NEW YORK -- If Serena Williams thought the pressure that surrounded her like a thick, toxic fog while she sought to complete a historic calendar-year Grand Slam last year at Flushing Meadows has dissipated for good, she might be in for a surprise when she launches her campaign at this years US Open on Tuesday in Arthur Ashe Stadium.The first hurdle in Williams path is a tall one: 29-year-old left-hander Ekaterina Makarova. Once again, there is enough at stake to give even the 22-time Grand Slam singles champion palpitations. The way she meets this first challenge might speak volumes about what the coming days have in store.I think its OK, Williams said of the matchup when the draw was made Friday. Im OK with it. I think I try to look at it [as] we all always have tough matches. Ive just got to do the best I can.Only two left-handed players have ever beaten Serena Williams at a Grand Slam event: Angelique Kerber, who is 1-1 against Williams in Grand Slam finals this year, and Makarova. Williams first-round opponent pulled off her victory in the fourth round of the 2012 Australian Open.Makarova, a 5-foot-11 Russian with a two-handed backhand and a tricky lefty serve, is the most accomplished and highest ranked among Williams recent first-round Grand Slam opponents. She has often played better at major events than her ranking suggests. Her confidence ought to be sky high, as she excelled at the Rio Olympics, winning a gold medal in doubles with Elena Vesnina and making it to the third round in singles.Williams can draw inspiration from the fact that she has punished Makarova severely since that loss. The Russian hasnt won a set in three matches, and two of those six sets were 6-0 blowouts. In their most recent meeting, Williams cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 demolition of Makarova in the 2014 semifinals at Flushing Meadows.Since then, however, Makarova has hit her physical peak and logged a career-high ranking of No. 8 (April 2015). Shes currently ranked No. 29, which puts her higher than the lowest seed in the tournament (who is separated by at least one spot from any other seed) but unseeded because of the rules and deadlines governing entry.Williams has struggled with injury and has experienced puzzling lapses of confidence and motivation alternating with brilliant fits. At Wimbledon, after she finally tied Steffi Grafs Open-era record with a 22nd major, Williams conceded that the pressure had been ruinous. The one thing I learned about last year is to enjoy the moment, she said.It might be difficult for Williams to do that, no matter how much love the Ashe crowd showers on her. History beckons with its aged finger: A US Open win would make Williams the top Open-era champion, with 23 major singles titles. It would also keep alive her chance to catch or even surpass all-time leader Margaret Court (24 titles).Williams is almost 35 and increasingly injury-prone. At her age, the months between majors seem like years. Each opportunity becomes increasingly precious at this point in her career.Some of the more immediate honors and obligations at stake might also play on Williams mind, motivating or spooking her. Although shes guaranteed to tie Steffi Graf for most consecutive weeks ranked No. 1 (186), Angelique Kerber is beautifully positioned to take the top spot away if Williams takes her foot off the gas even a little.Whats more, a first-round loss by the top seed would mean nothing less than humiliation. Williams was the No. 5 seed when she suffered the only first-round loss of her Grand Slam career. It was at the hands of wild card Virginie Razzano at the 2012 French Open.How could Williams not feel pressure? Conversely, what would it say about her as a competitor if she didnt?I think each [situation] is different, Williams said Friday, when asked to compare this year to 2015. At this point, Im taking it a day at a time. I think I just am more relaxed, for sure.There are some similarities between the situations today and when Makarova upset Williams in Australia. Williams went into that tournament having played just two competitive matches after her loss to Sam Stosur in the final of the 2011 US Open. She twisted her ankle in the second of those matches in Brisbane and was still hobbled as she fought her way through to meet Makarova in Melbourne Park.Williams is probably in better shape now than she was then. She won Wimbledon less than two months ago. But