×
Deadspin | Deep Mets forge ahead without Juan Soto, open series vs. D-backs Mar 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the tenth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images The New York Mets have scored 23 runs and earned a trio of lopsided wins since Juan Soto exited with a right calf strain in the first inning of Friday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants. Now the Mets just need to figure out how to maintain that Soto-less surge for the next two or three weeks. The Mets will play their first game without Soto on the active roster Tuesday afternoon, when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series. Freddy Peralta (1-0, 4.35 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.60 ERA) in a battle of right-handers. The first two games of the three-game series were each moved to 4:10 p.m. from 7:10 p.m. due to expected cold and windy conditions in New York. Both teams were off Monday after earning wins Sunday, when the Mets came back to beat the host San Francisco Giants 5-2 and the Diamondbacks edged the visiting Atlanta Braves 6-5 in 10 innings. Soto, who was injured running from first to third on Bo Bichette’s single, was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday. The Mets said the timetable for his injury is two to three weeks. The stint on the injured list is the first for Soto since April 20 through May 3, 2021, when he was sidelined due to a strained left shoulder as a member of the Washington Nationals. The sight of Soto exiting the field Friday seemed to be another troubling turn of events for the Mets, who started the season 3-4. But New York rolled a 10-3 win Friday before cruising to a 9-0 win Saturday, when Tyrone Taylor hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in place of Jared Young, who started in left instead of Soto. Young went 3-for-3 while patrolling left field Sunday, and pinch hitter Luis Torrens hit the go-ahead two-run double in the eighth to lift the doubly short-handed Mets to a 5-2 victory. Torrens, the Mets’ backup catcher, was pressed into duty as the last player off the bench because Brett Baty was scratched due to a jammed left thumb. “We have got good players up and down,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We’re dealing with a few guys that have injuries and we’re feeling really good, not only with the guys that are in the lineup who are getting to play more but on the bench as well. There’s a lot of versatility.” The Diamondbacks also exited the weekend feeling better about themselves after recording a pair of wins to salvage a split of the four-game series with the Braves and finish 5-2 on their first homestand of the season. Arizona, which was outscored 19-2 in losses Thursday and Friday, earned a 2-1 win Saturday before Ketel Marte laced the walk-off RBI double leading off the 10th Sunday, after Jonathan Loaisiga blew a ninth-inning save opportunity. Loaisiga’s struggles were a rare blip for Diamondbacks relievers, who allowed two runs (one earned) over 9 1/3 innings Saturday and Sunday. A quartet of pitchers combined to retire the final 12 batters Saturday and preserve the win for Michael Soroka. “Going 5-2 with an offense that’s kind of struggling a little bit … we got pitching-heavy in those wins and that carried us,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. Peralta didn’t factor into the decision last Wednesday, when he allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings as the Mets fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 in 11 innings. Gallen earned the win last Wednesday after tossing six scoreless innings in the Diamondbacks’ 1-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers. Peralta is 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Diamondbacks. Gallen is 2-2 with a 3.07 ERA in nine starts against the Mets. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Deep #Mets #forge #ahead #Juan #Soto #open #series #Dbacks

