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Mustafizur Rahman out of remaining PSL season after BCB withdraws NOC; Nahid Rana too ruled out  Pacer Mustafizur Rahman will not be available for the rest of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 season after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) withdrew his No Objection Certificate (NOC) due to injury concerns.“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wishes to inform that, following the conclusion of the 3rd ODI against New Zealand, the team’s medical staff has reviewed the condition of national team pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman,” the Body said on Thursday in a statement.ALSO READ | Bangladesh seals 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand“It has been decided that the player will undergo an immediate scan to further assess his condition, after which he will commence a rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the BCB Medical Team.”“In this regard, the Board has withdrawn the No Objection Certificate (NOC) previously issued to Mustafizur. He will therefore not be available to participate in the remainder of PSL 2026,” it added.Mustafizur was playing for Lahore Qalandars and he’d taken six wickets in five matches this season, while Peshawar Zalmi’s Nahid took seven wickets in four matches.BCB also announced that fast bowler Nahid Rana will not be released for the PSL “to allow him adequate time to prepare for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan next month”.Bangladesh on Thursday clinched a 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand after securing a 55-run victory over the Kiwis in ‌the third one-day international in Chattogram.Published on Apr 23, 2026  #Mustafizur #Rahman #remaining #PSL #season #BCB #withdraws #NOC #Nahid #Rana #ruled

Mustafizur Rahman out of remaining PSL season after BCB withdraws NOC; Nahid Rana too ruled out

Pacer Mustafizur Rahman will not be available for the rest of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 season after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) withdrew his No Objection Certificate (NOC) due to injury concerns.

“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wishes to inform that, following the conclusion of the 3rd ODI against New Zealand, the team’s medical staff has reviewed the condition of national team pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman,” the Body said on Thursday in a statement.

ALSO READ | Bangladesh seals 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand

“It has been decided that the player will undergo an immediate scan to further assess his condition, after which he will commence a rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the BCB Medical Team.”

“In this regard, the Board has withdrawn the No Objection Certificate (NOC) previously issued to Mustafizur. He will therefore not be available to participate in the remainder of PSL 2026,” it added.

Mustafizur was playing for Lahore Qalandars and he’d taken six wickets in five matches this season, while Peshawar Zalmi’s Nahid took seven wickets in four matches.

BCB also announced that fast bowler Nahid Rana will not be released for the PSL “to allow him adequate time to prepare for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan next month”.

Bangladesh on Thursday clinched a 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand after securing a 55-run victory over the Kiwis in ‌the third one-day international in Chattogram.

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Mustafizur #Rahman #remaining #PSL #season #BCB #withdraws #NOC #Nahid #Rana #ruled

Pacer Mustafizur Rahman will not be available for the rest of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2026 season after the Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) withdrew his No Objection Certificate (NOC) due to injury concerns.

“The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) wishes to inform that, following the conclusion of the 3rd ODI against New Zealand, the team’s medical staff has reviewed the condition of national team pace bowler Mustafizur Rahman,” the Body said on Thursday in a statement.

ALSO READ | Bangladesh seals 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand

“It has been decided that the player will undergo an immediate scan to further assess his condition, after which he will commence a rehabilitation programme under the supervision of the BCB Medical Team.”

“In this regard, the Board has withdrawn the No Objection Certificate (NOC) previously issued to Mustafizur. He will therefore not be available to participate in the remainder of PSL 2026,” it added.

Mustafizur was playing for Lahore Qalandars and he’d taken six wickets in five matches this season, while Peshawar Zalmi’s Nahid took seven wickets in four matches.

BCB also announced that fast bowler Nahid Rana will not be released for the PSL “to allow him adequate time to prepare for the upcoming Test series against Pakistan next month”.

Bangladesh on Thursday clinched a 2-1 ODI series win over New Zealand after securing a 55-run victory over the Kiwis in ‌the third one-day international in Chattogram.

