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New Zealand qualifies for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 New Zealand will play at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil after beating Papua New Guinea 1-0 Wednesday in the final of the Oceania Confederation Qualifying Series.Sunderland midfielder Katie Kitching scored the only goal of the match in the 55th minute, sending New Zealand to a World Cup for the seventh time.Papua New Guinea still has a chance to qualify through an inter-continental playoff during the international window in November or December.New Zealand was denied twice by VAR, four times by the woodwork and repeatedly by Papua New Guinea goalkeeper Betty Sam who was outstanding in a hard-working defence.Deven Jackson appeared to have scored from Rebecca Stott’s through ball in the 32nd minute but the VAR showed Jackson had been caught by PNG’s offside trap.New Zealand was awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Maya Hahn was brought down in the box but the decision was overturned after the officials considered replays for more than five minutes. Katie Kitching of the Football Ferns celebrates her goal. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Katie Kitching of the Football Ferns celebrates her goal. | Photo Credit: Getty Images New Zealand’s finishing let it down on numerous occasions, notably when Jackson missed an open goal in the 51st minute.“It’s amazing. We had a job that we had to get done tonight and we did what we needed to do to get the result,” New Zealand coach Michael Mayne said. “We’re over the moon with going to the World Cup and now we can plan and see what we have to do this year to get ready for the World Cup.“At halftime we spoke about our finishing. Frustration had to be tempered. We were creating, we felt a goal was going to come and it was one of those games in which we had opportunities but weren’t clinical when we needed to be.”Papua New Guinea didn’t have a shot on goal but it’s defence was superb. It earned its place in the final with a 1-0 win over giant-killer American Samoa while New Zealand beat Fiji 5-0 in the semifinals.“I’m very proud of the girls,” Papua New Guinea coach Ericson Komeng said. “We weren’t clinical enough tonight to compete with New Zealand but I’m proud of the girls for all the hard work they put in today.“We just have to go back and work on little things and get ready for the playoff.”Published on Apr 15, 2026 #Zealand #qualifies #FIFA #Womens #World #Cup

New Zealand qualifies for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027

New Zealand will play at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil after beating Papua New Guinea 1-0 Wednesday in the final of the Oceania Confederation Qualifying Series.

Sunderland midfielder Katie Kitching scored the only goal of the match in the 55th minute, sending New Zealand to a World Cup for the seventh time.

Papua New Guinea still has a chance to qualify through an inter-continental playoff during the international window in November or December.

New Zealand was denied twice by VAR, four times by the woodwork and repeatedly by Papua New Guinea goalkeeper Betty Sam who was outstanding in a hard-working defence.

Deven Jackson appeared to have scored from Rebecca Stott’s through ball in the 32nd minute but the VAR showed Jackson had been caught by PNG’s offside trap.

New Zealand was awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Maya Hahn was brought down in the box but the decision was overturned after the officials considered replays for more than five minutes.

New Zealand qualifies for FIFA Women’s World Cup 2027 New Zealand will play at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil after beating Papua New Guinea 1-0 Wednesday in the final of the Oceania Confederation Qualifying Series.Sunderland midfielder Katie Kitching scored the only goal of the match in the 55th minute, sending New Zealand to a World Cup for the seventh time.Papua New Guinea still has a chance to qualify through an inter-continental playoff during the international window in November or December.New Zealand was denied twice by VAR, four times by the woodwork and repeatedly by Papua New Guinea goalkeeper Betty Sam who was outstanding in a hard-working defence.Deven Jackson appeared to have scored from Rebecca Stott’s through ball in the 32nd minute but the VAR showed Jackson had been caught by PNG’s offside trap.New Zealand was awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Maya Hahn was brought down in the box but the decision was overturned after the officials considered replays for more than five minutes. Katie Kitching of the Football Ferns celebrates her goal. | Photo Credit: Getty Images Katie Kitching of the Football Ferns celebrates her goal. | Photo Credit: Getty Images New Zealand’s finishing let it down on numerous occasions, notably when Jackson missed an open goal in the 51st minute.“It’s amazing. We had a job that we had to get done tonight and we did what we needed to do to get the result,” New Zealand coach Michael Mayne said. “We’re over the moon with going to the World Cup and now we can plan and see what we have to do this year to get ready for the World Cup.“At halftime we spoke about our finishing. Frustration had to be tempered. We were creating, we felt a goal was going to come and it was one of those games in which we had opportunities but weren’t clinical when we needed to be.”Papua New Guinea didn’t have a shot on goal but it’s defence was superb. It earned its place in the final with a 1-0 win over giant-killer American Samoa while New Zealand beat Fiji 5-0 in the semifinals.“I’m very proud of the girls,” Papua New Guinea coach Ericson Komeng said. “We weren’t clinical enough tonight to compete with New Zealand but I’m proud of the girls for all the hard work they put in today.“We just have to go back and work on little things and get ready for the playoff.”Published on Apr 15, 2026 #Zealand #qualifies #FIFA #Womens #World #Cup