Deadspin | Deep Mets forge ahead without Juan Soto, open series vs. D-backs
Deadspin | Deep Mets forge ahead without Juan Soto, open series vs. D-backs Mar 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the tenth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images The New York Mets have scored 23 runs and earned a trio of lopsided wins since Juan Soto exited with a right calf strain in the first inning of Friday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants. Now the Mets just need to figure out how to maintain that Soto-less surge for the next two or three weeks. The Mets will play their first game without Soto on the active roster Tuesday afternoon, when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series. Freddy Peralta (1-0, 4.35 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.60 ERA) in a battle of right-handers. The first two games of the three-game series were each moved to 4:10 p.m. from 7:10 p.m. due to expected cold and windy conditions in New York. Both teams were off Monday after earning wins Sunday, when the Mets came back to beat the host San Francisco Giants 5-2 and the Diamondbacks edged the visiting Atlanta Braves 6-5 in 10 innings. Soto, who was injured running from first to third on Bo Bichette’s single, was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday. The Mets said the timetable for his injury is two to three weeks. The stint on the injured list is the first for Soto since April 20 through May 3, 2021, when he was sidelined due to a strained left shoulder as a member of the Washington Nationals. The sight of Soto exiting the field Friday seemed to be another troubling turn of events for the Mets, who started the season 3-4. But New York rolled a 10-3 win Friday before cruising to a 9-0 win Saturday, when Tyrone Taylor hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in place of Jared Young, who started in left instead of Soto. Young went 3-for-3 while patrolling left field Sunday, and pinch hitter Luis Torrens hit the go-ahead two-run double in the eighth to lift the doubly short-handed Mets to a 5-2 victory. Torrens, the Mets’ backup catcher, was pressed into duty as the last player off the bench because Brett Baty was scratched due to a jammed left thumb. “We have got good players up and down,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We’re dealing with a few guys that have injuries and we’re feeling really good, not only with the guys that are in the lineup who are getting to play more but on the bench as well. There’s a lot of versatility.” The Diamondbacks also exited the weekend feeling better about themselves after recording a pair of wins to salvage a split of the four-game series with the Braves and finish 5-2 on their first homestand of the season. Arizona, which was outscored 19-2 in losses Thursday and Friday, earned a 2-1 win Saturday before Ketel Marte laced the walk-off RBI double leading off the 10th Sunday, after Jonathan Loaisiga blew a ninth-inning save opportunity. Loaisiga’s struggles were a rare blip for Diamondbacks relievers, who allowed two runs (one earned) over 9 1/3 innings Saturday and Sunday. A quartet of pitchers combined to retire the final 12 batters Saturday and preserve the win for Michael Soroka. “Going 5-2 with an offense that’s kind of struggling a little bit … we got pitching-heavy in those wins and that carried us,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said. Peralta didn’t factor into the decision last Wednesday, when he allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings as the Mets fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 in 11 innings. Gallen earned the win last Wednesday after tossing six scoreless innings in the Diamondbacks’ 1-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers. Peralta is 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Diamondbacks. Gallen is 2-2 with a 3.07 ERA in nine starts against the Mets. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Deep #Mets #forge #ahead #Juan #Soto #open #series #DbacksMar 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the tenth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The New York Mets have scored 23 runs and earned a trio of lopsided wins since Juan Soto exited with a right calf strain in the first inning of Friday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants.

Now the Mets just need to figure out how to maintain that Soto-less surge for the next two or three weeks.

The Mets will play their first game without Soto on the active roster Tuesday afternoon, when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series.

Freddy Peralta (1-0, 4.35 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.60 ERA) in a battle of right-handers.

The first two games of the three-game series were each moved to 4:10 p.m. from 7:10 p.m. due to expected cold and windy conditions in New York.

Both teams were off Monday after earning wins Sunday, when the Mets came back to beat the host San Francisco Giants 5-2 and the Diamondbacks edged the visiting Atlanta Braves 6-5 in 10 innings.

Soto, who was injured running from first to third on Bo Bichette’s single, was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday. The Mets said the timetable for his injury is two to three weeks. The stint on the injured list is the first for Soto since April 20 through May 3, 2021, when he was sidelined due to a strained left shoulder as a member of the Washington Nationals.

The sight of Soto exiting the field Friday seemed to be another troubling turn of events for the Mets, who started the season 3-4. But New York rolled a 10-3 win Friday before cruising to a 9-0 win Saturday, when Tyrone Taylor hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in place of Jared Young, who started in left instead of Soto.


Young went 3-for-3 while patrolling left field Sunday, and pinch hitter Luis Torrens hit the go-ahead two-run double in the eighth to lift the doubly short-handed Mets to a 5-2 victory.

Torrens, the Mets’ backup catcher, was pressed into duty as the last player off the bench because Brett Baty was scratched due to a jammed left thumb.

“We have got good players up and down,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We’re dealing with a few guys that have injuries and we’re feeling really good, not only with the guys that are in the lineup who are getting to play more but on the bench as well. There’s a lot of versatility.”

The Diamondbacks also exited the weekend feeling better about themselves after recording a pair of wins to salvage a split of the four-game series with the Braves and finish 5-2 on their first homestand of the season.

