Alcaraz and Djokovic meet Sunday in a rematch of the Wimbledon final; Gauff plays for women’s title

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:55:54 GMT

Alcaraz and Djokovic meet Sunday in a rematch of the Wimbledon final; Gauff plays for women’s title MASON, Ohio (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will meet Sunday for the Western & Southern Open in a rematch of their Wimbledon final.The top-ranked Alcaraz erased a match point in the second set and rallied past unseeded Hubert Hurkacz 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-3 in the first men’s semifinal Saturday.Then, No. 2 Djokovic defeated Alexander Zverev, the 2021 tournament champ, 7-6 (5), 7-5 to earn a shot at his third title in the U.S. Open tuneup.Alcaraz won six straight points in the second-set tiebreaker to reach his eighth final of the season. He beat Djokovic last month at Wimbledon to win his second major title and deny the 36-year-old Djokovic his 23rd.Coco Gauff will play for the women’s title Sunday after upsetting top-ranked Iga Swiatek 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4. She will face Karolina Muchova, who overcame No. 2-seeded Aryna Sabalenka 6-7 (4), 6-3, 6-2.Alcaraz, 20, is the youngest Cincinnati finalist since 19-year-old Pete Sampras in 1991. He is trying to become the youn...

Giannis boots a long-distance shot on goal and breaks into Ronaldo-like celebration

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:55:54 GMT

Giannis boots a long-distance shot on goal and breaks into Ronaldo-like celebration NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — It turns out that two-time NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo has a deft scoring touch on the court — and the pitch.Antetokounmpo, a minority owner of Nashville SC of the MLS, was on the field Saturday night before the start of his team’s Leagues Cup final against Lionel Messi-led Inter Miami, playfully taking shots on goal.Antetokounmpo, who purchased a stake in the club in March, delighted the fans by burying a shot from distance and emulating the goal celebration of another superstar from the world of soccer, Cristiano Ronaldo. The 7-foot, “Greek Soccer Freak,” who has scored more than 16,000 points in his NBA career, found the back of the net with a shot from near midfield. He sprinted toward the middle of the pitch, jumped and hit the landing while thrusting his arms out at his hips. He repeated the celebration a second time.Antetokounmpo’s father, Charles, was professional soccer player in Nigeria.Other Nashville SC minority owners include actress Rees...

Moore homers twice and Rodriguez sets hits record as Mariners rout Astros 10-3

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:55:54 GMT

Moore homers twice and Rodriguez sets hits record as Mariners rout Astros 10-3 HOUSTON (AP) — Julio Rodríguez set a major league record with his 17th hit in four games, Dylan Moore homered twice, Logan Gilbert registered his 14th quality start of the season and the Seattle Mariners defeated the Houston Astros 10-3 for their fifth-straight win Saturday night.The Mariners, who are 13-3 in their last 16 games, pulled to 1 1/2 games behind the Astros for the second AL wild-card spot and maintained a 1/2 game lead over the Toronto Blue Jays for the third and final AL wild-card spot.In the fifth inning, following Moore’s first home run, Houston starter Framber Valdez threw a pitch at the feet of Jose Caballero, which hit him in the lower part of his left leg. He hit the ground as he tried to get out of the way. Caballero got up, put his arms out and started walking and talking toward Valdez, who responded. This caused the benches to clear.Rodriguez was playing peacemaker as he hugged Valdez from behind and walked him away from the grouping at home plate back toward ...

Sunday’s Time Schedule

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:55:54 GMT

Sunday’s Time Schedule All Times EDTSunday, Aug. 20MLBSeattle at Houston, 1:05 p.m.Boston at N.Y. Yankees, 1:35 p.m.San Francisco at Atlanta, 1:35p.m.Detroit at Cleveland, 1:40 p.m.Toronto at Cincinnati, 1:40 p.m.Pittsburgh at Minnesota, 2:10 p.m.N.Y. Mets at St. Louis, 2:15 p.m.Kansas City at Chicago Cubs, 2:20 p.m.Milwaukee at Texas, 2:35 p.m.Chicago White Sox at Colorado, 3:10 p.m.Baltimore at Oakland, 4:07 p.m.Philadelphia vs. Washington at Williamsport, Pa., 7:10 p.m.NFL PRESEASONNew Orleans at L.A. Chargers, 7:05 p.m.WNBADallas at Washington, 3 p.m.Connecticut at Chicago, 5 p.m.Indiana at Phoenix, 6 p.m.Seattle at Minnesota, 7 p.m.MLSCincinnati at Columbus, 7:30 p.m.Charlotte FC at Miami ppd.D.C. United at New York, 7:30 p.m.Minnesota at New York City FC, 7:30 p.m.FC Dallas at Philadelphia, 7:30 p.m.CF Montréal at Toronto FC, 7:30 p.m.Orlando City at Chicago, 8:30 p.m.Portland at Houston, 8:30 p.m.New England at Nashville, 8:30 p.m.Austin FC at Saint Louis City SC, 9:30 p.m.Atlanta at Seattle, 10:30...

Mitch Keller outpitches Sonny Gray as Pirates beat Twins 7-4

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:55:54 GMT

Mitch Keller outpitches Sonny Gray as Pirates beat Twins 7-4 MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Mitch Keller pitched six strong innings and the Pittsburgh Pirates broke through late against Sonny Gray in a 7-4 victory against the Minnesota Twins on Saturday night.Gray was perfect through five innings before Liover Peguero had an infield single with one out in the sixth. Andrew McCutchen had a two-run single as part of a three-run sixth for Pittsburgh and added a three-run homer in the ninth.Keller (10-8) gave the offense time to solve Gray with another quality start. He gave up two runs and seven hits and struck out 12 — one short of matching a career high he set earlier this season.After allowing at least six runs in three of his first four starts after the All-Star break, Keller has allowed six earned runs over his past 17 innings. He earned his first win since June 28 against San Diego.David Bednar surrendered a run but got the last four outs for his 26th save.Wins had been hard to come by for Gray (6-6) but not because of his performance. He started the ...

