Deadspin | Alexandre Texier lifts Canadiens to 3-2 series lead over Lightning 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 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. The Canadiens grabbed a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series, and they head home to Montreal for Game 6 on Friday. 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. 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. Brendan Gallagher and Kirby Dach also scored for the Canadiens, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21. 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. 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. The gritty Gallagher, scratched the first four games and inserted for Oliver Kapanen, followed it up for a lead. 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. 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. 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. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Alexandre #Texier #lifts #Canadiens #series #lead #Lightning

Deadspin | Alexandre Texier lifts Canadiens to 3-2 series lead over Lightning
$Deadspin | Alexandre Texier lifts Canadiens to 3-2 series lead over Lightning 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 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. The Canadiens grabbed a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series, and they head home to Montreal for Game 6 on Friday. 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. 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. Brendan Gallagher and Kirby Dach also scored for the Canadiens, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21. 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. 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. The gritty Gallagher, scratched the first four games and inserted for Oliver Kapanen, followed it up for a lead. 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. 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. 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. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Alexandre #Texier #lifts #Canadiens #series #lead #Lightning$ 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

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.

The Canadiens grabbed a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series, and they head home to Montreal for Game 6 on Friday.

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.

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.

Brendan Gallagher and Kirby Dach also scored for the Canadiens, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21.

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.

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.

The gritty Gallagher, scratched the first four games and inserted for Oliver Kapanen, followed it up for a lead.

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.

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.

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.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Alexandre #Texier #lifts #Canadiens #series #lead #Lightning

Sports news April 30, 2026

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

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.

The Canadiens grabbed a 3-2 edge in the best-of-seven series, and they head home to Montreal for Game 6 on Friday.

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.

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.

Brendan Gallagher and Kirby Dach also scored for the Canadiens, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 2020-21.

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.

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.

The gritty Gallagher, scratched the first four games and inserted for Oliver Kapanen, followed it up for a lead.

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.

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.

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.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Alexandre #Texier #lifts #Canadiens #series #lead #Lightning

How Elon Musk Squeezed OpenAI: They ‘Are Gonna Want to Kill Me’<div>Elon Musk returned to the witness stand on Wednesday to continue telling <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/model-behavior-elon-musk-testifies-at-musk-v-altman-trial/" class="text link">his side of the story</a> in his <a href="https://www.wired.com/story/musk-v-altman-trial-openai-xai/" class="text link">legal battle</a> against OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman. Under cross-examination from OpenAI’s lawyers, Musk was pressed on all the ways he tried to squeeze the organization over a 2017 power struggle that he ultimately lost. Around this time, Musk tried to hire away OpenAI researchers and stopped sending it funding he had previously promised, according to emails presented as evidence in the case.As the cross-examination began, tension rippled through the courtroom. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers started the day by reprimanding someone in the gallery for taking a picture of Musk. OpenAI president and cofounder Greg Brockman sat behind his lawyers with a yellow legal pad in his lap, giving Musk a cold stare as he testified. Musk grew visibly frustrated on the witness stand, pausing frequently to tell OpenAI’s lawyer, William Savitt, that he saw his questions as misleading. Meanwhile, Savitt’s cross-examination was derailed by objections, technical issues, and Musk continuously claiming he doesn’t recall key details of OpenAI’s history.Savitt showed the courtroom <a data-offer-url="https://app.box.com/s/d8dxew0n3g2xg13y5812lioqa9hxyoo4/file/2213917026057" class="external-link text link" data-event-click="{"element":"ExternalLink","outgoingURL":"https://app.box.com/s/d8dxew0n3g2xg13y5812lioqa9hxyoo4/file/2213917026057"}" href="https://app.box.com/s/d8dxew0n3g2xg13y5812lioqa9hxyoo4/file/2213917026057" rel="nofollow noopener" target="_blank">emails from September 2017</a> between Musk, Brockman, and researcher Ilya Sutskever discussing the formation of what would become OpenAI’s for-profit arm. In the thread, Musk demanded the right to choose four members of its board of directors, giving him more voting power than his cofounders, who would be left with three in total. “I would unequivocally have initial control of the company, but this will change quickly,” said Musk in one message. Sutskever wrote back rejecting the idea because he said he feared it would give Musk too much power.Months before these negotiations started, Musk had halted payments to OpenAI, which was particularly difficult for the organization because he was then its main source of funding. Since 2016, Musk had been sending $5 million payments to OpenAI quarterly as part of a broader $1 billion pledge he made at the organization’s launch. But in the spring of 2017, he stopped sending the money. In another email from August 2017, the head of Musk’s family office, Jared Birchall, asked Musk if he should continue withholding it. Musk responded simply, “Yes.”Around the time Musk lost the power struggle, emails show that he held discussions with executives at Tesla and Neuralink, his brain-computer interface company, about hiring OpenAI employees. At the time, Musk was still a board member of OpenAI.Musk sent an email to a Tesla vice president in June 2017 about hiring an early OpenAI researcher, Andrej Karpathy. “Just talked to Andrej and he accepted as joining as director of Tesla Vision,” Musk wrote. “Andrej is arguably the #2 guy in the world in computer vision … The openai guys are gonna want to kill me, but it had to be done.”On the stand, Musk argued that Karpathy was already interested in leaving OpenAI when he tried to recruit him to Tesla. “Andrej had made his decision. If he’s going to leave OpenAI, he might as well work at Tesla,” Musk said.In October 2017, Musk also wrote to Ben Rapoport, a cofounder of Neuralink. “Hire independently or directly from OpenAI,” said Musk. “I have no problem if you pitch people at OpenAI to work at Neuralink.”When pressed about this by Savitt, Musk argued that it would have been illegal for him not to allow Tesla and Neuralink to hire from OpenAI. “It’s illegal to restrict employment. It would be illegal to say you can’t employ people from OpenAI. You can’t have some cabal that stops people from working at the company they want to work at,” Musk said.</div>#Elon #Musk #Squeezed #OpenAI #Gonna #Killmodel behavior,artificial intelligence,elon musk,openai,sam altman,lawsuits

