Williams, Dementieva set for Rogers Cup rematch

Fans that enjoyed the last Serena Williams-Elena Dementieva showdown will be treated to a second helping – this time, on the hardcourt.
Williams and Dementieva both won their quarter-final matches Friday at the $2-million (U.S.) Rogers Cup, setting up a rematch of their memorable showdown at Wimbledon in July. Williams won that three-set marathon 6-7 (4), 7-5, 8-6 in a match that took nearly three hours to play.
Williams, who went on to capture the Wimbledon title, is expecting a similar challenge in Saturday's semifinal.
"I think it'll be a great match," said Williams. "She is obviously a great player, and our last match was really insane. I love playing her."
Dementieva remembers the match fondly – and hopes a chance in surface will help her exact some revenge.

Venus or Serena Williams for US Open title?

Will Venus Williams' surprisingly poor post-Wimbledon performances damage her prospects at the U.S., which begins Aug. 31? Probably a lot more so than for her sister, Serena, who seems be able to turn the victory spigot on and off at her pleasure.

Venus last won the U.S. Open in 2001, a year in which she played 11 matches leading up the final Slam in New York, winning 10 and gaining titles at San Diego and New Haven. She had heavy momentum going into the that Open, where she took down her sister in the final. A year later she was undefeated in 13 post-Wimbledon matches and reached the final at the Open, where she lost to Serena. Again, a lot of play, a lot of match toughness and a strong Open.

Camp Confidential: Ravens seek to be excellent

If the Baltimore Ravens want to take the next step and build off a stellar 2008 season, there is only one place left for this team to go: Super Bowl XLIV in Miami.
The Ravens are coming off a competitive AFC Championship Game loss to the reigning champion Pittsburgh Steelers, so optimism abounds in Baltimore.
The Ravens feel they finally found their franchise quarterback in Joe Flacco. They have an energetic coach in John Harbaugh who quickly brought the team back to prominence, and the defense was rated second in the NFL last season behind Pittsburgh.
Based on the record-setting turnout in Westminster this summer for training camp, Ravens fans are clearly buying into Baltimore's rosy outlook as a title contender. But for the Ravens to position themselves to make a run, they must first address several key issues.

Plaxico's new prison coach

Plaxico Burress’(notes) brief says a prison advisor is preparing the previous Super Bowl star for life behind bars.
Benjamin Brafman informs the New York Post in a story published Saturday the ex-New York Giants wide receiver is getting advice on “how to use his period of confinement as productively as possible.”
The 32-year-old Burress pleaded guilty Thursday to one count of attempted criminal possession of a weapon. He had accidentally shot himself in the thigh at a Manhattan nightclub in November.
His plea deal calls for a two-year prison term. He is to be sentenced Sept. 22.
Prison consultants have become increasingly popular among celebrities and other high-profile people facing incarceration.
Burress caught the last-minute touchdown that gave the Giants the 2008 Super Bowl championship.
Information from: New York Post, http://www.nypost.com

The Japanese have just originated a new games

This is pig rodeo.
Someone should just alert PETA.
Oh! wait! PETA only deal with high profile celebrities to get their names in the gossip columns.