Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal Anastasia Potapova turned tennis heartbreak into history by becoming the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal ‌with her thrilling 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3 victory over Karolina Pliskova at the Madrid Open ⁠on Wednesday.The Russian-born Austrian, who lost in qualifying last week, has capitalised on her unexpected main draw entry and ‌stunned former world number one Pliskova in a roller-coaster clash despite squandering three match points.Potapova’s ‌run has included impressive victories over former ‌French ⁠Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number ⁠two Elena Rybakina.Asked if she had thought she would be in the final four after her qualifying loss, the unseeded Potapova said: “No, I wouldn’t, for ‌any money and anything. That’s what makes our sport beautiful. I was given a second chance, and now I’m here. I’m super happy. There’s nothing better that ‌could happen to me in my life at the moment.”After cruising through Wednesday’s opening set, Potapova appeared destined for a straightforward ⁠victory when she earned three match points in the second.But Pliskova clawed her way back to force a ‌tiebreak and level the match.Potapova trailed 3-1 in the decider, only to reel off five consecutive games and seal victory with her 10th ace before collapsing to her knees.“I was given a few match points in the second set on serve. I ‌couldn’t manage my nerves at the time, I know that,” Potapova said.“But it seems like this tournament keeps giving me second chances and I keep ⁠using them.”Potapova will face Marta Kostyuk in the ⁠semifinals after the Ukrainian beat Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 6-0. Kostyuk defeated Potapova in the fourth ‌round last year in Madrid, and is undefeated on clay this year.Published on Apr 30, 2026 #Madrid #Open #Lucky #loser #Potapova #history #reaching #semifinal

Madrid Open: Lucky loser Potapova makes history by reaching semifinal
Anastasia Potapova turned tennis heartbreak into history by becoming the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal ‌with her thrilling 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3 victory over Karolina Pliskova at the Madrid Open ⁠on Wednesday.
The Russian-born Austrian, who lost in qualifying last week, has capitalised on her unexpected main draw entry and ‌stunned former world number one Pliskova in a roller-coaster clash despite squandering three match points.
Potapova’s ‌run has included impressive victories over former ‌French ⁠Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number ⁠two Elena Rybakina.
Asked if she had thought she would be in the final four after her qualifying loss, the unseeded Potapova said: “No, I wouldn’t, for ‌any money and anything. That’s what makes our sport beautiful. I was given a second chance, and now I’m here. I’m super happy. There’s nothing better that ‌could happen to me in my life at the moment.”
After cruising through Wednesday’s opening set, Potapova appeared destined for a straightforward ⁠victory when she earned three match points in the second.
But Pliskova clawed her way back to force a ‌tiebreak and level the match.
Potapova trailed 3-1 in the decider, only to reel off five consecutive games and seal victory with her 10th ace before collapsing to her knees.
“I was given a few match points in the second set on serve. I ‌couldn’t manage my nerves at the time, I know that,” Potapova said.
“But it seems like this tournament keeps giving me second chances and I keep ⁠using them.”
Potapova will face Marta Kostyuk in the ⁠semifinals after the Ukrainian beat Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 6-0. Kostyuk defeated Potapova in the fourth ‌round last year in Madrid, and is undefeated on clay this year.
Published on Apr 30, 2026
#Madrid #Open #Lucky #loser #Potapova #history #reaching #semifinal

Anastasia Potapova turned tennis heartbreak into history by becoming the first lucky loser to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal ‌with her thrilling 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3 victory over Karolina Pliskova at the Madrid Open ⁠on Wednesday.

The Russian-born Austrian, who lost in qualifying last week, has capitalised on her unexpected main draw entry and ‌stunned former world number one Pliskova in a roller-coaster clash despite squandering three match points.

Potapova’s ‌run has included impressive victories over former ‌French ⁠Open champion Jelena Ostapenko and world number ⁠two Elena Rybakina.

Asked if she had thought she would be in the final four after her qualifying loss, the unseeded Potapova said: “No, I wouldn’t, for ‌any money and anything. That’s what makes our sport beautiful. I was given a second chance, and now I’m here. I’m super happy. There’s nothing better that ‌could happen to me in my life at the moment.”

After cruising through Wednesday’s opening set, Potapova appeared destined for a straightforward ⁠victory when she earned three match points in the second.

But Pliskova clawed her way back to force a ‌tiebreak and level the match.

Potapova trailed 3-1 in the decider, only to reel off five consecutive games and seal victory with her 10th ace before collapsing to her knees.

“I was given a few match points in the second set on serve. I ‌couldn’t manage my nerves at the time, I know that,” Potapova said.

“But it seems like this tournament keeps giving me second chances and I keep ⁠using them.”

Potapova will face Marta Kostyuk in the ⁠semifinals after the Ukrainian beat Linda Noskova 7-6(1), 6-0. Kostyuk defeated Potapova in the fourth ‌round last year in Madrid, and is undefeated on clay this year.