Deadspin | Cade Cunningham pours in 45 as Pistons extend series vs. Magic Apr 29, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (35) and Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart (28) go after the ball in the first half during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points as the top-seeded Detroit Pistons staved off elimination with a 116-109 victory over the visiting Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their first-round series on Wednesday. Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 will be played in Orlando on Friday. Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Duncan Robinson had 12 points apiece. 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, Desmond Bane tossed in 18 and Jalen Suggs added 10. Magic forward Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain. The Pistons were up by as much as 17 points in the first half. They were still on top by 13 late in the half, but Orlando closed it with a 7-0 run to cut its deficit to 66-60. Bane and Suggs sank back-to-back 3-pointers early in the third quarter to pull the Magic within 71-69. Orlando had several chances to tie or take the lead but couldn’t knock down the shots. Harris then answered with a jumper, and Detroit gradually pulled away again in the period. When Cunningham drilled a 3-pointer from the wing with 2:55 left in the quarter, Detroit was up by double digits again at 87-76. The advantage was 89-79 at the end of the quarter. Detroit’s Javonte Green made a long 2-pointer and Duncan Robinson drained a 3-pointer early in the fourth to push the lead to 96-81. Banchero scored 10 points in just over two minutes midway through the fourth to prevent the Pistons from putting the game away. Banchero’s corner 3-pointer with 3:24 left made it 110-104. Cunningham hit a step-back jumper that was answered by a Wendell Carter Jr. dunk. Banchero made another long ball to cut Detroit’s lead to three. Cunningham then hit a midrange shot with 32 seconds left. Following an Orlando turnover, Harris closed it out by making two free throws. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Cade #Cunningham #pours #Pistons #extend #series #Magic

#Deadspin #Cade #Cunningham #pours #Pistons #extend #series #Magic">

mwasimuddin125 0

Apr 29, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (35) and Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart (28) go after the ball in the first half during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points as the top-seeded Detroit Pistons staved off elimination with a 116-109 victory over the visiting Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their first-round series on Wednesday.

Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 will be played in Orlando on Friday.

Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Duncan Robinson had 12 points apiece. 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, Desmond Bane tossed in 18 and Jalen Suggs added 10.

Magic forward Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.

The Pistons were up by as much as 17 points in the first half. They were still on top by 13 late in the half, but Orlando closed it with a 7-0 run to cut its deficit to 66-60.

