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Deadspin | Matt Olson’s walk-off homer lifts Braves over Tigers  Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates with first baseman Matt Olson (28) after a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
   Matt Olson delivered a long two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning against closer Kenley Jansen to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 win over the visiting Detroit Tigers on Thursday.  Ozzie Albies opened the inning with a walk and Olson followed with his ninth homer, a 397-foot shot to right-center field that landed in the Atlanta bullpen.  It was the second straight outing in which Jansen (0-2) has allowed a walk-off homer.  The win extended Atlanta’s winning streak over Detroit to nine games.  The winning pitcher was Reynaldo Lopez (2-1), who worked the final two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed no hits and struck out two.  The loss ruined a fine effort from Detroit starter Tarik Skubal, who only allowed a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Skubal gave up five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven.   Skubal appeared to tweak something in his left arm after throwing the first pitch to Olson to lead off the seventh. Manager A.J. Hinch rushed to the mound, all while Skubal was saying, “I’m fine.” After a couple of warm-up throws, he was left in the game. Skubal went on to strike out the side, fanning Olson, Austin Riley and Mauricio Dubon.  The Tigers scored twice in the second to tie the game. Wenceel Perez doubled, Jace Jung walked and Kevin McGonigle had an RBI single to center field, which extended his hitting streak to 13 games and his on-base streak to 25 straight when starting.  Jung was able to race home with the tying run when Atlanta starter JR Ritchie threw errantly to first while trying to pick off McGonigle, hitting him in the back.  Detroit took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on Riley Greene’s solo home run, his fourth, a 417-foot shot to straightaway center field.  Ritchie pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and four walks, striking out four. Dylan Lee followed and struck out four of the five batters he faced in 1 2/3 innings.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Matt #Olsons #walkoff #homer #lifts #Braves #Tigers

Deadspin | Matt Olson’s walk-off homer lifts Braves over Tigers
Deadspin | Matt Olson’s walk-off homer lifts Braves over Tigers  Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates with first baseman Matt Olson (28) after a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images
   Matt Olson delivered a long two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning against closer Kenley Jansen to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 win over the visiting Detroit Tigers on Thursday.  Ozzie Albies opened the inning with a walk and Olson followed with his ninth homer, a 397-foot shot to right-center field that landed in the Atlanta bullpen.  It was the second straight outing in which Jansen (0-2) has allowed a walk-off homer.  The win extended Atlanta’s winning streak over Detroit to nine games.  The winning pitcher was Reynaldo Lopez (2-1), who worked the final two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed no hits and struck out two.  The loss ruined a fine effort from Detroit starter Tarik Skubal, who only allowed a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Skubal gave up five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven.   Skubal appeared to tweak something in his left arm after throwing the first pitch to Olson to lead off the seventh. Manager A.J. Hinch rushed to the mound, all while Skubal was saying, “I’m fine.” After a couple of warm-up throws, he was left in the game. Skubal went on to strike out the side, fanning Olson, Austin Riley and Mauricio Dubon.  The Tigers scored twice in the second to tie the game. Wenceel Perez doubled, Jace Jung walked and Kevin McGonigle had an RBI single to center field, which extended his hitting streak to 13 games and his on-base streak to 25 straight when starting.  Jung was able to race home with the tying run when Atlanta starter JR Ritchie threw errantly to first while trying to pick off McGonigle, hitting him in the back.  Detroit took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on Riley Greene’s solo home run, his fourth, a 417-foot shot to straightaway center field.  Ritchie pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and four walks, striking out four. Dylan Lee followed and struck out four of the five batters he faced in 1 2/3 innings.  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Matt #Olsons #walkoff #homer #lifts #Braves #TigersApr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates with first baseman Matt Olson (28) after a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Matt Olson delivered a long two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning against closer Kenley Jansen to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 win over the visiting Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

Ozzie Albies opened the inning with a walk and Olson followed with his ninth homer, a 397-foot shot to right-center field that landed in the Atlanta bullpen.

