×
Deadspin | Vancouver police denied motorcade request for FIFA’s Gianni Infantino FIFA President Gianni Infantino holds the FIFA World Cup trophy at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 22, 2026. Vancouver’s police department denied a request for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to utilize a motorcade escort for his trip to the city this week for the annual FIFA Congress. Per a report from Global News, the request was for a full motorcade escort, which would have allowed Infantino to travel through traffic lights and without interruption. Vancouver is set to host seven World Cup matches this summer including a Round of 32 and Round of 16 match. “Any transportation arrangements that are made will be appropriate, measured, and consistent with how Vancouver safely hosts major international events,” Vancouver mayor Ken Simms’ office said in a statement. FIFA released a statement to multiple media outlets saying that Infantino was not involved in the decision to request the motorcade. “President was not aware of, or involved in, any requests with authorities in relation to his transportation and security matters for the 76th FIFA Congress,” FIFA’s statement said. “In line with previous arrangements for such events, FWC26 Canada, as local organisers, liaised with authorities requesting support in relation to all delegates, guests, and stakeholders. “FIFA does not comment on transportation and security protocols involving the FIFA President and would like to thank law enforcement in Vancouver for their ongoing support this week.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Vancouver #police #denied #motorcade #request #FIFAs #Gianni #Infantino

Deadspin | Vancouver police denied motorcade request for FIFA’s Gianni Infantino
Deadspin | Vancouver police denied motorcade request for FIFA’s Gianni Infantino FIFA President Gianni Infantino holds the FIFA World Cup trophy at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 22, 2026. Vancouver’s police department denied a request for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to utilize a motorcade escort for his trip to the city this week for the annual FIFA Congress. Per a report from Global News, the request was for a full motorcade escort, which would have allowed Infantino to travel through traffic lights and without interruption. Vancouver is set to host seven World Cup matches this summer including a Round of 32 and Round of 16 match. “Any transportation arrangements that are made will be appropriate, measured, and consistent with how Vancouver safely hosts major international events,” Vancouver mayor Ken Simms’ office said in a statement. FIFA released a statement to multiple media outlets saying that Infantino was not involved in the decision to request the motorcade. “President was not aware of, or involved in, any requests with authorities in relation to his transportation and security matters for the 76th FIFA Congress,” FIFA’s statement said. “In line with previous arrangements for such events, FWC26 Canada, as local organisers, liaised with authorities requesting support in relation to all delegates, guests, and stakeholders. “FIFA does not comment on transportation and security protocols involving the FIFA President and would like to thank law enforcement in Vancouver for their ongoing support this week.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Vancouver #police #denied #motorcade #request #FIFAs #Gianni #InfantinoFIFA President Gianni Infantino holds the FIFA World Cup trophy at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 22, 2026.

Vancouver’s police department denied a request for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to utilize a motorcade escort for his trip to the city this week for the annual FIFA Congress.

Per a report from Global News, the request was for a full motorcade escort, which would have allowed Infantino to travel through traffic lights and without interruption. Vancouver is set to host seven World Cup matches this summer including a Round of 32 and Round of 16 match.

“Any transportation arrangements that are made will be appropriate, measured, and consistent with how Vancouver safely hosts major international events,” Vancouver mayor Ken Simms’ office said in a statement.


FIFA released a statement to multiple media outlets saying that Infantino was not involved in the decision to request the motorcade.

“President was not aware of, or involved in, any requests with authorities in relation to his transportation and security matters for the 76th FIFA Congress,” FIFA’s statement said. “In line with previous arrangements for such events, FWC26 Canada, as local organisers, liaised with authorities requesting support in relation to all delegates, guests, and stakeholders.

“FIFA does not comment on transportation and security protocols involving the FIFA President and would like to thank law enforcement in Vancouver for their ongoing support this week.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Vancouver #police #denied #motorcade #request #FIFAs #Gianni #Infantino

Sports news

FIFA President Gianni Infantino holds the FIFA World Cup trophy at the World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland on Jan. 22, 2026.