Buccaneers QB John Wolford taken to a hospital with a neck injury during preseason game vs. Jets

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:55:54 GMT

Buccaneers QB John Wolford taken to a hospital with a neck injury during preseason game vs. Jets EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Tampa Bay Buccaneers third-string quarterback John Wolford was taken to a hospital because of a neck injury after being carted from the field after being sacked in a preseason game against the New York Jets on Saturday night.Wolford, who started the second half in relief of Kyle Trask, was taken down by Jalyn Holmes and his head appeared to hit the turf with the Jets defensive lineman on top of him with 1:03 left in the third quarter. Wolford’s teammates immediately called for the trainers, who rushed out to attend to the 27-year-old quarterback.The Buccaneers announced Wolford had movement in his extremities and was being evaluated at the hospital.Wolford moved his legs several times as he was being checked on as almost the entire Buccaneers team gathered around him. He was strapped to a backboard and lifted onto a cart, and Wolford gave a thumbs off as he was being transported inside the stadium.Wolford, a former Wake Forest star who spent the la...

Richardson, Fields sit out as Ehlinger rallies Colts past Bears, 24-17

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:55:54 GMT

Richardson, Fields sit out as Ehlinger rallies Colts past Bears, 24-17 INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Sam Ehlinger directed two fourth-quarter touchdown drives and Jake Funk’s late 4-yard TD run gave the Indianapolis Colts a 24-17 comeback victory over the Chicago Bears on Saturday night.Neither of the two feature attractions — Bears quarterback Justin Fields or Colts rookie quarterback Anthony Richardson — played. The two coaches — Chicago’s Matt Eberflus and Indianapolis’ Shane Steichen — also opted against using most key players after the teams held two joint practices this week.But Gardner Minshew and Ehlinger, the Colts’ backup quarterbacks, and quarterback Tyson Bagent, Chicago’s undrafted rookie, all played well. Both teams are 1-1.Four days after Steichen named Richardson, the No. 4 overall draft pick, Indy’s opening-day starter, Minshew responded by going 13 of 15 with 107 yards and a nifty 4-yard touchdown pass to Juwann Winfree for the game’s first score.Ehlinger was 9 of 14 with 124 yards and led the team with...

Broncos defeated by 49ers on a field goal in last 3 seconds

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:55:54 GMT

Broncos defeated by 49ers on a field goal in last 3 seconds SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Brock Purdy and Russell Wilson led their teams to field goals on their only drives of the game and the San Francisco 49ers beat the Denver Broncos 21-20 on Saturday night on a field goal by rookie Jake Moody on the final play.Moody, drafted in the third round, bounced back after missing two field goals last week and an extra point earlier in the game to convert the 32-yarder after Trey Lance drove the Niners down the field in the closing minutes.Lance overcame an interception on his first drive to throw a 22-yard TD pass to Cameron Latu and then two big passes to Ronnie Bell to set up the winning kick. Lance finished 12 for 18 for 173 yards.Purdy got his first game action since injuring his elbow in San Francisco's NFC title game loss at Philadelphia. Purdy underwent surgery March 10 and made it back for training camp but didn't play in the preseason opener at Las Vegas.He looked good against the Broncos, throwing mostly short passes in his brief action. H...

Fate of dogs unknown after mauling six-year-old at Lakewood park

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:55:54 GMT

Fate of dogs unknown after mauling six-year-old at Lakewood park LAKEWOOD, Colo. (KDVR) -- A six-year-old boy was left covered in blood, requiring multiple surgeries after he was mauled by two dogs at a park in Lakewood.It happened on Wednesday while the family was on vacation, visiting relatives and friends in the city. They had only been in town for two days when the attack happened.A report has been filed with Lakewood Police, and FOX31 is still waiting on word about the fate of the dogs that were involved.Perla Inungarai-Anderson is a mother of four from Mexico, on vacation in Denver with her youngest daughter and six-year-old son, Diego."We go to the park, he loves going to parks and my sister would take him to the pool," Inungarai-Anderson said.Last Wednesday, his aunt was taking care of him and his sister."She took them to the park so they wouldn't think so much about what happened," Inungarai-Anderson said.Their vacation, a distraction from a recent family tragedy, when another would strike.This one in the form of a dog attack on little D...

Lionel Messi scores in regulation, penalties as Inter Miami beats Nashville in League Cup final

Published Mon, 30 Dec 2024 22:55:54 GMT

Lionel Messi scores in regulation, penalties as Inter Miami beats Nashville in League Cup final NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Lionel Messi scored early in regulation and converted the first shot in penalty kicks as Inter Miami beat Nashville SC 10-9 on penalties in the Leagues Cup final on Saturday night.Messi scored for the 10th time in seven games since joining Inter Miami, converting in the 23rd minute.The ball landed at Messi’s feet after a pass from teammate Robert Taylor was blocked. Messi dribbled past Nashville defender Walker Zimmerman and unleashed a bending shot from just outside the penalty box into the top left corner of the goal. Diving goalkeeper Elliot Panicco had no chance at playing the ball.Messi wasn’t particularly influential before he scored the goal, and the crowd showered him with boos each time he touched the ball. But the stadium erupted in cheers when the seven-time Ballon d’Or winner who led Argentina to the World Cup crown last year scored.Nashville tied the game in the 56th minute when Fafa Picault’s header off a corner kick ricocheted off Miami’s Benja...