Published on Apr 23, 2026

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#Mustafizur #Rahman #remaining #PSL #season #BCB #withdraws #NOC #Nahid #Rana #ruled

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Deadspin | Tigers’ Tarik Skubal heating up heading into finale vs. Brewers <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28640281.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28640281.jpg" alt="MLB: Detroit Tigers at Arizona Diamondbacks" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 1, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal reacts against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>The weather is getting warmer, and so is two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Including the postseason, Skubal racked up double-digit strikeouts in 12 starts last season. </p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>The Detroit Tigers left-hander notched a season-high 10 strikeouts in Boston on Saturday during his last start, and he should have pristine weather conditions to employ his formidable arsenal against the visiting Milwaukee Brewers on Thursday afternoon.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Temperatures are expected to reach the mid-70s during the series finale in Detroit. Skubal hasn’t required big strikeout totals to be effective. He’s given up just one run in four of his five starts this season.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>Skubal (3-2, 2.08 ERA) limited the Red Sox to one run and four hits in six innings despite pitching in 45-degree weather. He cruised through the first four innings but got into jams in the fifth and sixth, which increased his pitch count and prevented him from going deeper into the game, which Detroit won 4-1.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>“He rarely misses like he did (Saturday) where he fell behind multiple batters in a row,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “I just thought he was in battle-mode. It looked like he was in control. He was missing bats and using his whole arsenal, and he won some big at-bats. That was the key for him. He stayed mentally into the game and didn’t get too frustrated with a few big misses.”</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>A nasty change-up helped him increase his strikeout total.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-8"> <p>“The change-up performed better (Saturday),” Skubal said. “But I still think there is room for improvement. I need to be able to throw it in the zone and out of the zone when I need to. I need to execute pitches out of the zone early in counts to where those aren’t six- and seven-pitch at-bats and end them in three to four pitches.”</p> </section> <section id="section-9"> <p>Skubal, who has won his past two starts this season, has been dominant in two career outings against the Brewers, holding them to one run in 13 2/3 innings, with 19 strikeouts.</p> </section><section id="section-10"> <p>Right-hander Brandon Sproat (0-1, 6.88 ERA) will be his mound opponent on Thursday. He’s coming off his best outing of the season, as he held Toronto to one run and four hits in 6 2/3 innings a week ago in Milwaukee’s 2-1 victory.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“I think the biggest thing was keep the rhythm up,” Sproat said. “Just get the ball and go. Don’t think about anything else. Just attack, attack, attack, and I think we did a really good job of that (Thursday).”</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Sproat, 25, still is looking for his first major league victory. He’s made eight appearances over the last two seasons, including six starts. Sproat, who has never faced the Tigers, got a mental boost in his last outing.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>“Just that I’m capable,” he said. “Capable of going out there and making good pitches, getting a ground ball when needed. Giving it my all. That was the big word (Thursday). (Manager Pat Murphy) told me, ‘You’re more than capable,’ and hearing that from him is definitely a boost in confidence.”</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>The teams have split the first two games of the series. Detroit bounced back from a 12-4 drubbing on Tuesday with a 5-2 win on Wednesday. First baseman Spencer Torkelson, who hit 31 homers last season, broke through with his first long ball this season. </p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Tigers #Tarik #Skubal #heating #heading #finale #Brewers