Vancouver’s police department denied a request for FIFA president Gianni Infantino to utilize a motorcade escort for his trip to the city this week for the annual FIFA Congress.

Per a report from Global News, the request was for a full motorcade escort, which would have allowed Infantino to travel through traffic lights and without interruption. Vancouver is set to host seven World Cup matches this summer including a Round of 32 and Round of 16 match.

“Any transportation arrangements that are made will be appropriate, measured, and consistent with how Vancouver safely hosts major international events,” Vancouver mayor Ken Simms’ office said in a statement.

FIFA released a statement to multiple media outlets saying that Infantino was not involved in the decision to request the motorcade.

“President was not aware of, or involved in, any requests with authorities in relation to his transportation and security matters for the 76th FIFA Congress,” FIFA’s statement said. “In line with previous arrangements for such events, FWC26 Canada, as local organisers, liaised with authorities requesting support in relation to all delegates, guests, and stakeholders.

“FIFA does not comment on transportation and security protocols involving the FIFA President and would like to thank law enforcement in Vancouver for their ongoing support this week.”

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Vancouver #police #denied #motorcade #request #FIFAs #Gianni #Infantino

Previous post

Deadspin | Several marquee names skipping PGA’s return to Trump National Doral <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-900/28708084.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28708084.jpg" alt="PGA: Masters Tournament - Third Round" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Rory McIlroy tees off on the fourth hole during the third round of the 2026 Masters. Credit: Grace Smith-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The PGA Tour is making its return to Trump National Doral following a 10-year hiatus this week, but even a signature event’s $20 million purse at the famous “Blue Monster” wasn’t enough to prevent several marquee names from opting out.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The Cadillac Championship is the fifth of eight signature events this season, featuring a $3.6 million winner’s check. The field is limited to only 72 players and without a cut, meaning every competitor is guaranteed at least $36,000. </p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>However, it also comes three weeks after the Masters and two weeks after the fourth signature event at the RBC Heritage. Another signature event is on tap at next week’s Truist Championship, which is followed by the second major of the year at the PGA Championship. </p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>World No. 2 Rory McIlroy is skipping his second consecutive signature event since repeating at the Masters. No. 3 Matt Fitzpatrick, who played the Masters before winning the RBC Heritage and last week’s Zurich Classic, is also taking the week off. </p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>So, too, are No. 9 Xander Schauffele, No. 12 Robert MacIntyre and No. 14 Ludvig Aberg.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Fifth-ranked Justin Rose will be on hand to tackle the Blue Monster, where he won in 2012. But that only comes after skipping the RBC Heritage following a tie for third at the Masters, where he held the lead on the back nine on Sunday.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Despite the massive purses and elevated FedEx Cup points on the line, the string of three signature events and two majors in a six-week span is forcing players to make some tough scheduling decisions.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>“I looked at this period coming up and I think something had to give, for sure,” Rose said. ” … I felt like I knew what was coming, I knew what a big run of events were coming, obviously with PGA Championship being on the back of (these) three. </p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>“When you’re having to miss great events to prepare for other great events, it’s not ideal. Obviously this event was added late in I guess the structure of the sort of elevated event structure that we had. This is obviously a new edition, so it had to fall somewhere.”</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>The makeup of the 2027 PGA Tour schedule and beyond has been an ongoing topic of discussion. After rumors of a massively revamped schedule began circulating earlier this year, the expectation is now for a first iteration of changes in 2027 followed by more in the following year.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>The consensus seems to be that while the elevated purses are attractive — and difficult to walk away from — there are only so many events players can commit to over a short span. Adam Scott, who won the most recent PGA Tour event at Doral in 2016, said this year is stacking up as an exception rather than a new normal for the schedule.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>The Cadillac Championship wasn’t announced as an addition to the 2026 schedule until last August.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“Ideally, this wouldn’t be the way,” Scott acknowledged. “It’s one event we’re talking about, so it makes that much of a difference adding one, it makes that much of a difference taking one away. I think we’ve got to get through this year and hopefully the schedule looks a little more balanced next year.”</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Rose was asked what he believes the impact will be if a future schedule features fewer events that are all on an equal level.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>“What the PGA Tour’s trying to do is create the best possible product and the best possible tournaments in the most appealing time of the year,” Rose said. “The players go, ‘That’s my job, this is the season, this is time to knuckle down and get down to business.’ </p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>“If that means that that flow of events suits you, then that’s what you have to commit to, to kind of give your best performance on the best courses or the courses that suit you the best, in order to accumulate the right amount of points to win the Fed(Ex) Cup. That’s the goal. </p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>“Everybody’s going to have a slightly different recipe of how that’s done”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-18"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #marquee #names #skipping #PGAs #return #Trump #National #Doral

