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Deadspin | Anna Bondar upends Elina Svitolina in Madrid Aug 25, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Anna Bondar (HUN) hits a backhand against Elina Svitolina (UKR)(not pictured) on day two of the 2025 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Hungary’s Anna Bondar delivered a 6-3, 6-4 upset of No. 7 seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday. It was the first career top-10 win for Bondar, who advanced to face Czech teenager Laura Samson in the third round of the WTA 1000 clay-court tournament. Bondar struck six aces and saved all six break points she faced in the 87-minute win over Svitolina, finishing with 27 winners and just nine unforced errors. She was the first Hungarian woman to defeat a top-10 opponent since Timea Babos at the 2018 Australian Open. “I knew I had to bring my ‘A’ game, which I think I did today,” Bondar said in her on-court interview. “I played against her three times last year, so I knew what to expect. I think the conditions fit my game here really well — I like to use my heavy forehand, so I think that was one of the keys today.” Svitolina received treatment on her ankle during a medical timeout while trailing 3-2 in the second set. Bondar’s next opponent, the 18-year-old Samson, became the first player born in 2008 or later to reach the third round at the WTA 1000 level or above. Samson defeated No. 28 seed Xinyu Wang of China 2-6, 6-3, 6-0. Three-time Madrid champion and top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus advanced with a 7-5, 6-3 victory against Peyton Stearns. Sabalenka converted four of 13 break points during 95-minute match. “I’m just glad that I got the win,” Sabalenka said. “Maybe not that beautiful, but I felt by the end of the match, I felt much better on court. “It wasn’t an easy one. I did my work before coming here, but altitude and these courts and her game, it wasn’t easy.” Up next for Sabalenka, who is on a 13-match winning streak, is No. 29 seed Jacqueline Cristian of Romania. Cristian rallied for a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 win against Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva in 3 hours and 6 minutes. No. 4 seed Iga Swiatek of Poland, the 2024 Madrid champion, made quick work of Ukraine’s Daria Snigur with a 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 61 minutes. Swiatek’s third-round opponent will be No. 31 seed Ann Li, who outlasted her American compatriot Alycia Parks 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3. Also reaching the third round were No. 8 Jasmine Paolini of Italy, No. 9 Mirra Andreeva of Russia, No. 11 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, No. 14 Naomi Osaka of Japan, No. 15 Iva Jovic, No. 18 Diana Shnaider of Russia, No. 24 Leylah Fernandez of Canada and No. 30 Hailey Baptiste. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Anna #Bondar #upends #Elina #Svitolina #Madrid

Deadspin | Anna Bondar upends Elina Svitolina in Madrid
Deadspin | Anna Bondar upends Elina Svitolina in Madrid Aug 25, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Anna Bondar (HUN) hits a backhand against Elina Svitolina (UKR)(not pictured) on day two of the 2025 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Hungary’s Anna Bondar delivered a 6-3, 6-4 upset of No. 7 seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday. It was the first career top-10 win for Bondar, who advanced to face Czech teenager Laura Samson in the third round of the WTA 1000 clay-court tournament. Bondar struck six aces and saved all six break points she faced in the 87-minute win over Svitolina, finishing with 27 winners and just nine unforced errors. She was the first Hungarian woman to defeat a top-10 opponent since Timea Babos at the 2018 Australian Open. “I knew I had to bring my ‘A’ game, which I think I did today,” Bondar said in her on-court interview. “I played against her three times last year, so I knew what to expect. I think the conditions fit my game here really well — I like to use my heavy forehand, so I think that was one of the keys today.” Svitolina received treatment on her ankle during a medical timeout while trailing 3-2 in the second set. Bondar’s next opponent, the 18-year-old Samson, became the first player born in 2008 or later to reach the third round at the WTA 1000 level or above. Samson defeated No. 28 seed Xinyu Wang of China 2-6, 6-3, 6-0. Three-time Madrid champion and top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus advanced with a 7-5, 6-3 victory against Peyton Stearns. Sabalenka converted four of 13 break points during 95-minute match. “I’m just glad that I got the win,” Sabalenka said. “Maybe not that beautiful, but I felt by the end of the match, I felt much better on court. “It wasn’t an easy one. I did my work before coming here, but altitude and these courts and her game, it wasn’t easy.” Up next for Sabalenka, who is on a 13-match winning streak, is No. 29 seed Jacqueline Cristian of Romania. Cristian rallied for a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 win against Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva in 3 hours and 6 minutes. No. 4 seed Iga Swiatek of Poland, the 2024 Madrid champion, made quick work of Ukraine’s Daria Snigur with a 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 61 minutes. Swiatek’s third-round opponent will be No. 31 seed Ann Li, who outlasted her American compatriot Alycia Parks 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3. Also reaching the third round were No. 8 Jasmine Paolini of Italy, No. 9 Mirra Andreeva of Russia, No. 11 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, No. 14 Naomi Osaka of Japan, No. 15 Iva Jovic, No. 18 Diana Shnaider of Russia, No. 24 Leylah Fernandez of Canada and No. 30 Hailey Baptiste. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Anna #Bondar #upends #Elina #Svitolina #MadridAug 25, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Anna Bondar (HUN) hits a backhand against Elina Svitolina (UKR)(not pictured) on day two of the 2025 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Hungary’s Anna Bondar delivered a 6-3, 6-4 upset of No. 7 seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday.