Arizona, which was outscored 19-2 in losses Thursday and Friday, earned a 2-1 win Saturday before Ketel Marte laced the walk-off RBI double leading off the 10th Sunday, after Jonathan Loaisiga blew a ninth-inning save opportunity.

Loaisiga’s struggles were a rare blip for Diamondbacks relievers, who allowed two runs (one earned) over 9 1/3 innings Saturday and Sunday. A quartet of pitchers combined to retire the final 12 batters Saturday and preserve the win for Michael Soroka.

“Going 5-2 with an offense that’s kind of struggling a little bit … we got pitching-heavy in those wins and that carried us,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said.

Peralta didn’t factor into the decision last Wednesday, when he allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings as the Mets fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 in 11 innings. Gallen earned the win last Wednesday after tossing six scoreless innings in the Diamondbacks’ 1-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Peralta is 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Diamondbacks. Gallen is 2-2 with a 3.07 ERA in nine starts against the Mets.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Deep #Mets #forge #ahead #Juan #Soto #open #series #Dbacks

Sports news

Mar 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; New York Mets catcher Luis Torrens (13) hits an RBI single against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the tenth inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The New York Mets have scored 23 runs and earned a trio of lopsided wins since Juan Soto exited with a right calf strain in the first inning of Friday night’s game against the San Francisco Giants.

Now the Mets just need to figure out how to maintain that Soto-less surge for the next two or three weeks.

The Mets will play their first game without Soto on the active roster Tuesday afternoon, when they host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of a three-game series.

Freddy Peralta (1-0, 4.35 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against Zac Gallen (1-1, 3.60 ERA) in a battle of right-handers.

The first two games of the three-game series were each moved to 4:10 p.m. from 7:10 p.m. due to expected cold and windy conditions in New York.

Both teams were off Monday after earning wins Sunday, when the Mets came back to beat the host San Francisco Giants 5-2 and the Diamondbacks edged the visiting Atlanta Braves 6-5 in 10 innings.

Soto, who was injured running from first to third on Bo Bichette’s single, was placed on the 10-day injured list Monday, retroactive to Saturday. The Mets said the timetable for his injury is two to three weeks. The stint on the injured list is the first for Soto since April 20 through May 3, 2021, when he was sidelined due to a strained left shoulder as a member of the Washington Nationals.

The sight of Soto exiting the field Friday seemed to be another troubling turn of events for the Mets, who started the season 3-4. But New York rolled a 10-3 win Friday before cruising to a 9-0 win Saturday, when Tyrone Taylor hit a pinch-hit three-run homer in place of Jared Young, who started in left instead of Soto.

Young went 3-for-3 while patrolling left field Sunday, and pinch hitter Luis Torrens hit the go-ahead two-run double in the eighth to lift the doubly short-handed Mets to a 5-2 victory.

Torrens, the Mets’ backup catcher, was pressed into duty as the last player off the bench because Brett Baty was scratched due to a jammed left thumb.

“We have got good players up and down,” Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. “We’re dealing with a few guys that have injuries and we’re feeling really good, not only with the guys that are in the lineup who are getting to play more but on the bench as well. There’s a lot of versatility.”

The Diamondbacks also exited the weekend feeling better about themselves after recording a pair of wins to salvage a split of the four-game series with the Braves and finish 5-2 on their first homestand of the season.

Arizona, which was outscored 19-2 in losses Thursday and Friday, earned a 2-1 win Saturday before Ketel Marte laced the walk-off RBI double leading off the 10th Sunday, after Jonathan Loaisiga blew a ninth-inning save opportunity.

Loaisiga’s struggles were a rare blip for Diamondbacks relievers, who allowed two runs (one earned) over 9 1/3 innings Saturday and Sunday. A quartet of pitchers combined to retire the final 12 batters Saturday and preserve the win for Michael Soroka.

“Going 5-2 with an offense that’s kind of struggling a little bit … we got pitching-heavy in those wins and that carried us,” Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said.

Peralta didn’t factor into the decision last Wednesday, when he allowed one run over 5 1/3 innings as the Mets fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 2-1 in 11 innings. Gallen earned the win last Wednesday after tossing six scoreless innings in the Diamondbacks’ 1-0 victory over the Detroit Tigers.