Katie Kitching of the Football Ferns celebrates her goal. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

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Katie Kitching of the Football Ferns celebrates her goal. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

New Zealand’s finishing let it down on numerous occasions, notably when Jackson missed an open goal in the 51st minute.

“It’s amazing. We had a job that we had to get done tonight and we did what we needed to do to get the result,” New Zealand coach Michael Mayne said. “We’re over the moon with going to the World Cup and now we can plan and see what we have to do this year to get ready for the World Cup.

“At halftime we spoke about our finishing. Frustration had to be tempered. We were creating, we felt a goal was going to come and it was one of those games in which we had opportunities but weren’t clinical when we needed to be.”

Papua New Guinea didn’t have a shot on goal but it’s defence was superb. It earned its place in the final with a 1-0 win over giant-killer American Samoa while New Zealand beat Fiji 5-0 in the semifinals.

“I’m very proud of the girls,” Papua New Guinea coach Ericson Komeng said. “We weren’t clinical enough tonight to compete with New Zealand but I’m proud of the girls for all the hard work they put in today.

“We just have to go back and work on little things and get ready for the playoff.”

Published on Apr 15, 2026

#Zealand #qualifies #FIFA #Womens #World #Cup

Sports news , , , , ,

New Zealand will play at next year’s FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil after beating Papua New Guinea 1-0 Wednesday in the final of the Oceania Confederation Qualifying Series.

Sunderland midfielder Katie Kitching scored the only goal of the match in the 55th minute, sending New Zealand to a World Cup for the seventh time.

Papua New Guinea still has a chance to qualify through an inter-continental playoff during the international window in November or December.

New Zealand was denied twice by VAR, four times by the woodwork and repeatedly by Papua New Guinea goalkeeper Betty Sam who was outstanding in a hard-working defence.

Deven Jackson appeared to have scored from Rebecca Stott’s through ball in the 32nd minute but the VAR showed Jackson had been caught by PNG’s offside trap.

New Zealand was awarded a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Maya Hahn was brought down in the box but the decision was overturned after the officials considered replays for more than five minutes.

Katie Kitching of the Football Ferns celebrates her goal.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

lightbox-info

Katie Kitching of the Football Ferns celebrates her goal.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

New Zealand’s finishing let it down on numerous occasions, notably when Jackson missed an open goal in the 51st minute.

“It’s amazing. We had a job that we had to get done tonight and we did what we needed to do to get the result,” New Zealand coach Michael Mayne said. “We’re over the moon with going to the World Cup and now we can plan and see what we have to do this year to get ready for the World Cup.

“At halftime we spoke about our finishing. Frustration had to be tempered. We were creating, we felt a goal was going to come and it was one of those games in which we had opportunities but weren’t clinical when we needed to be.”

Papua New Guinea didn’t have a shot on goal but it’s defence was superb. It earned its place in the final with a 1-0 win over giant-killer American Samoa while New Zealand beat Fiji 5-0 in the semifinals.

“I’m very proud of the girls,” Papua New Guinea coach Ericson Komeng said. “We weren’t clinical enough tonight to compete with New Zealand but I’m proud of the girls for all the hard work they put in today.

“We just have to go back and work on little things and get ready for the playoff.”