It was the first career top-10 win for Bondar, who advanced to face Czech teenager Laura Samson in the third round of the WTA 1000 clay-court tournament.

Bondar struck six aces and saved all six break points she faced in the 87-minute win over Svitolina, finishing with 27 winners and just nine unforced errors. She was the first Hungarian woman to defeat a top-10 opponent since Timea Babos at the 2018 Australian Open.

“I knew I had to bring my ‘A’ game, which I think I did today,” Bondar said in her on-court interview. “I played against her three times last year, so I knew what to expect. I think the conditions fit my game here really well — I like to use my heavy forehand, so I think that was one of the keys today.”

Svitolina received treatment on her ankle during a medical timeout while trailing 3-2 in the second set.

Bondar’s next opponent, the 18-year-old Samson, became the first player born in 2008 or later to reach the third round at the WTA 1000 level or above. Samson defeated No. 28 seed Xinyu Wang of China 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.


Three-time Madrid champion and top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus advanced with a 7-5, 6-3 victory against Peyton Stearns. Sabalenka converted four of 13 break points during 95-minute match.

“I’m just glad that I got the win,” Sabalenka said. “Maybe not that beautiful, but I felt by the end of the match, I felt much better on court.

“It wasn’t an easy one. I did my work before coming here, but altitude and these courts and her game, it wasn’t easy.”

Up next for Sabalenka, who is on a 13-match winning streak, is No. 29 seed Jacqueline Cristian of Romania. Cristian rallied for a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 win against Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva in 3 hours and 6 minutes.

No. 4 seed Iga Swiatek of Poland, the 2024 Madrid champion, made quick work of Ukraine’s Daria Snigur with a 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 61 minutes.

Swiatek’s third-round opponent will be No. 31 seed Ann Li, who outlasted her American compatriot Alycia Parks 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3.

Also reaching the third round were No. 8 Jasmine Paolini of Italy, No. 9 Mirra Andreeva of Russia, No. 11 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, No. 14 Naomi Osaka of Japan, No. 15 Iva Jovic, No. 18 Diana Shnaider of Russia, No. 24 Leylah Fernandez of Canada and No. 30 Hailey Baptiste.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Anna #Bondar #upends #Elina #Svitolina #Madrid

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Aug 25, 2025; Flushing, NY, USA; Anna Bondar (HUN) hits a backhand against Elina Svitolina (UKR)(not pictured) on day two of the 2025 US Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Hungary’s Anna Bondar delivered a 6-3, 6-4 upset of No. 7 seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine in the second round of the Mutua Madrid Open on Thursday.

It was the first career top-10 win for Bondar, who advanced to face Czech teenager Laura Samson in the third round of the WTA 1000 clay-court tournament.

Bondar struck six aces and saved all six break points she faced in the 87-minute win over Svitolina, finishing with 27 winners and just nine unforced errors. She was the first Hungarian woman to defeat a top-10 opponent since Timea Babos at the 2018 Australian Open.

“I knew I had to bring my ‘A’ game, which I think I did today,” Bondar said in her on-court interview. “I played against her three times last year, so I knew what to expect. I think the conditions fit my game here really well — I like to use my heavy forehand, so I think that was one of the keys today.”

Svitolina received treatment on her ankle during a medical timeout while trailing 3-2 in the second set.

Bondar’s next opponent, the 18-year-old Samson, became the first player born in 2008 or later to reach the third round at the WTA 1000 level or above. Samson defeated No. 28 seed Xinyu Wang of China 2-6, 6-3, 6-0.

