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Deadspin | Champ Madison Keys shaky early but advances in Australian Open

Deadspin | Champ Madison Keys shaky early but advances in Australian Open

Aug 9, 2025; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Madison Keys (USA) serves against Eva Lys (GER) during the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images

For the first time in her career, Madison Keys walked out onto a Grand Slam stage on Tuesday as the tournament’s defending champion.

For the ninth-seeded Keys, the first hour and 12 minutes vs. Ukraine’s Oleksandra Oliynykova represented a major reality check.

After a slow start, Keys cruised in the final 30 minutes and defeated Oliynykova 7-6 (6), 6-1 in the first round of the Australian Open in Melbourne.

Keys could not solve the unorthodox tactics of her opponent in the early going, reached double figures in unforced errors quickly and found herself trailing 4-0.

The American bounced back to win four consecutive games but then trailed 6-4 in the first-set tiebreaker.

However, Keys blistered four consecutive winners, either set up by or finished with her trademark forehand groundstrokes.

Keys made 30 unforced errors in the first set.

She carved that figure to seven and only lost 12 points in the second set to advance to the second round, where she will face American Ashlyn Krueger.

“I was actually talking to Lindsey Davenport yesterday and she reminded me that not many people get to be a defending champion at a Grand Slam,” Keys said after the match. “So just trying to enjoy it and embrace it. And as nervous as I was at the start, I’m really glad to be back and that I got through that match.”

Krueger defeated Sara Bejlek from the Czech Republic 6-3, 6-3.

A pair of seeded players fell in the sunny and breezy conditions in Melbourne. No. 22 Canadian Leylah Fernandez fell to Indonesian Janice Tjen 6-2, 7-6 (1), while No. 30 Australian Maya Joint dropped a 6-4, 6-4 decision to Czech Tereza Valentova.

The news was not all bad for the host nation, as 20-year-old wild card Australian Taylah Preston defeated veteran Shuai Zhang of China 6-3, 2-6, 6-3.

Other winners in the early matches included former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova from the Czech Republic, her countrywomen Varvara Gracheva, Katerina Siniakova and Linda Fruhvirtova and China’s Xinyu Wang.

–Field Level Media

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#Deadspin #Champ #Madison #Keys #shaky #early #advances #Australian #Open

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 19: Fernando Mendoza #15 celebrates with his brother Alberto Mendoza #16 of the Indiana Hoosiers after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The time for NFL mock drafts has finally come to an end. Now the picks are for real.

The 2026 NFL Draft begins now, and soon enough the talking will end and the picks will start coming in. You can find out what time your team will pick here. We have every expectation that quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the first player selected, and there is a lot to like about his game. Mendoza sat down with SB Nation earlier this week to talk about his journey to this moment, and what he will bring to an NFL roster.

After that, however, is anyone’s guess.

Will the New York Jets draft David Bailey at No. 2? When will Caleb Downs come off the board? Is Ty Simpson truly QB2 or will LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier make a surprising rise up the board following the discovery of a cyst on his spine, that likely contributed to his struggles last season? And what about some sleepers in the draft?

We’ll be tracking the picks live as they are turned in. For grades, we will have you covered here. Until the draft begins, you can check out our Top 100 players, or join the discussion at our new NFL Feed.

If you are looking for the picks, here you go:

Round 1

PickTeamPlayerPositionSchool
1Las Vegas RaidersFernando MendozaQBIndiana
2New York JetsDavid BaileyEDGETexas Tech
3Arizona CardinalsJeremiyah LoveRBNotre Dame
4Tennessee TitansCarnell TateWROhio State
5New York GiantsArvell ReeseLBOhio State
6Kansas City ChiefsMansoor Delane CBLSU
7Washington CommandersSonny Styles LBOhio State
8New Orleans SaintsJordyn Tyson WRArizona State
9Cleveland BrownsSpencer Fano OTUtah
10New York Giants (via CIN)
11Miami Dolphins
12Dallas Cowboys
13Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)
14Baltimore Ravens
15Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16New York Jets (via IND)
17Detroit Lions
18Minnesota Vikings
19Carolina Panthers
20Dallas Cowboys (via GB)
21Pittsburgh Steelers
22Los Angeles Chargers
23Philadelphia Eagles
24Cleveland Browns (via JAX)
25Chicago Bears
26Buffalo Bills
27San Francisco 49ers
28Houston Texans
29Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR)
30Arizona Cardinals (via MIA)
31New England Patriots
32Seattle Seahawks
#NFL #Draft #results #Pickbypick #tracker #selection">NFL Draft results 2026: Pick-by-pick tracker for every selection  


	
	MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 19: Fernando Mendoza #15 celebrates with his brother Alberto Mendoza #16 of the Indiana Hoosiers after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images	

The time for NFL mock drafts has finally come to an end. Now the picks are for real.