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Deadspin | Braves’ JR Ritchie faces ‘challenge’ in debut vs. Nationals <div id=""><section id="0" class=" w-full"><div class="xl:container mx-0 !px-4 py-0 pb-4 !mx-0 !px-0"><img src="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28454807.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28454807.jpg" alt="MLB: Spring Training-Atlanta Braves at Toronto Blue Jays" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Mar 10, 2026; Dunedin, Florida, USA; Atlanta Braves starting pitcher JR Ritchie (92) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at TD Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>Right-hander JR Ritchie, Atlanta’s No. 2 prospect, will make his major league debut when the Braves conclude their four-game series against the host Washington Nationals on Thursday afternoon.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>Ritchie, 22, was selected with the 35th overall pick of the 2022 MLB Draft. He is 3-1 with an 0.99 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 28 strikeouts in 27 1/3 innings for Triple-A Gwinnett.</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>Thursday’s originally scheduled starter for the Braves, Martin Perez, was called upon for three relief innings after Wednesday starter Didier Fuentes only made it through three innings of Atlanta’s 8-6 victory.</p> </section><section id="section-4"> <p>Perez gave up two runs and three hits as the Braves won for the seventh time in eight games entering Thursday’s matchup.</p> </section><section id="section-5"> <p>“I’m excited to see JR against this tough lineup,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said. “It’s going to be a challenge for him. [The lineup] is going to be very left-handed, I’m sure. But he’s got weapons for that. He’s a good one.”</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>Ritchie will oppose Washington right-hander Cade Cavalli (0-1, 4.12 ERA).</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>Cavalli, 27, was selected by Washington with the 22nd overall pick in 2020. He allowed three runs (one earned) in four innings of a no-decision against the San Francisco Giants on Saturday. He struck out five and did not walk a batter. The Nationals lost 7-6 in 12 innings.</p> </section><section id="section-8"> <p>Cavalli has not faced the Braves in his career.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-9"> <p>Michael Harris II hit two home runs, and Matt Olson smacked a three-run shot to help Atlanta overcome an early three-run deficit on Wednesday.</p> </section> <section id="section-10"> <p>Drake Baldwin homered for the second straight game for the Braves, who have earned at least a split of the four-game series.</p> </section><section id="section-11"> <p>“The offense continues to swing the bat,” Weiss said. “Michael Harris is locked in, and we’ve seen it before. We’ve got some guys coming around. … We did a nice job scoring runs and overcoming a rough first inning.”</p> </section><section id="section-12"> <p>Olson has 14 home runs in 32 career games at Nationals Park.</p> </section><section id="section-13"> <p>Baldwin, who is batting .320 this season with 23 RBIs, joins Eddie Mathews (1959), Hank Aaron (1970), Rico Carty (1970) and Chipper Jones (1998) as the only Braves to collect 30-plus hits, 25-plus runs and 20-plus RBIs in the first 25 games of the season.</p> </section><section id="section-14"> <p>James Wood homered for the second straight game to boost his National League-leading total to nine for the season for Washington. Daylen Lile went deep for the third time in five games with a three-run homer, and Joey Wiemer had a pinch-hit solo shot. </p> </section><section id="section-15"> <p>“We don’t need to change one thing at all,” Lile said. “We’re doing everything we can as hitters, and we’re backing our pitchers up. As long as we’re staying positive and just committing to our plan and staying true to ourselves, the wins are going to start rolling.”</p> </section><section id="section-16"> <p>Washington is scoring runs at an impressive clip, but Nationals pitchers are not holding up their end. They have given up seven or more runs in five of the past seven games.</p> </section><section id="section-17"> <p>“Our pitchers are just as frustrated as anybody,” manager Blake Butera said. “They know what our offense is doing. … They want to go out there and limit it and let our offense do its thing and win some of these games that we should be winning.”</p> </section><br/><section id="section-18"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section> </div> #Deadspin #Braves #Ritchie #faces #challenge #debut #Nationals

Aryna Sabalenka shook off some rust to post her first victory of the season on clay and extend her winning streak to 13 matches on Thursday at the Madrid Open.

The world number one, who was playing her first match since she completed the Sunshine Double by winning Indian Wells and Miami last month, committed 26 unforced errors in her 7-5, 6-3 win over American Peyton Stearns in the second round in the Spanish capital.

The defending champion, in search of a fourth career title at the Caja Magica, converted four of 12 break points against Stearns, double-faulted five times, and dropped serve twice, before she made it over the finish line to set up a third-round meeting with Romanian Jaqueline Cristian.

Madrid Open 2026: Sabalenka, Swiatek enter third round  Aryna Sabalenka shook off some rust to post her first victory of the season on clay and extend her winning streak to 13 matches on Thursday at the Madrid Open.The world number one, who was playing her first match since she completed the Sunshine Double by winning Indian Wells and Miami last month, committed 26 unforced errors in her 7-5, 6-3 win over American Peyton Stearns in the second round in the Spanish capital.The defending champion, in search of a fourth career title at the Caja Magica, converted four of 12 break points against Stearns, double-faulted five times, and dropped serve twice, before she made it over the finish line to set up a third-round meeting with Romanian Jaqueline Cristian. Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                            

                            Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                                                    “I’m super happy to start with a win, even though maybe the tennis wasn’t that good, but I felt like with every game I was playing, the better I was playing, so I really hope in the next one I bring a better performance,” said Sabalenka, who has won a remarkable 24 of her 25 matches so far in 2026.Earlier, Iga Swiatek made quick work of her opening test in Madrid, breezing past Daria Snigur 6-1, 6-2 at the Caja Magica.The Polish fourth seed needed just 61 minutes to move past Snigur, who was coming off the first tour-level main draw victory of her career on clay over Daria Kasatkina.The Ukrainian qualifier saved four match points against Kasatkina on Wednesday, and secured the win by clinching the longest first-to-seven tiebreak at tour-level in eight years with a 15-13 scoreline.Snigur had little fight left in her for her clash with Swiatek, who barring a brief blip early in the second set was in fierce form as she continues her quest for a first clay-court title since she claimed a fourth Roland Garros crown nearly two years ago.“I’m very happy. Madrid is a special place to play, because of how special the tournament is, but also because of the conditions, so I’m happy that I adjusted well to them and was solid and just playing my game,” said Swiatek, who is contesting her second tournament under the guidance of her new coach Francis Roig. Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AP
                            