Three-time Madrid champion and top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus advanced with a 7-5, 6-3 victory against Peyton Stearns. Sabalenka converted four of 13 break points during 95-minute match.

“I’m just glad that I got the win,” Sabalenka said. “Maybe not that beautiful, but I felt by the end of the match, I felt much better on court.

“It wasn’t an easy one. I did my work before coming here, but altitude and these courts and her game, it wasn’t easy.”

Up next for Sabalenka, who is on a 13-match winning streak, is No. 29 seed Jacqueline Cristian of Romania. Cristian rallied for a 3-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 win against Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva in 3 hours and 6 minutes.

No. 4 seed Iga Swiatek of Poland, the 2024 Madrid champion, made quick work of Ukraine’s Daria Snigur with a 6-1, 6-2 victory in just 61 minutes.

Swiatek’s third-round opponent will be No. 31 seed Ann Li, who outlasted her American compatriot Alycia Parks 6-2, 6-7 (5), 6-3.

Also reaching the third round were No. 8 Jasmine Paolini of Italy, No. 9 Mirra Andreeva of Russia, No. 11 Belinda Bencic of Switzerland, No. 14 Naomi Osaka of Japan, No. 15 Iva Jovic, No. 18 Diana Shnaider of Russia, No. 24 Leylah Fernandez of Canada and No. 30 Hailey Baptiste.

–Field Level Media

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IPL 2026: Indian talent come in ready to hit sixes, says RCB’s Tim David <div id="content-body-70898429" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Not many batters are synonymous with the way the art of willow-wielding has exploded this Indian Premier League (IPL) quite like Tim David.</p><p>The broad-chested Aussie of gigantic frame (6’5”) has been one of the best exponents of power-hitting, scoring his 173 runs this campaign at a whopping strike-rate of 203.52. He also has more sixes than fours (14 to 12), in line with his overall IPL career (74 to 66).</p><p>But the 30-year-old, who recently became the second fastest to score 1000 IPL runs (560 balls), also felt that the Indian domestic talent has stepped up dramatically to become bold and belligerent.</p><p><b>READ</b> | <b><a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/ipl-2026-match-today-rcb-vs-gt-preview-royal-challengers-bengaluru-vs-gujarat-titans-news/article70898031.ece" target="_blank">IPL 2026: GT’s top-heavy method to face full-throttle RCB test</a></b></p><p>“The first part is that you have the Impact subs… you get an extra player,” said David in the lead-up to Friday’s match against Gujarat Titans here. “It is also that the depth of the domestic talent in India has improved so much and these guys come into the IPL ready to hit sixes.</p><p>“Earlier, you would need specific overseas players to be power-hitters, like Chris Gayle. But you now look at all the Indian domestic players and the international Indian players, and they all hit sixes. That’s stepped up throughout the competition.”</p><p>However, despite totals routinely going north of 200, David opined – without saying in as many words – that it was still a cat-and-mouse contest between batters and bowlers.</p><p>“Bowlers have lots of weapons in their arsenal now and are definitely a lot smarter. You’ll see the summary on the TV, they talk about where the bowlers can target and they’ve obviously graphed out where batters score quickly and what they’re weak against.</p><p>“If the bowler lands a perfect yorker, it’s going to be difficult to score off. But they know that if I’m standing down and they’re going to miss, I’m going to try and hit them for a six.”</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 23, 2026</p></div> #IPL #Indian #talent #ready #hit #sixes #RCBs #Tim #David

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World number four Felix Auger-Aliassime will be playing for local pride when the ATP Montreal Masters begins on Sunday in his hometown.

The Canadian returns as second seed to a tournament he attended frequently as a budding young player, when he used to watch and study his sporting idols up close in training between matches.

“There were several times when I didn’t have a ticket, so I would watch all the training sessions,” he said on Saturday at the event, where he is seeded behind Roland Garros winner and Wimbledon runner-up Alexander Zverev.

“I learned even more things during training since they (fans) have the chance to be very, very close to the players.”

Auger-Aliassime recently split with his longtime coach of 10 years, Frederic Fontang, after losing a frustrating Wimbledon five-set quarterfinal to Novak Djokovic.

He will have the bulk of the crowd support at an event which is missing major stars including top-ranked Jannik Sinner, who opted not to play in the wake of his Wimbledon triumph to send tournament organisers into crisis mode.

Joining the Italian on the sidelines with less than a month to go before the US Open begins are the 39-year-old Djokovic and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, still testing and healing the right wrist injury which has kept him off court since mid-April.