Peralta is 4-0 with a 1.35 ERA in six career games (four starts) against the Diamondbacks. Gallen is 2-2 with a 3.07 ERA in nine starts against the Mets.

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Deep #Mets #forge #ahead #Juan #Soto #open #series #Dbacks

Related Posts

Thanks to four Player of the Match awards in the Men’s T20 World Cup for his all-round exploits, Will Jacks was expected to be a vital cog for Mumbai Indians in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

But his delayed arrival had fans moving from “When will Jacks join?” to “Will Jacks ever join?” before the England allrounder finally linked up with the squad ahead of last week’s humbling at home against Chennai Super Kings.

Come Wednesday, against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Jacks is set to make his first appearance of the season — and do so under pressure, with MI’s campaign already teetering. With five defeats in seven games, there is little room for a settling-in period.

ALSO READ | IPL: Mumbai Indians announces Keshav Maharaj as replacement for injured Mitchell Santner

Jacks put in a long session at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday evening, a sign that he is ready to slot straight in. With Mitchell Santner ruled out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury sustained against CSK, Jacks appears a certainty in the XI.

His inclusion offers balance. With Hardik Pandya yet to fire consistently with the bat, Jacks’ finishing credentials add much-needed depth to a line-up that has flattered to deceive. His off-spin, meanwhile, could prove equally valuable against SRH’s left-hand-heavy batting artillery.

For a side searching for momentum, the hope — perhaps even the gamble — is that one performance can trigger a turnaround. With both Hardik and head coach Mahela Jayawardene looking for answers, Jacks’ arrival comes at a critical juncture.

The question now is simple: can he be more than just another addition — can Will Jacks turn out to be MI’s last ray of hope?

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#IPL #Jacks #turn #tide #Mumbai #Indians">IPL 2026: Will Jacks turn the tide for Mumbai Indians? Thanks to four Player of the Match awards in the Men’s T20 World Cup for his all-round exploits, Will Jacks was expected to be a vital cog for Mumbai Indians in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.But his delayed arrival had fans moving from “When will Jacks join?” to “Will Jacks ever join?” before the England allrounder finally linked up with the squad ahead of last week’s humbling at home against Chennai Super Kings.Come Wednesday, against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Jacks is set to make his first appearance of the season — and do so under pressure, with MI’s campaign already teetering. With five defeats in seven games, there is little room for a settling-in period.ALSO READ | IPL: Mumbai Indians announces Keshav Maharaj as replacement for injured Mitchell SantnerJacks put in a long session at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday evening, a sign that he is ready to slot straight in. With Mitchell Santner ruled out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury sustained against CSK, Jacks appears a certainty in the XI.His inclusion offers balance. With Hardik Pandya yet to fire consistently with the bat, Jacks’ finishing credentials add much-needed depth to a line-up that has flattered to deceive. His off-spin, meanwhile, could prove equally valuable against SRH’s left-hand-heavy batting artillery.For a side searching for momentum, the hope — perhaps even the gamble — is that one performance can trigger a turnaround. With both Hardik and head coach Mahela Jayawardene looking for answers, Jacks’ arrival comes at a critical juncture.The question now is simple: can he be more than just another addition — can Will Jacks turn out to be MI’s last ray of hope?Published on Apr 27, 2026 #IPL #Jacks #turn #tide #Mumbai #Indians

IPL: Mumbai Indians announces Keshav Maharaj as replacement for injured Mitchell Santner

Jacks put in a long session at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday evening, a sign that he is ready to slot straight in. With Mitchell Santner ruled out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury sustained against CSK, Jacks appears a certainty in the XI.

His inclusion offers balance. With Hardik Pandya yet to fire consistently with the bat, Jacks’ finishing credentials add much-needed depth to a line-up that has flattered to deceive. His off-spin, meanwhile, could prove equally valuable against SRH’s left-hand-heavy batting artillery.

For a side searching for momentum, the hope — perhaps even the gamble — is that one performance can trigger a turnaround. With both Hardik and head coach Mahela Jayawardene looking for answers, Jacks’ arrival comes at a critical juncture.

The question now is simple: can he be more than just another addition — can Will Jacks turn out to be MI’s last ray of hope?

