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Deadspin | Aurora Gaming, BetBoom Team close in on PGL Wallachia 8 final  The hands of an esport gamer clutching the controler at Encore Esports Gaming Lounge in New Rochelle on Thursday, December 20, 2018. 

E Sports   Aurora Gaming and BetBoom Team rallied for 2-1 wins on Friday, earning spots in the upper-bracket final of the PGL Wallachia Season 8 event at Bucharest, Romania.  Aurora Gaming roared back against PARIVISION, and BetBoom Team charged past Team Liquid.  Lower-bracket action got underway on Friday, with South America Rejects edging HEROIC 2-1 and Team Falcons taking down Team Spirit 2-0.  Sixteen teams began the  million Dota 2 tournament with the top eight advancing from the Swiss-system group stage. The double-elimination playoffs continue with all matches best-of-three until the best-of-five grand final on Sunday. The winning side will take home 0,000.  On Friday, PARIVISION opened with a 29-minute win on red, but Aurora Gaming responded with a two victories on red, in 43 minutes and 59 minutes. Indonesia’s Rafli “Mikoto” Fathur Rahman paced Aurora Gaming with a 19-6-34 kill-death-assist ratio. Ukraine’s Volodymyr “No[o]ne-” Minenko wound up at 17-12-28 for PARIVISION.  After Team Liquid took a 35-minute victory on green, BetBoom Team pulled level in 46 minutes on green, then sealed the series in 43 minutes on red. Russia’s Ilya “Kiritych” Ulyanov posted a 23-9-34 K-D-A ratio for BetBoom Team. Poland’s Michal “Nisha” Jankowski ended up at 22-14-25 for Team Liquid.  South America Rejects sandwiched two wins on green, in 45 minutes and 48 minutes, around HEROIC’s 51-minute triumph on red. Peru’s Frank “Frank” Ayala registered a 27-12-46 K-D-A ratio for South America Rejects. Another Peruvian player, Santiago “TaiLung” Aguero Gustavo, finished at 26-18-39 for HEROIC.  Team Falcons toppled Team Spirit in 41 minutes on green and 66 minutes on red. Jordan’s Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf powered Team Falcons with a 23-8-34 K-D-A ratio. Ukraine’s Bohdan “Batyuk” Batiuk notched a 13-17-17 K-D-A ratio for Team Spirit.  The weekend schedule:  Saturday  Upper-bracket final — Aurora Gaming vs. BetBoom Team  Lower-bracket quarterfinal — Team Liquid vs. South America Rejects  Lower-bracket quarterfinal — PARIVISION vs. Team Falcons  Lower-bracket semifinal — Team Liquid/South America Rejects winner vs. PARIVISION/Team Falcons winner   Sunday  Lower-bracket final — Lower-bracket semifinal winner vs. Aurora Gaming/BetBoom Team loser  Grand final — Aurora Gaming/BetBoom Team winner vs. lower-bracket final winner  PGL Wallachia Season 8 prize pool  1. 0,000 — TBD  2. 5,000 — TBD  3. 0,000 — TBD  4. ,000 — TBD  5-6. ,000 — TBD  7-8. ,000 — HEROIC, Team Spirit  9-11. ,000 — GamerLegion, Xtreme Gaming, MOUZ  12-14. ,000 — Vici Gaming, Virtus.pro, Natus Vincere  15-16. ,000 — Team Yandex, Tundra Esports  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Aurora #Gaming #BetBoom #Team #close #PGL #Wallachia #final

Deadspin | Aurora Gaming, BetBoom Team close in on PGL Wallachia 8 final
Deadspin | Aurora Gaming, BetBoom Team close in on PGL Wallachia 8 final  The hands of an esport gamer clutching the controler at Encore Esports Gaming Lounge in New Rochelle on Thursday, December 20, 2018. 