Published on Apr 15, 2026

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Deadspin | Japan ends USWNT’s 10-match winning streak <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28730595.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28730595.jpg" alt="Soccer: International Womens Friendly-Japan at USA" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 14, 2026; Seattle, WA, USA; United States defender Emily Sonnett (14) heads the ball over Japan forward Maika Hamano (17) during the first half at Lumen Field. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Maika Hamano scored just after the halfway point of the first half and Japan defeated the United States 1-0 on Tuesday night to snap the Americans’ 10-match winning streak in a friendly played in Seattle.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Akane Okuma made five saves to become the first goalkeeper to hold the U.S. scoreless since the Americans’ 0-0 friendly draw at England on Nov. 30, 2024.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>In the second of three friendlies in seven days against the four-time World Cup champions, Japan, the 2011 World Cup winners, became the first side to beat the USWNT since Portugal prevailed 2-1 in a friendly last October.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Americans held 66.5% of the possession and led 12-9 in overall shots, although efforts on target finished level at five each.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>The sides will meet for a third time on Friday in Commerce City, Colo.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>USA manager Emma Hayes named an entirely new starting lineup from the one that earned a 2-1 friendly victory on Saturday in San Jose, Calif., and swapped a 4-4-2 from the first match for a 4-2-3-1.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Michihisa Kano, Hayes’ Japanese counterpart, also made nine alterations and opted for a 4-4-2 after playing a 4-3-3 on Sunday.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>Hamano put Japan in front in the 27th minute.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>Fuka Nagano began the attack through the middle with a throughball to striker Maya Hijikata, who then turned and spotted Hamano entering the right corner of the penalty area.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>With Lilly Reale closing, Hamano cut back onto her right foot, then unleashed a high shot that got just beyond the dive of goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Hayes made a quadruple substitution in the 65th minute — sending on Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson, Tierna Davidson and Gisele Thompson — and the result was the Americans creating the majority of the late chances.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Wilson forced Okuma into a save from a tight angle in the 71st minute.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Three minutes later, the Americans had a flurry of close-range chances blocked, two from Ally Sentnor and a third from Jaedyn Shaw.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>And in second-half stoppage time, Okuma appeared to save a dangerous volley from Lindsey Heaps at the near post, though Heaps was ultimately ruled offside on the play.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Japan #ends #USWNTs #10match #winning #streak

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Deadspin | Padres cool off Mariners, stretch win streak to 6 <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28730804.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28730804.jpg" alt="MLB: Seattle Mariners at San Diego Padres" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 14, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; Seattle Mariners first baseman Josh Naylor (12) tags out San Diego Padres designated hitter Gavin Sheets (30) to turn a double play during the sixth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: David Frerker-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Xander Bogaerts went 3-for-4 with three RBIs Tuesday night and Michael King fired six strong innings for his second straight win as the San Diego Padres stopped the visiting Seattle Mariners 4-1.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>King (2-1) allowed four hits and a run, walking two and fanning five in San Diego’s sixth straight win. Its high-leverage bullpen arms took care of matters from there with Mason Miller pitching the ninth for his fifth save in as many chances. </p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Bryan Woo (0-2) took the loss for Seattle, permitting eight hits and three runs over seven innings with a walk and three strikeouts. The result ended the Mariners’ four-game winning streak. </p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>The Padres rapped out 11 hits and continued their recent offensive surge. They have outscored opponents 40-15 during their streak, winning every game by at least three runs.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-5"> <p>Seattle initiated scoring in the second. Randy Arozarena and Luke Raley singled before J.P. Crawford was plunked to fill the bases. Dominic Canzone cashed in Arozarena with a sacrifice fly to center. </p> </section> <section id="section-6"> <p>That lead lasted until the third, when San Diego touched Woo for three runs. Ramon Laureano tripled with one out and rode home on a single by Fernando Tatis Jr. Jackson Merrill singled Tatis Jr. to third, then stole second before Bogaerts’ single plated both runners. </p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>The Padres capped the scoring in the eighth when Merrill doubled, advanced to third on Manny Machado’s fly ball to deep left and trotted home on Bogaerts’ third hit of the game. </p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Merrill also collected three hits for San Diego and Laureano finished with two. Arozarena was the only Mariner with two hits.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>The result was just the Padres’ fifth win in their last 19 matchups with the Mariners. </p> </section><br/><section id="section-10"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Padres #cool #Mariners #stretch #win #streak

