WIMBLEDON -- So close, yet so far. Its the least appropriate expression to apply to the career of Serena Williams. Its also the most accurate description of her present state as she reboots her drive to equal Steffi Grafs record 22 Grand Slam singles titles in the Open era.With her No. 1 ranking on the line at this tournament for the first time in a long while, Williams subdued Swiss qualifier Amra Sadikovic on Centre Court in swirling winds in an hour and 14 minutes 6-2, 6-4.These are strange times for Williams. She is living multiple dilemmas. They are mostly of her own making.Its partly because Williams walked away from the 2015 season after absorbing that historic loss to Roberta Vinci at the US Open and has only played five tournaments so far this year.Williams has more Grand Slam match-wins over the past three Grand Slam events than any other WTA player (17). Yet the titles went to Flavia Pennetta, who celebrated her triumph at the 2015 US Open by calling it a career, Angelique Kerber, who reacted to winning this years Australian Open by slumping badly, and, most recently, French Open champ Garbine Muguruza.So close, yet so far. Its unfair, but Williams failures in finals are magnified by their historic significance. If she had just 15 majors, losing a final at age 34 would earn her plaudits. But shes on Graf like a backpack, so the shortfalls are epic.I think more or less about winning Australia, Williams said after the match. I think about winning the French Open. Didnt happen. I think about winning Wimbledon. I dont necessarily think about winning 22.Mentally Ive been further down than anyone can be. Well, maybe not anyone, but Ive been pretty low. Theres nothing thats not mentally too hard for me.The losses have created a narrative propelled by the concept of pressure. Some blame Williams failures since the Vinci match on that component. They have their reasons, even if they tend to go light on the age-related factors or the quality of some of Williams opponents.Its a glass half-empty, half-full kind of thing, Tracy Austin, Tennis Channel commentator and former US Open champion told ESPN.com after Williams won Tuesday. People are asking, Whats wrong with Serena? Well, nothing. Shes still getting to finals. And she still has many opportunities.The most important thing is how she looks at it. What shes feeling, and I dont think any athlete is ever going to be 100 percent open about that.If Williams felt any pressure, she didnt show it in her opening match. On the other hand, her opponent was one of the two players in the singles (the other is British ATP sensation Marcus Willis) who was, until recently, feeding balls to kids as a teaching pro at a tennis club.Sadikovic, 27, tried the pro game but grew frustrated and disillusioned two years ago. She took a long break and only returned when she saw how well a similar program worked out for fellow countrywoman Timea Bacsinszky. Sadikovic is an athletic 6-foot-1 with good mobility, some tricky slices and spins and a big serve -- but not as big a Williams.While Williams hit more double faults than aces (5-4), she lost just seven points when she put her first serve in. Her returns was far superior to Sadikovics, accounting for four breaks.She plays an old-school grass-court game, Williams said. I knew that going in. Once I knew that, Im really ready. I was ready for it.So Williams has hit the reset button once again. Repeated failures tend to raise repeated questions. Is she obsessed with the singles record and feeling the pressure to equal Graf? What does she need to do to accomplish that?According to Austin, its simply a matter of relaxing and playing her game on the surface on which she feels most comfortable.I would be lying if I said I feel fresh, but I dont feel fatigue, Williams said. I dont think I feel fresh, but I feel real hungry, super-motivated, extremely ready to do the best.Maybe shes not so far after all. Nike Air Max 270 Free Shipping . LOUIS -- Heading into the final stretch of the season, the issues for the Chicago Bears banged-up defence only seem to be getting worse. Discount Nike Air Max 270 . -- Aaron Murray threw for 408 yards and three touchdowns, ran for another score, and led No. http://www.cheapnikeairmax270.com/ . Aside from the trilogy main event title fight, there are a number of intriguing matchups in the heavyweight, welterweight and lightweight divisions. Cheap Nike Air Max 270 China .S. hockey team after paying his dues as an NHL general manager for more than three decades and giving up a lot of his free time to help USA Hockey. Nike Air Max 270 For Sale Cheap . Louis Rams wide receiver Stedman Bailey last Sunday. The fine is the fourth this season for Goldson. He was fined $30,000 for a hit on the New York Jets Jeff Cumberland in Week 1. CLEVELAND -- LeBron James missed Cavaliers practice on Tuesday to give a deposition in a lawsuit involving former players union executive Billy Hunter.James, who serves a vice president in the union, was one of several players deposed. Hunter sued the union for wrongful termination and is seeking $10.5 million in salary and benefits. He claims he was undermined by the union during the 2011 lockout.Hunter was fired during the 2013 All-Star Break. A court ruled in 2014 that the union was within its rights to dismiiss Hunter.ddddddddddddJames was elected to his union position in 2015. Cavaliers forward James Jones was also deposed in the lawsuit.Cavs coach Tyronn Lue said he believed James deposition was held in Northeast Ohio. Lue said James will return to the team and start on Wednesday, when the Cavs host Portland.The defending NBA champion Cavs lead the Eastern Conference with a 10-2 record. ' ' '