Next post

Fallout co-creator hopes to

Related Posts

Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) first loss in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 after seven games is a reality check, but there’s no doom and gloom in the dressing room, fast bowling coach James Hopes said after the loss against Rajasthan Royals here at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium on Tuesday.

“We’ve been flying, winning games, everyone’s happy, the environment is great. But you’re not going to go through the IPL without losing a game,” Hopes told the media post the six-wicket defeat while defending a 222-run total.

“Now it’s about regrouping. We’ve got a few days before we play GT (Gujarat Titans), so it’s about getting back to work, training well, ironing out a few chinks, and figuring out the best combinations for the conditions and opposition ahead,” he added.

PBKS bowlers have conceded five 200-plus scores and a 195 against the Mumbai Indians (MI)out of their seven completed matches so far this season. The team’s economy rate is 10.50 – second-worst after MI’s 10.52. However, Hopes said the conditions this season have been hard for the bowlers.

“Yes, we are conceding runs. But when we’ve had pitches that suit us, we’ve been just fine. I’m not saying this wicket didn’t suit our bowling attack; I’m just saying it was very good – flat, and the ball was flying around,” he said.

“There are things we can tidy up, but with the way the game is played now, especially in the first six overs, it’s hard for fast bowlers,” Hopes added.

The Australian was glad to have Lockie Ferguson, who joined the squad late due to paternity leave, back in the mix. Although Ferguson conceded 57 runs in his four overs, Hopes didn’t look too deeply into it.

“It was also good to see Lockie Ferguson get into the tournament. It may not have been his night, but he was always going to play at some point,” he explained.

“He’s just come back, was with us in Delhi, and was ready to go. He’s coming off the World Cup and a short series against South Africa,” Hopes said.

Royals’ head coach Kumar Sangakkara was all praise for Shubham Dubey (31 not out off 12 balls) and Donovan Ferreira (52 not out off 26 balls), who helped the team finish the chase with four balls to spare.

“I thought Dubey, coming in as an Impact Sub, did a fantastic job. It’s one of the hardest things to do because you don’t know if you’re playing or not. Mentally, that takes a lot of skill to stay ready, come in at a tough stage, and take the game forward. Donovan was outstanding,” Sangakkara, who is also Director of Cricket at RR, said.

He also acknowledged fast bowler Brijesh Sharma’s spell, who conceded just 18 in his first three overs before Marcus Stoinis hit him for 24 in the final over of the innings. “Brijesh’s numbers through the middle overs have been among the best on our side. For someone who hasn’t even played First-Class cricket, his awareness is outstanding, and that’s what you have to trust.”