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Deadspin | Iowa’s Tavion Banks declares for NBA draft, hopeful of return to Hawkeyes Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tavion Banks (6) shoots against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Iowa guard/forward Tavion Banks declared for the NBA draft on Wednesday and also said he is entering the transfer portal. Banks indicated that if he is granted a fifth season of eligibility, he would like to return to the Hawkeyes. “As I explore all options in continuing my basketball career, I am declaring for the NBA Draft, while also entering my name into the transfer portal in the event that a fifth year is granted,” Banks announced on social media. “If a fifth year becomes an option, I want to be a Hawkeye!” The 6-foot-7 Banks averaged 10.2 points and tied for the team lead of 4.6 rebounds per game for an Iowa squad that advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Illinois. In the second round, Banks scored a team-best 20 points to help the Hawkeyes post one of the more stunning wins of the tournament with a 73-72 victory over 2025 national champion Florida. Last season was Banks’ first at Iowa. He followed coach Ben McCollum from Drake. Banks averaged 10.1 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Bulldogs in 2024-25. Banks, who turned 23 on April 1, also played two seasons at Northwest Florida State, a junior college, before transferring to Drake. While Banks awaits a decision on whether he will receive another season of college eligibility, he is saluting the season he spent in Iowa City. “Competing as a Hawkeye this past season and helping lead this team to the Elite Eight was an amazing experience,” Banks said. “This was one of the best years of my life and it was everything I could have imagined. I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates and Hawkeye Nation for making this a memorable year in my basketball journey.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Iowas #Tavion #Banks #declares #NBA #draft #hopeful #return #HawkeyesMar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tavion Banks (6) shoots against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images

Iowa guard/forward Tavion Banks declared for the NBA draft on Wednesday and also said he is entering the transfer portal.

Banks indicated that if he is granted a fifth season of eligibility, he would like to return to the Hawkeyes.

“As I explore all options in continuing my basketball career, I am declaring for the NBA Draft, while also entering my name into the transfer portal in the event that a fifth year is granted,” Banks announced on social media. “If a fifth year becomes an option, I want to be a Hawkeye!”

The 6-foot-7 Banks averaged 10.2 points and tied for the team lead of 4.6 rebounds per game for an Iowa squad that advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Illinois. In the second round, Banks scored a team-best 20 points to help the Hawkeyes post one of the more stunning wins of the tournament with a 73-72 victory over 2025 national champion Florida.


Last season was Banks’ first at Iowa. He followed coach Ben McCollum from Drake. Banks averaged 10.1 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Bulldogs in 2024-25.

Banks, who turned 23 on April 1, also played two seasons at Northwest Florida State, a junior college, before transferring to Drake.

While Banks awaits a decision on whether he will receive another season of college eligibility, he is saluting the season he spent in Iowa City.

“Competing as a Hawkeye this past season and helping lead this team to the Elite Eight was an amazing experience,” Banks said. “This was one of the best years of my life and it was everything I could have imagined. I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates and Hawkeye Nation for making this a memorable year in my basketball journey.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Iowas #Tavion #Banks #declares #NBA #draft #hopeful #return #Hawkeyes">Deadspin | Iowa’s Tavion Banks declares for NBA draft, hopeful of return to Hawkeyes Mar 28, 2026; Houston, TX, USA; Iowa Hawkeyes guard Tavion Banks (6) shoots against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the second half during an Elite Eight game of the South Regional of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-Imagn Images Iowa guard/forward Tavion Banks declared for the NBA draft on Wednesday and also said he is entering the transfer portal. Banks indicated that if he is granted a fifth season of eligibility, he would like to return to the Hawkeyes. “As I explore all options in continuing my basketball career, I am declaring for the NBA Draft, while also entering my name into the transfer portal in the event that a fifth year is granted,” Banks announced on social media. “If a fifth year becomes an option, I want to be a Hawkeye!” The 6-foot-7 Banks averaged 10.2 points and tied for the team lead of 4.6 rebounds per game for an Iowa squad that advanced to the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Illinois. In the second round, Banks scored a team-best 20 points to help the Hawkeyes post one of the more stunning wins of the tournament with a 73-72 victory over 2025 national champion Florida. Last season was Banks’ first at Iowa. He followed coach Ben McCollum from Drake. Banks averaged 10.1 points and 5.0 rebounds for the Bulldogs in 2024-25. Banks, who turned 23 on April 1, also played two seasons at Northwest Florida State, a junior college, before transferring to Drake. While Banks awaits a decision on whether he will receive another season of college eligibility, he is saluting the season he spent in Iowa City. “Competing as a Hawkeye this past season and helping lead this team to the Elite Eight was an amazing experience,” Banks said. “This was one of the best years of my life and it was everything I could have imagined. I want to thank my family, coaches, teammates and Hawkeye Nation for making this a memorable year in my basketball journey.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Iowas #Tavion #Banks #declares #NBA #draft #hopeful #return #Hawkeyes