                            Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AP
                                                    Swiatek, a champion in Madrid in 2024, swatted away three break points to open up a 5-0 lead inside 23 minutes and closed out the set eight minutes later after Snigur finally got on the board.Snigur enjoyed a much stronger start to the second set, finding the rhythm on her backhand to put pressure on Swiatek, who got broken for the first time in the contest to fall behind 0-2.The Ukrainian’s advantage was short-lived though as Swiatek struck right back and swept the next six games to book a third-round meeting with Ann Li.Meanwhile, Hungarian world number 63 Anna Bondar upset seventh-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-4 to claim the first top-10 victory of her career.Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.Ex-world number one Naomi Osaka began her clay-court campaign with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Colombia’s Camila Osorio. She’ll play Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina for a spot in the last 16.Unheralded Paraguayan starsIn men’s action, Paraguayan qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo said he felt like he was living “a movie” after he dispatched former world number three Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4.The 21-year-old cracked the top 100 for the first time last month – following a 14-1 start to the season at the Challenger level – and is making his Masters 1000 debut this week. He is the first Paraguayan to compete in Madrid Open history and will next take on American 17th seed Learner Tien.“For me this is unbelievable. It looks like a movie, I don’t know what’s happening,” Vallejo told        Tennis TV. “The other day I played on Manolo Santana centre court. Today I played here. I used to watch him (Dimitrov), all the highlights. The points that he did against me today, I used to watch it on TV and to play against him… wow, I can’t understand what’s happening. I’m just trying to enjoy all this.”Former world number three and 2019 Madrid runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas eked out a 3-6, 7-6[6], 7-6[4] win against American lucky loser Patrick Kypson.Currently ranked 80 in the world, the two-time Grand Slam finalist will square off with eighth-seeded Alexander Bublik in round two.The soon-to-be-retiring Gael Monfils lost his opener 6-3, 6-4 to Camilo Ugo Carabelli, marking his last time competing at the Madrid Open.Published on Apr 23, 2026  #Madrid #Open #Sabalenka #Swiatek #enter

Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

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Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

“I’m super happy to start with a win, even though maybe the tennis wasn’t that good, but I felt like with every game I was playing, the better I was playing, so I really hope in the next one I bring a better performance,” said Sabalenka, who has won a remarkable 24 of her 25 matches so far in 2026.

Earlier, Iga Swiatek made quick work of her opening test in Madrid, breezing past Daria Snigur 6-1, 6-2 at the Caja Magica.

The Polish fourth seed needed just 61 minutes to move past Snigur, who was coming off the first tour-level main draw victory of her career on clay over Daria Kasatkina.

The Ukrainian qualifier saved four match points against Kasatkina on Wednesday, and secured the win by clinching the longest first-to-seven tiebreak at tour-level in eight years with a 15-13 scoreline.

Snigur had little fight left in her for her clash with Swiatek, who barring a brief blip early in the second set was in fierce form as she continues her quest for a first clay-court title since she claimed a fourth Roland Garros crown nearly two years ago.

“I’m very happy. Madrid is a special place to play, because of how special the tournament is, but also because of the conditions, so I’m happy that I adjusted well to them and was solid and just playing my game,” said Swiatek, who is contesting her second tournament under the guidance of her new coach Francis Roig.

Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.

Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three. | Photo Credit: AP

lightbox-info

Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three. | Photo Credit: AP

Swiatek, a champion in Madrid in 2024, swatted away three break points to open up a 5-0 lead inside 23 minutes and closed out the set eight minutes later after Snigur finally got on the board.

Snigur enjoyed a much stronger start to the second set, finding the rhythm on her backhand to put pressure on Swiatek, who got broken for the first time in the contest to fall behind 0-2.

The Ukrainian’s advantage was short-lived though as Swiatek struck right back and swept the next six games to book a third-round meeting with Ann Li.

Meanwhile, Hungarian world number 63 Anna Bondar upset seventh-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-4 to claim the first top-10 victory of her career.

Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.

