Serena Williams Survives to Win Her Fifth Wimbledon Title

An elated Serena Williams defeated Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 to win her fifth Wimbeldon title. (Reuters)

Many wondered if Serena Williams would ever play tennis again. Serena endured a rash of injuries over 18 months that left that thought lingering. However, she overcame the injuries and doubts to return to the court. A return to Wilbledon seemed like the perfect remedy for Serena's past aches.

Serena stormed through her competition to reach the final. She seemed like the overwhelming favorite. After all, Serena was a 13-time Grand Slam singles champion. She was set to face Agnieszka Radwanska, a 23-year-old from Poland, in her first major final.

Serena dominated the first set, winning 6-1. Radwanska battled back in the second set. She forced error after error out of Serena. Williams let her nerves and emotions get the better of her, and she lost the set 7-5. In the decisive third set, Radwanska continued her strong play, gaining a 2-1 advantage in the set. But something suddenly changed in Serena's demeanor. It was as if she flipped a switch. Williams hit four consecutive aces. She never looked back from there as she won the set 6-2.

After sealing the win, Serena fell flat along the baseline with her head in her hands. She then ran into the stands and embraced her family. The family members who were there to encourage her as she fought to comeback. Serena and her sister Venus finished the day off perfectly as though won yet another doubles title.

This is Serena's 14th Grand Slam singles title, which is the most of her generation. It is also her fifth Wimbledon title matching Venus' total. In fact, the Williams sisters have won ten of the last thirteen Wimbledon singles titles and five doubles titles. Furthermore, they have combined for a total of 21 majors. The remaining active players have only won a combined 16.

The Williams sisters have truly dominated and transformed women's tennis. But they aren't done yet. Serena made sure to remind us of that today. When all the momentum seemed to be going the way of Ranwanska, Williams reminded us of how amazing she has been all these years. Even though they might be getting older and the bodies might be wearing down, these sisters still now how to dominant the sport. Serena and Venus are still a force to be reckoned with, so you better not forget about it.

Roberto Luongo Discusses Possibility of Leaving the Canucks

In a radio interview on Vancouver's 99.3 the Fox, Roberto Luongo revealed what he has been thinking about the future. (Danny Moloshok)

Many people having been talking about Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo's upcoming appearance in the World Series of Poker. Friday night, he was on the air with Vancouver's 99.3 the Fox to discuss his poker game. When the conversation turned to hockey and his future, Luongo didn't keep a straight poker face. In fact, he laid all his cards out on the table.

Luongo announced over the air, "I think it's time to move on. And I'm okay with that. I had a great six years in Vancouver. It's a really wonderful city. I really enjoyed my time there. Unfortunately, I was not able to bring a Stanley Cup there. Probably my greatest regret. But it'll be remembered for six great years."

In six seasons with the Canucks, Luongo did help lead them to the playoffs five of those years. But he had only 32 wins in 61 playoff games with a 2.53 GAA and a .916 save percentage. The fact that the Canucks signed backup netminder Cory Schneider to a three-year, $12 million deal seems to provide additional evidence that Luongo might be on the way out.

When asked about where he would want to go, Luongo said that there were lots of great cities to play in. However, he gave special mention to Chicago. The Blackhawks definitely seem to be a team he likes. Luongo also said he is open to returning to the Florida Panthers, where he played for five years before coming to Vancouver. One last trade destination that is buzzing among fans and experts alike is the Columbus Blue Jackets. Their disgruntled star Rick Nash wants out as well. A straight-up trade would be unconventional and unlikely, but certainly a possibility.

I believe the decision by Luongo to move on to somewhere else is the proper decision. The window seems to have closed on this Canucks team. Their defeat in the first round to the eight seed Los Angeles Kings is just further evidence of this. While I doubt Luongo wants to go to Columbus, the Blackhawks seem to be a very reasonable possibility. The Blackhawks have the type of pieces available to provide adequate return. If I am reading Luongo's poker face correctly, I believe the Blackhawks is the team he wishes to join.

Throwback Nationals Rally to Sweep Giants

Adam LaRoche celebrates as he watches Bryce Harper cross home plate for the game-winning run Thursday night. (Evan Vucci)

The San Francisco Giants came to Washington to play a three game series against the Nationals in what was hailed as a battle of division leaders. The city was buzzing with talk of a possible playoff preview. Both teams were well aware of the importance of the series, and the respect that could be gained from it.

Tuesday's series opener saw Jordan Zimmerman take the mound for the Nationals. Zimmerman hoped to benefit from the sudden run production he received in his last start. Meanwhile, the Giants countered with Tim Lincecum. Lincecum's struggles earlier this season have been well documented, but he appeared to be turning things around following two of his best starts of this season. Unfortunately for the Giants, that trend ceased to continue.

The Nationals hitters hit Lincecum hard. Danny Espinosa, Jordan Zimmerman, and Adam LaRoche all had RBI doubles. Ian Desmond followed that up his 14th home run of the year. From there, things only got worse for the Giants. In all, Lincecum lasted only 3 1/3 innings and gave up eight runs on nine hits. Zimmerman took care of the rest as the Nationals rolled to a 9-3 victory.

The Giants had to think things would turn around for them on the Fourth of July. After all, they had Madison Bumgarner on the mound, who was one of baseball's best pitchers in the month of June (5-0, 2.42 ERA). The Nationals, on the other hand, were simply hoping Edwin Jackson would bounce back from a terrible outing at Colorado. The Giants struck first off Jackson. In the top of the first inning, Pablo Sandoval hit a bomb to center field to increase the Giants lead to 3-0.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Nationals tied things up following a double by Ryan Zimmerman and a single by Ian Desmond. From there, the Nationals took the lead on a combined three home runs by Jhonatan Solano, Zimmerman, and Michael Morse. In five innings of work, the Nationals tagged Bumgarner with seven earned runs. The Giants tried to rally, but Rick Ankiel sealed the deal with a two-run homer off Giants reliever Clay Hensley to make the Nationals lead to 9-4. The Nationals held on to win by that margin.

Thursday's series finale took the players, fans, and even the groundskeepers back to 1924. The teams paid tribute to the 1924 World Series between the Washington Senators and New York Giants. Both teams donned the historic jerseys, and there was an added aura of the historicity to the great American pastime. With the game underway, Giants starter Matt Cain appeared to be in cruise control. It helped that Melky Cabrera and Angel Pagan combined for five RBIs to give him 5-1 lead going into the seventh inning stretch.

However, momentum started to sway when Ian Desmond and Danny Espinosa hit back-to-back solo shots off Cain to trim the Giants lead to 5-3. Giants closer Santiago Casilla came in the bottom of the ninth with just a one run advantage. Pinch hitter Tyler Moore led the inning off with a double. Steve Lombardozzi attempted to sacrifice, but an error by Casilla led to first and third, no one out for the Nationals. Bryce Harper singled home Moore to tie the game and Lombardozzi went to third.

Ryan Zimmerman was intentionally walked to load the bases. Michael Morse grounded into a fielder's choice as the throw came home to nail Lombardozzi at the plate. So the bases remained loaded, but now with one out. Adam LaRoche hit a ground ball to second for what should have been a routine inning-ending double play. The Giants got the second out at second base, but shortstop Brandon Crawford bounced the throw to first in the dirt. First baseman Brandon Belt couldn't come up with it, and LaRoche was safe at first, which allowed Harper to score the game-winning run.

The Nationals completed the sweep of the Giants. This series is yet another reminder that this team is for real. They are young and may not have everything figured out, but they are finding ways to win ball games. It will be exciting to watch the Nationals as the look to keep their excellent play going in the second half and the push for the postseason.