NEW YORK -- It started off so well for Venus Williams on Monday at the US Open. But then she became engaged in a back-and-forth, down-to-the-wire clash with Karolina Pliskova. Ultimately, the Czech won and reached the quarterfinals.There was no such drama in sister Serenas?fourth-round encounter, however. Heres how the chain of events unfolded on Day 8:As much as well remember this match as one that Venus lost, credit belongs to Pliskova, the tours top ace-maker by a large margin. Pliskova is just a few weeks removed from her first Tier 1 win, in Cincinnati, and now shes on to her first career quarterfinal at any major. Read moreAnd while were not going to eulogize Venus career, we need to recognize what shes doing is largely unprecedented. If she had won, she would have become the oldest player, at 36, to reach a US Open quarterfinal in the Open era.She may not have a lot of years left to play, but Venus Williams deserves to be appreciated in her own right, no matter her family ties.- Jane McManus (@janesports) September 5, 2016Moments after Venus lost, a melancholy Serena walked onto the court, but if her sisters result were a factor then, it certainly was not during the match. Serena beat?Yaroslava Shvedova behind blistering serves and near-perfect play -- and in the process broke yet another record. Move over, Roger?Might be wise for Dominic Thiem to take a good, hard look at the Williams sisters career trajectory. Theyve been playing, and winning, on tour for nearly two decades. Thiem, just 23, is already showing signs of burnout. Against Juan Martin del Potro, a highly anticipated showdown on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday, Thiem retired in the second set, citing an injured knee. Too much tennis taking its toll?For del Potro, he becomes the lowest-ranked player at No. 142 to make a US Open quarterfinal since Jimmy Connors famous run 25 years ago in 1991. Still, as exciting and deserving as it was to del Potro, who missed more than two years worth of time with wrist injuries, he could sympathize with Thiem.Its not nice to win this way. Get well soon @ThiemDomi!! pic.twitter.com/QyDKFSFOFA- Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) September 5, 2016In a very workmanlike effort, Stan Wawrinka also marches into the elite eight. And he did it behind an inordinate amount of winners. ?Look! We have a GOAT sighting. From afar anyway.??Just because @rogerfederer isnt at the #USOpen, that doesnt mean the five-time champion isnt watching...https://t.co/peF1T053t3- ESPNTennis (@ESPNTennis) September 5, 2016 Cheap Nike Shoes China . -- Chicago Bears cornerback Tim Jennings was selected Monday to his second straight Pro Bowl, while guard Kyle Long made it after a solid rookie season. Cheap Shoes . Now tied for second in the league in shootout goals, the 24-year-old likes to see what the opposing goaltender has in store before he ultimately lands on a move. http://www.shoeschinacheap.com/ . LUCIE, Fla. Wholesale Shoes .7 million, one-year contract, a raise of $2.2 million. Wieters had asked for $8.75 million and the Orioles had offered $6. New Zealand are staying the course for their must-win NRL encounter with North Queensland despite last weeks pasting by South Sydney.The Warriors were comprehensively outplayed through the middle by the lowly Rabbitohs and then pinned back by the kicking game of halfback Adam Reynolds when they got their own chance with the ball.The 41-22 home turf defeat came after nine games without a loss and took head coach Andrew McFadden by surprise.But McFadden told reporters on Wednesday his sides destiny remained in their own hands.A result against the fifth-placed Cowboys on Saturday would prime them for a first finals berth in five years.Were not overreacting, McFadden said.The (Souths) scoreline didnt look great but they got us with some tactics we need to be better prepared for.McFadden has tweaked his line-up for the trip to Townsville, dumping utility Tuimoala Lolohea from the travelling squad.David Fusitua moves to fullback, with Blake Ayshford returning at centre.Lolohea, 21, was positionally suspect at fullback against the Rabbitohs and will look to rediscover hiis form at five-eighth in reserve grade.ddddddddddddSomeone had to fill the void when we lost Roger (Tuivasa-Sheck) and hes done a pretty good job for most of the year, McFadden said.But theres some things in his game he needs to work on and Im confident he can sort it out.North Queensland have lost four of their past five NRL games and are playing to claw back fourth place and the right to host a home final.No team has won the title from outside the top four since Canterbury in 1995.But halfback Shaun Johnson wasnt underestimating the scale of the challenge his side will face against the Johnathan Thurston-led outfit.The 25-year-old said his side had let themselves down against Souths but had trained well during the week and were ready to make amends.Theyve got, in my eyes, the best player in the world, so thats always an awesome challenge, Johnson told reporters.Its a tough trip, a long trip for us, but one were really excited about. 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