E Sports   Aurora Gaming and BetBoom Team rallied for 2-1 wins on Friday, earning spots in the upper-bracket final of the PGL Wallachia Season 8 event at Bucharest, Romania.  Aurora Gaming roared back against PARIVISION, and BetBoom Team charged past Team Liquid.  Lower-bracket action got underway on Friday, with South America Rejects edging HEROIC 2-1 and Team Falcons taking down Team Spirit 2-0.  Sixteen teams began the  million Dota 2 tournament with the top eight advancing from the Swiss-system group stage. The double-elimination playoffs continue with all matches best-of-three until the best-of-five grand final on Sunday. The winning side will take home 0,000.  On Friday, PARIVISION opened with a 29-minute win on red, but Aurora Gaming responded with a two victories on red, in 43 minutes and 59 minutes. Indonesia’s Rafli “Mikoto” Fathur Rahman paced Aurora Gaming with a 19-6-34 kill-death-assist ratio. Ukraine’s Volodymyr “No[o]ne-” Minenko wound up at 17-12-28 for PARIVISION.  After Team Liquid took a 35-minute victory on green, BetBoom Team pulled level in 46 minutes on green, then sealed the series in 43 minutes on red. Russia’s Ilya “Kiritych” Ulyanov posted a 23-9-34 K-D-A ratio for BetBoom Team. Poland’s Michal “Nisha” Jankowski ended up at 22-14-25 for Team Liquid.  South America Rejects sandwiched two wins on green, in 45 minutes and 48 minutes, around HEROIC’s 51-minute triumph on red. Peru’s Frank “Frank” Ayala registered a 27-12-46 K-D-A ratio for South America Rejects. Another Peruvian player, Santiago “TaiLung” Aguero Gustavo, finished at 26-18-39 for HEROIC.  Team Falcons toppled Team Spirit in 41 minutes on green and 66 minutes on red. Jordan’s Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf powered Team Falcons with a 23-8-34 K-D-A ratio. Ukraine’s Bohdan “Batyuk” Batiuk notched a 13-17-17 K-D-A ratio for Team Spirit.  The weekend schedule:  Saturday  Upper-bracket final — Aurora Gaming vs. BetBoom Team  Lower-bracket quarterfinal — Team Liquid vs. South America Rejects  Lower-bracket quarterfinal — PARIVISION vs. Team Falcons  Lower-bracket semifinal — Team Liquid/South America Rejects winner vs. PARIVISION/Team Falcons winner   Sunday  Lower-bracket final — Lower-bracket semifinal winner vs. Aurora Gaming/BetBoom Team loser  Grand final — Aurora Gaming/BetBoom Team winner vs. lower-bracket final winner  PGL Wallachia Season 8 prize pool  1. 0,000 — TBD  2. 5,000 — TBD  3. 0,000 — TBD  4. ,000 — TBD  5-6. ,000 — TBD  7-8. ,000 — HEROIC, Team Spirit  9-11. ,000 — GamerLegion, Xtreme Gaming, MOUZ  12-14. ,000 — Vici Gaming, Virtus.pro, Natus Vincere  15-16. ,000 — Team Yandex, Tundra Esports  –Field Level Media    #Deadspin #Aurora #Gaming #BetBoom #Team #close #PGL #Wallachia #finalThe hands of an esport gamer clutching the controler at Encore Esports Gaming Lounge in New Rochelle on Thursday, December 20, 2018. E Sports

Aurora Gaming and BetBoom Team rallied for 2-1 wins on Friday, earning spots in the upper-bracket final of the PGL Wallachia Season 8 event at Bucharest, Romania.

Aurora Gaming roared back against PARIVISION, and BetBoom Team charged past Team Liquid.

Lower-bracket action got underway on Friday, with South America Rejects edging HEROIC 2-1 and Team Falcons taking down Team Spirit 2-0.

Sixteen teams began the $1 million Dota 2 tournament with the top eight advancing from the Swiss-system group stage. The double-elimination playoffs continue with all matches best-of-three until the best-of-five grand final on Sunday. The winning side will take home $300,000.

On Friday, PARIVISION opened with a 29-minute win on red, but Aurora Gaming responded with a two victories on red, in 43 minutes and 59 minutes. Indonesia’s Rafli “Mikoto” Fathur Rahman paced Aurora Gaming with a 19-6-34 kill-death-assist ratio. Ukraine’s Volodymyr “No[o]ne-” Minenko wound up at 17-12-28 for PARIVISION.

After Team Liquid took a 35-minute victory on green, BetBoom Team pulled level in 46 minutes on green, then sealed the series in 43 minutes on red. Russia’s Ilya “Kiritych” Ulyanov posted a 23-9-34 K-D-A ratio for BetBoom Team. Poland’s Michal “Nisha” Jankowski ended up at 22-14-25 for Team Liquid.

South America Rejects sandwiched two wins on green, in 45 minutes and 48 minutes, around HEROIC’s 51-minute triumph on red. Peru’s Frank “Frank” Ayala registered a 27-12-46 K-D-A ratio for South America Rejects. Another Peruvian player, Santiago “TaiLung” Aguero Gustavo, finished at 26-18-39 for HEROIC.

Team Falcons toppled Team Spirit in 41 minutes on green and 66 minutes on red. Jordan’s Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf powered Team Falcons with a 23-8-34 K-D-A ratio. Ukraine’s Bohdan “Batyuk” Batiuk notched a 13-17-17 K-D-A ratio for Team Spirit.