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#IPL #Jacks #turn #tide #Mumbai #Indians">IPL 2026: Will Jacks turn the tide for Mumbai Indians?

Thanks to four Player of the Match awards in the Men’s T20 World Cup for his all-round exploits, Will Jacks was expected to be a vital cog for Mumbai Indians in Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026.

But his delayed arrival had fans moving from “When will Jacks join?” to “Will Jacks ever join?” before the England allrounder finally linked up with the squad ahead of last week’s humbling at home against Chennai Super Kings.

Come Wednesday, against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Jacks is set to make his first appearance of the season — and do so under pressure, with MI’s campaign already teetering. With five defeats in seven games, there is little room for a settling-in period.

ALSO READ | IPL: Mumbai Indians announces Keshav Maharaj as replacement for injured Mitchell Santner

Jacks put in a long session at the Wankhede Stadium on Monday evening, a sign that he is ready to slot straight in. With Mitchell Santner ruled out for the rest of the season due to a shoulder injury sustained against CSK, Jacks appears a certainty in the XI.

His inclusion offers balance. With Hardik Pandya yet to fire consistently with the bat, Jacks’ finishing credentials add much-needed depth to a line-up that has flattered to deceive. His off-spin, meanwhile, could prove equally valuable against SRH’s left-hand-heavy batting artillery.

For a side searching for momentum, the hope — perhaps even the gamble — is that one performance can trigger a turnaround. With both Hardik and head coach Mahela Jayawardene looking for answers, Jacks’ arrival comes at a critical juncture.

The question now is simple: can he be more than just another addition — can Will Jacks turn out to be MI’s last ray of hope?

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#IPL #Jacks #turn #tide #Mumbai #Indians
Deadspin | Coco Gauff battles illness, tough opponent, but advances in Madrid Mar 28, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Coco Gauff of the United States hits a forehand against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the final of the women’s singles at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images Coco Gauff is not the retiring type. The third-seed in the WTA’s Madrid Open became another player this week to struggle during a match due to illness and fell behind Sorana Cirstea by a set and a break on Sunday. The two-time Grand Slam champion vomited as discreetly as possible outside the court area, took a medical timeout and was able to get some relief. She then proceeded to pull out the second set and cruise in the third to defeat the 25th-seeded Romanian 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in two hours, 21 minutes. “When I actually threw up on the court, that was like a little bit embarrassing,” said Gauff after the match. ” … I’m someone who doesn’t like to pull out (of matches). I don’t like to do that unless I really feel like I have no other options. So the plan was to always just try to finish, even if it ended up with me just playing just to get through it.” Gauff recorded her eighth three-set match win of the year, third on tour behind Jessica Pegula (10) and Magda Linette of Poland (nine). Cirstea, who is retiring at the end of the 2026 season, led 4-3 in the second after breaking Gauff for the sixth time in nine return games. But Gauff broke her opponent at love and captured the set on her second set point against Cirstea’s serve. Gauff won 36 of 60 third-set points to advance to the fourth round, where she will face No. 13 Linda Noskova. The Czech advanced in a walkover and did not have to face Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, who is also suffering from the illness. Polish No. 4 seed Iga Swiatek retired in the third set on Saturday vs. Ann Li, also unable to overcome illness. Gauff reached the finals of last year’s Madrid Open, but lost to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) in straight sets. Another player nearly as hot as Sabalenka –who is 25-1 in 2026 — is Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who eliminated No. 5 Jessica Pegula, 6-1, 6-4 in only 73 minutes. Kostyuk has won eight consecutive matches and comes in off a title in Rouen, France. “I think I’m definitely enjoying playing tennis since I got injured in the Australian Open,” said Kostyuk. “I’m very happy with the progress that we’re making as a team, and I think that’s all that matters. “I’ve never had such a long winning streak in my career, so we must be doing something right.” The 26th-seeded Kostyuk produced 20 winners against Pegula, who responded with only nine. She also saved 10 break points. Kostyuk will face Caty McNally, who edged Czech Katerina Siniakova, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (2). In other three-setters, second-seeded Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan rallied to knock off No. 32 Qinwen Zhang of China, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic upset No. 19 Elise Mertens of Belgium, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (3), Austria’s Anastasia Potapova outlasted No. 21 Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and Argentina’s Sorana Sierra sprinted past Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez, 0-6, 6-2, 6-3. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Coco #Gauff #battles #illness #tough #opponent #advances #MadridMar 28, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Coco Gauff of the United States hits a forehand against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the final of the women’s singles at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Coco Gauff is not the retiring type.

