Serena Williams began her final US Open run on Monday, beating Danka Kovinić 6-3, 6-3 in front of a record crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

At times she looked like vintage Serena, and the dominance was a dramatic turnaround from tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnati, where Williams fell in the second and first rounds, respectively. When asked afterward, Williams — who announced in early August her plans to retire from tennis — said that this tournament feels different from those previous.

“I was really emotional in Toronto and Cincinnati and it was very difficult,” she said. “It’s extremely difficult still because I absolutely love being out there and the more tournaments I play the more I feel I can belong out there.

“That’s a tough feeling to have and to leave knowing the more you do it the more you can shine. But it’s time for me to evolve to the next thing. I think it’s important because there’s so many things that I want to do.”

But before she moves on, though, Williams has to close out the US Open. She got off to a great start Tuesday, taking a 2-0 lead in the first set before Kovinic battled back to take a 3-2 lead. From there, Williams took the final four games.

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— Just Women’s Sports (@justwsports) August 30, 2022

In the second set, she was even more dominant and extended her undefeated streak in the first round of the US Open. She is now just the fourth woman in the Open era, alongside Martina Navratilova, sister Venus Williams and Kimiko Date, to win US Open matches as a teenager and in their 20s, 30s, and 40s.

The two played in front of a sold-out crowd. The night session attendance of 29,402 sets an all-time record for opening night.

“I always feel so comfortable on this court,” Williams said in her on-court interview afterward. “When I step on the court I just want to do the best I can. The crowd was crazy. It really helped me pull through.”

Calling the reception “overwhelming,” Williams said it was a feeling that she’ll “never forget.”

Williams will next play world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit in the second round.

“At this point, honestly, everything is a bonus for me,” Williams said. “I think every opponent is very difficult. I’ve seen that over the summer. The next one is even more difficult. It’s good that I was able to get this under my belt.

“I’m just thinking about this moment. I think it’s good for me just to live in the moment now.”

Denver has officially won the bid to host the 16th NWSL team, Sportico reported Thursday.

The Colorado city put up a record $110 million expansion fee to join the surging league, with the team set to kick off in 2026.

Denver beat out bids by Cincinnati and Cleveland to secure the final spot in the NWSL's most recent expansion round. The league has not yet released a timeline for future growth.

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Denver NWSL campaign led by local investment group

More than double the $53 million paid by fellow NWSL entrant Boston, the steep price tag represents the largest expansion fee in US professional women's sports history.

IMA Financial Group CEO Robert Cohen serves as the Denver group's lead investor, with Sportico noting that the initial payment arrived on Tuesday. A longtime supporter of Denver-area athletics, Cohen currently sits on the board of the Denver Sports Advisory Committee as well as the Colorado Springs-based US Olympic and Paralympic Foundation.

The broader investment group subsequently includes For Denver FC, a campaign formed to support bringing the NWSL to Denver. Members span multiple backgrounds, with ex-USL executive Tom Dunmore and former NWSL player, soccer broadcaster, and host of JWS show The 91st Jordan Angeli representing the sports professionals.

According to The Athletic, the new team has discussed building its own stadium. However, they plan to launch in a temporary stadium until they're able to construct the new venue.

Gymnastics superstar Simone Biles is Sports Illustrated's newest Sportsperson of the Year, the magazine announced Thursday. The win follows Biles's historic career comeback and gold medal-winning performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"I don't think the reality has set in of what I've exactly done in the sport," Biles told the magazine. "I can see it, and I hear it from people, and I see a glimpse of it, but the full magnitude I don't think I've realized just yet."

Biles is the first Olympian to earn the honor since LeBron James in 2012.

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Biles subsequently returned to the top of the world stage in 2024, bouncing back after a bout of "the twisties" derailed her 2021 Tokyo Olympics run.

In Paris, Biles became the first gymnast to win two All-Around titles in non-consecutive Olympic Games (2016, 2024). She also took gold in the team and vault events as well as silver in the floor event.

