LONDON -- Serena Williams insisted she was not focused on No. 22.Said she wouldnt discuss it.Kept coming close without quite getting it.Now she finally has it. And so she can flaunt it.Williams lifted both arms overhead and raised two fingers on each hand right there on Centre Court to show off the magic number after winning her record-tying 22nd Grand Slam title by beating Angelique Kerber 7-5, 6-3 in the Wimbledon final on Saturday.Definitely had some sleepless nights, if Im just honest, with a lot of stuff, Williams said. My goal is to win always at least a Slam a year. It was getting down to the pressure.She pulled even with Steffi Graf for the most major championships in the Open era, which began in 1968. Now Williams stands behind only Margaret Courts all-time mark of 24.This was Williams seventh singles trophy at the All England Club -- only Martina Navratilova, with nine, has more in the Open era -- and second in a row. The victory at Wimbledon a year ago raised her Grand Slam count to 21, where it remained until Saturday.Its been incredibly difficult not to think about it. I had a couple of tries this year, said Williams, who went back on court a few hours later to win the doubles title with older sister Venus. But it makes the victory even sweeter to know how hard I worked for it.There was a stunning loss to Roberta Vinci in the U.S. Open semifinals in September, ending Williams bid for a calendar-year Grand Slam. Then losses in finals to Kerber at the Australian Open, and to Garbine Muguruza at the French Open.Time heals, said Williams coach, Patrick Mouratoglou. By losing, you realize things.In the rematch against the fourth-seeded Kerber -- the first time in a decade two women met to decide multiple major titles in a single season -- the No. 1-ranked Williams came through. This goes alongside six championships at the U.S. Open, six at the Australian Open and three at the French Open.The 34-year-old American did it, as she often does, with nearly impeccable serving. She slammed 13 aces. She won 38 of 43 first-serve points. She faced just one break point -- at 3-all in the second set, representing Kerbers only real opening -- and shut the door emphatically with aces at 117 mph and 124 mph.There was more that Williams did well, though. Much more. Facing the left-handed Kerbers reactive, counter-punching style, Williams dictated exchanges and compiled a 39-12 edge in winners.Williams hammered second serves that floated in at 75 mph, breaking once in each set. She volleyed well, too, winning the point on 16 of 22 trips to the net, including a tap-in on match point. Soon, she was wrapping Kerber in a warm embrace, then holding up those fingers to symbolize 22.I was trying everything, but she deserved it today. She really played an unbelievable match, said Kerber, who hadnt appeared in a major final until beating Williams in Melbourne. I think we both (played) on a really high level.Kerber, a German who knows Graf well, defeated Venus in the semifinals and hadnt dropped a set until Saturday. But she could not keep up with the trophy on the line, although it was a high-quality final that was tighter than the scoreline might indicate.Played a good match, Kerber said. That makes it a little easier for me.Later Saturday, Williams earned a second piece of hardware when she and Venus defeated Timea Babos and Yaroslava Shvedova 6-3, 6-4 for their sixth doubles trophy at Wimbledon and 14th from all majors.In singles, Williams got better as the tournament went along, taking the last 12 sets she played after dropping a tiebreaker to open her second-round match against Christina McHale. After that set, Williams smashed her racket and flung it away, drawing a $10,000 fine.There had been some thought that Williams was really stung by her loss to Vinci in New York, that it was too big a disappointment to push aside and lingered, somehow, when she followed with the setbacks against Kerber and Muguruza.If anything, I was able to show resilience that, no, thats not going to shake me, youre not going to break me, Williams said, its going to make me stronger.So, Williams was asked Saturday, is she already thinking about No. 25, to surpass Court?Oh, God, no, Williams said. One thing I learned about last year is to enjoy the moment. Im definitely going to enjoy this.---Follow Howard Fendrich on Twitter at http://twitter.com/HowardFendrichWholesale Shoes Authentic . -- San Francisco 49ers linebacker Ahmad Brooks was fined $15,570 by the NFL on Wednesday for his hit on Saints quarterback Drew Brees last Sunday. Wholesale Nike Shoes . 