“Under pressure, experience becomes important, and you grow with it. But more than anything, you need clarity and not to overthink what could happen. Stoinis put him under pressure in that last over, but Brijesh, along with Yash Punja and Ravindra Jadeja, on a wicket like this, were outstanding,” Sangakkara said.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#IPL #PBKS #worried #loss #Sangakkara #satisfied #RRs #win #road">IPL 2026: PBKS not too worried after first loss; Sangakkara satisfied with RR’s win on the road Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) first loss in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 after seven games is a reality check, but there’s no doom and gloom in the dressing room, fast bowling coach James Hopes said after the loss against Rajasthan Royals here at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Stadium on Tuesday.“We’ve been flying, winning games, everyone’s happy, the environment is great. But you’re not going to go through the IPL without losing a game,” Hopes told the media post the six-wicket defeat while defending a 222-run total.“Now it’s about regrouping. We’ve got a few days before we play GT (Gujarat Titans), so it’s about getting back to work, training well, ironing out a few chinks, and figuring out the best combinations for the conditions and opposition ahead,” he added.PBKS bowlers have conceded five 200-plus scores and a 195 against the Mumbai Indians (MI)out of their seven completed matches so far this season. The team’s economy rate is 10.50 – second-worst after MI’s 10.52. However, Hopes said the conditions this season have been hard for the bowlers.“Yes, we are conceding runs. But when we’ve had pitches that suit us, we’ve been just fine. I’m not saying this wicket didn’t suit our bowling attack; I’m just saying it was very good – flat, and the ball was flying around,” he said.“There are things we can tidy up, but with the way the game is played now, especially in the first six overs, it’s hard for fast bowlers,” Hopes added.The Australian was glad to have Lockie Ferguson, who joined the squad late due to paternity leave, back in the mix. Although Ferguson conceded 57 runs in his four overs, Hopes didn’t look too deeply into it.“It was also good to see Lockie Ferguson get into the tournament. It may not have been his night, but he was always going to play at some point,” he explained.“He’s just come back, was with us in Delhi, and was ready to go. He’s coming off the World Cup and a short series against South Africa,” Hopes said.Royals’ head coach Kumar Sangakkara was all praise for Shubham Dubey (31 not out off 12 balls) and Donovan Ferreira (52 not out off 26 balls), who helped the team finish the chase with four balls to spare.“I thought Dubey, coming in as an Impact Sub, did a fantastic job. It’s one of the hardest things to do because you don’t know if you’re playing or not. Mentally, that takes a lot of skill to stay ready, come in at a tough stage, and take the game forward. Donovan was outstanding,” Sangakkara, who is also Director of Cricket at RR, said.He also acknowledged fast bowler Brijesh Sharma’s spell, who conceded just 18 in his first three overs before Marcus Stoinis hit him for 24 in the final over of the innings. “Brijesh’s numbers through the middle overs have been among the best on our side. For someone who hasn’t even played First-Class cricket, his awareness is outstanding, and that’s what you have to trust.”“Under pressure, experience becomes important, and you grow with it. But more than anything, you need clarity and not to overthink what could happen. Stoinis put him under pressure in that last over, but Brijesh, along with Yash Punja and Ravindra Jadeja, on a wicket like this, were outstanding,” Sangakkara said.Published on Apr 29, 2026 #IPL #PBKS #worried #loss #Sangakkara #satisfied #RRs #win #road