The 2026 NFL Draft begins now, and soon enough the talking will end and the picks will start coming in. You can find out what time your team will pick here. We have every expectation that quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the first player selected, and there is a lot to like about his game. Mendoza sat down with SB Nation earlier this week to talk about his journey to this moment, and what he will bring to an NFL roster.

After that, however, is anyone’s guess.

Will the New York Jets draft David Bailey at No. 2? When will Caleb Downs come off the board? Is Ty Simpson truly QB2 or will LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier make a surprising rise up the board following the discovery of a cyst on his spine, that likely contributed to his struggles last season? And what about some sleepers in the draft?

We’ll be tracking the picks live as they are turned in. For grades, we will have you covered here. Until the draft begins, you can check out our Top 100 players, or join the discussion at our new NFL Feed.

If you are looking for the picks, here you go:

Round 1

PickTeamPlayerPositionSchool1Las Vegas RaidersFernando MendozaQBIndiana2New York JetsDavid BaileyEDGETexas Tech3Arizona CardinalsJeremiyah LoveRBNotre Dame4Tennessee TitansCarnell TateWROhio State5New York GiantsArvell ReeseLBOhio State6Kansas City ChiefsMansoor Delane CBLSU7Washington CommandersSonny Styles LBOhio State8New Orleans SaintsJordyn Tyson WRArizona State9Cleveland BrownsSpencer Fano OTUtah10New York Giants (via CIN)11Miami Dolphins12Dallas Cowboys   13Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)14Baltimore Ravens15Tampa Bay Buccaneers16New York Jets (via IND)17Detroit Lions18Minnesota Vikings19Carolina Panthers20Dallas Cowboys (via GB)21Pittsburgh Steelers22Los Angeles Chargers   23Philadelphia Eagles24Cleveland Browns (via JAX)25Chicago Bears26Buffalo Bills27San Francisco 49ers28Houston Texans29Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR)30Arizona Cardinals (via MIA)31New England Patriots32Seattle Seahawks  #NFL #Draft #results #Pickbypick #tracker #selection

time for NFL mock drafts has finally come to an end. Now the picks are for real.

The 2026 NFL Draft begins now, and soon enough the talking will end and the picks will start coming in. You can find out what time your team will pick here. We have every expectation that quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the first player selected, and there is a lot to like about his game. Mendoza sat down with SB Nation earlier this week to talk about his journey to this moment, and what he will bring to an NFL roster.

After that, however, is anyone’s guess.

Will the New York Jets draft David Bailey at No. 2? When will Caleb Downs come off the board? Is Ty Simpson truly QB2 or will LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier make a surprising rise up the board following the discovery of a cyst on his spine, that likely contributed to his struggles last season? And what about some sleepers in the draft?

We’ll be tracking the picks live as they are turned in. For grades, we will have you covered here. Until the draft begins, you can check out our Top 100 players, or join the discussion at our new NFL Feed.

If you are looking for the picks, here you go:

Round 1

PickTeamPlayerPositionSchool
1Las Vegas RaidersFernando MendozaQBIndiana
2New York JetsDavid BaileyEDGETexas Tech
3Arizona CardinalsJeremiyah LoveRBNotre Dame
4Tennessee TitansCarnell TateWROhio State
5New York GiantsArvell ReeseLBOhio State
6Kansas City ChiefsMansoor Delane CBLSU
7Washington CommandersSonny Styles LBOhio State
8New Orleans SaintsJordyn Tyson WRArizona State
9Cleveland BrownsSpencer Fano OTUtah
10New York Giants (via CIN)
11Miami Dolphins
12Dallas Cowboys
13Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)
14Baltimore Ravens
15Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16New York Jets (via IND)
17Detroit Lions
18Minnesota Vikings
19Carolina Panthers
20Dallas Cowboys (via GB)
21Pittsburgh Steelers
22Los Angeles Chargers
23Philadelphia Eagles
24Cleveland Browns (via JAX)
25Chicago Bears
26Buffalo Bills
27San Francisco 49ers
28Houston Texans
29Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR)
30Arizona Cardinals (via MIA)
31New England Patriots
32Seattle Seahawks
#NFL #Draft #results #Pickbypick #tracker #selection">NFL Draft results 2026: Pick-by-pick tracker for every selection
NFL Draft results 2026: Pick-by-pick tracker for every selection  


	
	MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 19: Fernando Mendoza #15 celebrates with his brother Alberto Mendoza #16 of the Indiana Hoosiers after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images	

The time for NFL mock drafts has finally come to an end. Now the picks are for real.