24 Baylor in a Big 12 clash between teams trending in opposite directions. Andrew Wiggins made 10-of-12 from the foul line and scored 17 for Kansas (14-4, 5-0 Big 12), which capped a stretch of four straight games against ranked opponents unscathed. http://www.wholesaleshoesusa.com/ . The scientists believe the small earthquake during a Marshawn Lynch touchdown was likely greater than Lynchs famous "beast quake" touchdown run three years ago, which also came against New Orleans during a playoff game. China Shoes 2020 . Perez, 35, posted a 1-2 record with a 3.69 earned-run average in 19 relief appearances last season. His season ended Aug. 9 due to a torn ligament in his left elbow. Perez joins infielder Andy LaRoche and catcher Mike Nickeas with minor-league agreements for 2014 that include invitations to attend spring training. Fake Shoes 2020 . Westbrook has missed 27 games since having a procedure on Dec. 27 to deal with swelling in his injured right knee — the third operation on the knee in nine months. The regular season-opener between the Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens features a pair of starting quarterbacks who used to share the same sideline.While they represent a contrast in styles, the players share a common goal of getting their franchises on track after disappointing 2015 campaigns.Baltimores Joe Flacco suffered a season-ending left knee injury Nov. 22 against the St. Louis Rams and the Ravens never recovered, finishing 5-11. Buffalos Tyrod Taylor is building off the best year of his career, but the Bills missed the playoffs for the 16th consecutive time -- the longest drought among active teams.Taylor spent 2011-14 as Flaccos backup in Baltimore before leaving to take the starting job in Buffalo. Ravens coach John Harbaugh lauded his former players development and his ability to manage the game.He has made himself into an NFL quarterback, Harbaugh said. His quarterback rating last year was very high (99.4). He did it with his legs, certainly, but that is not to take away what from what he has done with his arm and his mind. He operates an offense extremely well. He manages the game very well. He is an accurate thrower. He makes good decisions. The added element of the fact that is he is probably one of the best athletes in the game just makes him a real weapon.Taylor learned a valuable lesson in what it takes to win, serving as Flaccos understudy in the Ravens Super Bowl XLVII victory. Taylor valued his time in Baltimore, but he was ready to lead an offense.They knew I wanted an opportunity to get a chance to start, or just to compete, for a starting position, Taylor said. I wouldnt turn that down and they wouldnt have wanted me to turn it down either. Im happy with how things turned out.Flacco, who will wear a brace to protect his surgically repaired left knee, had a strong training camp and appears fully ready to re-take the reins. He returns with the most playmakers hes had over his past eight seasons in Baltimore.The Ravens signed Mike Wallace to provide another downfield threat. Breshad Perriman, a first-round pick in 2015, is expected to make an impact after missing all of llast season with a knee injury.dddddddddddd Finally, rookie Chris Moore, a fourth-round pick, could also play a big role.One of the toughest challenges for Flacco will be ensuring his receivers get enough touches, especially with Steve Smith back after a season-ending torn Achilles tendon in 2015.I think I have a good relationship with all of those guys, Flacco said. They understand that its about winning football and team football around here. Theyre all going to get their chances. Some games they might not get as many as others.Flacco could have two rookies starting on the left side of the offensive line with tackle Ronnie Stanley and guard Alex Lewis. The Bills will likely try to aggressively exploit that inexperience ... if they can figure out how to fix their pass rush.Last season, the Bills had the second fewest sacks in the league (21) behind Atlanta. The pass rush didnt get much better in the preseason as Buffalo managed just four sacks in four games.On offense, Buffalo did the top rushing attack in the NFL last season, and that unit could help control the clock against the Ravens.Bills coach Rex Ryan also has some familiarity with the Ravens, spending nine seasons on their coaching staff, including four years as defensive coordinator. Ed Reed, the Bills assistant defensive backs coach, is in Baltimores Ring of Honor and is regarded as one of the best safeties in the history of the NFL.Those guys do a phenomenal job of getting player that like fit a certain system, that love play the game, that are passionate about it, and thats exactly what were trying to build here in Buffalo, Ryan said about the Ravens.The Bills could get a boost with the return of safety Aaron Williams, who returned to practice after missing almost a month with a concussion. He provides effective support for Bills cornerbacks Stephon Gilmore and Ronald Darby.Baltimore will be without linebacker Elvis Dumervil, who had offseason foot surgery and has not been able to practice since Aug. 29. ' ' '