she was just 2-1 in singles in Rio, where she developed a bad right shoulder. The injury curtailed her practice time and forced her to withdraw from the important US Open tune-up at Cincinnati.Williams three previous wins over Makarova will give her some authority going into the match. But she knows what shes up against.Shes a big fighter, Williams said of Makarova. She never really stops. She gets a lot of balls back. You think shes not super quick, but she is.Williams needs to be ready for this one. Shes a hard read, but it seems like she might be. After a while, even that toxic fog of pressure might not smell so bad. Cheap Nike Air Max 90 Online . According to a report from the Winnipeg Free Press, the Bombers will name Acting GM Kyle Walters to the post full time. Nike Air Max 90 Cheap Wholesale . -- The Magic have their first victory of the new year. http://www.nikeairmax90cheap.com/ . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Cheap Nike Air Max 90 Wholesale . 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Irving led Cleveland with 28 points, and Love scored 21, 16 in the first quarter.Brandon Jennings scored 16 points for the Knicks. He started for Derrick Rose, who missed his first game of the season with lower back pain.It was the first meeting since James was angered when Jackson referred to his friends and business partners as a posse last month in an ESPN interview. James refused to answer questions at the Cavs shootaround about Jackson, who watched the game from his usual seat a few rows back of center court.New York had its four-game winning streak snapped and lost for just the third time in 10 games.BUCKS 115, TRAIL BLAZERS 107MILWAUKEE -- Giannis Antetokounmpo had his second triple-double of the season to lead Milwaukee past Portland.Antetokounmpo had 15 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists for his seventh career triple-double -- second-most in franchise history -- and is the only NBA player averaging at least 20 points, eight rebounds, five assists, two blocks and two steals this season.Jabari Parker added 27 points for Milwaukee.Damian Lillard had 30 points, seven rebounds and six assists for Portland.ROCKETS 134, LAKERS 95HOUSTON -- Eric Gordon made a career-high eight 3-pointers and scored 26 points to help Houston rout Los Angeles.James Harden added 25 points in three quarters for the Rockets. They scored a season high and extended their winning streak to a season-best four games.Lou Williams led the Lakers with 24 points. They have lost four in a row, their longest skid of the season.HAWKS 103, HEAT 95ATLANTA -- Dwight Howard had 23 points and 17 rebounds, Paul Millsap added 21 points and Atlanta beat Miami to snap a seven-game lossing streak.ddddddddddddThe Hawks had lost 10 of 11 and had gone 14 days without a victory.Tyler Johnson scored a career-high 27 points for Miami, and Goran Dragic added 21. The Heat have lost three straight.HORNETS 87, PISTONS 77CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Kemba Walker scored 14 of his 25 points in the fourth quarter, and Nic Batum had 14 points and 14 rebounds for Charlotte.The Hornets won for the third time in four games despite being held to 38 points in the first half on 27 percent shooting. Marvin Williams returned to Charlottes starting lineup after missing the last six games with a hyperextended knee. He had 12 points and five rebounds.Andre Drummond had 26 points and 20 rebounds for the Pistons.NETS 116, NUGGETS 111NEW YORK -- Brook Lopez scored 24 points, Sean Kilpatrick had 22 and Brooklyn held off Denver.Brooklyn led by as many as 29 points midway through the third quarter, but Denver closed to 103-99 on Kenneth Farieds layup with 4:31 left. Bojan Bogdanovic and Kilpatrick each made two foul shots in the final 13 seconds to help secure the win for the Nets.Wilson Chandler led the Nuggets with 27 points and 15 rebounds.CELTICS 117, MAGIC 87ORLANDO, Fla. -- Avery Bradley scored 23 points to help Boston rout Orlando.Terry Rozier added 16 points, Jae Crowder had 15 points and 10 rebounds, and Amir Johnson, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart each had 13 points. D.J. Augustin scored 15 points for Orlando.PACERS 109, SUNS 94PHOENIX -- Paul George had 25 points and 13 rebounds and Indiana pulled away to beat Phoenix.Myles Turner added 20 points, and Jeff Teague had 19 points and 11 assists. 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