Auger-Aliassime’s best performance at the Canadian event was a quarterfinal four years ago. Last year he lost in the second round.

Despite the hometown support, Auger-Aliassime said he will aim to stick to his usual routines and focus solely on his game.

“Already, my expectations or hopes are at the same level as the public’s. So already, there is no gap at that level,” he said.

“I have my work to do, I have my preparation, I have my routines, so all that doesn’t change.

“I try to change as few things as possible, even if I’m playing in Montreal. Yes, I’m a bit more in-demand obviously than at other tournaments, but I try to keep my routines.

“The brain is used to having its routines. And that helps to program oneself well or to prepare well for the tournament.”

All 28 seeds in the 128-strong field receive first-round byes, with Auger-Aliassime set for the second round against the winner from France’s Luca van Assche and a qualifier.

Top seed Zverev reached the Canadian semifinal in Toronto a year ago.

Australian Alex de Minaur takes the third seeding ahead of Daniil Mdevedev while defending champion Ben Shelton is seeded fifth.

Published on Aug 02, 2026

#AugerAliassime #playing #hometown #pride #Montreal #Masters">Auger-Aliassime playing for hometown pride at Montreal Masters World number four Felix Auger-Aliassime will be playing for local pride when the ATP Montreal Masters begins on Sunday in his hometown.The Canadian returns as second seed to a tournament he attended frequently as a budding young player, when he used to watch and study his sporting idols up close in training between matches.“There were several times when I didn’t have a ticket, so I would watch all the training sessions,” he said on Saturday at the event, where he is seeded behind Roland Garros winner and Wimbledon runner-up Alexander Zverev.“I learned even more things during training since they (fans) have the chance to be very, very close to the players.”Auger-Aliassime recently split with his longtime coach of 10 years, Frederic Fontang, after losing a frustrating Wimbledon five-set quarterfinal to Novak Djokovic.He will have the bulk of the crowd support at an event which is missing major stars including top-ranked Jannik Sinner, who opted not to play in the wake of his Wimbledon triumph to send tournament organisers into crisis mode.Joining the Italian on the sidelines with less than a month to go before the US Open begins are the 39-year-old Djokovic and Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, still testing and healing the right wrist injury which has kept him off court since mid-April.Auger-Aliassime’s best performance at the Canadian event was a quarterfinal four years ago. Last year he lost in the second round.Despite the hometown support, Auger-Aliassime said he will aim to stick to his usual routines and focus solely on his game.“Already, my expectations or hopes are at the same level as the public’s. So already, there is no gap at that level,” he said.“I have my work to do, I have my preparation, I have my routines, so all that doesn’t change.“I try to change as few things as possible, even if I’m playing in Montreal. Yes, I’m a bit more in-demand obviously than at other tournaments, but I try to keep my routines.“The brain is used to having its routines. And that helps to program oneself well or to prepare well for the tournament.”All 28 seeds in the 128-strong field receive first-round byes, with Auger-Aliassime set for the second round against the winner from France’s Luca van Assche and a qualifier.Top seed Zverev reached the Canadian semifinal in Toronto a year ago.Australian Alex de Minaur takes the third seeding ahead of Daniil Mdevedev while defending champion Ben Shelton is seeded fifth.Published on Aug 02, 2026 #AugerAliassime #playing #hometown #pride #Montreal #Masters

Deadspin | Trade target Kevin Gausman pitches Jays past Cardinals Aug 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) pitches to the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images In possibly his final start for Toronto, Kevin Gausman allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings as the Blue Jays defeated the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Saturday to clinch the three-game series. Gausman (5-10), a pending free agent who may be dealt by the trade deadline on Monday, scattered nine hits, walked one and struck out four. George Springer had two hits and two RBIs for the Blue Jays, who have won three in a row. Alejandro Kirk added a two-run single. Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker and Blaze Jordan each had two hits for the Cardinals, who lost their third straight despite outhitting Toronto 11-9. St. Louis was 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11. Gausman survived three singles in the third with the help of a double play grounder. The Blue Jays scored once in third against Quinn Mathews (0-1), who was making his major league debut. Davis Schneider led off with a walk, took second on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s one-out single to right and scored on Springer’s two-out single past shortstop Masyn Winn. Toronto took a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Ernie Clement singled to lead off and took third on a double by Myles Straw on a drive that popped out of the glove of diving center fielder Nathan Church approaching the warning track. With one out, Luis Urias lofted a sacrifice fly to center. The Cardinals scored their only run in the sixth. Ivan Herrera doubled to left-center and scored on Winn’s one-out double to right-center. After Church grounded out, Gausman left to a long standing ovation and Braydon Fisher took over. Mathews was replaced by Luis Gastelum after Daulton Varsho’s bunt single opened the sixth. Matthews allowed two runs, six hits and three walks with three strikeouts in five-plus innings. Toronto stretched the lead to 5-1 in the seventh. Gastelum plunked pinch hitter Andres Gimenez, Guerrero followed with an infield hit to shortstop and Springer sliced a double to the right field corner past a diving Walker. Peter Strzelecki came in and gave up Kirk’s two-run single to right. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Trade #target #Kevin #Gausman #pitches #Jays #CardinalsAug 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) pitches to the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images