Ex-world number one Naomi Osaka began her clay-court campaign with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Colombia’s Camila Osorio. She’ll play Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina for a spot in the last 16.

Unheralded Paraguayan stars

In men’s action, Paraguayan qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo said he felt like he was living “a movie” after he dispatched former world number three Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4.

The 21-year-old cracked the top 100 for the first time last month – following a 14-1 start to the season at the Challenger level – and is making his Masters 1000 debut this week. He is the first Paraguayan to compete in Madrid Open history and will next take on American 17th seed Learner Tien.

“For me this is unbelievable. It looks like a movie, I don’t know what’s happening,” Vallejo told Tennis TV. “The other day I played on Manolo Santana centre court. Today I played here. I used to watch him (Dimitrov), all the highlights. The points that he did against me today, I used to watch it on TV and to play against him… wow, I can’t understand what’s happening. I’m just trying to enjoy all this.”

Former world number three and 2019 Madrid runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas eked out a 3-6, 7-6[6], 7-6[4] win against American lucky loser Patrick Kypson.

Currently ranked 80 in the world, the two-time Grand Slam finalist will square off with eighth-seeded Alexander Bublik in round two.

The soon-to-be-retiring Gael Monfils lost his opener 6-3, 6-4 to Camilo Ugo Carabelli, marking his last time competing at the Madrid Open.

Published on Apr 23, 2026

#Madrid #Open #Sabalenka #Swiatek #enter">Madrid Open 2026: Sabalenka, Swiatek enter third round  Aryna Sabalenka shook off some rust to post her first victory of the season on clay and extend her winning streak to 13 matches on Thursday at the Madrid Open.The world number one, who was playing her first match since she completed the Sunshine Double by winning Indian Wells and Miami last month, committed 26 unforced errors in her 7-5, 6-3 win over American Peyton Stearns in the second round in the Spanish capital.The defending champion, in search of a fourth career title at the Caja Magica, converted four of 12 break points against Stearns, double-faulted five times, and dropped serve twice, before she made it over the finish line to set up a third-round meeting with Romanian Jaqueline Cristian. Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                            

                            Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka in action during her round of 64 match against Peyton Stearns of the United States of America.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                REUTERS
                                                    “I’m super happy to start with a win, even though maybe the tennis wasn’t that good, but I felt like with every game I was playing, the better I was playing, so I really hope in the next one I bring a better performance,” said Sabalenka, who has won a remarkable 24 of her 25 matches so far in 2026.Earlier, Iga Swiatek made quick work of her opening test in Madrid, breezing past Daria Snigur 6-1, 6-2 at the Caja Magica.The Polish fourth seed needed just 61 minutes to move past Snigur, who was coming off the first tour-level main draw victory of her career on clay over Daria Kasatkina.The Ukrainian qualifier saved four match points against Kasatkina on Wednesday, and secured the win by clinching the longest first-to-seven tiebreak at tour-level in eight years with a 15-13 scoreline.Snigur had little fight left in her for her clash with Swiatek, who barring a brief blip early in the second set was in fierce form as she continues her quest for a first clay-court title since she claimed a fourth Roland Garros crown nearly two years ago.“I’m very happy. Madrid is a special place to play, because of how special the tournament is, but also because of the conditions, so I’m happy that I adjusted well to them and was solid and just playing my game,” said Swiatek, who is contesting her second tournament under the guidance of her new coach Francis Roig. Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AP
                            

