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STANFORD, Calif. -- As Johanna Konta pounded the ball from every spot on the court Sunday and rarely missed, there were moments Venus Williams could do little more than applaud her opponents stellar day as winners whipped down the line and drop shots fell perfectly.With a crowd of 2,268 largely rooting for the American icon Williams, Konta regularly reminded herself to breathe to keep her mind on the match and not her daunting task.The hard-hitting Konta outslugged top-seeded Williams to capture her first career singles title at last while playing for her first championship, winning the Bank of the West Classic 7-5, 5-7, 6-2.Its actually quite an incredibly humbling experience. Its a great validation of the hard work youve been putting in and its a great motivator on the things you want to keep getting better at, she said. I played her twice previously. I knew going into it I was going to be playing against a magnitude of experience. Venus Williams doesnt need an introduction.Her serve and return games equally solid on another unseasonably hot day at Stanford, Konta held on in the third set after squandering a 4-1 lead in the second to open the door for Williams to come back.When Williams netted her forehand return on the third match point, Konta dropped her racket to the ground and covered her face in triumph before heading to the net for a handshake. After receiving her trophy and addressing Williams directly with a thoughtful compliment of the 36-year-old stars grace and game, Konta posed for a round of photos that this time will be all the more special.She played at such a high level today, Williams said. She saved her best tennis for the final, which is what you want to do.Konta is having a blast being part of British tennis right now, everyone riding high after Wimbledon with Andy Murray winning at home.Yeah, long live the Queen, guys, she said with a big grin.Over the 2-hour, 18-minute match, the third-seeded Konta figured out Williams big serve for the second time this year, standing some 10 feet behind the baseline to return it and generating pace from Williams regular serves of well higher than 100 mph.The 25-year-old Konta also stunned Williams with the straight-set victory in the first round at this years Australian Open. Coming into Sundays match, Konta considered her return game a key to whether she would win.She plays really well against me, so maybe she comes out and doesnt feel any pressure and just swings for it, Williams said. I tried to stay in there and fight. ... What can I say but give her credit.Konta became the fourth-oldest first-time titlist this year. A steady serve helped carry Konta to Sundays final. She nailed 11 aces and moved Williams all over the court with an array of powerful groundstrokes and timely drop shots.Konta, headed to the Olympics next month in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, also was the first British woman to reach the final at Stanford since Virginia Wades runner-up finish in 1981.Williams was seeking her third tournament win at Stanford and denied career singles championship No. 50 while playing for her 80th title. At 49 singles tournament wins, she remains second among active players only behind younger sister Serenas 71.Of course I wanted to win, but I imagine with any luck Ill have more chances to get another title, she said.Williams is projected to move up to No. 6 in the next rankings. She will play in Montreal this coming week before the Rio Olympics next month.See you all in Rio, she told the crowd before exiting the stadium. Harold Baines Rangers Jersey . 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TEMPE, Ariz. -- No one has played better defense for the Arizona Cardinals through two games than Tony Jefferson.The 24-year-old safety has 21 tackles, 18 of them unassisted. He has three tackles for loss, two quarterback hits and a recovered fumble.Not bad for a guy who scraped his way onto the Cardinals roster as an undrafted free agent out of Oklahoma in 2013.I feel like Ive had to fight every year to be on the team and to make a statement, he said after practice Wednesday. I always have a big chip on my shoulder. I never get complacent, just try to take advantage of every opportunity I get.Most of the time, Jefferson is playing in the box, near the line of scrimmage, where he can blitz the passer, defend the tight end or just race to the middle of the play as it develops. Tyrann Mathieu spent a lot of time in the box last year, too, leading to an All-Pro selection. But Mathieu has played only free safety thus far while he works his way back from knee surgery.Jefferson acknowledges that its a position that allows him to make many plays.A lot of it has to do with scheme, he said. Coach Boettch (defensive coordinator James Boettcher) does a great job finding ways to use guys strengths. Hes let me be aggressive, attack, be physical if I want to be. And at the same time play man on tight ends and stuff. Im actually having a really good time. Im enjoying it right now. Its just all coming together.Jefferson had 10 tackles in the opener against New England and matched his career high with 11 tackles in Arizonas 40-7 victory over Tampa Bay on Sunday.After the game, he mentioned the fact its a contract year for his improved play. But he downplayed that in the Wednesday interview.Obviously, I speak for anybody, you play well, you want to get paid, Jefferson said, but thats just a small portion of it. Obviously I want to win a championship. Obviously I want to be one of the best safeties in the league. It may sound crazy to other people ... but I have my own goals.Coach Bruce Arians has been around a long time and has seen how playying in a contract year seems to rev up a players performance.ddddddddddddThey always see those dollar signs, he said. Its an amazing thing.When Jefferson was a restricted free agent last summer, the Cardinals tendered him the lowest possible offer -- about $1.7 million a year. Nobody matched it and he was left in a take-it-or-leave-it situation.Teams dont even like messing with the restricted stuff, Jefferson said. They can low-ball out and you either take it or you dont. I hated that whole process. Hopefully things work out to where Im here and dont worry about hitting free agency.Jefferson has played in every game since he made the roster three seasons ago, but only sporadically as a starter.When the Cardinals chose not to re-sign Rashad Johnson this offseason, the starting safety job was his.It means a lot. Ive always wanted to be a starter, Jefferson said. Thats why Im here. Im not going to not take advantage of the opportunity. Im going to do what I can to keep it, do what I can to build from it.Mathieu has watched Jefferson develop through the years.Ive always thought Tony played well, even going back to our rookie year, or second year, him just continuing making strides, Mathieu said. Ive always thought he was a good tackler. Ive always thought he was underrated in coverage. I think hes just really putting it all together this year. Hes been really focused. Its a big year for him, a contract year.When Mathieu returns to his do-everything role, Jefferson doesnt expect his playmaking to slow down.I dont ever fathom the fact of me being on the field, Im going to make less plays, he said. When Im on the field, Im looking to make the most plays I can and have the same mindset whether Im playing d-line, d-end, safety, corner. It doesnt matter. When Im on the field, I expect to make plays.The Cardinals (1-1) are at Buffalo on Sunday.---AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and www.twitter.com/AP-NFL ' ' '