Deadspin | WTA roundup: Two-time Stuttgart champ Iga Swiatek into quarterfinals Mar 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Iga Swiatek (POL) hits a backhand against Magda Linette (POL) (not pictured) on day three of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images In her first match with new clay-court coach Francisco Roig, former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek cruised past Laura Siegemund of Germany 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany. Swiatek, a two-time champion at Stuttgart who is seeded No. 3, failed to capitalize on an early break in the opening set, but rebounded by breaking Siegemund in the sixth and eighth games. In the second set, the six-time Grand Slam champion missed out on another early break but again broke her opponent in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead before closing out the match. Swiatek, who had a first-round bye, is on to the quarterfinals. Qualifier Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey pulled off a sizable upset, taking down fifth-seeded Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-2, 6-2 in a one-hour, 16-minute match. Sönmez landed 72% of her first serves and also won 62.5% percent of second-return points, while Paolini failed to convert her lone break-point opportunities and won just 41.8% of total points. Fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine was among the other winners, dominating Eva Lys of Germany 6-1, 6-0. Sixth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia took down defending champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, American qualifier Alycia Parks defeated German wild card Noma Noha Akugue 6-4, 6-2, and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic outlasted Zhang Shuai of China 5-7, 6-1, 6-4. Rouen Metropolitan Open Unseeded Katie Boulter of Great Britain pulled off an upset of No. 3 seed Jaqueline Cristian of Romania, winning 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals at Rouen, France. Boulter, who has won just once on the WTA Tour, survived a tough first set that saw her take a 5-0 lead in the tiebreaker, only for Cristian to save five set points before Boulter prevailed. Cristian rebounded in the second set, but Boulter cruised in the third set, breaking Cristian twice en route to the win. Top-seeded Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine dropped the opening set to unseeded American Caty McNally, then bounced back for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory to reach the quarterfinals. Kostyuk will face fifth-seeded American Ann Li, who notched a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 triumph over unseeded Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan. Unseeded Tatjana Maria of Germany upset No. 9 seed Elsa Jacquemot of France 6-4, 6-3. Other winners included No. 2 seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania, Anna Bondar of Hungary and Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #WTA #roundup #Twotime #Stuttgart #champ #Iga #Swiatek #quarterfinalsMar 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Iga Swiatek (POL) hits a backhand against Magda Linette (POL) (not pictured) on day three of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

In her first match with new clay-court coach Francisco Roig, former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek cruised past Laura Siegemund of Germany 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany.

Swiatek, a two-time champion at Stuttgart who is seeded No. 3, failed to capitalize on an early break in the opening set, but rebounded by breaking Siegemund in the sixth and eighth games. In the second set, the six-time Grand Slam champion missed out on another early break but again broke her opponent in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead before closing out the match. Swiatek, who had a first-round bye, is on to the quarterfinals.

Qualifier Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey pulled off a sizable upset, taking down fifth-seeded Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-2, 6-2 in a one-hour, 16-minute match. Sönmez landed 72% of her first serves and also won 62.5% percent of second-return points, while Paolini failed to convert her lone break-point opportunities and won just 41.8% of total points.

Fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine was among the other winners, dominating Eva Lys of Germany 6-1, 6-0. Sixth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia took down defending champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, American qualifier Alycia Parks defeated German wild card Noma Noha Akugue 6-4, 6-2, and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic outlasted Zhang Shuai of China 5-7, 6-1, 6-4.


Rouen Metropolitan Open

Unseeded Katie Boulter of Great Britain pulled off an upset of No. 3 seed Jaqueline Cristian of Romania, winning 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals at Rouen, France.

Boulter, who has won just once on the WTA Tour, survived a tough first set that saw her take a 5-0 lead in the tiebreaker, only for Cristian to save five set points before Boulter prevailed. Cristian rebounded in the second set, but Boulter cruised in the third set, breaking Cristian twice en route to the win.