The weekend schedule:

Saturday

Upper-bracket final — Aurora Gaming vs. BetBoom Team

Lower-bracket quarterfinal — Team Liquid vs. South America Rejects

Lower-bracket quarterfinal — PARIVISION vs. Team Falcons


Lower-bracket semifinal — Team Liquid/South America Rejects winner vs. PARIVISION/Team Falcons winner

Sunday

Lower-bracket final — Lower-bracket semifinal winner vs. Aurora Gaming/BetBoom Team loser

Grand final — Aurora Gaming/BetBoom Team winner vs. lower-bracket final winner

PGL Wallachia Season 8 prize pool

1. $300,000 — TBD

2. $175,000 — TBD

3. $120,000 — TBD

4. $80,000 — TBD

5-6. $60,000 — TBD

7-8. $40,000 — HEROIC, Team Spirit

9-11. $20,000 — GamerLegion, Xtreme Gaming, MOUZ

12-14. $15,000 — Vici Gaming, Virtus.pro, Natus Vincere

15-16. $10,000 — Team Yandex, Tundra Esports


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Aurora #Gaming #BetBoom #Team #close #PGL #Wallachia #final

The hands of an esport gamer clutching the controler at Encore Esports Gaming Lounge in New Rochelle on Thursday, December 20, 2018.

E Sports

Aurora Gaming and BetBoom Team rallied for 2-1 wins on Friday, earning spots in the upper-bracket final of the PGL Wallachia Season 8 event at Bucharest, Romania.

Aurora Gaming roared back against PARIVISION, and BetBoom Team charged past Team Liquid.

Lower-bracket action got underway on Friday, with South America Rejects edging HEROIC 2-1 and Team Falcons taking down Team Spirit 2-0.

Sixteen teams began the $1 million Dota 2 tournament with the top eight advancing from the Swiss-system group stage. The double-elimination playoffs continue with all matches best-of-three until the best-of-five grand final on Sunday. The winning side will take home $300,000.

On Friday, PARIVISION opened with a 29-minute win on red, but Aurora Gaming responded with a two victories on red, in 43 minutes and 59 minutes. Indonesia’s Rafli “Mikoto” Fathur Rahman paced Aurora Gaming with a 19-6-34 kill-death-assist ratio. Ukraine’s Volodymyr “No[o]ne-” Minenko wound up at 17-12-28 for PARIVISION.

After Team Liquid took a 35-minute victory on green, BetBoom Team pulled level in 46 minutes on green, then sealed the series in 43 minutes on red. Russia’s Ilya “Kiritych” Ulyanov posted a 23-9-34 K-D-A ratio for BetBoom Team. Poland’s Michal “Nisha” Jankowski ended up at 22-14-25 for Team Liquid.

South America Rejects sandwiched two wins on green, in 45 minutes and 48 minutes, around HEROIC’s 51-minute triumph on red. Peru’s Frank “Frank” Ayala registered a 27-12-46 K-D-A ratio for South America Rejects. Another Peruvian player, Santiago “TaiLung” Aguero Gustavo, finished at 26-18-39 for HEROIC.

Team Falcons toppled Team Spirit in 41 minutes on green and 66 minutes on red. Jordan’s Ammar “ATF” Al-Assaf powered Team Falcons with a 23-8-34 K-D-A ratio. Ukraine’s Bohdan “Batyuk” Batiuk notched a 13-17-17 K-D-A ratio for Team Spirit.

The weekend schedule:

Saturday

Upper-bracket final — Aurora Gaming vs. BetBoom Team

Lower-bracket quarterfinal — Team Liquid vs. South America Rejects

Lower-bracket quarterfinal — PARIVISION vs. Team Falcons

Lower-bracket semifinal — Team Liquid/South America Rejects winner vs. PARIVISION/Team Falcons winner

Sunday

Lower-bracket final — Lower-bracket semifinal winner vs. Aurora Gaming/BetBoom Team loser

Grand final — Aurora Gaming/BetBoom Team winner vs. lower-bracket final winner

PGL Wallachia Season 8 prize pool

1. $300,000 — TBD

2. $175,000 — TBD

3. $120,000 — TBD

4. $80,000 — TBD

5-6. $60,000 — TBD

7-8. $40,000 — HEROIC, Team Spirit

9-11. $20,000 — GamerLegion, Xtreme Gaming, MOUZ

12-14. $15,000 — Vici Gaming, Virtus.pro, Natus Vincere

15-16. $10,000 — Team Yandex, Tundra Esports

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Aurora #Gaming #BetBoom #Team #close #PGL #Wallachia #final

