WIMBLEDON -- Her expression -- eyes bulging, jaw dropping -- was one of disbelief. And her stiff-legged walk into the dressing room Friday, after her third-round match was halted by rain just before her second match point, sure looked like one of discomfort.But for Venus Williams, who emerged 72 minutes later and closed out the match at 6-7(7), 6-2, 10-8 over No. 29 Daria Kasatkina to complete seven hours of tennis in about a 24-hour period, her motivation remains resolute.Bring it, said Williams, who will be back at it Saturday in doubles with sister Serena, who also prevailed in three sets Friday.?Of course, I want to win, but Ive got to beat some people before then. So let me try.?Let me try.Dealing with a chronic autoimmune disorder that causes extreme fatigue as well as pain and stiffness in the joints and muscles --?as if being 36 years old isnt challenging enough -- Williams continues to amaze current and former players with her endurance and spirit in her 22nd year on tour.But only a select few can relate to what makes a Grand Slam champion continue to play eight years after winning her last major title, or what she tells herself when its raining sideways and the ache wont go away and the draw isnt as seemingly kind as it is turning out to be here.With the loss of French Open champ Garbine Muguruza on Thursday, Williams became the highest-ranked player remaining in her quarter, giving her legitimate reason to think she can reach her first Grand Slam final since the Wimbledon title match?in 2009.Its not impossible, said John McEnroe.McEnroe, a fellow seven-time Slam champion, also went eight years after winning Wimbledon in 1984 until he retired from the game. While he won two more Slam doubles titles after that, Williams has won six, plus a gold medal with partner Serena at the 2012 London Olympics.Sustaining McEnroe was his return to the Wimbledon final again in 1985 and reaching three more major semifinals, including Wimbledon in 1992, his final year.Williams also reached the Wimbledon final the year after her last title, and she got to the semifinals of the US Open the year after that. But it has been a bit of a drought since then, with two quarterfinals last year capping off a slow uphill climb since her Sjogrens Syndrome diagnosis in 2011.With Williams No. 8 in the world, it is certainly a significant improvement since ending 2011 ranked No. 133, and even in 2014, when she was No. 19. But there is a difference between thinking you can win another Slam and learning to be content as a top-10 player.Shes at that point to me where shes accepted it, McEnroe said. I sort of accepted it. I didnt like the fact that I accepted it, but I was trying to juggle kids and a marriage and I thought, in a way, What else am I going to do? Its still pretty good, all in all, even though deep down in my deepest soul, feeling like probably its not going to happen.But this is where Williams still takes exception. She has played half of her career without a Slam year. But while she may be content playing a game that has awarded her $33 million in prize money alone, she left no doubt from her comments Friday that she is not satisfied if she is not contending for majors.Well, of course its nicer to be in the top 10 than not, she said.?So, yeah, thats good. I want to keep going.?I dont just want to be in the top 10 or the top eight.?Id like to continue and Id like to win majors.But theres a lot of people ahead of me, seven girls ahead of me and thousands behind me that want the same thing.?So every day is, like, focus.Jim Courier, a Hall of Famer who won four Slams in his 12-year career, and retired at 29, went without a title the last six years of his career, fighting injury and failing to get past the fourth round in his last 11 Grand Slam tournaments.But he said until the end, he always thought he had a shot.When I didnt is when I stopped, he said.When it was suggested that all champions know when it is time to retire, Courier smiled.Youd be surprised how strong denial exists within the minds of great players, he said. Venus is part and parcel of not recognizing reality when youre in battle.Facing a 20-year-old qualifier in Maria Sakkari in her second-round match Thursday, and a 19-year-old in Kasatkina on Friday, Williams had moments in both matches where she lost her rhythm, spraying groundstrokes wide on both sides, her knees unbending.But just as quickly, there was the old familiar long-limbed stretch forehand from the five-time Wimbledon champ, and her fastest second serve of the day at 90 mph in the 13th game of the third set.Sometimes its not perfect.?I wish I could be perfect every time, Williams said. I just want to get better.? When youre an athlete, great is still not enough.?You want to be extraordinary and perfect.?If you dont reach that, youre not happy.?I think every athlete here would say that -- the serious ones, at least.Courier said the fact that Williams continues to battle despite her illness is what impresses him most.For someone who has had such a legendary career, she could have very, very comfortably retired and moved onto her design business and anything else she desires because shes obviously bright and interested in a lot of things, he said. But she continues to have the passion to suffer. And thats a very admirable quality. Shes willing to suffer for her craft. And shes suffering more than most for longer than most because of what shes doing. Its something I definitely admire about her.Just let her try.When I walk out there, Im betting on myself every single time, Williams said. Thats what I have to do. Balenciaga Shoes Outlet Uk . Scott Kazmir allowed four hits in seven shutout innings, Michael Brantley hit a two-run homer in a three-run first inning and the Indians maintained their hold on an AL wild-card spot with a 4-1 win over the Houston Astros on Saturday night. Balenciaga Sneakers Buy Uk . The 17-year-old native of Marystown, N.L., pulled out of Skate Canada International last month in Saint John, N.B., with the same problem. http://www.balenciagaoutletuk.com/ . -- In one brief spurt, Brazil turned a close game into a rout and proved again it will be a strong World Cup favourite. Balenciaga Sneakers Discount . -- If Henry Burris has his way, he will be the starting quarterback to lead the Hamilton Tiger-Cats back to the Grey Cup next year. Balenciaga Sneakers Sale Uk . PETERSBURG, Fla. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. -- Shakayla Thomas had 15 of her 20 points in the first half and No. 12 Florida State rolled to a 90-47 win over Jacksonville on Thursday night.The Seminoles (2-1) led 12-2 midway through the first quarter and hit their last eight shots to make it 29-13. Ivy Slaughter made it nine straight to start the second quarter, and Florida State led 46-22 at the half.Florida State, which lost 78-76 to UConn on Monday, made 8 of 11 shots in the third quarter to push the lead to 74-38.ddddddddddddThe Seminoles also got 10 points apiece from Imani Wright and Chatrice White. They ended up at 58 percent (32 of 55), making 7 of 10 behind the arc, which was better than the 19 of 34 from the foul line (56 percent).Sherranda Reddick had 17 points for the Dolphins (2-1).Since the 2012-13 season, FSU is 23-3 against teams from Florida. ' ' '