In possibly his final start for Toronto, Kevin Gausman allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings as the Blue Jays defeated the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Saturday to clinch the three-game series.

Gausman (5-10), a pending free agent who may be dealt by the trade deadline on Monday, scattered nine hits, walked one and struck out four.

George Springer had two hits and two RBIs for the Blue Jays, who have won three in a row. Alejandro Kirk added a two-run single.

Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker and Blaze Jordan each had two hits for the Cardinals, who lost their third straight despite outhitting Toronto 11-9. St. Louis was 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11.

Gausman survived three singles in the third with the help of a double play grounder.


The Blue Jays scored once in third against Quinn Mathews (0-1), who was making his major league debut. Davis Schneider led off with a walk, took second on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s one-out single to right and scored on Springer’s two-out single past shortstop Masyn Winn.

Toronto took a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Ernie Clement singled to lead off and took third on a double by Myles Straw on a drive that popped out of the glove of diving center fielder Nathan Church approaching the warning track. With one out, Luis Urias lofted a sacrifice fly to center.

The Cardinals scored their only run in the sixth. Ivan Herrera doubled to left-center and scored on Winn’s one-out double to right-center. After Church grounded out, Gausman left to a long standing ovation and Braydon Fisher took over.

Mathews was replaced by Luis Gastelum after Daulton Varsho’s bunt single opened the sixth. Matthews allowed two runs, six hits and three walks with three strikeouts in five-plus innings.

Toronto stretched the lead to 5-1 in the seventh.

Gastelum plunked pinch hitter Andres Gimenez, Guerrero followed with an infield hit to shortstop and Springer sliced a double to the right field corner past a diving Walker. Peter Strzelecki came in and gave up Kirk’s two-run single to right.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Trade #target #Kevin #Gausman #pitches #Jays #Cardinals">Deadspin | Trade target Kevin Gausman pitches Jays past Cardinals Aug 1, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman (34) pitches to the St. Louis Cardinals during the first inning at Rogers Centre. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Sousa-Imagn Images In possibly his final start for Toronto, Kevin Gausman allowed one run in 5 2/3 innings as the Blue Jays defeated the visiting St. Louis Cardinals 5-1 on Saturday to clinch the three-game series. Gausman (5-10), a pending free agent who may be dealt by the trade deadline on Monday, scattered nine hits, walked one and struck out four. George Springer had two hits and two RBIs for the Blue Jays, who have won three in a row. Alejandro Kirk added a two-run single. Alec Burleson, Jordan Walker and Blaze Jordan each had two hits for the Cardinals, who lost their third straight despite outhitting Toronto 11-9. St. Louis was 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position and stranded 11. Gausman survived three singles in the third with the help of a double play grounder. The Blue Jays scored once in third against Quinn Mathews (0-1), who was making his major league debut. Davis Schneider led off with a walk, took second on Vladimir Guerrero Jr.’s one-out single to right and scored on Springer’s two-out single past shortstop Masyn Winn. Toronto took a 2-0 lead in the fourth. Ernie Clement singled to lead off and took third on a double by Myles Straw on a drive that popped out of the glove of diving center fielder Nathan Church approaching the warning track. With one out, Luis Urias lofted a sacrifice fly to center. The Cardinals scored their only run in the sixth. Ivan Herrera doubled to left-center and scored on Winn’s one-out double to right-center. After Church grounded out, Gausman left to a long standing ovation and Braydon Fisher took over. Mathews was replaced by Luis Gastelum after Daulton Varsho’s bunt single opened the sixth. Matthews allowed two runs, six hits and three walks with three strikeouts in five-plus innings. Toronto stretched the lead to 5-1 in the seventh. Gastelum plunked pinch hitter Andres Gimenez, Guerrero followed with an infield hit to shortstop and Springer sliced a double to the right field corner past a diving Walker. Peter Strzelecki came in and gave up Kirk’s two-run single to right. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Trade #target #Kevin #Gausman #pitches #Jays #Cardinals

Amid the usual litany of off-court storylines, it’s been a superb on-court season for the Fever star.