The third-seed in the WTA’s Madrid Open became another player this week to struggle during a match due to illness and fell behind Sorana Cirstea by a set and a break on Sunday.

The two-time Grand Slam champion vomited as discreetly as possible outside the court area, took a medical timeout and was able to get some relief. She then proceeded to pull out the second set and cruise in the third to defeat the 25th-seeded Romanian 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in two hours, 21 minutes.

“When I actually threw up on the court, that was like a little bit embarrassing,” said Gauff after the match. ” … I’m someone who doesn’t like to pull out (of matches). I don’t like to do that unless I really feel like I have no other options. So the plan was to always just try to finish, even if it ended up with me just playing just to get through it.”

Gauff recorded her eighth three-set match win of the year, third on tour behind Jessica Pegula (10) and Magda Linette of Poland (nine).

Cirstea, who is retiring at the end of the 2026 season, led 4-3 in the second after breaking Gauff for the sixth time in nine return games. But Gauff broke her opponent at love and captured the set on her second set point against Cirstea’s serve.

Gauff won 36 of 60 third-set points to advance to the fourth round, where she will face No. 13 Linda Noskova. The Czech advanced in a walkover and did not have to face Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, who is also suffering from the illness.


Polish No. 4 seed Iga Swiatek retired in the third set on Saturday vs. Ann Li, also unable to overcome illness.

Gauff reached the finals of last year’s Madrid Open, but lost to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) in straight sets.

Another player nearly as hot as Sabalenka –who is 25-1 in 2026 — is Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who eliminated No. 5 Jessica Pegula, 6-1, 6-4 in only 73 minutes. Kostyuk has won eight consecutive matches and comes in off a title in Rouen, France.

“I think I’m definitely enjoying playing tennis since I got injured in the Australian Open,” said Kostyuk. “I’m very happy with the progress that we’re making as a team, and I think that’s all that matters.

“I’ve never had such a long winning streak in my career, so we must be doing something right.”

The 26th-seeded Kostyuk produced 20 winners against Pegula, who responded with only nine. She also saved 10 break points.

Kostyuk will face Caty McNally, who edged Czech Katerina Siniakova, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (2).

In other three-setters, second-seeded Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan rallied to knock off No. 32 Qinwen Zhang of China, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic upset No. 19 Elise Mertens of Belgium, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (3), Austria’s Anastasia Potapova outlasted No. 21 Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and Argentina’s Sorana Sierra sprinted past Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez, 0-6, 6-2, 6-3.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Coco #Gauff #battles #illness #tough #opponent #advances #Madrid">Deadspin | Coco Gauff battles illness, tough opponent, but advances in Madrid Mar 28, 2026; Miami Gardens, FL, USA; Coco Gauff of the United States hits a forehand against Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the final of the women’s singles at the Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images Coco Gauff is not the retiring type. The third-seed in the WTA’s Madrid Open became another player this week to struggle during a match due to illness and fell behind Sorana Cirstea by a set and a break on Sunday. The two-time Grand Slam champion vomited as discreetly as possible outside the court area, took a medical timeout and was able to get some relief. She then proceeded to pull out the second set and cruise in the third to defeat the 25th-seeded Romanian 4-6, 7-5, 6-1 in two hours, 21 minutes. “When I actually threw up on the court, that was like a little bit embarrassing,” said Gauff after the match. ” … I’m someone who doesn’t like to pull out (of matches). I don’t like to do that unless I really feel like I have no other options. So the plan was to always just try to finish, even if it ended up with me just playing just to get through it.” Gauff recorded her eighth three-set match win of the year, third on tour behind Jessica Pegula (10) and Magda Linette of Poland (nine). Cirstea, who is retiring at the end of the 2026 season, led 4-3 in the second after breaking Gauff for the sixth time in nine return games. But Gauff broke her opponent at love and captured the set on her second set point against Cirstea’s serve. Gauff won 36 of 60 third-set points to advance to the fourth round, where she will face No. 13 Linda Noskova. The Czech advanced in a walkover and did not have to face Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, who is also suffering from the illness. Polish No. 4 seed Iga Swiatek retired in the third set on Saturday vs. Ann Li, also unable to overcome illness. Gauff reached the finals of last year’s Madrid Open, but lost to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus) in straight sets. Another player nearly as hot as Sabalenka –who is 25-1 in 2026 — is Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk, who eliminated No. 5 Jessica Pegula, 6-1, 6-4 in only 73 minutes. Kostyuk has won eight consecutive matches and comes in off a title in Rouen, France. “I think I’m definitely enjoying playing tennis since I got injured in the Australian Open,” said Kostyuk. “I’m very happy with the progress that we’re making as a team, and I think that’s all that matters. “I’ve never had such a long winning streak in my career, so we must be doing something right.” The 26th-seeded Kostyuk produced 20 winners against Pegula, who responded with only nine. She also saved 10 break points. Kostyuk will face Caty McNally, who edged Czech Katerina Siniakova, 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (2). In other three-setters, second-seeded Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan rallied to knock off No. 32 Qinwen Zhang of China, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, Karolina Pliskova of Czech Republic upset No. 19 Elise Mertens of Belgium, 7-5, 2-6, 7-6 (3), Austria’s Anastasia Potapova outlasted No. 21 Jelena Ostapenko of Latvia, 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 and Argentina’s Sorana Sierra sprinted past Turkey’s Zeynep Sonmez, 0-6, 6-2, 6-3. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Coco #Gauff #battles #illness #tough #opponent #advances #Madrid