Top-seeded Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine dropped the opening set to unseeded American Caty McNally, then bounced back for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory to reach the quarterfinals. Kostyuk will face fifth-seeded American Ann Li, who notched a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 triumph over unseeded Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan. Unseeded Tatjana Maria of Germany upset No. 9 seed Elsa Jacquemot of France 6-4, 6-3. Other winners included No. 2 seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania, Anna Bondar of Hungary and Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #WTA #roundup #Twotime #Stuttgart #champ #Iga #Swiatek #quarterfinals">Deadspin | WTA roundup: Two-time Stuttgart champ Iga Swiatek into quarterfinals Mar 19, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Iga Swiatek (POL) hits a backhand against Magda Linette (POL) (not pictured) on day three of the 2026 Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images In her first match with new clay-court coach Francisco Roig, former World No. 1 Iga Swiatek cruised past Laura Siegemund of Germany 6-2, 6-3 on Wednesday at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, Germany. Swiatek, a two-time champion at Stuttgart who is seeded No. 3, failed to capitalize on an early break in the opening set, but rebounded by breaking Siegemund in the sixth and eighth games. In the second set, the six-time Grand Slam champion missed out on another early break but again broke her opponent in the eighth game to take a 5-3 lead before closing out the match. Swiatek, who had a first-round bye, is on to the quarterfinals. Qualifier Zeynep Sonmez of Turkey pulled off a sizable upset, taking down fifth-seeded Jasmine Paolini of Italy 6-2, 6-2 in a one-hour, 16-minute match. Sönmez landed 72% of her first serves and also won 62.5% percent of second-return points, while Paolini failed to convert her lone break-point opportunities and won just 41.8% of total points. Fourth-seeded Elina Svitolina of Ukraine was among the other winners, dominating Eva Lys of Germany 6-1, 6-0. Sixth-seeded Mirra Andreeva of Russia took down defending champion Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia 5-7, 6-2, 6-4, American qualifier Alycia Parks defeated German wild card Noma Noha Akugue 6-4, 6-2, and Linda Noskova of the Czech Republic outlasted Zhang Shuai of China 5-7, 6-1, 6-4. Rouen Metropolitan Open Unseeded Katie Boulter of Great Britain pulled off an upset of No. 3 seed Jaqueline Cristian of Romania, winning 7-6 (5), 4-6, 6-1 to advance to the quarterfinals at Rouen, France. Boulter, who has won just once on the WTA Tour, survived a tough first set that saw her take a 5-0 lead in the tiebreaker, only for Cristian to save five set points before Boulter prevailed. Cristian rebounded in the second set, but Boulter cruised in the third set, breaking Cristian twice en route to the win. Top-seeded Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine dropped the opening set to unseeded American Caty McNally, then bounced back for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1 victory to reach the quarterfinals. Kostyuk will face fifth-seeded American Ann Li, who notched a 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 triumph over unseeded Kamilla Rakhimova of Uzbekistan. Unseeded Tatjana Maria of Germany upset No. 9 seed Elsa Jacquemot of France 6-4, 6-3. Other winners included No. 2 seed Sorana Cirstea of Romania, Anna Bondar of Hungary and Oleksandra Oliynykova of Ukraine. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #WTA #roundup #Twotime #Stuttgart #champ #Iga #Swiatek #quarterfinals

Deadspin | ATP roundup: Ben Shelton continues successful run at BMW Open Ben Shelton keeps his eyes on the ball during his second-round match against Reilly Opelka at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Friday, March 6, 2026. Second-seeded Ben Shelton saved two set points in the second set, including one in the tiebreaker, in knocking off Belgian wild card Alexander Blockx 6-4, 7-6 (8) on Wednesday in the BMW Open’s second round in Munich, Germany. Ranked No. 6 in the world, Shelton is 6-1 all-time in Munich, where he reached the clay-court final in 2025 and lost to Germany’s Alexander Zverev. Shelton saved all three break points in the match against Blockx and had more winners (26-11) and aces (4-0) as well as double faults (2-0) and unforced errors (32-15). Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, the fourth seed, downed Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-2, 6-3, but other seeds didn’t fare as well. Czech Vit Kopriva upset eighth-seeded Luciano Darderi of Italy 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, and Brazil’s Joao Fonseca defeated seventh-seeded Arthur Rinderknech of France 6-3, 6-2. Fonseca, 19, takes on Shelton in the quarterfinals. Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan completed his match suspended by darkness on Tuesday with a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas on Wednesday. Barcelona Open Wild card Rafael Jodar became the third Spanish teenager this century to reach the Barcelona quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in one hour, 30 minutes. The other two teens were all-time great Rafael Nadal (2005-06) and current World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz (2022-23), who pulled out of the event due to a right wrist injury sustained in a victory on Tuesday. Jodar, No. 47 in the world, will face seventh-seeded Cameron Norrie of Great Britain, who beat Ethan Quinn 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Serbian qualifier Hamad Medjedovic upset third-seeded Alex de Minaur of Australia 6-3, 6-4, and will take on Portugal’s Nuno Borges, who defeated Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 7-6 (4). –Field Level Media #Deadspin #ATP #roundup #Ben #Shelton #continues #successful #run #BMW #OpenBen Shelton keeps his eyes on the ball during his second-round match against Reilly Opelka at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Friday, March 6, 2026.