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PSL 2026: Fans to be allowed to attend Pakistan Super League final on May 3 <div id="content-body-70904873" itemprop="articleBody"><p>Spectators will be allowed to attend the Pakistan Super League final after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a request from franchise owners, a top official of the Pakistan Cricket Board said on Saturday.</p><p>PCB chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also interior minister in the government, wrote on social media that Sharif has “graciously approved” the presence of fans at the May 3 final in Lahore.</p><p>Pakistan’s biggest sports spectacle of the year started behind closed doors late last month with fans asked to stay home because of soaring fuel prices related to the Iran war.</p><p>Pakistan’s government had urged people to restrict travel and to work from home because of rising fuel prices and Naqvi had said it wouldn’t be right to have 30,000 fans attending cricket matches every day while the government is asking the public to stay home.</p><p><b>READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/mustafizur-rahman-nahid-rana-out-of-psl-2026-bcb-withdraws-noc-bangladesh-cricket-news/article70898903.ece" target="_blank">Mustafizur Rahman out of remaining PSL season after BCB withdraws NOC; Nahid Rana too ruled out</a></b></p><p>The PCB also reduced the number of PSL venues from six to two as part of austerity measures, but barred spectators from PSL games at Lahore and Karachi.</p><p>Naqvi said while Sharif was inclined to permit fans, the prime minister emphasised that austerity measures are currently in place across Pakistan, with efforts underway to minimise fuel consumption.</p><p>Peshawar Zalmi, led by Babar Azam, Multan Sultans and three-time champion Islamabad United have already qualified for next week’s playoffs ahead of the final.</p><p>Defending champion Lahore Qalandars, first-timer Hyderabad Kingmen and Karachi Kings are still in the running to secure the fourth playoff spot.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 25, 2026</p></div> #PSL #Fans #allowed #attend #Pakistan #Super #League #final

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IPL 2026: Remodelled action, greater control — How Ravi Bishnoi has found a fresh start in IPL at Rajasthan Royals <div id="content-body-70904794" itemprop="articleBody"><p>It wasn’t too long ago that Ravi Bishnoi was India’s premier T20 spinner. In fact, in December 2023, he was ranked No.1 in ICC’s T20 bowling charts.</p><p>Back then, he was also Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) lead spinner, having taken 16 wickets in IPL 2023, at a stifling economy of 7.74.</p><p>But, over the course of a tepid two-year spell, Bishnoi’s stocks took a serious hit.</p><p>Varun Chakaravarthy’s meteoric rise came at the expense of Bishnoi’s spot in the national side.</p><p>Bishnoi’s IPL returns dwindled steadily – just 19 wickets from IPL 2024 and 2025 – resulting in LSG to favour the mystery spin of Digvesh Rathi.</p><p><b>READ | <a href="https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/ipl/kumar-sangakkara-rr-vs-srh-press-conference-riyan-parag-ipl-2026/article70902475.ece" target="_self">‘He’s hitting well, just needs to stitch together few more runs’ – Sangakkara not losing sleep over Parag’s poor form</a></b></p><p>It didn’t surprise many when LSG released Bishnoi ahead of IPL 2026.</p><p>Despite his struggles, Bishnoi attracted serious attention at the auction and was picked by Rajasthan Royals for Rs. 7.2 crore.</p><p>For Royals head coach Kumar Sangakkara, this was the perfect outcome. “When he was released into the auction, we were sure that he was the right candidate.”</p><p>In the end, it proved to be a mutually beneficial deal. In Royals, Bishnoi has found a fresh start, while in Bishnoi, Royals has found an incisive spin threat.</p><p>Halfway into IPL 2026, Bishnoi is Royals’ joint-highest wicket-taker (alongside Jofra Archer) with 11 scalps.</p><p>At the heart of this revival has been a greater control over his bowling lengths, as admitted by Bishnoi himself.</p><p>“Last season was difficult. I had one weakness. If my length was wrong, then I was getting hit for fours and sixes. I played ⁠a whole domestic ‌season and worked on perfecting my lengths. Hitting my lengths made it difficult for ‌batters,” said Bishnoi after Royals’ win against Gujarat Titans earlier this season.</p><p>The 25-year-old has refrained from overpitching in IPL 2026, sticking to the hard lengths. In fact, as per <i>Cricviz</i>, Bishnoi has bowled just a solitary full delivery this season. In comparison, in IPL 2025, 12.61 per cent of all his deliveries were full, while in 2024, it was 13.74 per cent.</p><p>Driving this improved control are the technical changes Bishnoi has adopted. The most noticeable of those tweaks is a higher release point. At the point of delivery, Bishnoi is now more upright than he was in the past.</p><div class="verticle article-picture center"><img src="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/los3ls/article70904782.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/PTI04_10_2026_000575A.jpg" data-original="https://ss-i.thgim.com/public/incoming/los3ls/article70904782.ece/alternates/FREE_1200/PTI04_10_2026_000575A.jpg" alt="Ravi Bishnoi’s success in the ongoing IPL season is due to greater control over lengths, driven by technical changes such as a higerh release point." title="Ravi Bishnoi’s success in the ongoing IPL season is due to greater control over lengths, driven by technical changes such as a higerh release point." class=" lazy" width="100%" height="100%"/><div class="pic-caption"><figcaption class="figure-caption align-text-bottom"><p> Ravi Bishnoi’s success in the ongoing IPL season is due to greater control over lengths, driven by technical changes such as a higerh release point. | Photo Credit: PTI </p><img class="caption-image" src="https://assetsss.thehindu.com/theme/images/SSRX/lightbox-info.svg" alt="lightbox-info"/></figcaption></div><p class="caption"> Ravi Bishnoi’s success in the ongoing IPL season is due to greater control over lengths, driven by technical changes such as a higerh release point. | Photo Credit: PTI </p></div><p>“He’s remodelled his action a little bit more. Worked on the angles, worked on a simple plan. We have a spin coach – Richard Das Neves, who’s come from South Africa. He has worked with him a little bit,” said Sangakkara.</p><p>The Royals coach, though, emphasised that the credit for Bishnoi’s revival rests with Bishnoi himself.</p><p>“He’s a guy who works really hard. He’s a really smart guy when he’s bowling. A lot of the credit should go to Bishnoi himself because he has worked his butt off to come back. So, he’s hungry, and he’s bowling well. We just want him to keep it going,” added Sangakkara.</p><p class="publish-time" id="end-of-article">Published on Apr 25, 2026</p></div> #IPL #Remodelled #action #greater #control #Ravi #Bishnoi #fresh #start #IPL #Rajasthan #Royals