It was the second straight outing in which Jansen (0-2) has allowed a walk-off homer.

The win extended Atlanta’s winning streak over Detroit to nine games.

The winning pitcher was Reynaldo Lopez (2-1), who worked the final two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed no hits and struck out two.


The loss ruined a fine effort from Detroit starter Tarik Skubal, who only allowed a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Skubal gave up five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven.

Skubal appeared to tweak something in his left arm after throwing the first pitch to Olson to lead off the seventh. Manager A.J. Hinch rushed to the mound, all while Skubal was saying, “I’m fine.” After a couple of warm-up throws, he was left in the game. Skubal went on to strike out the side, fanning Olson, Austin Riley and Mauricio Dubon.

The Tigers scored twice in the second to tie the game. Wenceel Perez doubled, Jace Jung walked and Kevin McGonigle had an RBI single to center field, which extended his hitting streak to 13 games and his on-base streak to 25 straight when starting.

Jung was able to race home with the tying run when Atlanta starter JR Ritchie threw errantly to first while trying to pick off McGonigle, hitting him in the back.

Detroit took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on Riley Greene’s solo home run, his fourth, a 417-foot shot to straightaway center field.

Ritchie pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and four walks, striking out four. Dylan Lee followed and struck out four of the five batters he faced in 1 2/3 innings.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Matt #Olsons #walkoff #homer #lifts #Braves #Tigers

Apr 29, 2026; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (1) celebrates with first baseman Matt Olson (28) after a two-run home run against the Detroit Tigers in the first inning at Truist Park. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images

Matt Olson delivered a long two-run walk-off homer in the ninth inning against closer Kenley Jansen to lift the Atlanta Braves to a 4-3 win over the visiting Detroit Tigers on Thursday.

Ozzie Albies opened the inning with a walk and Olson followed with his ninth homer, a 397-foot shot to right-center field that landed in the Atlanta bullpen.

It was the second straight outing in which Jansen (0-2) has allowed a walk-off homer.

The win extended Atlanta’s winning streak over Detroit to nine games.

The winning pitcher was Reynaldo Lopez (2-1), who worked the final two innings of scoreless relief. He allowed no hits and struck out two.

The loss ruined a fine effort from Detroit starter Tarik Skubal, who only allowed a two-run homer to Ozzie Albies in the first inning. Skubal gave up five hits, did not walk a batter and struck out seven.

Skubal appeared to tweak something in his left arm after throwing the first pitch to Olson to lead off the seventh. Manager A.J. Hinch rushed to the mound, all while Skubal was saying, “I’m fine.” After a couple of warm-up throws, he was left in the game. Skubal went on to strike out the side, fanning Olson, Austin Riley and Mauricio Dubon.

The Tigers scored twice in the second to tie the game. Wenceel Perez doubled, Jace Jung walked and Kevin McGonigle had an RBI single to center field, which extended his hitting streak to 13 games and his on-base streak to 25 straight when starting.

Jung was able to race home with the tying run when Atlanta starter JR Ritchie threw errantly to first while trying to pick off McGonigle, hitting him in the back.

Detroit took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning on Riley Greene’s solo home run, his fourth, a 417-foot shot to straightaway center field.

Ritchie pitched 5 1/3 innings and allowed three runs, two earned, on five hits and four walks, striking out four. Dylan Lee followed and struck out four of the five batters he faced in 1 2/3 innings.

