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RIO DE JANEIRO -- The end of an era arrived in a flurry of sluggish serves, mixed signals and netted volleys. Olympic doubles had been Venus and Serena Williams personal property while winning three gold medals over the past 16 years. But age, sickness and a persistent pair of Czechoslovakians combined in a cruel and stunning end to the sisters Olympic doubles career.In hindsight, it shouldnt have been so shocking to see Venus and Serena lose 6-3, 6-4 to Lucie Safarova and Barbora Strycova on Sunday. Venus is 36 years old. These were her fifth Olympics. In 2011, she disclosed she has Sjongrens syndrome, which causes fatigue and joint pain. One day before the doubles loss, a virus cost Venus her first-round singles match, leaving her with cramping, dehydration and stomach pain.But these were the Williams women, winners of 14 Grand Slam doubles titles. Serena is still Serena, No. 1 in the world. They had never lost an Olympic doubles match. The Czechs, relatively new partners, had never won a match together. You kept waiting for the sisters to dig in, for Venus to return and Serena to roar and for their resolve to turn the tide like so many times before.This has been [Venus] goal for the last four years -- to come back to the Olympics, U.S. womens tennis coach Mary Jo Fernandez said before the match. She wants to win a medal so badly in anything.Instead of a fourth doubles gold medal to go with one singles gold for each sister, we are left with the Olympic memory of the Czechs feasting on Venus serve. Of Serena at the net yelling cross, but Venus failing to cover. Of Venus moving stiffly between points, and calling often for a towel. Of Strycova volleying the ball through Venus legs at the net -- twice.As Strycova and Safarova pulled away, the Rio crowd got behind them, chanting for the Czechs and even booing down an attempted chant of U-S-A.Venus only deigned to speak to the media for 15 seconds after the match. Today was not our best day as a team, she said, looking into the distance. We like to have a chance to play into the tournament, we just played a tough team. So we wish them the best of luck in the rest of the event, and well get ready for the US Open in doubles.Serena showed just the briefest glimpse of what it feels like to know that her run of sisterly dominance is ending.Its devastating, Serena said. Then she changed course, unconvincingly. But were really, also, I wouldnt say its devastating. We had a chance to compete for our country, we did the best that we can, and we had a blast out there. I wouldnt actually say it was devastating, it was a lot of fun, and well always remember these moments, these matches. At the end of the day, thats what matters most.We honestly didnt play our best whatsoever tonight, Serena said. We played terrible, and it showed in the results.The Venus and Serena team is not finished. They won Wimbledon doubles this year, and will play the U.S. Open. Serena is still competing in singles in Rio. But for the first time since 2004, when Serena withdrew from the Games with a knee injury, another pair of women will wear the gold. Nick Murphy Jersey . LOUIS -- St. Hroniss Grasu Jersey . Clarkson had been dealing with an elbow injury in early January and will be out of action for at least one week. He has three goals and five assists through 36 games with the Leafs this season. http://www.customravensjersey.com/custom-willis-mcgahee-jersey-large-1233d.html . The incident occurred at 19:56 of the second period of the Kings 4-2 road win over Edmonton on Sunday. Nolan punched Oilers forward Jesse Joensuu in the jaw in front of the Kings goal during a scrum. Ed Reed Jersey .S. hockey team after paying his dues as an NHL general manager for more than three decades and giving up a lot of his free time to help USA Hockey. Willie Snead IV Jersey . Miller reached right to deflect Mikhail Grabovskis attempt with just over 2 minutes remaining in regulation, and then made two more saves in the shootout Sunday to give the Sabres a 2-1 win over the Washington Capitals. MILWAUKEE -- The Chicago Cubs have activated Dexter Fowler from the 15-day disabled list after the outfielder missed a month with a strained right hamstring.Fowler was activated before Chicagos game on Friday night in Milwaukee, returning to his customary leadoff position in the lineup.The switch-hitter was hitting .290 with seven homers, 28 RBI and six steals in 64 games before landing on the DL on June 19.The NL Centraal-leading Cubs also added pitcher Mike Montgomery to the 25-man roster.dddddddddddd The left-hander was acquired in a deal with the Seattle Mariners on Wednesday.Outfielder Albert Almora Jr. and right-hander Spencer Patton were optioned to Triple-A Iowa to make room for Fowler and Montgomery. ' ' '