INDIANAPOLIS — Even before Caitlin Clark took the floor on Friday, she had the feeling something special was in store. If nothing else, she was trying to will it into existence.

Individually, she had struggled to find a rhythm since returning from injury. As a team, the Fever needed a big night from their superstar with fellow All-Star Aliyah Boston out.

But even by Clark’s lofty standards, Friday was something special.

Clark tallied a franchise record 45 points to go along with 10 assists, becoming the first player in WNBA history with a 40-10 game, to lead the Fever to a dramatic 110-107 win over the Seattle Storm.

“I feel like you just have to believe you’re going to have those types of nights and you have to visualize having those types of nights and I feel like that’s what I did,” Clark said. “It’s not always going to go your way…I know all the time and the work that I’ve put in and people believe in me and, more than anything, I believe in myself.

“You just got to dig your feet in a little bit and, when it’s not going your way, nobody cares. Like you find a way to make it better and find a way to help your team win and make this team better and I feel like that’s what I always try to do.”

When her team needed her most on Friday, Clark dug in for a fourth quarter masterpiece. Not only did she finish with 16 points in the frame, but she scored or assisted on 17 of the final 19 points for Indiana. No shot was bigger, though, than her stepback three with 39 seconds left to put the Fever up 105-102, giving them a lead they would not relinquish.

“It’s incredible,” Fever head coach Stephanie White said. “It’s special. She does things that we haven’t seen…In the moment, sometimes it’s surreal to see. Heck, I looked down at the stat sheet at the end of the game and it’s like, ‘Holy s—, 45 [points] and 10 [assists].’ I mean, it’s just incredible.”

After starting the season hot, things haven’t been smooth sailing for Clark. A back injury has plagued her in recent weeks, limiting her to just four games since June 24. For most of those outings, she’s looked like someone searching for her rhythm.

But Friday felt different from the jump. Not only did Clark sense it, but her coach could see it, too.

“She seemed lighter,” White said of Clark pregame. “She seemed positive. She seemed like she was bouncy. I think she felt good. I think every day we’ve seen a little bit more of it.”

Ironically, it was Clark’s backcourt mate who looked destined for the big night in the first quarter. Kelsey Mitchell scored 17 of her 30 points in the opening frame, helping the Fever to an early double-digit lead. In another bit of history from the night, Clark and Mitchell’s 75 combined points are the most by a duo in franchise history.

It wasn’t until the second quarter that Clark really found her groove, doing so predominantly at the free throw line, helping her to 14 points in the period. The Fever desperately needed it as the Storm pulled themselves back into the game to trail by just three at the break.

