PROFILES » Beckham said. Like I said, everybody knows what is going

NEW YORK -- Top-ranked Serena Williams, who is seeking a record 23rd Grand Slam title, will meet two-time major semifinalist Ekaterina Makarova in the first round of the US Open, it was announced Friday.Makarova made two straight major semis: at the 2014 US Open, where she lost to Williams, and the 2015 Australian Open. Her ranking has slipped to 36th, and she just missed a seed at Flushing Meadows. The Russian is coming off an Olympic doubles gold medal.Im OK with it, Williams said of the match. I think I try to look at it as we all always have tough matches. I played her I think in the semis before. I know shes a good player. Ive just got to do the best I can.Williams said she hasnt practiced much because of an injury to her right shoulder, which bothered her during her third-round loss at the Olympics and was the reason she pulled out of the hard-court warm-up event in Cincinnati.I have not played a lot, I havent practiced a lot, but Im just now starting to feel a little better, said Williams, who added that shes been doing a lot of physical therapy.Williams could face fourth-seeded Agnieszka Radwanska in the semifinals, which is also when she could potentially meet sister Venus. Australian Open champ Angelique Kerber and French Open winner Garbine Muguruza are in the other half of the draw, which was set Friday.Williams is tied with Steffi Graf for the most Grand Slam titles during the Open era.On the mens side, top-ranked Novak Djokovic, who injured his left wrist just before the Rio Olympics,?will open the final Grand Slam event of the season against 2013 Wimbledon semifinalist Jerzy Janowicz.Janowicz has been ranked as high as 14th but has struggled in recent years and missed much of this season because of injuries. Hes currently ranked 228th and used a protected ranking to get into the US Open.The right-handed Djokovic, who needs the left wrist for his backhand, said hell be ready to make his title defense at Flushing Meadows.Im doing everything in my power with the medical team to make sure that Im as close to 100 percent as possible during the course of this tournament, at least for the beginning of it, Djokovic said Friday. After undergoing certain treatments, Ive gotten better. Im just hoping that Monday when the tournament starts Ill be able to, as I said, get as close to the maximum of executing my backhand shot as possible.?The 12-time major champ also said his issues at Wimbledon, where he was upset in the third round, werent physical, but there were other things I was going through.He declined to elaborate on those problems other than to say they had been resolved.Other than that loss in the Olympic Games and Wimbledon, Ive had a phenomenal season -- definitely rank this season one of the best that Ive had in career, Djokovic said. So I dont feel like it has shaken me too much. I just hope to be healthy and to be enabled to play the way I wish to play in US Open. Thats why Im here.Fridays draw set Djokovic and Rafael Nadal as potential semifinal opponents, while Andy Murray and Stan Wawrinka are in the other half of the bracket.Nadal, who has missed more than two months since withdrawing from the French Open with a left wrist injury, said he still isnt 100 percent but I can start to hit my normal forehand.When Nadal first came back from the injury, he had to adjust his technique to avoid pain. Now he says he needs to get comfortable again with his regular stroke.Olympic silver medalist Juan Martin del Potro could face 19th-seeded American Steve Johnson in the second round. Ranked No. 142 because of three left wrist surgeries, the 2009 US Open champ got in with a wild card.The Associated Press contributed to this report. Comprar Adidas Superstar Baratas . The 31-year-old Spain midfielder hasnt played since Madrid lost in the Copa del Rey final to Atletico Madrid in May due to back and foot injuries. Adidas Superstar España . Galatasaray said in a statement on its website Monday that Mancini signed a three-year contract and will be paid 3.5 million euros for the upcoming season, with his salary upped to 4. http://www.baratasadidassuperstar.es/ . Rinne played two periods in his first game since left hip surgery in early May. Gabriel Bourque scored 3:07 into the second period and Austin Watson tallied 5:15 later for Nashville. Adidas Superstar Baratas Rebajas . Jason Zucker and Matt Cooke also scored for Minnesota, which has won five of six. Kuemper made five saves in the first, nine in the second, and nine in the third. The rookies best save came with 2:17 left in the third period when he denied former Wild forward Matt Cullen from just outside of the crease on the right side. Adidas Superstar Baratas España . Defenceman Yannick Weber scored the go-ahead goal early in the third period and the Canucks breathed a sigh of relief with a 2-1 win on Saturday night. EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- New York Giants wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr. would like to take back his comments after Sundays 24-14 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers, even if he still believes Stevie Wonder can see it when referencing the officials questionable decisions throughout the contest.Beckham was upset about several calls and non-calls -- especially a questionable first-quarter offensive pass interference -- and being told by one official to get out of my face when he asked for an explanation. He even suggested that referee Terry McAulays crew shouldnt be allowed to work another Giants game given their past history.Three days later, as Beckham and the Giants were in the midst of preparing for a Sunday night matchup with the Dallas Cowboys, he was feeling some regret for his comments.Its not really any point of talking about it. Nothing is going to change, Beckham said on Wednesday. Youre sitting there wasting breath.Coach Ben McAdoo agreed with Beckham that there were some questionable calls in the game. McAdoo said he was going to utilize the leagues process where teams can send plays in for clarification purposes. That process would get plenty of use this week, according to McAdoo.ddddddddddddThe Giants coach clearly had his star players back.It doesnt surprise me, Beckham said. Like I said, everybody knows what is going on on the field. Everybody can see it. Stevie Wonder can see it. It is what it is. You cant do anything about it. There is no point.After the loss to the Steelers, the Giants (8-4) are going to need some wins down the stretch against difficult competition to qualify for the playoffs.Beckham doesnt see any benefit harping on the past at this point. His full attention is on the Cowboys and helping the struggling Giants get back on track.I dont even know why ... I shouldnt have even brought it up because its always a lose-lose situation bringing something up, he said. Either youre speaking out on it or now youre trying to defend yourself. Or the other way around, youre complaining.Either way it goes, I shouldve never brought it up. Its irrelevant. Nothing is going to change. No calls are going to be made because of what I say now. You just have to keep playing. ' ' '