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NEW YORK -- Serena Williams, with all kinds of history nearly within her grasp, won a dramatic quarterfinal match Wednesday night, escaping a fiery challenge from No. 5 seed Simona Halep, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.For another two days, at least, Williams quest for an Open era record of 23 Grand Slam singles titles, a record seventh US Open title and a new mark for consecutive weeks (187) at No. 1 remains alive.The match, which captivated the near-capacity crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium, required 2 hours, 14 minutes to complete.I knew I could play a lot better, Williams said during her on-court interview, in reference to her performance in the second set. I felt I lost my rhythm, and Simona started playing better.I knew I had to step it up in the third set.Williams, the No. 1 seed, faces No. 10 seed Karolina Pliskova in a Thursday night semifinal that will feature the two women with the most aces among WTA players.It was Serenas 309th major match win, two more than Roger Federer, extending her all-time Open era record.Halep, a 24-year-old from Romania who is more than a decade younger than Williams, saved all 11 break points she faced on her serve in a heroic second set, but she faded badly in the third. It was, nonetheless, the first time Serena had been challenged this fortnight.I wasnt very happy about that, but I tried not to let that get me down, Williams said about all the chances she let slip away. I tried to stay positive and I knew that if I did, I could just stay in the match.For the match, Williams could convert only four of 20 break opportunities, but she converted the only break chance she would need in the deciding set to go ahead 3-1.It was tough. Is tough, Halep said. Im a little bit sad.Williams finished with 18 aces, a 50-20 edge in total winners and won the point on 26 of her 32 trips to the net.Information from The Associated Press was used in this report. Ecco Shoes Clearance Australia .5 million, one-year contract on Friday. Hawkins, who turns 41 in December, will compete with Rex Brothers for the closers role at spring training. Ecco Shoes Sale Clearance Australia . Mats Zuccarello and Derek Stepan scored shootout goals, and backup goalie Cam Talbot earned his second win in two nights as the Rangers shook off a late tying tally and beat the Maple Leafs 2-1 Monday night. http://www.wholesaleeccoaustralia.com/ . Walcott is available for Saturdays home match against Southampton as Arsenal looks to extend its two-point lead at the top of the Premier League. The Gunners are currently the second highest scorers in the league but Wenger insists Walcott will add something extra to his team. Wholesale Ecco Shoes . -- Claudio Bieler hadnt scored since early September, and not from the run of play since mid-July. Ecco Shoes On Sale Australia . He said Tuesday thats a big reason why he is now the new coach of the Tennessee Titans. Whisenhunt said he hit it off quickly with Ruston Webster when interviewing for the job Friday night. CHICAGO -- After a slow start, Mike Trout is showing signs of getting back to his dominant 2012 form. Trout hit a two-run homer and Jerome Williams pitched into the seventh inning to help the Los Angeles Angels beat the Chicago White Sox 3-2 on Saturday night. Williams (2-1) allowed two runs and scattered seven hits in 6 2-3 innings. He struck out three and walked one. After eight appearances out of the bullpen, Williams made his second start after he replaced the struggling Garrett Richards, who was filling in for injured Los Angeles ace Jered Weaver. Alberto Callaspo led off the game with a bloop single, two pitches later, Trout put the Angels ahead with a two-run shot to left for his sixth of the season. The home run was Trouts fourth in 10 games. "It was about 130 games last year he was pretty good. Youre not going to be locked in all the time, but there is no doubt he is finding a comfort zone in the box and it is good to see him drive the ball," said Scioscia. White Sox starter Jose Quintana (2-1) allowed three runs in the loss. He gave up five hits and struck out five. The Angels tied a season-high three-game winning streak, but are currently nine games behind the Rangers in the AL West and are finally showing signs of getting back to the top of the standings. "Everything is getting back to normal, playing like how we are supposed to be playing baseball. Everybody is doing their jobs, shut down innings and everyone is swinging the bat. Everything is turning around now," said Williams. Scott Downs got one out in the seventh, Richards pitched a perfect eighth and Ernesto Frieri pitched a scoreless ninth for his seventh save in eight chances. "I think the one thing you can point to is our bullpen. Our bullpen has responded to the challenge of getting outs that we need," said Scioscia. It was Williams first win as a starter since June 1, 2012 against the Rangers. "I didnt really have my best stuff but I battled through it any way possible," said Williams. The White Sox, who committed three errors, have lost eight of its last 12 games. "Everybodys working. Its a tough thing sometimes," White Sox first baseman Paul Konnerko said.dddddddddddd"This year, its been the mistakes we make, the hits we dont get. Its coming from a place of trying too hard." The White Sox loaded the bases in the second inning. With two outs, Tyler Greene hit a slow roller to shortstop Brendan Harris. Harris fielded the ball while moving to his left, but his throw to first was off-balanced and late, allowing Paul Konerko to score. Alejandro De Aza followed with an RBI single to right to tie the game, Jeff Keppinger tried to score from second on De Azas single but was thrown out at the plate by Josh Hamilton. The Angels got the lead back in the third inning thanks to an error and a passed ball. With two outs, Hamilton hit a routine grounder to Greene at second base. Greene made a lackadaisical throw to first base that got away from Dunn. Albert Pujols, who was on first, advanced to third on Greenes throwing error. Pujols later scored when catcher Tyler Flowers couldnt keep Quintanas pitch to Howie Kendrick in front of him. On Flowers flip, Quintana had a shot to tag Pujols at the plate, but Pujols avoided the tag with his slide. The three errors in the game for the White Sox tied the Angels for most errors in the American League with 27. "I dont think thats anything mental. Not being in the right position or things like that. Physical stuff, you get. But you know its just one of those that you do have to do it better. Its that simple," said White Sox manager Robin Ventura. NOTES: White Sox INF Conor Gillaspie was scratched from the White Sox lineup due to an upper respiratory infection. Keppinger moved to third base and Greene started at second base. ... Angels reliever Ryan Madson (Tommy John recovery) threw one inning in an extended-spring training game on Saturday. Angels manager Mike Scioscia was encouraged with Madsons velocity, which was between 91-94 mph. He will pitch again on Monday then receive his minor league rehab assignment. ... INF Erick Aybar missed his second straight game with tightness in his right hamstring. ... By taking the first two games of the series, the Angels won its third series of the season. ... Dunn struck out three times to drop his average to .137. ' ' '