–Field Level Media

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Deadspin | Alexandre Texier lifts Canadiens to 3-2 series lead over Lightning <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-900/28841283.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28841283.jpg" alt="NHL: Stanley Cup Playoffs-Montreal Canadiens at Tampa Bay Lightning" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 29, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson (48) blocks Tampa Bay Lightning center Anthony Cirelli (71) from shooting in the first period during game five of the first round of the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Benchmark International Arena. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Alexandre Texier netted a tiebreaking goal early in the third period, and the visiting Montreal Canadiens took control of their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series by holding off the Tampa Bay Lightning 3-2 in Game 5 on Wednesday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>The Canadiens grabbed a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series, and they head home to Montreal for Game 6 on Friday.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Just 1:06 into the third, Texier took a long feed from defenseman Lane Hutson, skated into the left circle unobstructed and blasted a shot that deflected off goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy’s glove and in.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Montreal fended off 2:33 with Vasilevskiy (21 saves) pulled for the extra skater. Canadiens goalie Jakub Dobes wound up with 38 saves on the night.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Brendan Gallagher and Kirby Dach also scored for the Canadiens, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-6"> <p>Dominic James and Jake Guentzel found the net for the Lightning, who dropped to 1-2 on home ice in the series. Tampa Bay managed no shots over a span of 10:03 in the third, but they did test Dobes with 17 shots in the frame overall.</p> </section> <section id="section-7"> <p>After former Tampa Bay Buccaneers Super Bowl-winning coach Jon Gruden fired up the crowd in the pregame, Montreal stemmed the enthusiasm three minutes in when Alex Newhook stole the puck in the neutral zone and drove the net on Vasilevskiy to create a rebound.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>The gritty Gallagher, scratched the first four games and inserted for Oliver Kapanen, followed it up for a lead.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Following a failed Tampa Bay power play after Hutson went off for a delay of game in the second period, the home side had another man advantage for Arber Xhekaj’s roughing infraction. Vasilevskiy had to immediately stop Jake Evans’ breakaway attempt to start the Lightning’s third power play.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>James evened it 32 seconds after the power play ended, drilling his first career playoff goal by Dobes on the glove side. However, Dach tallied 11 seconds later when he worked his way around Gage Goncalves, kicked the puck to his stick through the crease and flipped in a shot for a 2-1 edge.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Tampa Bay caught Montreal for the second time on a 2-on-1 and scored as Guentzel fired one through the Dobes’ pads at 17:23 of the middle period.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-12"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Alexandre #Texier #lifts #Canadiens #series #lead #Lightning

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Deadspin | NBA roundup: Rockets, Pistons stay alive with Game 5 wins  Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images   Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday.  Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists while Amen Thompson added 15 points for the Rockets, who now trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven Western Conference series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.  The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.  Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series on Friday at Houston. The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring).  Pistons 116, Magic 109  Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points as top-seeded Detroit stayed alive with a victory over visiting Orlando in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.  Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Ausar Thompson contributed six points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals.   The Magic’s Paolo Banchero countered Cunningham with a career-playoff-best 45 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Black had 19 points for eighth-seeded Orlando. Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.  Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120  Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.  The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.  RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Rockets #Pistons #stay #alive #Game #winsApr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday.

Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists while Amen Thompson added 15 points for the Rockets, who now trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven Western Conference series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.

The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.

Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series on Friday at Houston. The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring).

Pistons 116, Magic 109

Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points as top-seeded Detroit stayed alive with a victory over visiting Orlando in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.


Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Ausar Thompson contributed six points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals.

The Magic’s Paolo Banchero countered Cunningham with a career-playoff-best 45 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Black had 19 points for eighth-seeded Orlando. Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.

Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120

Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.

The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.

RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Rockets #Pistons #stay #alive #Game #wins">Deadspin | NBA roundup: Rockets, Pistons stay alive with Game 5 wins  Apr 29, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Houston Rockets center Alperen Sengun (28) shoots against Los Angeles Lakers center Deandre Ayton (5) during the second half in game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Crypto.com Arena. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images   Jabari Smith Jr. scored 22 points and Tari Eason added 18 as the Houston Rockets fought off elimination for a second consecutive game and crawled back into their first-round playoff series with a 99-93 road victory over the Los Angeles Lakers in Game 5 on Wednesday.  Alperen Sengun scored 14 points with nine rebounds and eight assists while Amen Thompson added 15 points for the Rockets, who now trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven Western Conference series after falling into a 3-0 hole. No NBA team has rallied back from a 3-0 deficit to win a playoff series.  The consecutive Rockets victories have come without star Kevin Durant (ankle), who has only played in Game 2.  Austin Reaves scored 22 points off the bench in his return from an oblique injury and LeBron James added 25 points for the Lakers. Deandre Ayton scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds for Los Angeles, which will get a third chance to clinch the series on Friday at Houston. The Lakers continue to be without star Luka Doncic (hamstring).  Pistons 116, Magic 109  Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points as top-seeded Detroit stayed alive with a victory over visiting Orlando in Game 5 of their Eastern Conference first-round series.  Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Ausar Thompson contributed six points, 15 rebounds, six assists and five steals.   The Magic’s Paolo Banchero countered Cunningham with a career-playoff-best 45 points to go along with nine rebounds and seven assists. Anthony Black had 19 points for eighth-seeded Orlando. Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.  Cavaliers 125, Raptors 120  Dennis Schroder scored 11 of his 19 points in the fourth quarter and James Harden finished with 23 points, rallying Cleveland to a 3-2 lead over visiting Toronto in an Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.  The Cavaliers, who trailed by 12 points on multiple occasions, have won all three of their home games so far. Evan Mobley had 23 points and nine rebounds, and Donovan Mitchell scored 19 for Cleveland. Harden also had nine rebounds, five assists and six turnovers in a series-high 39:45 minutes.  RJ Barrett paced the Raptors with 25 points and Ja’Kobe Walter scored a career-playoff-high 20 points and made 6 of 14 3-point attempts. Raptors forward Brandon Ingram injured his right heel in the second quarter and did not return.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Rockets #Pistons #stay #alive #Game #wins

Coming on the heels of his Barcelona triumph earlier this month, Arthur Fils’ run ​to the Madrid Open semifinals shows he has fully ‌recovered from a long-term back problem and is ​ready to make a real statement ⁠at the French Open on home soil.

A stress fracture in his lower back suffered at Roland Garros last year all ‌but wiped out the remainder of Fils’ season, with his brief return in Toronto in ‌August proving to be premature and forcing ‌another ⁠long period of rehabilitation.

Since returning in February, ⁠Fils has made deep runs at Doha, Indian Wells and Miami before going all the way in Barcelona, where he downed Andrey ​Rublev in the final ‌to win his first title since his comeback.

Fils beat Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4 in the Madrid quarters on Wednesday to further heighten expectations before the ‌French Open begins on May 24, but ​the 21-year-old is shutting out all the noise.

READ | Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal

“I don’t even look. Because if you start ⁠to, your head goes everywhere,” Fils told reporters.

“I try to be focused. I still have to play ‌here in Madrid, and I have to play Rome, then more preparation, and the French Open. So I have a lot of time.

“When you’re injured you get a lot of … criticism, bad comments. So I stopped looking at it (social media). Since then, I’m ‌feeling pretty good without it.”

While Fils’ goal will undoubtedly be ​to become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam since Yannick Noah’s 1983 Roland ⁠Garros triumph, his immediate focus is on world number ⁠one Jannik Sinner in the Madrid semis on Friday.