Seattle only kept coming in the second half and eventually built up an eight-point lead in the fourth with 5:23 remaining. However, that became the turning point for both Clark and the Fever as they steadily chipped away at the deficit.

Clark showed off her growing array of ways to get buckets, mixing mid-range jumpers with drives to the basket and her patented stepback jumper. A 3-pointer with 2:23 gave her a career-high 38 points and closed the deficit to one. A few possessions later, Clark found Monique Billings for an and-one layup with 1:11 left to tie the game.

The sequence of the night, though, came shortly after.

Following a Fever turnover in a tie game with just under a minute remaining, Clark raced back on the fastbreak to strip Flau’jae Johnson and win back possession. She followed that up with the biggest shot of the game, turning a broken play into the go-ahead 3-pointer to blow the roof off the arena.

“I just think that when she’s really in a flow, [she] reads the game as good, if not better than anybody,” White said. “I think she’s grown into taking what the defense gives her and we always know she has the ability to make big shots and she did all of that tonight.”

There’s never a bad time for a 45-point night, but this could hardly come at a better one for Clark. Limited by injury and a minutes restriction, Clark hadn’t found a groove since returning to the lineup on July 8. Finding her rhythm again, then, was a positive in itself on Friday.

The 45 points? A welcome bonus.

“It’s tough when you come back from injury,” White added. “Your body feels different. Mentally, you want it to happen so badly. Sometimes you second-guess yourself and that’s part of it. Rhythm, timing, all the things that happen when you haven’t played for a little while. So it was huge. It was big time for her and for us.”

Funnily enough, White noted pregame that Clark was still on a minutes restriction that had hovered right at 25. That number came and went in the fourth quarter without a hint of Clark coming off the floor.

Nothing was taking her out of that game. Not on a night as special as Friday.

“Steph knows better than that,” Clark joked with a smile. “Trainers know better than that. They would get an earful. But I told Steph at halftime, like I felt really good and I didn’t want to lose this game…I’ve spent a ton of time on [my body] and I trust the people around me that have really helped me. I always find confidence in that, so I know I’m doing all the right things and there’s no way I was ever coming out of the game in the 4th quarter.

“It didn’t matter. I would play with one leg.”

#Caitlin #Clark #rewrites #record #books #historic #45point #outing">Caitlin Clark rewrites record books with historic 45-point outing  INDIANAPOLIS — Even before Caitlin Clark took the floor on Friday, she had the feeling something special was in store. If nothing else, she was trying to will it into existence.Individually, she had struggled to find a rhythm since returning from injury. As a team, the Fever needed a big night from their superstar with fellow All-Star Aliyah Boston out.But even by Clark’s lofty standards, Friday was something special.Clark tallied a franchise record 45 points to go along with 10 assists, becoming the first player in WNBA history with a 40-10 game, to lead the Fever to a dramatic 110-107 win over the Seattle Storm.“I feel like you just have to believe you’re going to have those types of nights and you have to visualize having those types of nights and I feel like that’s what I did,” Clark said. “It’s not always going to go your way…I know all the time and the work that I’ve put in and people believe in me and, more than anything, I believe in myself.“You just got to dig your feet in a little bit and, when it’s not going your way, nobody cares. Like you find a way to make it better and find a way to help your team win and make this team better and I feel like that’s what I always try to do.”When her team needed her most on Friday, Clark dug in for a fourth quarter masterpiece. Not only did she finish with 16 points in the frame, but she scored or assisted on 17 of the final 19 points for Indiana. No shot was bigger, though, than her stepback three with 39 seconds left to put the Fever up 105-102, giving them a lead they would not relinquish.“It’s incredible,” Fever head coach Stephanie White said. “It’s special. She does things that we haven’t seen…In the moment, sometimes it’s surreal to see. Heck, I looked down at the stat sheet at the end of the game and it’s like, ‘Holy s—, 45 [points] and 10 [assists].’ I mean, it’s just incredible.”After starting the season hot, things haven’t been smooth sailing for Clark. A back injury has plagued her in recent weeks, limiting her to just four games since June 24. For most of those outings, she’s looked like someone searching for her rhythm.But Friday felt different from the jump. Not only did Clark sense it, but her coach could see it, too.“She seemed lighter,” White said of Clark pregame. “She seemed positive. She seemed like she was bouncy. I think she felt good. I think every day we’ve seen a little bit more of it.”Ironically, it was Clark’s backcourt mate who looked destined for the big night in the first quarter. Kelsey Mitchell scored 17 of her 30 points in the opening frame, helping the Fever to an early double-digit lead. In another bit of history from the night, Clark and Mitchell’s 75 combined points are the most by a duo in franchise history.It wasn’t until the second quarter that Clark really found her groove, doing so predominantly at the free throw line, helping her to 14 points in the period. The Fever desperately needed it as the Storm pulled themselves back into the game to trail by just three at the break.Seattle only kept coming in the second half and eventually built up an eight-point lead in the fourth with 5:23 remaining. However, that became the turning point for both Clark and the Fever as they steadily chipped away at the deficit.Clark showed off her growing array of ways to get buckets, mixing mid-range jumpers with drives to the basket and her patented stepback jumper. A 3-pointer with 2:23 gave her a career-high 38 points and closed the deficit to one. A few possessions later, Clark found Monique Billings for an and-one layup with 1:11 left to tie the game.The sequence of the night, though, came shortly after.Following a Fever turnover in a tie game with just under a minute remaining, Clark raced back on the fastbreak to strip Flau’jae Johnson and win back possession. She followed that up with the biggest shot of the game, turning a broken play into the go-ahead 3-pointer to blow the roof off the arena.“I just think that when she’s really in a flow, [she] reads the game as good, if not better than anybody,” White said. “I think she’s grown into taking what the defense gives her and we always know she has the ability to make big shots and she did all of that tonight.”There’s never a bad time for a 45-point night, but this could hardly come at a better one for Clark. Limited by injury and a minutes restriction, Clark hadn’t found a groove since returning to the lineup on July 8. Finding her rhythm again, then, was a positive in itself on Friday.The 45 points? A welcome bonus.“It’s tough when you come back from injury,” White added. “Your body feels different. Mentally, you want it to happen so badly. Sometimes you second-guess yourself and that’s part of it. Rhythm, timing, all the things that happen when you haven’t played for a little while. So it was huge. It was big time for her and for us.”Funnily enough, White noted pregame that Clark was still on a minutes restriction that had hovered right at 25. That number came and went in the fourth quarter without a hint of Clark coming off the floor.Nothing was taking her out of that game. Not on a night as special as Friday.“Steph knows better than that,” Clark joked with a smile. “Trainers know better than that. They would get an earful. But I told Steph at halftime, like I felt really good and I didn’t want to lose this game…I’ve spent a ton of time on [my body] and I trust the people around me that have really helped me. I always find confidence in that, so I know I’m doing all the right things and there’s no way I was ever coming out of the game in the 4th quarter.“It didn’t matter. I would play with one leg.”  #Caitlin #Clark #rewrites #record #books #historic #45point #outing