Deadspin | LIV Golf officially postpones New Orleans event from June Apr 6, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; The LIV Golf logo is on display along the 10th hole during the second round of LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images LIV Golf and the state of Louisiana have postponed the league’s golf event in New Orleans that was slated for June but left the door open for a different version of the tournament later this year. The official announcement Tuesday came one day after reports emerged that LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil and Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development Susan Bourgeois agreed to postpone the event in the wake of reports that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund was preparing to pull funding from LIV. “Secretary Bourgeois spoke with LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil on Friday and was informed that the organization seeks to postpone its June 2026 event in New Orleans to explore a potential event this fall,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said in a statement Tuesday. Landry’s statement confirmed Monday’s reports that Louisiana has so far paid .2 million of a million agreement. LIV “is expected to return all state incentive funds” totaling .2 million; the other million was spent on improvements to the golf course, Bayou Oaks in City Park. “We appreciate LIV’s good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year,” Landry said. “We are grateful for the work of our local partners and the collaboration that supported this effort.” LIV Golf Louisiana was slated for June 25-28, and in the near term, its postponement leaves a gap on the 2026 schedule between LIV Golf Andalucia in Spain (June 4-7) and LIV Golf UK (July 23-26). It also marks the first canceled or postponed tournament since it was reported earlier this month that the Saudi Arabia PIF planned to end its funding for the league it helped launch in 2022. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil had promised employees in an email that the league was safe and the current season would go “exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.” NOLA.com reported Monday that LIV was exploring a smaller, “exposition-style” event in New Orleans in the fall. The league’s team championship in late August is the last event currently scheduled, with the LIV Golf Louisiana event now listed at the bottom of the website’s schedule page without a date. Field Level Media has reached out to LIV Golf for comment. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #LIV #Golf #officially #postpones #Orleans #event #JuneApr 6, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; The LIV Golf logo is on display along the 10th hole during the second round of LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images

LIV Golf and the state of Louisiana have postponed the league’s golf event in New Orleans that was slated for June but left the door open for a different version of the tournament later this year.

The official announcement Tuesday came one day after reports emerged that LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil and Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development Susan Bourgeois agreed to postpone the event in the wake of reports that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund was preparing to pull funding from LIV.

“Secretary Bourgeois spoke with LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil on Friday and was informed that the organization seeks to postpone its June 2026 event in New Orleans to explore a potential event this fall,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said in a statement Tuesday.

Landry’s statement confirmed Monday’s reports that Louisiana has so far paid $3.2 million of a $7 million agreement. LIV “is expected to return all state incentive funds” totaling $1.2 million; the other $2 million was spent on improvements to the golf course, Bayou Oaks in City Park.

“We appreciate LIV’s good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year,” Landry said. “We are grateful for the work of our local partners and the collaboration that supported this effort.”


LIV Golf Louisiana was slated for June 25-28, and in the near term, its postponement leaves a gap on the 2026 schedule between LIV Golf Andalucia in Spain (June 4-7) and LIV Golf UK (July 23-26).

It also marks the first canceled or postponed tournament since it was reported earlier this month that the Saudi Arabia PIF planned to end its funding for the league it helped launch in 2022.

LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil had promised employees in an email that the league was safe and the current season would go “exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.”

NOLA.com reported Monday that LIV was exploring a smaller, “exposition-style” event in New Orleans in the fall. The league’s team championship in late August is the last event currently scheduled, with the LIV Golf Louisiana event now listed at the bottom of the website’s schedule page without a date.

Field Level Media has reached out to LIV Golf for comment.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #LIV #Golf #officially #postpones #Orleans #event #June">Deadspin | LIV Golf officially postpones New Orleans event from June Apr 6, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; The LIV Golf logo is on display along the 10th hole during the second round of LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral. Mandatory Credit: Reinhold Matay-Imagn Images LIV Golf and the state of Louisiana have postponed the league’s golf event in New Orleans that was slated for June but left the door open for a different version of the tournament later this year. The official announcement Tuesday came one day after reports emerged that LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil and Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development Susan Bourgeois agreed to postpone the event in the wake of reports that Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund was preparing to pull funding from LIV. “Secretary Bourgeois spoke with LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil on Friday and was informed that the organization seeks to postpone its June 2026 event in New Orleans to explore a potential event this fall,” Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said in a statement Tuesday. Landry’s statement confirmed Monday’s reports that Louisiana has so far paid .2 million of a million agreement. LIV “is expected to return all state incentive funds” totaling .2 million; the other million was spent on improvements to the golf course, Bayou Oaks in City Park. “We appreciate LIV’s good-faith efforts and look forward to maintaining our partnership as we continue conversations around an event later this year,” Landry said. “We are grateful for the work of our local partners and the collaboration that supported this effort.” LIV Golf Louisiana was slated for June 25-28, and in the near term, its postponement leaves a gap on the 2026 schedule between LIV Golf Andalucia in Spain (June 4-7) and LIV Golf UK (July 23-26). It also marks the first canceled or postponed tournament since it was reported earlier this month that the Saudi Arabia PIF planned to end its funding for the league it helped launch in 2022. LIV Golf CEO Scott O’Neil had promised employees in an email that the league was safe and the current season would go “exactly as planned, uninterrupted and at full throttle.” NOLA.com reported Monday that LIV was exploring a smaller, “exposition-style” event in New Orleans in the fall. The league’s team championship in late August is the last event currently scheduled, with the LIV Golf Louisiana event now listed at the bottom of the website’s schedule page without a date. Field Level Media has reached out to LIV Golf for comment. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #LIV #Golf #officially #postpones #Orleans #event #June