Bane and Suggs sank back-to-back 3-pointers early in the third quarter to pull the Magic within 71-69. Orlando had several chances to tie or take the lead but couldn’t knock down the shots. Harris then answered with a jumper, and Detroit gradually pulled away again in the period.

When Cunningham drilled a 3-pointer from the wing with 2:55 left in the quarter, Detroit was up by double digits again at 87-76. The advantage was 89-79 at the end of the quarter.

Detroit’s Javonte Green made a long 2-pointer and Duncan Robinson drained a 3-pointer early in the fourth to push the lead to 96-81. Banchero scored 10 points in just over two minutes midway through the fourth to prevent the Pistons from putting the game away.

Banchero’s corner 3-pointer with 3:24 left made it 110-104. Cunningham hit a step-back jumper that was answered by a Wendell Carter Jr. dunk.

Banchero made another long ball to cut Detroit’s lead to three. Cunningham then hit a midrange shot with 32 seconds left.

Following an Orlando turnover, Harris closed it out by making two free throws.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cade #Cunningham #pours #Pistons #extend #series #Magic">Deadspin | Cade Cunningham pours in 45 as Pistons extend series vs. Magic

Apr 29, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Orlando Magic center Goga Bitadze (35) and Detroit Pistons forward Isaiah Stewart (28) go after the ball in the first half during game five of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Little Caesars Arena. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images

Cade Cunningham poured in a career-playoff-high 45 points as the top-seeded Detroit Pistons staved off elimination with a 116-109 victory over the visiting Orlando Magic in Game 5 of their first-round series on Wednesday.

Tobias Harris supplied 23 points and eight assists for the Pistons, who trail 3-2 in the best-of-seven series. Game 6 will be played in Orlando on Friday.

Detroit’s Jalen Duren and Duncan Robinson had 12 points apiece. 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, Desmond Bane tossed in 18 and Jalen Suggs added 10.

Magic forward Franz Wagner sat out due to a calf strain.

The Pistons were up by as much as 17 points in the first half. They were still on top by 13 late in the half, but Orlando closed it with a 7-0 run to cut its deficit to 66-60.

Bane and Suggs sank back-to-back 3-pointers early in the third quarter to pull the Magic within 71-69. Orlando had several chances to tie or take the lead but couldn’t knock down the shots. Harris then answered with a jumper, and Detroit gradually pulled away again in the period.

When Cunningham drilled a 3-pointer from the wing with 2:55 left in the quarter, Detroit was up by double digits again at 87-76. The advantage was 89-79 at the end of the quarter.

Detroit’s Javonte Green made a long 2-pointer and Duncan Robinson drained a 3-pointer early in the fourth to push the lead to 96-81. Banchero scored 10 points in just over two minutes midway through the fourth to prevent the Pistons from putting the game away.

Banchero’s corner 3-pointer with 3:24 left made it 110-104. Cunningham hit a step-back jumper that was answered by a Wendell Carter Jr. dunk.

Banchero made another long ball to cut Detroit’s lead to three. Cunningham then hit a midrange shot with 32 seconds left.

Following an Orlando turnover, Harris closed it out by making two free throws.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Cade #Cunningham #pours #Pistons #extend #series #Magic

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

mwasimuddin125 0

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

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

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.”

Published on Apr 30, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Lucky #loser #Potapova #history #reaching #semifinal

#Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #Cardinals #edge #Pirates">

mwasimuddin125 0

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

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.

Pallante (3-2) did not walk a batter and fanned six.

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.

Spencer Horwitz homered for the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight.

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.

Oneil Cruz’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the eighth cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5-4.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Cardinals added two in the seventh on RBI singles by Herrera and Jordan Walker to make it 5-1.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #Cardinals #edge #Pirates">Deadspin | Andre Pallante, Cardinals edge Pirates

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

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.

Pallante (3-2) did not walk a batter and fanned six.

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.

Spencer Horwitz homered for the Pirates, who lost their fourth straight.

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.

Oneil Cruz’s bases-loaded fielder’s choice in the eighth cut Pittsburgh’s deficit to 5-4.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

The Cardinals added two in the seventh on RBI singles by Herrera and Jordan Walker to make it 5-1.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Andre #Pallante #Cardinals #edge #Pirates

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