Serena Williams center of attention at US Open as end nears

By HOWARD FENDRICH
AP Tennis Writer

NEW YORK (AP) — Fans have come to the U.S. Open from far and wide for Serena Williams. They are eager to see her play or if they are not lucky enough to hold the right ticket, are hoping for an autograph, a glance at her practicing or merely the chance to breathe the same Flushing Meadows air as her. As thousands waited in lines to enter the tournament grounds hours before her match Monday night, no one present could know for sure how many more opportunities there will be for any of it. Williams is a 23-time Grand Slam champion who turns 41 next month and has said she is ready to move on from her playing days.