Published on Apr 30, 2026

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Deadspin | Andre Pallante, Cardinals edge Pirates <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-900/28841022.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28841022.jpg" alt="MLB: St. Louis Cardinals at Pittsburgh Pirates" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 29, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; St. Louis Cardinals starting pitcher Andre Pallante (53) delivers a pitch against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the first inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images  </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Andre Pallante allowed a run and five hits over six innings, Alec Burleson homered and the St. Louis Cardinals held on for a 5-4 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday night.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Pallante (3-2) did not walk a batter and fanned six.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Ivan Herrera was 2-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI for the Cardinals, who have won the first three games of the four-game series.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Spencer Horwitz homered for the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Right-hander Riley O’Brien pitched the ninth for his eighth save with a big assist from left fielder Nathan Church, who leaped at the wall to snare Nick Gonzales’ long drive with a runner on for the final out.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Oneil Cruz’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the eighth cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5-4.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Pinch hitter Nick Yorke’s two-run single with the bases loaded in the seventh pulled the Pirates to within 5-3. Pittsburgh loaded the bases again in the inning, but JoJo Romero struck out Ryan O’Hearn and got Marcell Ozuna on a groundout.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Pirates starter Bubba Chandler (1-3) gave up three runs on three hits in five innings with four walks and six strikeouts. Four of the strikeouts came in the first two innings.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>J.J. Wetherholt’s run-scoring double in the third gave the Cardinals a 1-0 lead. It was St. Louis’ first hit and scored Ramon Urias, who had walked and moved to second on a flyout.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Burleson’s two-out, two-run homer in the fifth stretched the Cardinals’ lead to 3-0. He drove Chandler’s 1-1 slider to the opposite field in left-center an estimated 411 feet for Burleson’s fourth home run. It also brought home Herrera, who had doubled.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>Pittsburgh finally got to Pallante in the bottom of the fifth when Horwitz led off with his third homer. He took a 1-0 slider over the fence in center, an estimated 397 feet away.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>The Cardinals added two in the seventh on RBI singles by Herrera and Jordan Walker to make it 5-1.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #Cardinals #edge #Pirates

Deadspin | Struggling Storm aim for bright spot with visit to Fever Jul 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) passes the ball against Chicago Sky guard Rachel Banham (24) during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images The Seattle Storm are looking to stop their latest losing streak. The last-place Storm (6-20) lost their third consecutive game on Wednesday afternoon to the Chicago Sky. Despite the 95-90 road loss, the team hopes that the lessons from that game carry over into their outing against the host Indiana Fever on Thursday night. “I think the takeaway for us was much more about the first half (and) how we start,” Storm coach Sonia Raman said. “You know, taking care of the ball so that we limit the points off turnovers mainly, and then just guarding better in the half court.” All-Star center Dominique Malonga will look to lead the way for the Storm. Malonga has collected at least nine rebounds in four consecutive games and averages 8.2 rebounds per game. Rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson could also be a key player. Johnson ranks third among WNBA rookies in scoring, averaging 13.1 points per game, and tied her season high with 11 made field goals on 17 shots Wednesday against the Sky. The Fever (14-10) are looking to bounce back after an 88-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries at home on Wednesday. The Fever matched their season low of 75 points against the Valkyries, and fatigue might have contributed since it was their first game back home after a four-game Western road trip. However, the team doesn’t want to use that as an excuse for their defeat. “We don’t have time for that,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “This has got to be no excuses, standard over feelings. Everybody in this league goes through this. It’s not something that we’re going to be immune to, and everybody else isn’t. I think our mentality to start the ball game needed to be better. And when you spend all of that energy trying to come back at multiple points in the game, it becomes a hard road at times. And we can’t give into those excuses.” Led by the All Star trio of Kelsey Mitchell (22.6 ppg), Caitlin Clark (19.7 ppg, 7.7 assists per game) and Aliyah Boston (17.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Indiana will look to score early and often. The Fever lead the WNBA in scoring at 93.2 points per game and scored 89 points in the first matchup with the Storm on May 17 when they notched an 11-point home victory. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Struggling #Storm #aim #bright #spot #visit #Fever

#Deadspin #Struggling #Storm #aim #bright #spot #visit #Fever">

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Jul 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) passes the ball against Chicago Sky guard Rachel Banham (24) during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The Seattle Storm are looking to stop their latest losing streak.

The last-place Storm (6-20) lost their third consecutive game on Wednesday afternoon to the Chicago Sky. Despite the 95-90 road loss, the team hopes that the lessons from that game carry over into their outing against the host Indiana Fever on Thursday night.