Hailey Baptiste ended Aryna Sabalenka’s title defence in Madrid on Tuesday and halted the world number one’s 15-match winning streak with a 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) quarterfinal victory to deliver the biggest shock of the tournament so far.

The American saved five match points at 4-5 in the decider and a sixth in the tiebreak before she handed Sabalenka just her second defeat of the year, and her first since the Australian Open final three months ago.

Sabalenka is a three-time champion in Madrid and reached the final in the Spanish capital in each of the last three editions of the event but was unable to shake off the 30th-seeded Baptiste, who peppered her with huge serves and ultra-aggressive groundstrokes to reach a maiden WTA 1000 semifinal.

Baptiste came up with huge serves in several crucial moments – finishing the duel with a total of 12 aces and 10 double faults – and even saved a match point with a bold serve-and-volley approach on her way to a memorable two-hour 30-minute triumph.

Next up for the 24-year-old Baptiste is ninth-seeded Mirra Andreeva, who gave herself an early birthday gift by defeating Canadian Leylah Fernandez 7-6(7/1), 6-3 to reach her first Madrid semifinal.

The Russian teenager, who turns 19 on Wednesday, was a recent champion in Linz and improved her clay-court record to 11-1 this season.

Earlier in the day, Jannik Sinner suggested the Madrid Open organisers should reconsider their tournament scheduling to avoid late-night finishes like the one Rafael Jodar experienced in the third round on Sunday.

In a rare 11:00 am start on Tuesday, Sinner moved past British 19th seed Cameron Norrie 6-2, 7-5 to reach the quarterfinals.

He explained he was put on first on Manolo Santana Stadium so that Jodar, his potential next opponent, would be scheduled in the afternoon to give the Spaniard time to recover from his three-set win over Joao Fonseca that ended at 1:00 am on Monday morning.

Unusual early start

“It’s quite unusual for me,” Sinner told Tennis TV about his early kick-off.

“There was a question if it would be me or Jodar to play at 4. But I think it’s right he plays at 4, because he finished very, very late.

“But at the same time, I feel like we need to make some adjustments to the scheduling of the day. Two matches (starting) from 8pm is very late.

“Even though you have one day in between. But still it’s very, very late.

“You finish at 1:30am, and you need to eat, you need to have treatment, so it’s very late. But we try to adapt ourselves, our bodies, our minds, so from my side it was a good performance today.”

Sinner, who is bidding to reach the semifinals for the first time in the Spanish capital, will next face 19-year-old Jodar in what will be a highly-anticipated last-eight showdown.

Jodar’s dream run on home soil continued with a convincing 7-5, 6-0 thumping of world number 66 Vit Kopriva.

Casper Ruud fought back from the brink to keep his title defence alive with a 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/3) victory over former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas.

In a high-quality three-hour contest, Tsitsipas led 5-3 in the decider, holding two match points, and served for the victory at 5-4, but Ruud, who was 0/11 in break points up until then, found a way to take down the Greek’s serve and went on to clinch the tie-break.