Clark is averaging 21.5 points per game, the third-most in the league, and 7.9 assists per game, the second-most in the league. (In other words, no single player creates more on offense than she does).

She’s also quietly upped her efficiency — in her rookie season (in which she was named to the All-WNBA First Team), she shot 41.7% from the field and 34.4% from three. In her sophomore season (in which she appeared in just 13 games due to a myriad of injuries), she shot worse, hitting 36.7% of her shot attempts and 27.9% of her threes.

And, this year, she’s shooting 44.3% from the field and 35.4% from three, both career-highs. While turnovers continue to be an Achilles heel, she’s averaging fewer per game this year (4.7) than in her rookie campaign (5.6).

Clark now has the 31st-best true shooting percentage in the WNBA (60.3%), which means she’s been more efficient than a long list of top guards that includes Marina Mabrey, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Sabrina Ionescu, Veronica Burton, Courtney Williams, and dozens of others. (Kelsey Plum, Sonia Citron, Kelsey Mitchell, Kayla McBride, Paige Bueckers, and Olivia Miles have all been more efficient, however).

It still feels like there’s another gear Clark can reach from beyond the arc — she shot 37.7% from three in college — but even if that doesn’t happen, she’s established herself as one of the league’s best guards just a season removed from a campaign in which she missed time due to groin and ankle injuries.

Most importantly, the Fever are winning. They currently have the 5th-best record in the WNBA, but they’re only a game and a half removed from second place, where the Las Vegas Aces currently sit. They have the second-highest point differential in the league (+6), which trails only the Minnesota Lynx. They’re averaging 95.8 points per game, which is 4 more points than the team with the next-highest points per game average (Minnesota).

Clark is still just 24 years old — and will likely get a lot better before she peaks. But, as strange as it is to say about the most polarizing player in basketball, she’s quietly already having a career year.

#Caitlin #Clark #playing #basketball #career">Caitlin Clark is playing the best basketball of her career In Tuesday night’s Indiana Fever win over the Seattle Storm, Caitlin Clark was on one. Clark tallied 32 points on 9-14 shooting to go along with 7 assists and 4 rebounds, and the Fever improved to 18-10 on the season.Amid the usual litany of off-court storylines, it’s been a superb on-court season for the Fever star.Clark is averaging 21.5 points per game, the third-most in the league, and 7.9 assists per game, the second-most in the league. (In other words, no single player creates more on offense than she does).She’s also quietly upped her efficiency — in her rookie season (in which she was named to the All-WNBA First Team), she shot 41.7% from the field and 34.4% from three. In her sophomore season (in which she appeared in just 13 games due to a myriad of injuries), she shot worse, hitting 36.7% of her shot attempts and 27.9% of her threes.And, this year, she’s shooting 44.3% from the field and 35.4% from three, both career-highs. While turnovers continue to be an Achilles heel, she’s averaging fewer per game this year (4.7) than in her rookie campaign (5.6).Clark now has the 31st-best true shooting percentage in the WNBA (60.3%), which means she’s been more efficient than a long list of top guards that includes Marina Mabrey, Jackie Young, Chelsea Gray, Allisha Gray, Rhyne Howard, Sabrina Ionescu, Veronica Burton, Courtney Williams, and dozens of others. (Kelsey Plum, Sonia Citron, Kelsey Mitchell, Kayla McBride, Paige Bueckers, and Olivia Miles have all been more efficient, however).It still feels like there’s another gear Clark can reach from beyond the arc — she shot 37.7% from three in college — but even if that doesn’t happen, she’s established herself as one of the league’s best guards just a season removed from a campaign in which she missed time due to groin and ankle injuries.Most importantly, the Fever are winning. They currently have the 5th-best record in the WNBA, but they’re only a game and a half removed from second place, where the Las Vegas Aces currently sit. They have the second-highest point differential in the league (+6), which trails only the Minnesota Lynx. They’re averaging 95.8 points per game, which is 4 more points than the team with the next-highest points per game average (Minnesota).Clark is still just 24 years old — and will likely get a lot better before she peaks. But, as strange as it is to say about the most polarizing player in basketball, she’s quietly already having a career year. #Caitlin #Clark #playing #basketball #career

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