“I think the takeaway for us was much more about the first half (and) how we start,” Storm coach Sonia Raman said. “You know, taking care of the ball so that we limit the points off turnovers mainly, and then just guarding better in the half court.”

All-Star center Dominique Malonga will look to lead the way for the Storm. Malonga has collected at least nine rebounds in four consecutive games and averages 8.2 rebounds per game.

Rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson could also be a key player. Johnson ranks third among WNBA rookies in scoring, averaging 13.1 points per game, and tied her season high with 11 made field goals on 17 shots Wednesday against the Sky.

The Fever (14-10) are looking to bounce back after an 88-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries at home on Wednesday. The Fever matched their season low of 75 points against the Valkyries, and fatigue might have contributed since it was their first game back home after a four-game Western road trip. However, the team doesn’t want to use that as an excuse for their defeat.

“We don’t have time for that,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “This has got to be no excuses, standard over feelings. Everybody in this league goes through this. It’s not something that we’re going to be immune to, and everybody else isn’t. I think our mentality to start the ball game needed to be better. And when you spend all of that energy trying to come back at multiple points in the game, it becomes a hard road at times. And we can’t give into those excuses.”

Led by the All Star trio of Kelsey Mitchell (22.6 ppg), Caitlin Clark (19.7 ppg, 7.7 assists per game) and Aliyah Boston (17.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Indiana will look to score early and often. The Fever lead the WNBA in scoring at 93.2 points per game and scored 89 points in the first matchup with the Storm on May 17 when they notched an 11-point home victory.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Struggling #Storm #aim #bright #spot #visit #Fever">Deadspin | Struggling Storm aim for bright spot with visit to Fever

Jul 15, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Seattle Storm center Dominique Malonga (14) passes the ball against Chicago Sky guard Rachel Banham (24) during the second half at Wintrust Arena. Mandatory Credit: Matt Marton-Imagn Images

The Seattle Storm are looking to stop their latest losing streak.

The last-place Storm (6-20) lost their third consecutive game on Wednesday afternoon to the Chicago Sky. Despite the 95-90 road loss, the team hopes that the lessons from that game carry over into their outing against the host Indiana Fever on Thursday night.

“I think the takeaway for us was much more about the first half (and) how we start,” Storm coach Sonia Raman said. “You know, taking care of the ball so that we limit the points off turnovers mainly, and then just guarding better in the half court.”

All-Star center Dominique Malonga will look to lead the way for the Storm. Malonga has collected at least nine rebounds in four consecutive games and averages 8.2 rebounds per game.

Rookie guard Flau’jae Johnson could also be a key player. Johnson ranks third among WNBA rookies in scoring, averaging 13.1 points per game, and tied her season high with 11 made field goals on 17 shots Wednesday against the Sky.

The Fever (14-10) are looking to bounce back after an 88-75 loss to the Golden State Valkyries at home on Wednesday. The Fever matched their season low of 75 points against the Valkyries, and fatigue might have contributed since it was their first game back home after a four-game Western road trip. However, the team doesn’t want to use that as an excuse for their defeat.

“We don’t have time for that,” Fever coach Stephanie White said. “This has got to be no excuses, standard over feelings. Everybody in this league goes through this. It’s not something that we’re going to be immune to, and everybody else isn’t. I think our mentality to start the ball game needed to be better. And when you spend all of that energy trying to come back at multiple points in the game, it becomes a hard road at times. And we can’t give into those excuses.”

Led by the All Star trio of Kelsey Mitchell (22.6 ppg), Caitlin Clark (19.7 ppg, 7.7 assists per game) and Aliyah Boston (17.2 ppg, 8.7 rpg), Indiana will look to score early and often. The Fever lead the WNBA in scoring at 93.2 points per game and scored 89 points in the first matchup with the Storm on May 17 when they notched an 11-point home victory.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Struggling #Storm #aim #bright #spot #visit #Fever

This is simply incredible. After 120+ minutes of thrilling football, Argentina and France find themselves in a penalty shootout with the World Cup on the line. After going through a phenomenal group stage and thrilling knockout rounds throughout this tourney, it really doesn’t get any better than this.

But before we see what comes next, we need to understand how this chaos somehow topped the last meeting between these two nations, why we’re in the Middle East in the dead of winter, and what a win would mean for two of the game’s top stars, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. For Mbappé, a victory would further solidify his status as one of football’s best, adding a second World Cup to his very young, promising career. For Messi, it could very well be his last World Cup in a career filled with countless accomplishments, yet a trophy that’s eluded him for years.

#greatest #World #Cup #Final #deep #rewind">

The greatest World Cup Final ever needs a deep rewind This is simply incredible. After 120+ minutes of thrilling football, Argentina and France find themselves in a penalty shootout with the World Cup on the line. After going through a phenomenal group stage and thrilling knockout rounds throughout this tourney, it really doesn’t get any better than this.But before we see what comes next, we need to understand how this chaos somehow topped the last meeting between these two nations, why we’re in the Middle East in the dead of winter, and what a win would mean for two of the game’s top stars, Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi. For Mbappé, a victory would further solidify his status as one of football’s best, adding a second World Cup to his very young, promising career. For Messi, it could very well be his last World Cup in a career filled with countless accomplishments, yet a trophy that’s eluded him for years. #greatest #World #Cup #Final #deep #rewind

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This is simply incredible. After 120+ minutes of thrilling football, Argentina and France find themselves in a penalty shootout with the World Cup on the line. After going through a phenomenal group stage and thrilling knockout rounds throughout this tourney, it really doesn’t get any better than this.

#greatest #World #Cup #Final #deep #rewind">The greatest World Cup Final ever needs a deep rewind

#greatest #World #Cup #Final #deep #rewind

The shirt worn by Brazil great Pele when he scored twice in ‌the 1958 FIFA World Cup final has sold for USD 4.9 ⁠million at auction, becoming the most valuable piece of memorabilia ‌linked to the football legend, Sotheby’s said on ‌Thursday.

The number 10 ‌shirt, ⁠worn by the ⁠then 17-year-old as Brazil beat host Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm to win its first ‌world title, attracted 10 bids from more than five bidders, the auction house ‌said.

ALSO READ | FIFA World Cup trophy to arrive in style in bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk

The sale made it the second-most expensive football shirt sold at ⁠auction, behind the USD 9.3 million paid in 2022 for the shirt ‌worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his “Hand of God” goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup.

Pele, ‌who died in 2022 aged 82, scored twice in the 1958 showpiece and ⁠remains the youngest player to score ⁠in a World Cup final.

The shirt ‌had previously sold at auction in 2004 for 70,505 pounds ($105,600), according to Sotheby’s

Published on Jul 17, 2026

#Peles #FIFA #World #Cup #final #shirt #sells #USD #million">

Pele’s 1958 FIFA World Cup final shirt sells for USD 4.9 million The shirt worn by Brazil great Pele when he scored twice in ‌the 1958 FIFA World Cup final has sold for USD 4.9 ⁠million at auction, becoming the most valuable piece of memorabilia ‌linked to the football legend, Sotheby’s said on ‌Thursday.The number 10 ‌shirt, ⁠worn by the ⁠then 17-year-old as Brazil beat host Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm to win its first ‌world title, attracted 10 bids from more than five bidders, the auction house ‌said.ALSO READ | FIFA World Cup trophy to arrive in style in bespoke Louis Vuitton trunkThe sale made it the second-most expensive football shirt sold at ⁠auction, behind the USD 9.3 million paid in 2022 for the shirt ‌worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his “Hand of God” goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup.Pele, ‌who died in 2022 aged 82, scored twice in the 1958 showpiece and ⁠remains the youngest player to score ⁠in a World Cup final.The shirt ‌had previously sold at auction in 2004 for 70,505 pounds (5,600), according to Sotheby’sPublished on Jul 17, 2026 #Peles #FIFA #World #Cup #final #shirt #sells #USD #million

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The shirt worn by Brazil great Pele when he scored twice in ‌the 1958 FIFA World Cup final has sold for USD 4.9 ⁠million at auction, becoming the most valuable piece of memorabilia ‌linked to the football legend, Sotheby’s said on ‌Thursday.
The number 10 ‌shirt, ⁠worn by the ⁠then 17-year-old as Brazil beat host Sweden 5-2 in Stockholm to win its first ‌world title, attracted 10 bids from more than five bidders, the auction house ‌said.
ALSO READ | FIFA World Cup trophy to arrive in style in bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk
The sale made it the second-most expensive football shirt sold at ⁠auction, behind the USD 9.3 million paid in 2022 for the shirt ‌worn by Diego Maradona when he scored his “Hand of God” goal for Argentina against England at the 1986 World Cup.
Pele, ‌who died in 2022 aged 82, scored twice in the 1958 showpiece and ⁠remains the youngest player to score ⁠in a World Cup final.
The shirt ‌had previously sold at auction in 2004 for 70,505 pounds ($105,600), according to Sotheby’s
Published on Jul 17, 2026

#Peles #FIFA #World #Cup #final #shirt #sells #USD #million">Pele’s 1958 FIFA World Cup final shirt sells for USD 4.9 million

ALSO READ | FIFA World Cup trophy to arrive in style in bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk

Pele, ‌who died in 2022 aged 82, scored twice in the 1958 showpiece and ⁠remains the youngest player to score ⁠in a World Cup final.

The shirt ‌had previously sold at auction in 2004 for 70,505 pounds ($105,600), according to Sotheby’s

Published on Jul 17, 2026

#Peles #FIFA #World #Cup #final #shirt #sells #USD #million

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