The 2026 NFL Draft begins now, and soon enough the talking will end and the picks will start coming in. You can find out what time your team will pick here. We have every expectation that quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the first player selected, and there is a lot to like about his game. Mendoza sat down with SB Nation earlier this week to talk about his journey to this moment, and what he will bring to an NFL roster.

After that, however, is anyone’s guess.

Will the New York Jets draft David Bailey at No. 2? When will Caleb Downs come off the board? Is Ty Simpson truly QB2 or will LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier make a surprising rise up the board following the discovery of a cyst on his spine, that likely contributed to his struggles last season? And what about some sleepers in the draft?

We’ll be tracking the picks live as they are turned in. For grades, we will have you covered here. Until the draft begins, you can check out our Top 100 players, or join the discussion at our new NFL Feed.

If you are looking for the picks, here you go:

Round 1

PickTeamPlayerPositionSchool1Las Vegas RaidersFernando MendozaQBIndiana2New York JetsDavid BaileyEDGETexas Tech3Arizona CardinalsJeremiyah LoveRBNotre Dame4Tennessee TitansCarnell TateWROhio State5New York GiantsArvell ReeseLBOhio State6Kansas City ChiefsMansoor Delane CBLSU7Washington CommandersSonny Styles LBOhio State8New Orleans SaintsJordyn Tyson WRArizona State9Cleveland BrownsSpencer Fano OTUtah10New York Giants (via CIN)11Miami Dolphins12Dallas Cowboys   13Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)14Baltimore Ravens15Tampa Bay Buccaneers16New York Jets (via IND)17Detroit Lions18Minnesota Vikings19Carolina Panthers20Dallas Cowboys (via GB)21Pittsburgh Steelers22Los Angeles Chargers   23Philadelphia Eagles24Cleveland Browns (via JAX)25Chicago Bears26Buffalo Bills27San Francisco 49ers28Houston Texans29Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR)30Arizona Cardinals (via MIA)31New England Patriots32Seattle Seahawks  #NFL #Draft #results #Pickbypick #tracker #selection
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA – JANUARY 19: Fernando Mendoza #15 celebrates with his brother Alberto Mendoza #16 of the Indiana Hoosiers after defeating the Miami Hurricanes 27-21 in the 2026 College Football Playoff National Championship at Hard Rock Stadium on January 19, 2026 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Megan Briggs/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The time for NFL mock drafts has finally come to an end. Now the picks are for real.

The 2026 NFL Draft begins now, and soon enough the talking will end and the picks will start coming in. You can find out what time your team will pick here. We have every expectation that quarterback Fernando Mendoza will be the first player selected, and there is a lot to like about his game. Mendoza sat down with SB Nation earlier this week to talk about his journey to this moment, and what he will bring to an NFL roster.

After that, however, is anyone’s guess.

Will the New York Jets draft David Bailey at No. 2? When will Caleb Downs come off the board? Is Ty Simpson truly QB2 or will LSU’s Garrett Nussmeier make a surprising rise up the board following the discovery of a cyst on his spine, that likely contributed to his struggles last season? And what about some sleepers in the draft?

We’ll be tracking the picks live as they are turned in. For grades, we will have you covered here. Until the draft begins, you can check out our Top 100 players, or join the discussion at our new NFL Feed.

If you are looking for the picks, here you go:

Round 1

PickTeamPlayerPositionSchool
1Las Vegas RaidersFernando MendozaQBIndiana
2New York JetsDavid BaileyEDGETexas Tech
3Arizona CardinalsJeremiyah LoveRBNotre Dame
4Tennessee TitansCarnell TateWROhio State
5New York GiantsArvell ReeseLBOhio State
6Kansas City ChiefsMansoor Delane CBLSU
7Washington CommandersSonny Styles LBOhio State
8New Orleans SaintsJordyn Tyson WRArizona State
9Cleveland BrownsSpencer Fano OTUtah
10New York Giants (via CIN)
11Miami Dolphins
12Dallas Cowboys
13Los Angeles Rams (via ATL)
14Baltimore Ravens
15Tampa Bay Buccaneers
16New York Jets (via IND)
17Detroit Lions
18Minnesota Vikings
19Carolina Panthers
20Dallas Cowboys (via GB)
21Pittsburgh Steelers
22Los Angeles Chargers
23Philadelphia Eagles
24Cleveland Browns (via JAX)
25Chicago Bears
26Buffalo Bills
27San Francisco 49ers
28Houston Texans
29Kansas City Chiefs (via LAR)
30Arizona Cardinals (via MIA)
31New England Patriots
32Seattle Seahawks
#NFL #Draft #results #Pickbypick #tracker #selection

The comeback win over the Rajasthan Royals has breathed some life back into the Kolkata Knight Riders’ campaign after a winless start to IPL 2026.

