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Madrid Open: Zverev beats Blockx to set up final against Sinner  World No. 3 Alexander Zverev, in strong form, dispatched promising Belgian Alexander Blockx 6-2, 7-5 to set up a summit clash against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open on Friday.“I’m very happy of course to be in a final,” said Zverev, who lifted the trophy in Madrid in 2018 and 2021. There were a lot of tough matches, a lot of tough battles… and I’m looking forward to playing Jannik again.“Tennis is very very easy for him right now, the way he is playing. Maybe on Sunday I will make it a bit more difficult for him.“He’s the best player in the world for sure and I’m just trying to give him a tough battle.”ALSO READ | Jannik Sinner says adrenaline drives him past fatigue in run to Madrid Open finalThe 29-year-old broke in the first and fifth games to surge into a 5-1 lead against his unseeded opponent.Underdog Blockx, ranked 69th in the world, resisted strong pressure on his next service game, saving three set points to hold.However the dominant Zverev made no mistake with his fourth chance to wrap up the fourth stanza, laying down an ace.Blockx survived two break points in the first game of the second set and another in the third as Zverev worked him hard.The Belgian, who defeated Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, put up a brave display as he saved two more break points in each of the seventh and ninth games.Eventually Zverev took his eighth break point of the second set to nose 6-5 ahead, with a fortuitous net cord that broke Blockx’s resistance.The German, who has suffered a string of semifinal defeats this season, made it to his first final with a powerful overhead winner.Published on May 02, 2026  #Madrid #Open #Zverev #beats #Blockx #set #final #Sinner

Madrid Open: Zverev beats Blockx to set up final against Sinner

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev, in strong form, dispatched promising Belgian Alexander Blockx 6-2, 7-5 to set up a summit clash against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open on Friday.

“I’m very happy of course to be in a final,” said Zverev, who lifted the trophy in Madrid in 2018 and 2021. There were a lot of tough matches, a lot of tough battles… and I’m looking forward to playing Jannik again.

“Tennis is very very easy for him right now, the way he is playing. Maybe on Sunday I will make it a bit more difficult for him.

“He’s the best player in the world for sure and I’m just trying to give him a tough battle.”

ALSO READ | Jannik Sinner says adrenaline drives him past fatigue in run to Madrid Open final

The 29-year-old broke in the first and fifth games to surge into a 5-1 lead against his unseeded opponent.

Underdog Blockx, ranked 69th in the world, resisted strong pressure on his next service game, saving three set points to hold.

However the dominant Zverev made no mistake with his fourth chance to wrap up the fourth stanza, laying down an ace.

Blockx survived two break points in the first game of the second set and another in the third as Zverev worked him hard.

The Belgian, who defeated Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, put up a brave display as he saved two more break points in each of the seventh and ninth games.

Eventually Zverev took his eighth break point of the second set to nose 6-5 ahead, with a fortuitous net cord that broke Blockx’s resistance.

The German, who has suffered a string of semifinal defeats this season, made it to his first final with a powerful overhead winner.

Published on May 02, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Zverev #beats #Blockx #set #final #Sinner

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev, in strong form, dispatched promising Belgian Alexander Blockx 6-2, 7-5 to set up a summit clash against World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the Madrid Open on Friday.

“I’m very happy of course to be in a final,” said Zverev, who lifted the trophy in Madrid in 2018 and 2021. There were a lot of tough matches, a lot of tough battles… and I’m looking forward to playing Jannik again.

“Tennis is very very easy for him right now, the way he is playing. Maybe on Sunday I will make it a bit more difficult for him.

“He’s the best player in the world for sure and I’m just trying to give him a tough battle.”

ALSO READ | Jannik Sinner says adrenaline drives him past fatigue in run to Madrid Open final

The 29-year-old broke in the first and fifth games to surge into a 5-1 lead against his unseeded opponent.

Underdog Blockx, ranked 69th in the world, resisted strong pressure on his next service game, saving three set points to hold.

However the dominant Zverev made no mistake with his fourth chance to wrap up the fourth stanza, laying down an ace.

Blockx survived two break points in the first game of the second set and another in the third as Zverev worked him hard.

The Belgian, who defeated Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, put up a brave display as he saved two more break points in each of the seventh and ninth games.

Eventually Zverev took his eighth break point of the second set to nose 6-5 ahead, with a fortuitous net cord that broke Blockx’s resistance.

The German, who has suffered a string of semifinal defeats this season, made it to his first final with a powerful overhead winner.

Published on May 02, 2026

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#Madrid #Open #Zverev #beats #Blockx #set #final #Sinner

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Deadspin | NBA roundup: Lakers end Rockets’ comeback dreams, win series in 6 <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28860705.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28860705.jpg" alt="NBA: Playoffs-Los Angeles Lakers at Houston Rockets" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">May 1, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Los Angeles Lakers forward Lebron James (23) greets Houston Rockets forward Jabari Smith Jr. (10) following game six of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Toyota Center. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>LeBron James scored 18 of his 28 points in a runaway first half for the visiting Los Angeles Lakers, who cruised to a 98-78 victory over the Houston Rockets on Friday and claimed their Western Conference first-round playoff series in six games.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>By virtue of the 4-2 series victory, the Lakers advance to the Western Conference semifinals and will travel to face the top-seeded Oklahoma City Thunder for Game 1 on Tuesday.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>James added seven rebounds and eight assists to his ledger. Teammate Rui Hachimura put up 21 points, hitting 5 of 7 from the 3-point arc. Austin Reaves, who started for the first time in the series, added 15 points for the Lakers.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Undermined by turnovers throughout the series, the Lakers committed just 11 giveaways while limiting Houston to 35% shooting. Alperen Sengun paired 17 points with 11 rebounds for the Rockets, who played without leading scorer Kevin Durant for the fifth time in the series. Houston finished 5 of 28 (17.9%) from deep.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Raptors 112, Cavaliers 110 (OT)</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>RJ Barrett made a dramatic 3-pointer with 1.2 seconds left in overtime as Toronto defeated visiting Cleveland to force Game 7 of their first-round Eastern Conference playoff series.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-7"> <p>Barrett’s bucket from straight away hit the back of the rim, bounced high into the air and fell in between the mesh. Scottie Barnes had 25 points and 14 assists for the Raptors. Barrett finished with 24 points, as did Ja’Kobe Walter.</p> </section> <section id="section-8"> <p>Evan Mobley had 26 points and 14 rebounds for the Cavaliers, who will play host to the deciding game on Sunday. Donovan Mitchell added 24 points, and James Harden had 16 points, nine assists and nine rebounds.</p> </section><section id="section-9"> <p>Pistons 93, Magic 79</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Cade Cunningham scored 32 points as Detroit came back from a 24-point deficit to stun host Orlando and force a decisive Game 7 in their Eastern Conference first-round playoff series.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>The top-seeded Pistons began the fourth quarter on an 18-1 run to build an eight-point lead and ended up outscoring Orlando 55-19 in the second half. The eighth-seeded Magic missed 23 consecutive shots from the field during one stretch covering about 15 minutes in the second half.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Desmond Bane and Paolo Banchero each scored 17 points for Orlando, which was held to 12 points over the first 19 minutes of the second half as Detroit pulled ahead at 74-72 more than seven minutes to play after trailing by 22 at the half.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #NBA #roundup #Lakers #Rockets #comeback #dreams #win #series

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Deadspin | Royals pull out victory over Mariners in slugfest <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-900/28860665.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28860665.jpg" alt="MLB: Kansas City Royals at Seattle Mariners" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">May 1, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) and relief pitcher Lucas Erceg (60) celebrate defeating the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Steven Bisig-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Pinch hitter Lane Thomas’ run-scoring single with one out in the eighth inning broke a tie as the Kansas City Royals defeated the host Seattle Mariners 7-6 on Friday, overcoming a pair of two-run homers by Julio Rodriguez.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Vinnie Pasquantino and Jac Caglianone went deep for the Royals, who won for just the fourth time in 16 road games this season. By taking the opener of a three-game series, Kansas City stopped a mini two-game skid.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Connor Joe and Randy Arozarena also homered for Seattle, which had won six of its previous seven games.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Royals reliever Daniel Lynch IV (1-0) got the victory despite allowing two runs in his lone inning. Lucas Erceg worked a 1-2-3 ninth for his eighth save of the season.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>With the score tied at 6-all, Kansas City’s Salvador Perez led off the eighth with a double to left field, his second of the game. Perez advanced to third on Carter Jensen’s groundout and scored as Thomas hit a looping liner to right-center off Mariners reliever Jose A. Ferrer (0-1).</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>The Royals’ Maikel Garcia, Bobby Witt Jr. and Pasquantino began the game with singles, with Pasquantino driving in the opening run. Perez followed with a two-run double to right to make it 3-0. With two outs, Isaac Collins doubled off the glove of third baseman Leo Rivas, scoring Perez.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>The Mariners’ halved their deficit in the bottom half of the frame. J.P. Crawford drew a leadoff walk, and an out later, Rodriguez went deep into the second deck in left field.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>Seattle pulled within 4-3 in the fifth when Joe hit a leadoff homer to left.</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>Pasquantino led off the sixth with a liner off the facade of the second deck in right field. Two outs later, Caglianone hit a high drive that just cleared the fence in the right field corner to give the Royals a 6-3 advantage.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Arozarena went deep to right with one out in the bottom of the inning.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>In the seventh, Crawford singled and Rodriguez homered to straightaway center with two outs to tie it at 6-all.</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Both starting pitchers struggled to keep the ball in the yard.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Royals left-hander Cole Ragans went 5 1/3 innings and gave up four runs on four hits, including three homers. He walked three and struck out eight.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo struggled early, allowing four runs in the first inning, then settled down to retire 13 consecutive batters before giving up the two solo shots in the sixth. Woo went six innings and allowed six runs on seven hits, with no walks and two strikeouts.</p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Royals #pull #victory #Mariners #slugfest

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal will miss the Clasico on May 10 after suffering a toe fracture, the club said on Saturday.

The veteran right-back is expected to be sidelined for the next two weeks, according to Spanish media, and could return for the club’s final game of the season against Athletic Bilbao.

Second-placed Real Madrid is 11 points behind leader Barcelona, which could clinch La Liga this weekend with a win at Osasuna if Los Blancos drops points at Espanyol on Sunday.

ALSO READ: Serie A: Pisa, Hellas Verona relegated to Serie B; Venezia earns promotion

Carvajal will miss the Clasico away at Barcelona next Sunday, which could be his last as a Madrid player.

The defender, who has won six Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns with the club, is out of contract at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old had hoped to be part of Spain’s World Cup squad this summer, but after an injury-hit season his chances were already slim before this latest setback.

Published on May 02, 2026

#Real #Madrid #defender #Carvajal #ruled #Clasico #toe #injury">Real Madrid defender Carvajal ruled out of Clasico with toe injury  Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal will miss the Clasico on May 10 after suffering a toe fracture, the club said on Saturday.The veteran right-back is expected to be sidelined for the next two weeks, according to Spanish media, and could return for the club’s final game of the season against Athletic Bilbao.Second-placed Real Madrid is 11 points behind leader Barcelona, which could clinch La Liga this weekend with a win at Osasuna if Los Blancos drops points at Espanyol on Sunday.ALSO READ: Serie A: Pisa, Hellas Verona relegated to Serie B; Venezia earns promotionCarvajal will miss the Clasico away at Barcelona next Sunday, which could be his last as a Madrid player.The defender, who has won six Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns with the club, is out of contract at the end of the season.The 34-year-old had hoped to be part of Spain’s World Cup squad this summer, but after an injury-hit season his chances were already slim before this latest setback.Published on May 02, 2026  #Real #Madrid #defender #Carvajal #ruled #Clasico #toe #injury

Serie A: Pisa, Hellas Verona relegated to Serie B; Venezia earns promotion

Carvajal will miss the Clasico away at Barcelona next Sunday, which could be his last as a Madrid player.

The defender, who has won six Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns with the club, is out of contract at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old had hoped to be part of Spain’s World Cup squad this summer, but after an injury-hit season his chances were already slim before this latest setback.

Published on May 02, 2026

#Real #Madrid #defender #Carvajal #ruled #Clasico #toe #injury">Real Madrid defender Carvajal ruled out of Clasico with toe injury

Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal will miss the Clasico on May 10 after suffering a toe fracture, the club said on Saturday.

The veteran right-back is expected to be sidelined for the next two weeks, according to Spanish media, and could return for the club’s final game of the season against Athletic Bilbao.

Second-placed Real Madrid is 11 points behind leader Barcelona, which could clinch La Liga this weekend with a win at Osasuna if Los Blancos drops points at Espanyol on Sunday.

ALSO READ: Serie A: Pisa, Hellas Verona relegated to Serie B; Venezia earns promotion

Carvajal will miss the Clasico away at Barcelona next Sunday, which could be his last as a Madrid player.

The defender, who has won six Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns with the club, is out of contract at the end of the season.

The 34-year-old had hoped to be part of Spain’s World Cup squad this summer, but after an injury-hit season his chances were already slim before this latest setback.

Published on May 02, 2026

#Real #Madrid #defender #Carvajal #ruled #Clasico #toe #injury
Deadspin | Minnesota QB Drake Lindsey arrested on fake ID, alcohol charges  Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (5) against the New Mexico Lobos during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Minnesota starting quarterback Drake Lindsey was arrested Friday for allegedly using a fake ID and for possessing alcohol as a minor.  The arrest took place in Lindsey’s native Arkansas, where Fayetteville police responded to a call from a bar in town about a possible fake identification.  Per a preliminary police report, the 20-year-old Lindsey admitted to owning the ID and said he drank alcohol before going to the bar.  He spent about seven hours in the Washington County Detention Center and posted a 0 bond, according to outlets that viewed detention records. He has district court hearings set for June 1 and June 29.   A Minnesota spokesperson told ESPN that the university is “aware of the situation and will address it internally.”  Lindsey was the Golden Gophers’ starting quarterback as a freshman last season and set a program record for wins by a freshman QB with eight. He threw for 2,382 yards and 18 touchdowns with six interceptions on 63.2% passing.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Minnesota #Drake #Lindsey #arrested #fake #alcohol #chargesDec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (5) against the New Mexico Lobos during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Minnesota starting quarterback Drake Lindsey was arrested Friday for allegedly using a fake ID and for possessing alcohol as a minor.

The arrest took place in Lindsey’s native Arkansas, where Fayetteville police responded to a call from a bar in town about a possible fake identification.

Per a preliminary police report, the 20-year-old Lindsey admitted to owning the ID and said he drank alcohol before going to the bar.


He spent about seven hours in the Washington County Detention Center and posted a $470 bond, according to outlets that viewed detention records. He has district court hearings set for June 1 and June 29.

A Minnesota spokesperson told ESPN that the university is “aware of the situation and will address it internally.”

Lindsey was the Golden Gophers’ starting quarterback as a freshman last season and set a program record for wins by a freshman QB with eight. He threw for 2,382 yards and 18 touchdowns with six interceptions on 63.2% passing.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Minnesota #Drake #Lindsey #arrested #fake #alcohol #charges">Deadspin | Minnesota QB Drake Lindsey arrested on fake ID, alcohol charges  Dec 26, 2025; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Minnesota Golden Gophers quarterback Drake Lindsey (5) against the New Mexico Lobos during the Rate Bowl at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Minnesota starting quarterback Drake Lindsey was arrested Friday for allegedly using a fake ID and for possessing alcohol as a minor.  The arrest took place in Lindsey’s native Arkansas, where Fayetteville police responded to a call from a bar in town about a possible fake identification.  Per a preliminary police report, the 20-year-old Lindsey admitted to owning the ID and said he drank alcohol before going to the bar.  He spent about seven hours in the Washington County Detention Center and posted a 0 bond, according to outlets that viewed detention records. He has district court hearings set for June 1 and June 29.   A Minnesota spokesperson told ESPN that the university is “aware of the situation and will address it internally.”  Lindsey was the Golden Gophers’ starting quarterback as a freshman last season and set a program record for wins by a freshman QB with eight. He threw for 2,382 yards and 18 touchdowns with six interceptions on 63.2% passing.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Minnesota #Drake #Lindsey #arrested #fake #alcohol #charges

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