“I haven’t lost a match on clay. ‌He hasn’t lost a match on clay and hardcourts since a long time. It’s going to ​be pretty good,” Fils said.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Fils #ready #Sinner #clash #ahead #Roland #Garros">Madrid Open: Fils ready for Sinner clash ahead of Roland Garros  Coming on the heels of his Barcelona triumph earlier this month, Arthur Fils’ run ​to the Madrid Open semifinals shows he has fully ‌recovered from a long-term back problem and is ​ready to make a real statement ⁠at the French Open on home soil.A stress fracture in his lower back suffered at Roland Garros last year all ‌but wiped out the remainder of Fils’ season, with his brief return in Toronto in ‌August proving to be premature and forcing ‌another ⁠long period of rehabilitation.Since returning in February, ⁠Fils has made deep runs at Doha, Indian Wells and Miami before going all the way in Barcelona, where he downed Andrey ​Rublev in the final ‌to win his first title since his comeback.Fils beat Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4 in the Madrid quarters on Wednesday to further heighten expectations before the ‌French Open begins on May 24, but ​the 21-year-old is shutting out all the noise.READ | Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal“I don’t even look. Because if you start ⁠to, your head goes everywhere,” Fils told reporters.“I try to be focused. I still have to play ‌here in Madrid, and I have to play Rome, then more preparation, and the French Open. So I have a lot of time.“When you’re injured you get a lot of … criticism, bad comments. So I stopped looking at it (social media). Since then, I’m ‌feeling pretty good without it.”While Fils’ goal will undoubtedly be ​to become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam since Yannick Noah’s 1983 Roland ⁠Garros triumph, his immediate focus is on world number ⁠one Jannik Sinner in the Madrid semis on Friday.“I haven’t lost a match on clay. ‌He hasn’t lost a match on clay and hardcourts since a long time. It’s going to ​be pretty good,” Fils said.Published on Apr 30, 2026  #Madrid #Open #Fils #ready #Sinner #clash #ahead #Roland #Garros

Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal

“I don’t even look. Because if you start ⁠to, your head goes everywhere,” Fils told reporters.

“I try to be focused. I still have to play ‌here in Madrid, and I have to play Rome, then more preparation, and the French Open. So I have a lot of time.

“When you’re injured you get a lot of … criticism, bad comments. So I stopped looking at it (social media). Since then, I’m ‌feeling pretty good without it.”

While Fils’ goal will undoubtedly be ​to become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam since Yannick Noah’s 1983 Roland ⁠Garros triumph, his immediate focus is on world number ⁠one Jannik Sinner in the Madrid semis on Friday.

“I haven’t lost a match on clay. ‌He hasn’t lost a match on clay and hardcourts since a long time. It’s going to ​be pretty good,” Fils said.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Fils #ready #Sinner #clash #ahead #Roland #Garros">Madrid Open: Fils ready for Sinner clash ahead of Roland Garros

Coming on the heels of his Barcelona triumph earlier this month, Arthur Fils’ run ​to the Madrid Open semifinals shows he has fully ‌recovered from a long-term back problem and is ​ready to make a real statement ⁠at the French Open on home soil.

A stress fracture in his lower back suffered at Roland Garros last year all ‌but wiped out the remainder of Fils’ season, with his brief return in Toronto in ‌August proving to be premature and forcing ‌another ⁠long period of rehabilitation.

Since returning in February, ⁠Fils has made deep runs at Doha, Indian Wells and Miami before going all the way in Barcelona, where he downed Andrey ​Rublev in the final ‌to win his first title since his comeback.

Fils beat Jiri Lehecka 6-3 6-4 in the Madrid quarters on Wednesday to further heighten expectations before the ‌French Open begins on May 24, but ​the 21-year-old is shutting out all the noise.

READ | Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal

“I don’t even look. Because if you start ⁠to, your head goes everywhere,” Fils told reporters.

“I try to be focused. I still have to play ‌here in Madrid, and I have to play Rome, then more preparation, and the French Open. So I have a lot of time.

“When you’re injured you get a lot of … criticism, bad comments. So I stopped looking at it (social media). Since then, I’m ‌feeling pretty good without it.”

While Fils’ goal will undoubtedly be ​to become the first Frenchman to win a Grand Slam since Yannick Noah’s 1983 Roland ⁠Garros triumph, his immediate focus is on world number ⁠one Jannik Sinner in the Madrid semis on Friday.

“I haven’t lost a match on clay. ‌He hasn’t lost a match on clay and hardcourts since a long time. It’s going to ​be pretty good,” Fils said.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Fils #ready #Sinner #clash #ahead #Roland #Garros

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