Second-seeded Ben Shelton saved two set points in the second set, including one in the tiebreaker, in knocking off Belgian wild card Alexander Blockx 6-4, 7-6 (8) on Wednesday in the BMW Open’s second round in Munich, Germany.

Ranked No. 6 in the world, Shelton is 6-1 all-time in Munich, where he reached the clay-court final in 2025 and lost to Germany’s Alexander Zverev. Shelton saved all three break points in the match against Blockx and had more winners (26-11) and aces (4-0) as well as double faults (2-0) and unforced errors (32-15).

Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, the fourth seed, downed Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-2, 6-3, but other seeds didn’t fare as well. Czech Vit Kopriva upset eighth-seeded Luciano Darderi of Italy 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, and Brazil’s Joao Fonseca defeated seventh-seeded Arthur Rinderknech of France 6-3, 6-2. Fonseca, 19, takes on Shelton in the quarterfinals.

Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan completed his match suspended by darkness on Tuesday with a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas on Wednesday.


Barcelona Open

Wild card Rafael Jodar became the third Spanish teenager this century to reach the Barcelona quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in one hour, 30 minutes.

The other two teens were all-time great Rafael Nadal (2005-06) and current World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz (2022-23), who pulled out of the event due to a right wrist injury sustained in a victory on Tuesday.

Jodar, No. 47 in the world, will face seventh-seeded Cameron Norrie of Great Britain, who beat Ethan Quinn 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Serbian qualifier Hamad Medjedovic upset third-seeded Alex de Minaur of Australia 6-3, 6-4, and will take on Portugal’s Nuno Borges, who defeated Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 7-6 (4).

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #ATP #roundup #Ben #Shelton #continues #successful #run #BMW #Open">Deadspin | ATP roundup: Ben Shelton continues successful run at BMW Open Ben Shelton keeps his eyes on the ball during his second-round match against Reilly Opelka at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Friday, March 6, 2026. Second-seeded Ben Shelton saved two set points in the second set, including one in the tiebreaker, in knocking off Belgian wild card Alexander Blockx 6-4, 7-6 (8) on Wednesday in the BMW Open’s second round in Munich, Germany. Ranked No. 6 in the world, Shelton is 6-1 all-time in Munich, where he reached the clay-court final in 2025 and lost to Germany’s Alexander Zverev. Shelton saved all three break points in the match against Blockx and had more winners (26-11) and aces (4-0) as well as double faults (2-0) and unforced errors (32-15). Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, the fourth seed, downed Belgium’s Zizou Bergs 6-2, 6-3, but other seeds didn’t fare as well. Czech Vit Kopriva upset eighth-seeded Luciano Darderi of Italy 2-6, 6-4, 6-1, and Brazil’s Joao Fonseca defeated seventh-seeded Arthur Rinderknech of France 6-3, 6-2. Fonseca, 19, takes on Shelton in the quarterfinals. Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan completed his match suspended by darkness on Tuesday with a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 victory over Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas on Wednesday. Barcelona Open Wild card Rafael Jodar became the third Spanish teenager this century to reach the Barcelona quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Argentina’s Camilo Ugo Carabelli in one hour, 30 minutes. The other two teens were all-time great Rafael Nadal (2005-06) and current World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz (2022-23), who pulled out of the event due to a right wrist injury sustained in a victory on Tuesday. Jodar, No. 47 in the world, will face seventh-seeded Cameron Norrie of Great Britain, who beat Ethan Quinn 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. Serbian qualifier Hamad Medjedovic upset third-seeded Alex de Minaur of Australia 6-3, 6-4, and will take on Portugal’s Nuno Borges, who defeated Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-3, 7-6 (4). –Field Level Media #Deadspin #ATP #roundup #Ben #Shelton #continues #successful #run #BMW #Open

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