ONE BIG SHOE INTO ONE BIG MOUTH

YESTERDAY

Serena Williams may be ranked second in the world but she believes there is no one better. The 27-year-old American was overtaken in the rankings two weeks ago by Dinara Safina, making the Russian and older sibling Marat Safin the only brother-sister duo to have been No. 1 in professional tennis. "We all know who the real No. 1 is. Quite frankly, I'm the best in the world," Williams said Monday, adding that she is her toughest opponent and "I always beat myself.

AND TODAY

Serena Williams has lost to Swiss veteran Patty Schnyder 6-2, 2-6, 6-1 in her opening match at the Italian Open. The second-ranked Williams appeared to be moving with difficulty at times at Foro Italico, where the clay match ended at 1 a.m. on Wednesday. The players did not get to center court until well after 11 p.m., as a rainstorm forced play to be suspended for 3 1/2 hours earlier in the day.

AP