India’s P.V. Sindhu will take on home favourite Akane Yamaguchi in the Japan Open 2026 final on Sunday.

Sindhu entered the final after beating China’s Chen Yufei in the semifinals, while Yamaguchi overcame Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani in the other last-four clash.

P.V. Sindhu vs Akane Yamaguchi head-to-head (Sindhu leads 15-14)

  • 2026: Australian Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 22-20, 21-12
  • 2026: Thailand Open (QF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 19-21, 21-18, 21-15
  • 2026: Malaysia Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-11
  • 2025: Badminton Asia Championships (R16) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-12, 16-21, 21-16
  • 2023: Canada Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-14, 21-15
  • 2023: Singapore Open (R32) – Akane Yamaguchi won 18-21, 21-19, 21-17
  • 2022: Thailand Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-15, 20-22, 21-13
  • 2022: Badminton Asia Championships (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 13-21, 21-19, 21-16
  • 2021: World Tour Finals (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-15, 15-21, 21-19
  • 2021: Indonesia Masters (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-13, 21-9
  • 2021: Tokyo Olympics (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-13, 22-20
  • 2021: All England Open (QF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-16, 16-21, 19-21
  • 2019: World Tour Finals (Group) – Akane Yamaguchi won 18-21, 21-18, 21-8
  • 2019: Japan Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-18, 21-15
  • 2019: Indonesia Open (Final) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-15, 21-16
  • 2018: World Tour Finals (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 24-22, 21-15
  • 2018: Asian Games (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-17, 15-21, 21-10
  • 2018: Asian Games (Team QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-18, 21-19
  • 2018: World Championships (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-16, 24-22
  • 2018: All England Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 19-21, 21-19, 21-18
  • 2018: Asia Team Championships (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-19, 21-15
  • 2017: World Superseries Finals (Final) – Akane Yamaguchi won 15-21, 21-12, 21-19
  • 2017: World Superseries Finals (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-9, 21-13
  • 2017: Hong Kong Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-12, 21-19
  • 2017: French Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 14-21, 9-21
  • 2016: World Superseries Finals (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 12-21, 21-8, 21-15
  • 2016: Uber Cup (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-11, 21-18
  • 2015: Macau Open (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-8, 15-21, 21-16
  • 2013: Japan Open (R16) – Akane Yamaguchi won 6-21, 17-21

While Sindhu holds a minor lead in head-to-head numbers against Yamaguchi, the Japanese shuttler has dominated their battle in recent years.