Defending champion East Bengal FC extended its lead at the top with a 3-1 win against Sribhumi FC in their Indian Women’s League 2025-26 match at the East Bengal Ground in Kolkata on Monday.

Fazila Ikwaput’s hat-trick secured three points, taking the Moshal Girls to 21 points from seven matches. The Ugandan striker took her IWL goals tally to 54, overtaking Ngangom Bala Devi, with 51 goals, to become the competition’s second-highest scorer behind Sabitra Bhandari (60). Rimpa Haldar scored Sribhumi’s lone goal.

East Bengal dominated from the outset with an aggressive press and direct attacking play. Ikwaput found the net early on, but was denied by the offside flag.

The Ugandan remained a constant threat and was rewarded in the 37th minute when a long ball towards her was misjudged by Toijam Thoibisana Chanu, whose attempted header fell kindly for Ikwaput. She calmly slotted past the advancing Monalisha.

ALSO READ | Chennaiyin FC’s fall from grace: Why has the two-time ISL champion struggled to recreate past glory?

East Bengal struck again within a minute of the restart. Ikwaput surged forward, cut inside, and curled a precise effort into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0.

Ikwaput completed her hat-trick on the hour mark, turning sharply under pressure before lashing the ball past Monalisha for 3-0.

The visitors pulled one back in the 80th minute following a midfield error. Nameirakpam Arina Devi drove forward and set up Rimpa, who finished clinically past Panthoi.

It was only the second goal conceded by East Bengal in the league this season.