A spirited bowling performance, led by spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine, followed by a crucial seventh-wicket partnership between Rinku Singh and Anukul Roy, helped the side jump off bottom place in the standings temporarily.

Victory at the Eden Gardens was only a small relief from the disappointing beginning to the season endured by the three-time champion. Injuries have played a major part in handicapping the side’s bowling arsenal, with India internationals Harshit Rana and Akash Deep ruled out with injury ahead of the tournament. Big money signing Matheesha Pathirana has just joined the team after recovering from an injury during the T20 World Cup.

Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar attributed KKR’s poor start to their auction strategy and their decision to hand the leadership to Ajinkya Rahane.

[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58JRdBRAbIk[/embed]

“KKR let go of Shreyas Iyer for whatever reason after a successful season and then picked a guy who didn’t get picked in the first round of bidding and made him captain. Captaincy in T20 cricket is huge and has a massive impact on the results,” Manjrekar said on Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.

“Ajinkya Rahane, the player, has also diminished. He’s lost his place on the Indian team. He’s not a natural T20 player. CSK got the best out of Rahane in the first six overs, but he was struggling post-six overs when the field spread out. He’s just not firing at the top of the order and can’t bat down as well. But he might as well bat down to accommodate the destructive T20 batters [Finn Allen and Tim Seifert],” he reasoned.

Manjrekar also explained that the KKR leadership has not utilised Australian all-rounder Cameron Green properly so far in the tournament, after bagging him for a whopping INR 25.20 crore.

“I just feel tall bowlers who hit the deck [like Green] are always going to be a risky option in India. I would use Green the batter a lot more. He’s also gone up and down the order a lot, so if you want to back a certain player, then you’ve got to stick with that player at a certain position,” he opined.

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Kolkata #Knight #Riders #IPL #issues #stem #poor #auction #captaincy #choice #Sanjay #Manjrekar">Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL 2026 issues stem from poor auction and captaincy choice, says Sanjay Manjrekar  The comeback win over the Rajasthan Royals has breathed some life back into the Kolkata Knight Riders’ campaign after a winless start to IPL 2026.A spirited bowling performance, led by spinners Varun Chakaravarthy and Sunil Narine, followed by a crucial seventh-wicket partnership between Rinku Singh and Anukul Roy, helped the side jump off bottom place in the standings temporarily.Victory at the Eden Gardens was only a small relief from the disappointing beginning to the season endured by the three-time champion. Injuries have played a major part in handicapping the side’s bowling arsenal, with India internationals Harshit Rana and Akash Deep ruled out with injury ahead of the tournament. Big money signing Matheesha Pathirana has just joined the team after recovering from an injury during the T20 World Cup.Former India batter Sanjay Manjrekar attributed KKR’s poor start to their auction strategy and their decision to hand the leadership to Ajinkya Rahane.[embed]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=58JRdBRAbIk[/embed]“KKR let go of Shreyas Iyer for whatever reason after a successful season and then picked a guy who didn’t get picked in the first round of bidding and made him captain. Captaincy in T20 cricket is huge and has a massive impact on the results,” Manjrekar said on        Sportstar’s Insight Edge podcast.“Ajinkya Rahane, the player, has also diminished. He’s lost his place on the Indian team. He’s not a natural T20 player. CSK got the best out of Rahane in the first six overs, but he was struggling post-six overs when the field spread out. He’s just not firing at the top of the order and can’t bat down as well. But he might as well bat down to accommodate the destructive T20 batters [Finn Allen and Tim Seifert],” he reasoned.Manjrekar also explained that the KKR leadership has not utilised Australian all-rounder Cameron Green properly so far in the tournament, after bagging him for a whopping INR 25.20 crore.“I just feel tall bowlers who hit the deck [like Green] are always going to be a risky option in India. I would use Green the batter a lot more. He’s also gone up and down the order a lot, so if you want to back a certain player, then you’ve got to stick with that player at a certain position,” he opined.Published on Apr 23, 2026  #Kolkata #Knight #Riders #IPL #issues #stem #poor #auction #captaincy #choice #Sanjay #Manjrekar

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