Ruud will square off with 21-year-old Belgian Alexander Blockx for a semifinal spot.

Last week’s Barcelona champion Arthur Fils advanced to the quarterfinals at the Caja Magica with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Argentine 25th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

The Frenchman will take on Jiri Lehecka, who beat sixth-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-3, for a place in the last four.

Published on Apr 29, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Baptiste #stuns #World #Sabalenka #knocks #quarterfinal">Madrid Open: Baptiste stuns World No. 1 Sabalenka, knocks her out in quarterfinal Hailey Baptiste ended Aryna Sabalenka’s title defence in Madrid on Tuesday and halted the world number one’s 15-match winning streak with a 2-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) quarterfinal victory to deliver the biggest shock of the tournament so far.The American saved five match points at 4-5 in the decider and a sixth in the tiebreak before she handed Sabalenka just her second defeat of the year, and her first since the Australian Open final three months ago.Sabalenka is a three-time champion in Madrid and reached the final in the Spanish capital in each of the last three editions of the event but was unable to shake off the 30th-seeded Baptiste, who peppered her with huge serves and ultra-aggressive groundstrokes to reach a maiden WTA 1000 semifinal.Baptiste came up with huge serves in several crucial moments – finishing the duel with a total of 12 aces and 10 double faults – and even saved a match point with a bold serve-and-volley approach on her way to a memorable two-hour 30-minute triumph.Next up for the 24-year-old Baptiste is ninth-seeded Mirra Andreeva, who gave herself an early birthday gift by defeating Canadian Leylah Fernandez 7-6(7/1), 6-3 to reach her first Madrid semifinal.The Russian teenager, who turns 19 on Wednesday, was a recent champion in Linz and improved her clay-court record to 11-1 this season.Earlier in the day, Jannik Sinner suggested the Madrid Open organisers should reconsider their tournament scheduling to avoid late-night finishes like the one Rafael Jodar experienced in the third round on Sunday.In a rare 11:00 am start on Tuesday, Sinner moved past British 19th seed Cameron Norrie 6-2, 7-5 to reach the quarterfinals.He explained he was put on first on Manolo Santana Stadium so that Jodar, his potential next opponent, would be scheduled in the afternoon to give the Spaniard time to recover from his three-set win over Joao Fonseca that ended at 1:00 am on Monday morning.Unusual early start“It’s quite unusual for me,” Sinner told Tennis TV about his early kick-off.“There was a question if it would be me or Jodar to play at 4. But I think it’s right he plays at 4, because he finished very, very late.“But at the same time, I feel like we need to make some adjustments to the scheduling of the day. Two matches (starting) from 8pm is very late.“Even though you have one day in between. But still it’s very, very late.“You finish at 1:30am, and you need to eat, you need to have treatment, so it’s very late. But we try to adapt ourselves, our bodies, our minds, so from my side it was a good performance today.”Sinner, who is bidding to reach the semifinals for the first time in the Spanish capital, will next face 19-year-old Jodar in what will be a highly-anticipated last-eight showdown.Jodar’s dream run on home soil continued with a convincing 7-5, 6-0 thumping of world number 66 Vit Kopriva.Casper Ruud fought back from the brink to keep his title defence alive with a 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/3) victory over former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas.In a high-quality three-hour contest, Tsitsipas led 5-3 in the decider, holding two match points, and served for the victory at 5-4, but Ruud, who was 0/11 in break points up until then, found a way to take down the Greek’s serve and went on to clinch the tie-break.Ruud will square off with 21-year-old Belgian Alexander Blockx for a semifinal spot.Last week’s Barcelona champion Arthur Fils advanced to the quarterfinals at the Caja Magica with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Argentine 25th seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.The Frenchman will take on Jiri Lehecka, who beat sixth-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti 6-3, 6-3, for a place in the last four.Published on Apr 29, 2026 #Madrid #Open #Baptiste #stuns #World #Sabalenka #knocks #quarterfinal

Post Comment