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LONDON -- For 2 1/2 hours, Venus Williams traded big serves and hard groundstrokes with Petra Kvitova on Centre Court. Williams was playing with some of the power and pace that had brought her five Wimbledon titles. But when it was over, she was left with a sense of disappointment. "The battle is always a little more enjoyable when you win," Williams said Friday after coming within two points of victory but losing 5-7, 7-6 (2), 7-5 to Kvitova, the 2011 champion. All four of their previous meetings went to three sets and this one was no different, with plenty of suspense, intensity, and only a few break points. Williams looked stronger early in the match and was up 5-4, 15-30 on Kvitovas serve, in the second set. But the Czech came up with some big serves, held and won the second set tiebreaker. The players then held serve for the first 11 games of the third set before Kvitova broke No. 30 Williams for the first time in the last game. "Its a shame there had to be a loser in this match and more of a shame that it had to be me," Williams said. Despite the loss, Williams had reasons to feel positive about her week in London. At the age of 34, she has been playing well this season, winning a title in Dubai and reaching the final in Auckland and Miami. This week, she got to the third round at a Grand Slam tournament for only the second time in her past 10 appearances. After her battle with Kvitova, she reiterated that retirement is not in her plans. More than that, Williams still believes in her ability to add to her total of seven Grand Slams. "People have been trying to retire me since I was like 25. For some reason in tennis we always do that to our players. Its weird," said Williams, who disclosed three years ago that she was diagnosed with an energy-sapping autoimmune disease. "We dont encourage them to stick around," she added. "Its like, Get out of here. So Im not getting out of here. I think this year has been a great year for me. Ive had some tough losses, but Ive learned a lot from them. Im finding my way back on my feet. Im proud of myself for what Im achieving on the court." The former No. 1 is next scheduled to play in Cincinnati and Montreal. She said she might add more tournaments to her summer schedule to keep improving her game. "So that way Ill just have a chance, when its really time to play good tennis, I would have had those matches under my belt," she said. Trevor Booker Jersey . -- Theres nothing like winning to bring hope for a struggling team. Justin Anderson Jersey . Mladenovics quick hands at the net made the difference while Bencics inexperience in doubles showed. "We took a lot of pleasure," Mladenovic told Sport Plus television. "Its extremely difficult to play in such conditions, but our doubles team showed a lot of quality. http://www.official76ersproshop.com/kids-clarence-weatherspoon-76ers-jersey/ . While Minnesota takes aim at its eighth win of November, the Canadiens will try to post just their third victory in nine games this month. JJ Redick Jersey . Lynchs attorney, Ivan Golde, told The Associated Press on Thursday of the plea deal that was reached with the Alameda County District Attorney Office. The plea will be formally entered in court in Oakland, Calif. Charles Barkley Jersey . Dirk Nowitzki scored 25 points, Shawn Marion had 22 and the Mavericks beat undermanned Philadelphia 124-112 Friday night, handing the 76ers their 10th straight loss. Standings | Schedule Preliminary Round DATE VISITOR HOME TIME/RESULT Sun. Nov. 2 Finland Canada White 5 - 1 Sun. Nov. 2 United States Sweden 6 - 3 Sun. Nov. 2 Russia Canada Black 5 - 1 Sun. Nov. 2 Canada Red Slovakia 6 - 0 Mon. Nov. 3 Finland Russia 5 - 4 Mon. Nov. 3 Slovakia United States 1 - 5 Mon. Nov. 3 Canada White Canada Black 5 - 4 (OT) Mon. Nov. 3 Sweden Canada Red 2 - 4 Tue. Nov. 4 Sweden Slovakia 7 - 0 Tue. Nov. 4 Canada Black Finland 4 - 3 Tue. Nov. 4 Russia Canada White 2 - 4 Tue. Nov. 4 Unitedd States Canada Red 7 - 3 Playoff Round DATE VISITOR HOME TIME/RESULT Thu.ddddddddddddNov. 6 - QF1 Canada Black United States 1 - 4 Thu. Nov. 6 - QF2 Slovakia Finland 1 - 5 Thu. Nov. 6 - QF3 Russia Canada Red 4 - 1 Thu. Nov. 6 - QF4 Sweden Canada White 2 - 0 Fri. Nov. 7 - 7th Place Slovakia Canada Black 2 - 3 Fri. Nov. 7 - SF1 Sweden United States 1 - 4 Fri. Nov. 7 - 5th Place Canada White Canada Red 3 - 2 Fri. Nov. 7 - SF2 Russia Finland 6 - 1 Sat. Nov. 8 - Bronze Sweden Finland 3 - 1 Sat. Nov. 8 - Gold United States Russia 1 - 2 Wholesale Hoodies NFL Shirts Outlet Jerseys NFL Wholesale Cheap NFL Jerseys Free Shipping Wholesale Jerseys Cheap Cheap NFL Jerseys China Wholesale Jerseys Wholesale NFL Jerseys Cheap NFL Jerseys China Cheap NFL Jerseys ' ' '