In brief: Williams overcomes to keep on winning

One week after winning her fourth Wimbledon title, Venus Williams returned home to win another big match for herself, her sister Serena and her country.

But it wasn’t easy.

Williams overcame a terrible second set to beat Nadia Petrova in the semifinals 7-6, 0-6, 6-4 on Saturday to tie the Fed Cup match between the United States and Russia at 1.

Earlier in the day, Anna Chakvetadze gave Russia a lead by dominating Vania King 6-1, 6-3.

Williams will play Chakvetadze and U.S. Capt. Zina Garrison said she is leaning toward sending Meilen Tu against Petrova in the reverse singles today.

If necessary, a deciding doubles match will follow.

“Fourth seeded Fabrice Santoro defeated Wesley Moodie, 7-6 (2), 6-3, in Newport, R.I., to set up the first all-French final in the 31-year history of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships.

Santoro will face No. 5 seed Nicolas Mahut, who beat Dick Norman, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 6-2, in the opening semifinal.

“Nicolas Almagro will play David Ferrer in the Swedish Open final today in an all-Spanish matchup in Bastad, Sweden.

In the semifinals, Almagro upset fourth-seeded Carlos Moya of Spain 6-3, 1-6, 6-2, and the second-seeded Ferrer routed Filippo Volandri of Italy 6-2, 6-1.

“ Paul-Henri Mathieu overcame qualifier Radek Stepanek 6-3, 6-4 and will face Andreas Seppi who beat wild-card Igor Andreev 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (5) in the final of the Swiss Open in Gstaad, Switzerland.

Basketball

Mourning on fence

The suspense surrounding Alonzo Mourning’s playing status for next season is nearing an end.

The seven-time All-Star center said he’ll make it known “very soon” whether he’ll return to the Miami Heat or retire, a decision he’s been contemplating for the 2 1/2 months since the team was eliminated in the first round of this year’s NBA playoffs.

“I have not quite yet spoken to the people I need to speak to,” Mourning said at the benefit dinner for his annual Zo’s Summer Groove charity fundraising weekend.

“The New Jersey Nets reached an agreement in principle with former All-Star Jamaal Magloire.

“Milwaukee Bucks point guard Mo Williams reportedly agreed to a six-year, $52 million deal, rejecting an offer from the Miami Heat.

Soccer

Americans eliminated

In Toronto, the United States was eliminated from the FIFA Under-20 World Cup with a 2-1 overtime loss to Austria in the quarterfinals.

“Carli Lloyd scored on a diving header in the 66th minute to lift the U.S. women to a 1-0 win over Norway in an exhibition game in East Rutherford, Conn.

Miscellany

U.S. wins twice

Vicky Galindo hit a three-run home run to power the United States to a 9-0 win against the Dominican Republic at the World Cup of Softball in Oklahoma City. Later, Tairia Flowers hit a tiebreaking two-run home run in the fourth inning, and the Americans beat nemesis Japan 4-1.

“Arturo Gatti’s career came to a painful and bloody end when he was battered by Alfonso Gomez and stopped in the seventh round at Atlantic City, N.J.

Fighting at 147 pounds proved to be too much for the two-time world champion.

“Roy Jones Jr. won a 12-round, unanimous decision against previously undefeated Anthony Hanshaw at Biloxi, Miss., capturing the vacant IBC light heavyweight title.

“Miami Dolphins wide receiver Chris Chambers was arrested in Charlotte, N.C., on charges of driving while impaired and speeding.

“At Toronto, former NHL player and general manager John Ferguson Sr. died after a lengthy fight with prostate cancer. He was 68.