Amid all the turbulence that is Serena Williams swirling life, remarkably, one thing hasnt changed for 183 consecutive weeks: her status as the WTAs No. 1-ranked player.On Feb. 18, 2013, Williams quietly regained that status from Victoria Azarenka, and despite all the dramatic shifts and twists in her recent tennis trajectory, the 34-year-old hasnt relinquished that lofty position.But looming this week in Cincinnati is a credible threat to her long run at No. 1.After a shocking early exit in the Rio Olympics, Williams surprised many tennis observers by accepting a wild card into Cincinnati, which is a Premier 5 event for women.Monday, she abruptly announced she was pulling out of the tournament.Im very disappointed Im not able to compete in the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, as I was really looking forward to defending my title, Williams said in a statement. My shoulder inflammation continues to be a challenge, but I am anxious to return to the court as soon as possible.If No. 2-ranked Angelique Kerber wins the title in Cincinnati -- a reasonably plausible outcome given the shape of the draw -- she would become the new No. 1. Hows that for late summer drama heading into the US Open?If Kerber doesnt win the Western and Southern Open, Williams would still be in position to set the all-time record for consecutive weeks at No. 1. From 1987-91, Steffi Graf put together a streak of 186 straight weeks. If Williams wins the US Open, she would break two gargantuan Graf marks in a single swoop. The two are currently tied with 22 Grand Slam singles titles, the Open era record.Its difficult to assess the state of Williams game following her third-round loss to Elina Svitolina at the Olympics.For starters, she has played only three matches since winning Wimbledon. In Rio, Serena was serving well below her typical speeds and appeared to be nursing a shoulder injury. Emotionally, she seemed to be struggling the same way she did at last years US Open, during which she saw her bid for a single-season Slam evaporate in the semifinals.If Williams had played in Cincinnati, in the event of a Kerber title, she would have needed to get to the quarters to stay at No. 1. That might have been dicey, given that she could have met dangerous Karolina Pliskova in the third round. Pliskova (360 aces) and Williams (260) are first and second among WTA players.Kerber is in form, having reached the Olympic final before falling to Monica Puig. Earlier this year, Kerber won her first Grand Slam singles title -- beating Williams in a three-set final at the Australian Open.Sixteen of the top 20 women are scheduled to play in Cincinnati, and one that bears particular attention is No. 4-ranked Simona Halep. She won the title in Montreal before skipping the Olympics, citing health fears.So while Williams, Kerber and most of the other top players traveled to Rio and back -- some encountered long travel delays -- Halep was working out with coach Darren Cahill and trainer Gil Reyes. Will that chance to reset give her an advantage in Cincinnati and, going forward, in New York?The more pressing question, of course, is Serenas situation going into the US Open, an event she has won six times. In addition to that singles loss in Rio, there was a devastating doubles failure, too. Serena and older sister Venus had won all 15 of their career Olympic doubles matches and had brought home three gold medals. But in the first round, they fell to the Czech Republic team of Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova 6-3, 6-4.For years, the Williams sisters have defied the gravity that eventually brings down 30-something professional tennis players. But that doubles defeat dramatically underlined the concept that their time of invincibility is past. Hard to believe, but Venus and Serena have a combined 70 years on the planet.Serenas first turn on top came more than 14 year ago, in 2002, when she supplanted Venus. Between then and now, 10 different women have occupied the No. 1 spot. In that time, Kim Clijsters and Justin Henin retired not once, but twice. Lindsay Davenport and Amelie Mauresmo also moved on.Serbs Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic are still playing, but their reign lasted only a combined 29 weeks. Caroline Wozniackis lasted 18 weeks. And whatever happened to Dinara Safina? The two No. 1s before Serena -- Azarenka (pregnant) and Maria Sharapova (serving a drug ban) -- are both out of tennis at the moment.Serena, meanwhile, has rolled along for 3? years. In a weeks time, that magnificent run at No. 1 could be over. China NFL Jerseys . JOHNS, N. China Jerseys Cheap Authentic . After slipping from the summit during the week, the Gunners overcame struggling Crystal Palace 2-0 on Sunday thanks to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlains second-half brace. http://www.chinajerseysatwholesale.com/ . The Swede became the first golfer to win the PGA Tours FedEx Cup and European Tours Race to Dubai in the same season. "It is still taking a little time to sink in what Ive achieved this week as was the case when I won the FedEx Cup but then it just kept getting better and better as the days went on and I am sure this will be the same," he said. Wholesale China Jerseys . Still, Brewers manager Ron Roenicke thought taking him out before the fifth inning was an unusual move. "Im looking up at the board and hes got two hits given up and one run, and Im taking him out after the fourth inning," Roenicke said. China Jerseys . The Australian is competing in his final season in Formula One and still looking for his first win this year. He will look to end Vettels run of six straight race wins on Sunday. Webber, who is fifth in the championship, earned his second pole from the past three races and 13th of his career. OTTAWA -- The offensively challenged Buffalo Sabres are expected to get a boost with the return of center Jack Eichel to the lineup when they visit the Ottawa Senators at Canadian Tire Centre on Tuesday.The 20-year old star missed the teams first 21 games with a high ankle sprain suffered the day before the season opener.You just want to get back to playing, Eichel told The Buffalo News after practice Monday. Thats what you trained for all summer. You prepared for it, and its tough that the season starts a little bit later for me. Im just excited for it.The Sabres (7-9-5) have lost their last two games while continuing to have troubles putting the puck in the net, averaging a league-low 1.81 goals per game. Eichel, who scored 24 times and added 32 assists as a rookie last season, will likely take a regular shift between wingers Evander Kane and Sam Reinhart.The Senators (14-7-1) are not exactly what the doctor orders for teams will scoring deficiencies these days. Theyre coming off a 2-0 victory in New York against a Rangers team that leads the league with 3.70 goals per game. It was Ottawas fourth win in a row, all with goalie Craig Anderson working between the pipes.Anderson allowed just five goals in the four games to capture the NHLs first star of the week honors for the second time this month.There is a strong chance hell miss Tuesdays game to be with his wife Nicholle, who is battling throat cancer. That would mean Mike Condon would likely get the start against Buffalo.You use (playinng) as a moment in time to do something positive with your teammates, Anderson told reporters at Madison Square Garden after Sundays shutout, the 36th of his career.dddddddddddd Hockey is one of those things where its the same as if a (person) is feeling frustrated and they go to the gym to get a hard workout in. This is my way to vent and take all my energy and use it to do something good. Its staying in the moment. At that moment time stops and worry about life and other stuff after.Former Senators goalie Robin Lehner is expected to get the start in goal for Buffalo. In five games against his old team, Lehner has a 2-0-2 record with a .956 save percentage and a 1.30 goals against average.This will be the teams third meeting this month. The Sabres defeated the Senators 2-1 in Ottawa on November 5, when wingers Kyle Okposo and Reinhart scored third period goals.The Senators won 2-1 in Buffalo on Nov. 9 when winger Bobby Ryan scored the decisive goal in a shootout.Along with Andersons sterling play, the Senators have shown a new dedication to playing defense this season. As of Monday, they were third in the league in blocked shots, a stat that pleases coach Guy Boucher to no end.When youve got Erik Karlsson, who is the best offensive defenseman in the world, being No. 1 in shot-blocking in the NHL, you know your team is going in the right direction, said Boucher. Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jersyes Cheap Basketball Jerseys Cheap NHL Jerseys cheap jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys Cheap Jerseys From China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '