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Charleston Open 2026: Pegula defends title with dominant win over Starodubtseva Defending champion Jessica Pegula clinched back-to-back victories at the WTA Charleston Open clay court tournament on Sunday, routing Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva in straight sets to claim her second title of the year.Top seed Pegula, who had gone to three sets in every round on her way to Sunday’s final, was in no mood to take the scenic route again as she sprinted to a 6-2, 6-2 victory in one hour and 22 minutes against her 89th-ranked opponent.The Charleston victory follows Pegula’s win at Dubai in February and is the 11th title of the 32-year-old New Yorker’s career.After an even start, Pegula seized control in the fifth game of the first set, grabbing the first break point of the match when Starodubtseva pulled a forehand wide.The Ukrainian saved that point but was quickly in trouble again, giving Pegula another break point with a rushed return which the American converted for a 3-2 lead.After holding to go 4-2 up, Pegula then went a double-break ahead as more unforced errors from Starodubtseva proved costly.After comfortably serving out for the set, Pegula was soon on the offensive in the second, breaking Starodubtseva for a third time to 1-0 up.Starodubtseva finally began to exert some pressure in the next game and twice carved out break points.But Pegula slammed the door shut to hold for 2-0 and then rammed home the advantage by breaking again for a 3-0 lead.Another break left her 5-0 up and serving for the match. Starodubtseva finally showed some resilience to fight off three match points to grab her first break to make it 5-1.But Pegula made no mistake on her next service game, holding to love to wrap up victory.Published on Apr 06, 2026 #Charleston #Open #Pegula #defends #title #dominant #win #Starodubtseva

Charleston Open 2026: Pegula defends title with dominant win over Starodubtseva

Defending champion Jessica Pegula clinched back-to-back victories at the WTA Charleston Open clay court tournament on Sunday, routing Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva in straight sets to claim her second title of the year.

Top seed Pegula, who had gone to three sets in every round on her way to Sunday’s final, was in no mood to take the scenic route again as she sprinted to a 6-2, 6-2 victory in one hour and 22 minutes against her 89th-ranked opponent.

The Charleston victory follows Pegula’s win at Dubai in February and is the 11th title of the 32-year-old New Yorker’s career.

After an even start, Pegula seized control in the fifth game of the first set, grabbing the first break point of the match when Starodubtseva pulled a forehand wide.

The Ukrainian saved that point but was quickly in trouble again, giving Pegula another break point with a rushed return which the American converted for a 3-2 lead.

After holding to go 4-2 up, Pegula then went a double-break ahead as more unforced errors from Starodubtseva proved costly.

After comfortably serving out for the set, Pegula was soon on the offensive in the second, breaking Starodubtseva for a third time to 1-0 up.

Starodubtseva finally began to exert some pressure in the next game and twice carved out break points.

But Pegula slammed the door shut to hold for 2-0 and then rammed home the advantage by breaking again for a 3-0 lead.

Another break left her 5-0 up and serving for the match. Starodubtseva finally showed some resilience to fight off three match points to grab her first break to make it 5-1.

But Pegula made no mistake on her next service game, holding to love to wrap up victory.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

#Charleston #Open #Pegula #defends #title #dominant #win #Starodubtseva

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Defending champion Jessica Pegula clinched back-to-back victories at the WTA Charleston Open clay court tournament on Sunday, routing Ukraine’s Yuliia Starodubtseva in straight sets to claim her second title of the year.

Top seed Pegula, who had gone to three sets in every round on her way to Sunday’s final, was in no mood to take the scenic route again as she sprinted to a 6-2, 6-2 victory in one hour and 22 minutes against her 89th-ranked opponent.

The Charleston victory follows Pegula’s win at Dubai in February and is the 11th title of the 32-year-old New Yorker’s career.

After an even start, Pegula seized control in the fifth game of the first set, grabbing the first break point of the match when Starodubtseva pulled a forehand wide.

The Ukrainian saved that point but was quickly in trouble again, giving Pegula another break point with a rushed return which the American converted for a 3-2 lead.

After holding to go 4-2 up, Pegula then went a double-break ahead as more unforced errors from Starodubtseva proved costly.

After comfortably serving out for the set, Pegula was soon on the offensive in the second, breaking Starodubtseva for a third time to 1-0 up.

Starodubtseva finally began to exert some pressure in the next game and twice carved out break points.

But Pegula slammed the door shut to hold for 2-0 and then rammed home the advantage by breaking again for a 3-0 lead.

Another break left her 5-0 up and serving for the match. Starodubtseva finally showed some resilience to fight off three match points to grab her first break to make it 5-1.

But Pegula made no mistake on her next service game, holding to love to wrap up victory.

Published on Apr 06, 2026

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San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama could barely remember the details of the late-game miscues that cost the Spurs in their agonizing 105-104 loss to the New York Knicks in game two of the NBA Finals on Friday.

The Spurs used a 14-0 scoring run to erase a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and briefly took a one-point lead before it all fell apart.

Wembanyama keyed the comeback, but two crucial misses — including a potential game-game winner — and an inexplicable turnover with a pass into teammate Stephon Castle’s back doomed the Spurs’ rally bid.

“I’m still very blurry,” he said of the plays. “That’s the whole problem. I need to have more poise, more control over the game.”

The score was knotted at 104-104 with 9.5 seconds left when Wembanyama threw the pass that Castle never saw coming.

“I was looking at him when he first got the rebound,” he said. “I just started to take off to try to give him some space to dribble up the court. I didn’t see him throw it to me.”

San Antonio still had a chance to win it, but Wembanyama’s final jump shot bounced off the rim.

He said he got the shot he was looking for on the inbounds play but couldn’t get it to drop.

“Of course I liked the shot,” he said. “I feel like in this moment you need to shoot to score.”

And Castle said there was no other player the Spurs would want to see taking that shot than Wemby.

“He’s made that shot a thousand times,” Castle said. “He has a game-winner with that shot this year.”

The Spurs now need an unprecedented comeback as the series shifts to New York for games three and four. No NBA team has lost the first two games of the Finals on their home floor and come back to lift the trophy.

“We needed to win that game,” Wembanyama said. “This game was ours. But at this point it’s done. Am I going to regret it? Yes, of course. Am I going to use that to fuel me and to fuel us next game? Absolutely.”

Published on Jun 06, 2026

#NBA #Finals #Game #Victor #Wembanyama #seeks #clarity #heartbreaking #Spurs #loss">NBA Finals, Game 2 — Victor Wembanyama seeks clarity after heartbreaking Spurs loss San Antonio star Victor Wembanyama could barely remember the details of the late-game miscues that cost the Spurs in their agonizing 105-104 loss to the New York Knicks in game two of the NBA Finals on Friday.The Spurs used a 14-0 scoring run to erase a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit and briefly took a one-point lead before it all fell apart.Wembanyama keyed the comeback, but two crucial misses — including a potential game-game winner — and an inexplicable turnover with a pass into teammate Stephon Castle’s back doomed the Spurs’ rally bid.“I’m still very blurry,” he said of the plays. “That’s the whole problem. I need to have more poise, more control over the game.”The score was knotted at 104-104 with 9.5 seconds left when Wembanyama threw the pass that Castle never saw coming.“I was looking at him when he first got the rebound,” he said. “I just started to take off to try to give him some space to dribble up the court. I didn’t see him throw it to me.”San Antonio still had a chance to win it, but Wembanyama’s final jump shot bounced off the rim.He said he got the shot he was looking for on the inbounds play but couldn’t get it to drop.“Of course I liked the shot,” he said. “I feel like in this moment you need to shoot to score.”And Castle said there was no other player the Spurs would want to see taking that shot than Wemby.“He’s made that shot a thousand times,” Castle said. “He has a game-winner with that shot this year.”The Spurs now need an unprecedented comeback as the series shifts to New York for games three and four. No NBA team has lost the first two games of the Finals on their home floor and come back to lift the trophy.“We needed to win that game,” Wembanyama said. “This game was ours. But at this point it’s done. Am I going to regret it? Yes, of course. Am I going to use that to fuel me and to fuel us next game? Absolutely.”Published on Jun 06, 2026 #NBA #Finals #Game #Victor #Wembanyama #seeks #clarity #heartbreaking #Spurs #loss

Deadspin | Astros reinstate 2B Jose Altuve (left oblique strain) from IL Jun 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images The Houston Astros have reinstated All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve (left oblique strain) from the 10-day injured list and he is slated to bat fifth as the club opens a three-game home series vs. the Athletics on Friday. In a corresponding move, Houston optioned outfielder Zach Dezenzo to Triple-A Sugar Land. Altuve was placed on the IL on May 17 after taking an unorthodox swing the previous night against the Texas Rangers. Altuve, 36, was hitting .245 with four home runs and 12 RBIs through 42 games. The Astros are 9-8 in the 17 games that Altuve has missed. The nine-time All-Star is hitting well below his career average of .302. Earlier this year, he played in his 2,000th game with the Astros and is currently 72 hits shy of 2,500 in his 16-year career. Dezenzo, 26, was hitting .191 with one home run and two RBIs in 21 games in his third season with the Astros. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Astros #reinstate #Jose #Altuve #left #oblique #strainJun 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images

The Houston Astros have reinstated All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve (left oblique strain) from the 10-day injured list and he is slated to bat fifth as the club opens a three-game home series vs. the Athletics on Friday.

In a corresponding move, Houston optioned outfielder Zach Dezenzo to Triple-A Sugar Land.

Altuve was placed on the IL on May 17 after taking an unorthodox swing the previous night against the Texas Rangers.


Altuve, 36, was hitting .245 with four home runs and 12 RBIs through 42 games.

The Astros are 9-8 in the 17 games that Altuve has missed.

The nine-time All-Star is hitting well below his career average of .302. Earlier this year, he played in his 2,000th game with the Astros and is currently 72 hits shy of 2,500 in his 16-year career.

Dezenzo, 26, was hitting .191 with one home run and two RBIs in 21 games in his third season with the Astros.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Astros #reinstate #Jose #Altuve #left #oblique #strain">Deadspin | Astros reinstate 2B Jose Altuve (left oblique strain) from IL Jun 4, 2026; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros second baseman Jose Altuve (27) warms up prior to the game against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Daikin Park. Mandatory Credit: Erik Williams-Imagn Images The Houston Astros have reinstated All-Star second baseman Jose Altuve (left oblique strain) from the 10-day injured list and he is slated to bat fifth as the club opens a three-game home series vs. the Athletics on Friday. In a corresponding move, Houston optioned outfielder Zach Dezenzo to Triple-A Sugar Land. Altuve was placed on the IL on May 17 after taking an unorthodox swing the previous night against the Texas Rangers. Altuve, 36, was hitting .245 with four home runs and 12 RBIs through 42 games. The Astros are 9-8 in the 17 games that Altuve has missed. The nine-time All-Star is hitting well below his career average of .302. Earlier this year, he played in his 2,000th game with the Astros and is currently 72 hits shy of 2,500 in his 16-year career. Dezenzo, 26, was hitting .191 with one home run and two RBIs in 21 games in his third season with the Astros. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Astros #reinstate #Jose #Altuve #left #oblique #strain

North Carolina could not have asked for a better start to Game 1 of its Super Regional series against visiting Southern California. The Tar Heels loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning, and while Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Mason Edwards escaped that jam, he got into trouble again in the second, giving up a pair of runs. By the time the fourth inning arrived, UNC held a 4-1 lead, and Edwards — the leading strikeout artist in college baseball this season — had already been pulled.

But, as the saying goes, that is why they play nine innings.

The Trojans stormed back, thanks to a five-run sixth inning, to take Game 1 in Chapel Hill by a final score of 9-5 and move to within one win of a trip to Omaha for the Men’s College World Series.

USC trailed 6-1 in the top of the sixth, and was struggling to get anything going against UNC starting pitcher Ryan Lynch. But that is when the Trojans’ bats came alive. This single from Kevin Takeuchi brought home a run, closing UNC’s lead to 5-2 with nobody out in the sixth:

Lynch got the next two outs, but UNC called on reliever Walker McDuffie. He walked Andrew Lamb, who had hit a solo shot earlier in the game, to load the bases. That set the stage for Dean Carpentier to give USC their first lead of the afternoon:

The blast staked USC to a 6-5 lead, and the Trojans would not look back. USC added three more runs in the seventh, using a little safety squeeze to plate the third run of the inning:

But full credit should go to the USC bullpen. After Edwards exited the game, relievers Chase Herrell, Ben Cushnie, and Andrew Johnson combined for six innings of work, allowing just one earned run over that stretch. Herrell was credited with the win, going two innings while giving up just one run, while Johnson earned a save by pitching the final 3.2 innings and allowing just two hits, while striking out two.

These two teams will meet again tomorrow, with USC booking a spot in the Men’s College World Series with a victory. A UNC win would force a decisive Game 3 on Sunday.

#USC #storms #UNC #Game #Super #Regional">USC storms back against UNC to take Game 1 of their Super Regional North Carolina could not have asked for a better start to Game 1 of its Super Regional series against visiting Southern California. The Tar Heels loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning, and while Big Ten Pitcher of the Year Mason Edwards escaped that jam, he got into trouble again in the second, giving up a pair of runs. By the time the fourth inning arrived, UNC held a 4-1 lead, and Edwards — the leading strikeout artist in college baseball this season — had already been pulled.But, as the saying goes, that is why they play nine innings.The Trojans stormed back, thanks to a five-run sixth inning, to take Game 1 in Chapel Hill by a final score of 9-5 and move to within one win of a trip to Omaha for the Men’s College World Series.USC trailed 6-1 in the top of the sixth, and was struggling to get anything going against UNC starting pitcher Ryan Lynch. But that is when the Trojans’ bats came alive. This single from Kevin Takeuchi brought home a run, closing UNC’s lead to 5-2 with nobody out in the sixth:Lynch got the next two outs, but UNC called on reliever Walker McDuffie. He walked Andrew Lamb, who had hit a solo shot earlier in the game, to load the bases. That set the stage for Dean Carpentier to give USC their first lead of the afternoon:The blast staked USC to a 6-5 lead, and the Trojans would not look back. USC added three more runs in the seventh, using a little safety squeeze to plate the third run of the inning:But full credit should go to the USC bullpen. After Edwards exited the game, relievers Chase Herrell, Ben Cushnie, and Andrew Johnson combined for six innings of work, allowing just one earned run over that stretch. Herrell was credited with the win, going two innings while giving up just one run, while Johnson earned a save by pitching the final 3.2 innings and allowing just two hits, while striking out two.These two teams will meet again tomorrow, with USC booking a spot in the Men’s College World Series with a victory. A UNC win would force a decisive Game 3 on Sunday. #USC #storms #UNC #Game #Super #Regional

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