Youre 36 years old. Youve had a great run. But all good things come to an end.Trailing 3-2. So close, but so far. It had cost so much effort. Her legs had stood her in good stead through five matches, providing sufficient spring to launch wicked serves, explosive first steps, on-a-dime changes of direction and minor midpoint stance adjustments. Now they were flagging as she faced Kerber, an extremely clever ball striker.The 28-year-old German knew exactly what she wanted to do. She was aware of Williams age. She knew Williams suffers from an autoimmune condition that causes fatigue and joint pain. She knew her opponents history at Wimbledon.?Kerber said she was too busy taking care of things on her own side of the net to notice if Williams was a little slow or tired.I know that she played long matches, in the first week especially, Kerber said after she eliminated Williams 6-4, 6-4 on Thursday in an hour and 12 minutes. I was trying to moving her. That was the plan. That is always the plan when you play against Venus, because when she have the ball on the racket, yeah, she just hits the ball from left to right, and you just run.Kerber, the No. 4 seed, has had trouble handling the pressure of her status as a Grand Slam champion after her breakthrough win at the Australian Open in January. The versatile left-hander had no trouble curbing the stress Thursday.Ever stoic, 8-seed Williams refused to blame fatigue -- or any factor but Kerbers proficiency -- for the loss: She played so well. Just credit to her for playing well. Second [Grand Slam] final of the year. It shows shes doing something right.It was clear from the outset of the match that almost two full weeks of work, often under circumstances that might have warranted extra pay for the wet, hazardous conditions, had finally taken a toll on Williams. The first week, overflowing with stops and starts, was as emotionally wearing as it was sloppy and fitful. Williams passed grueling three-set tests in the second and third rounds (her win in the latter took two hours and 24 minutes). She celebrated with a pair of knockout wins in the next two rounds to reach the semis.Williams and Kerber both struggled to serve early in Thursdays match. Kerber, whose second serve is vulnerable, admitted she was feeling the jitters. Williams took advantage. Kerber is an excellent returner. Williams, whose serve is usually explosive, lacked spring in her legs. Kerber took advantage.I dont know what was the problem, Kerber said. I think we both were returning very well at the beginning of the first set. I mean, I was a little bit nervous when I go out there because I was trying to playing my best tennis.Williams quickly went two breaks down in the first set. She never led in the match. Her fatigue is written all over the stat sheet:Only 15 percent of her serves went unreturned -- her lowest number in her six Wimbledon matches this year.She won by far her lowest percentage of first-serve points (57 percent; next lowest was 65 percent).She clocked her second-lowest average first serve speed.She didnt hit a single service-return winner.She produced her worst performance of the tournament in rallies lasting longer than nine shots. Williams won just two of nine such points; in her opening match, she won 11 of 19.Still, Williams dug in and earned back one of those first-set breaks. She pressed hard when Kerber served for the set at 5-4 but just didnt have enough power to break through. Discouraged, Williams gave up an early second-set break. She staved off a rout with that hold in the 3-1 game, but the American was unable to keep Kerber from rolling to the win.I played against a lot of great opponents. I had a lot of tough matches. Its not easy out there, Williams reminded reporters afterward. Reflecting on the threat she posed for so long in this tournament at her age, she added, Yeah, in life there is no such thing as impossible. Its always possible. Thats what you feel as an athlete. Pretty much our job is to make the impossible happen every day. Its like magic, you know. I like that. Custom Blackhawks T-shirts .Y. -- Knicks coach Mike Woodson said Wednesday that J. Blackhawks Jerseys China . Takahashi, who had a 10-point lead after the short program, received 268.31 points after the free skate to finish 15 points ahead of second-place Nobunari Oda. http://www.customblackhawksjersey.com/ . The 28-year-old from Calgary matched his career best after missing just one shot in his two rounds of shooting in the mens 10-kilometre sprint competition. Smith finished in 23 minutes 15. Wholesale Custom Blackhawks Shirts . "I dont know that were close," said general manager Alex Anthopoulos. "I just think, right now, the acquisition cost just doesnt work for us right now. I dont know if I can quantify how far off or things like that that they might be but I would say we continue to have dialogue. Custom Blackhawks Jerseys . Their experience showed Tuesday as the No. 10 Badgers blunted a Saint Louis surge to win 63-57 and advance to face West Virginia in Wednesdays finals of the Cancun Challenge.Max Verstappen admitted he surprised himself with his stirring qualifying debut for Red Bull in Spain - suggesting he hasnt even yet found the limit of his new car. Verstappens early steps in F1 since the beginning of 2015 have been surrounded by plenty of fanfare and the 18-year-old threatened to top all that had gone before as he led new team-mate Daniel Ricciardo until the final part of qualifying, with Red Bull unexpectedly proving Mercedes closest challengers at Barcelona.Although three-time race winner Ricciardo won the battle for third in Q3 with a stunning late lap of his own, Verstappen still stayed ahead of the Ferraris for a career-best fourth on the grid. Having never driven the RB12 before Friday practice following his sudden promotion from Toro Rosso last week, the Dutchman said: To be honest, I didnt know what to expect. But it was very positive - thats for sure.I never thought about that because for me qualifying was just about enjoying it and getting the feeling with the car. It worked fine. Max Verstappen enjoyed his first qualifying in a Red Bull car, but was not getting carried away after securing a fourth place at Barcelona Asked what he had expected, Verstappen replied: I expected completely nothing. I was just thinking about myself jumping in the car and from there onwards see what happens.Ricciardo eventually out-qualified him by 0.4 seconds, but Verstappen says his pace so far in the car is clearly not the limit as I still dont know where the limit is.Qualy report: Lewis on pole, as Bulls stun FerrariYou should see it as the first winter test day because its a completely different car, he added. You always make a lot of progress [from there].Asked if his team-mates late surge to third had left him even slightly frustrated, Verstappen replied: Absolutely not, I was very pleased with my first qualifying.dddddddddddd I was enjoying it a lot and I think we both pushed each other, which is very good for the team.With Red Bulls 2016 renaissance kicking up a gear on Saturday, the teams second-row lockout makes them favourites to at least claim the final podium finish behind Mercedes in Sundays race. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner was amazed to have both drivers finish ahead of Ferrari in Spanish qualifying At 18 years old, Verstappen - whose best F1 result is fourth place so far - would replace Red Bull predecessor Sebastian Vettel as the sports youngest-ever podium finisher were he to end up in the top three on Sunday. The German was 21 when he set the record in 2008.However, despite potentially being on the brink of history, Verstappen is keeping his feet on the ground.I never start dreaming, he said. I just focus. [The race] is all about a clean start, a clean first lap and from there hopefully we have a good pace.Watch the Spanish GP live on Sky Sports F1. The race starts at 1pm on Sunday, with build-up underway at 11.30am. Or watch the race without a contract for £6.99 on NOW TV. Every race live in 2016 Sky Sports F1 brings you every race live in 2016. Fast and easy online upgrade - click here. Also See: Spanish Qualy: Lewis back on pole VOTE: Which driver line-up is best? ' ' '