With 11 Olympic and 30 World Championship medals, Biles is the most decorated gymnast in history.

Sportsperson of the Year builds an Olympic legacy

While Biles hasn't fully ruled out another trip to the mat, the 27-year-old isn't interested in discussing a potential LA 2028 campaign just yet.

"Because I've accomplished so much, there's almost nothing left to do. Rather than to just be snobby and to try again, and for what?" she said. "I'm at a point in my career where I'm humble enough to know when to be done."

Women's college basketball star and Notre Dame guard Olivia Miles recorded ​her second-straight triple-double on Sunday, becoming the first ACC player to hit the tally in back-to-back NCAA games.

Miles notched a career-high 14 assists in Notre Dame's 95-54 win over Virginia, complementing the feat with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

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The 21-year-old now has six career triple-doubles, tying WNBA mainstay and Maryland alum Alyssa Thomas for the most in ACC history.

"It's even more special coming off a year where I just sat on my butt," Miles told reporters​, referencing last season's sidelining ACL tear.

"It's definitely not an easy thing to do, to sit out, but I learned so much, and it's enabled me to come and do what I do."

NCAA conference play tips off with Top 10 matchups

With non-conference fireworks smoldering, college basketball is transitioning to conference play​ as tournament contenders enter the regular-season gauntlet hoping to peak at just the right time.

Subsequently, top NCAA basketball teams held court in two ranked Big Ten matchups over the weekend. No. 8 Maryland edged out No. 19 Michigan State 72-66 while No. 4 USC took down No. 23 Michigan 78-58.

This week's lone Top 10 matchup revives a longtime rivalry, when SEC newcomers and former Big 12 foes No. 5 Texas and No. 9 Oklahoma tip off in Norman on Thursday.

Star Texas sophomore Madison Booker and senior point guard Rori Harmon will face big name Oregon State transfer Reagan Beers. Since joining the Sooners, Beers has emerged as Oklahoma's leading scorer this season.

The Sooners won't see much rest after their clash with the Longhorns, as Oklahoma then gears up for Sunday's date with No. 15 Tennessee.

How to watch Texas vs. Oklahoma college basketball this week

Oklahoma hosts Texas on Thursday at 9 PM ET, with live coverage on ESPN2.

The WNBA coaching carousel has come to a standstill, with the Dallas Wings and Washington Mystics both finalizing head coaching hires earlier this week.

Dallas GM Curt Miller brought on former Sun, Sparks, and USC assistant coach Chris Koclanes as head coach of the Wings.

"We are thrilled to welcome Chris Koclanes as the new head coach of the Dallas Wings," said Miller in a team statement. "Throughout our extensive search and interview process, Chris continued to rise to the top and check the boxes of our important pillars. He is a servant leader who places a high value on connection, collaboration, and a positive and consistent communication style with all those he coaches."

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Mystics fill leadership vacancies

The Washington Mystics also made two key hires this week. The team appointed Jamila Wideman to GM and ex-Sky assistant Sydney Johnson​ to head coach.

"I have strong roots in the WNBA and have had the privilege of playing with, working alongside, and witnessing the incredible people who are the athletes at the center of the game," said Wideman afterwards. "The very best I have seen share some core qualities — curiosity, humility, and imagination. I look forward to building a Mystics team in partnership with the players, coaches, and staff that reflects this core."

WNBA teams enter 2025 with full staffs

Barring any unexpected twists, all 13 teams will now have head coaches in place going into the 2025 WNBA Draft and preseason.

Eight teams — including expansion side Golden State — enter 2025 armed with new bosses. Subsequently, seven of those candidates will be making their WNBA head coaching debuts.

Furthermore, Koclanes and Johnson are the third and fourth ex-assistants to get a shot at head coaching next season. The pair follows Natalie Nakase (Golden State) and Tyler Marsh (Chicago).

"Being named the head coach of the Golden State Valkyries is a lifelong dream come true," said Nakase. "We will strive to improve, compete, and ultimately bring home a championship for our fans and this organization."