Since 2023, the pair have clashed six times, with Yamaguchi winning five of those matches. Sindhu’s only win in this spell came in the Malaysian Open earlier this year after Yamaguchi had to retire due to an injury.

Numbers to watch out for before the final

2026 Win-Loss Record:

P.V. Sindhu: 18–9

Akane Yamaguchi: 33–6

BWF World Ranking:

P.V. Sindhu: 10

Akane Yamaguchi: 3

HSBC Race to Guangzhou Ranking:

P.V. Sindhu: 14

Akane Yamaguchi: 3

Published on Jul 18, 2026

#P.V #Sindhu #Akane #Yamaguchi #headtohead #Complete #record #ahead #Japan #Open #final">P.V. Sindhu vs Akane Yamaguchi head-to-head: Complete record ahead of Japan Open 2026 final  India’s P.V. Sindhu will take on home favourite Akane Yamaguchi in the Japan Open 2026 final on Sunday.Sindhu entered the final after beating China’s Chen Yufei in the semifinals, while Yamaguchi overcame Indonesia’s Putri Kusuma Wardani in the other last-four clash.P.V. Sindhu vs Akane Yamaguchi head-to-head (Sindhu leads 15-14)
                                                        2026: Australian Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 22-20, 21-12                    
                                                        2026: Thailand Open (QF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 19-21, 21-18, 21-15                    
                                                        2026: Malaysia Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-11                    
                                                        2025: Badminton Asia Championships (R16) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-12, 16-21, 21-16                    
                                                        2023: Canada Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-14, 21-15                    
                                                        2023: Singapore Open (R32) – Akane Yamaguchi won 18-21, 21-19, 21-17                    
                                                        2022: Thailand Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-15, 20-22, 21-13                    
                                                        2022: Badminton Asia Championships (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 13-21, 21-19, 21-16                    
                                                        2021: World Tour Finals (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-15, 15-21, 21-19                    
                                                        2021: Indonesia Masters (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-13, 21-9                    
                                                        2021: Tokyo Olympics (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-13, 22-20                    
                                                        2021: All England Open (QF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-16, 16-21, 19-21                    
                                                        2019: World Tour Finals (Group) – Akane Yamaguchi won 18-21, 21-18, 21-8                    
                                                        2019: Japan Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-18, 21-15                    
                                                        2019: Indonesia Open (Final) – Akane Yamaguchi won 21-15, 21-16                    
                                                        2018: World Tour Finals (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 24-22, 21-15                    
                                                        2018: Asian Games (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-17, 15-21, 21-10                    
                                                        2018: Asian Games (Team QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-18, 21-19                    
                                                        2018: World Championships (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-16, 24-22                    
                                                        2018: All England Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 19-21, 21-19, 21-18                    
                                                        2018: Asia Team Championships (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-19, 21-15                    
                                                        2017: World Superseries Finals (Final) – Akane Yamaguchi won 15-21, 21-12, 21-19                    
                                                        2017: World Superseries Finals (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-9, 21-13                    
                                                        2017: Hong Kong Open (QF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-12, 21-19                    
                                                        2017: French Open (SF) – Akane Yamaguchi won 14-21, 9-21                    
                                                        2016: World Superseries Finals (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 12-21, 21-8, 21-15                    
                                                        2016: Uber Cup (Group) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-11, 21-18                    
                                                        2015: Macau Open (SF) – P.V. Sindhu won 21-8, 15-21, 21-16                    
                                                        2013: Japan Open (R16) – Akane Yamaguchi won 6-21, 17-21                    While Sindhu holds a minor lead in head-to-head numbers against Yamaguchi, the Japanese shuttler has dominated their battle in recent years.Since 2023, the pair have clashed six times, with Yamaguchi winning five of those matches. Sindhu’s only win in this spell came in the Malaysian Open earlier this year after Yamaguchi had to retire due to an injury.
Numbers to watch out for before the final
2026 Win-Loss Record:
P.V. Sindhu: 18–9

Akane Yamaguchi: 33–6
BWF World Ranking:
P.V. Sindhu: 10

Akane Yamaguchi: 3
HSBC Race to Guangzhou Ranking:
P.V. Sindhu: 14

Akane Yamaguchi: 3
Published on Jul 18, 2026  #P.V #Sindhu #Akane #Yamaguchi #headtohead #Complete #record #ahead #Japan #Open #final

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