This was the first match of Phase 2, after 27 matches were played from December 20, 2025, to January 9, 2026. The league took a hiatus of more than three months to allow player availability for the senior and Under-20 women’s national teams camps for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in March and the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup in April.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#IWL #Fazila #Ikwaput #hattrick #powers #East #Bengal #Sribhumi #phase #begins">IWL 2025-26: Fazila Ikwaput hat-trick powers East Bengal past Sribhumi FC as second phase begins Defending champion East Bengal FC extended its lead at the top with a 3-1 win against Sribhumi FC in their Indian Women’s League 2025-26 match at the East Bengal Ground in Kolkata on Monday.Fazila Ikwaput’s hat-trick secured three points, taking the Moshal Girls to 21 points from seven matches. The Ugandan striker took her IWL goals tally to 54, overtaking Ngangom Bala Devi, with 51 goals, to become the competition’s second-highest scorer behind Sabitra Bhandari (60). Rimpa Haldar scored Sribhumi’s lone goal.East Bengal dominated from the outset with an aggressive press and direct attacking play. Ikwaput found the net early on, but was denied by the offside flag.The Ugandan remained a constant threat and was rewarded in the 37th minute when a long ball towards her was misjudged by Toijam Thoibisana Chanu, whose attempted header fell kindly for Ikwaput. She calmly slotted past the advancing Monalisha.ALSO READ | Chennaiyin FC’s fall from grace: Why has the two-time ISL champion struggled to recreate past glory?East Bengal struck again within a minute of the restart. Ikwaput surged forward, cut inside, and curled a precise effort into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0.Ikwaput completed her hat-trick on the hour mark, turning sharply under pressure before lashing the ball past Monalisha for 3-0.The visitors pulled one back in the 80th minute following a midfield error. Nameirakpam Arina Devi drove forward and set up Rimpa, who finished clinically past Panthoi.It was only the second goal conceded by East Bengal in the league this season.This was the first match of Phase 2, after 27 matches were played from December 20, 2025, to January 9, 2026. The league took a hiatus of more than three months to allow player availability for the senior and Under-20 women’s national teams camps for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in March and the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup in April.Published on Apr 27, 2026 #IWL #Fazila #Ikwaput #hattrick #powers #East #Bengal #Sribhumi #phase #begins

Chennaiyin FC’s fall from grace: Why has the two-time ISL champion struggled to recreate past glory?

East Bengal struck again within a minute of the restart. Ikwaput surged forward, cut inside, and curled a precise effort into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0.

Ikwaput completed her hat-trick on the hour mark, turning sharply under pressure before lashing the ball past Monalisha for 3-0.

The visitors pulled one back in the 80th minute following a midfield error. Nameirakpam Arina Devi drove forward and set up Rimpa, who finished clinically past Panthoi.

It was only the second goal conceded by East Bengal in the league this season.

This was the first match of Phase 2, after 27 matches were played from December 20, 2025, to January 9, 2026. The league took a hiatus of more than three months to allow player availability for the senior and Under-20 women’s national teams camps for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in March and the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup in April.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#IWL #Fazila #Ikwaput #hattrick #powers #East #Bengal #Sribhumi #phase #begins">IWL 2025-26: Fazila Ikwaput hat-trick powers East Bengal past Sribhumi FC as second phase begins

Defending champion East Bengal FC extended its lead at the top with a 3-1 win against Sribhumi FC in their Indian Women’s League 2025-26 match at the East Bengal Ground in Kolkata on Monday.

Fazila Ikwaput’s hat-trick secured three points, taking the Moshal Girls to 21 points from seven matches. The Ugandan striker took her IWL goals tally to 54, overtaking Ngangom Bala Devi, with 51 goals, to become the competition’s second-highest scorer behind Sabitra Bhandari (60). Rimpa Haldar scored Sribhumi’s lone goal.

East Bengal dominated from the outset with an aggressive press and direct attacking play. Ikwaput found the net early on, but was denied by the offside flag.

The Ugandan remained a constant threat and was rewarded in the 37th minute when a long ball towards her was misjudged by Toijam Thoibisana Chanu, whose attempted header fell kindly for Ikwaput. She calmly slotted past the advancing Monalisha.

ALSO READ | Chennaiyin FC’s fall from grace: Why has the two-time ISL champion struggled to recreate past glory?

East Bengal struck again within a minute of the restart. Ikwaput surged forward, cut inside, and curled a precise effort into the bottom-right corner to make it 2-0.

Ikwaput completed her hat-trick on the hour mark, turning sharply under pressure before lashing the ball past Monalisha for 3-0.

The visitors pulled one back in the 80th minute following a midfield error. Nameirakpam Arina Devi drove forward and set up Rimpa, who finished clinically past Panthoi.

It was only the second goal conceded by East Bengal in the league this season.

This was the first match of Phase 2, after 27 matches were played from December 20, 2025, to January 9, 2026. The league took a hiatus of more than three months to allow player availability for the senior and Under-20 women’s national teams camps for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup in March and the AFC U20 Women’s Asian Cup in April.

Published on Apr 27, 2026

#IWL #Fazila #Ikwaput #hattrick #powers #East #Bengal #Sribhumi #phase #begins

Post Comment