                            Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                AP
                                                    Swiatek, a champion in Madrid in 2024, swatted away three break points to open up a 5-0 lead inside 23 minutes and closed out the set eight minutes later after Snigur finally got on the board.Snigur enjoyed a much stronger start to the second set, finding the rhythm on her backhand to put pressure on Swiatek, who got broken for the first time in the contest to fall behind 0-2.The Ukrainian’s advantage was short-lived though as Swiatek struck right back and swept the next six games to book a third-round meeting with Ann Li.Meanwhile, Hungarian world number 63 Anna Bondar upset seventh-seeded Elina Svitolina 6-3, 6-4 to claim the first top-10 victory of her career.Swiss 11th seed Belinda Bencic eased past Petra Marcinko 6-4, 6-2 and will next take on Russian 18th seed Diana Shnaider in round three.Ex-world number one Naomi Osaka began her clay-court campaign with a 6-2, 7-5 win over Colombia’s Camila Osorio. She’ll play Ukrainian qualifier Anhelina Kalinina for a spot in the last 16.Unheralded Paraguayan starsIn men’s action, Paraguayan qualifier Adolfo Daniel Vallejo said he felt like he was living “a movie” after he dispatched former world number three Grigor Dimitrov 6-4, 6-4.The 21-year-old cracked the top 100 for the first time last month – following a 14-1 start to the season at the Challenger level – and is making his Masters 1000 debut this week. He is the first Paraguayan to compete in Madrid Open history and will next take on American 17th seed Learner Tien.“For me this is unbelievable. It looks like a movie, I don’t know what’s happening,” Vallejo told        Tennis TV. “The other day I played on Manolo Santana centre court. Today I played here. I used to watch him (Dimitrov), all the highlights. The points that he did against me today, I used to watch it on TV and to play against him… wow, I can’t understand what’s happening. I’m just trying to enjoy all this.”Former world number three and 2019 Madrid runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas eked out a 3-6, 7-6[6], 7-6[4] win against American lucky loser Patrick Kypson.Currently ranked 80 in the world, the two-time Grand Slam finalist will square off with eighth-seeded Alexander Bublik in round two.The soon-to-be-retiring Gael Monfils lost his opener 6-3, 6-4 to Camilo Ugo Carabelli, marking his last time competing at the Madrid Open.Published on Apr 23, 2026  #Madrid #Open #Sabalenka #Swiatek #enter

Deadspin | South Carolina lands 5-star recruit Oliviyah Edwards  Mar 30, 2026; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Oliviyah Edwards hangs upside down from the rim as she celebrates after dunking the ball during the McDonalds All American Jam Fest at Millennium High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards of Washington committed to South Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class on Thursday.  The 6-foot-3 Edwards reopened her recruitment earlier this month after originally signing with Tennessee in November.  The No. 5-ranked prospect by the 247Sports composite joins Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley’s No. 2-ranked incoming class.  “I chose South Carolina because it felt like home,” Edwards told ESPN. “Coach Staley, the staff and the team showed me a level of love and belief that stood out. I know I’ll be pushed every single day, and being surrounded by that kind of energy and support means everything to me.”   The McDonald’s All-American also considered Southern California, LSU, Florida and Washington.  Edwards averaged 30 points, 22 rebounds, five blocks and four assists per game last season at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Wash.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #South #Carolina #lands #5star #recruit #Oliviyah #EdwardsMar 30, 2026; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Oliviyah Edwards hangs upside down from the rim as she celebrates after dunking the ball during the McDonalds All American Jam Fest at Millennium High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards of Washington committed to South Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class on Thursday.

The 6-foot-3 Edwards reopened her recruitment earlier this month after originally signing with Tennessee in November.

The No. 5-ranked prospect by the 247Sports composite joins Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley’s No. 2-ranked incoming class.


“I chose South Carolina because it felt like home,” Edwards told ESPN. “Coach Staley, the staff and the team showed me a level of love and belief that stood out. I know I’ll be pushed every single day, and being surrounded by that kind of energy and support means everything to me.”

The McDonald’s All-American also considered Southern California, LSU, Florida and Washington.

Edwards averaged 30 points, 22 rebounds, five blocks and four assists per game last season at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Wash.

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #South #Carolina #lands #5star #recruit #Oliviyah #Edwards">Deadspin | South Carolina lands 5-star recruit Oliviyah Edwards  Mar 30, 2026; Goodyear, AZ, USA; Oliviyah Edwards hangs upside down from the rim as she celebrates after dunking the ball during the McDonalds All American Jam Fest at Millennium High School. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images   Five-star forward Oliviyah Edwards of Washington committed to South Carolina’s 2026 recruiting class on Thursday.  The 6-foot-3 Edwards reopened her recruitment earlier this month after originally signing with Tennessee in November.  The No. 5-ranked prospect by the 247Sports composite joins Gamecocks coach Dawn Staley’s No. 2-ranked incoming class.  “I chose South Carolina because it felt like home,” Edwards told ESPN. “Coach Staley, the staff and the team showed me a level of love and belief that stood out. I know I’ll be pushed every single day, and being surrounded by that kind of energy and support means everything to me.”   The McDonald’s All-American also considered Southern California, LSU, Florida and Washington.  Edwards averaged 30 points, 22 rebounds, five blocks and four assists per game last season at Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Wash.  –Field Level Media   #Deadspin #South #Carolina #lands #5star #recruit #Oliviyah #Edwards

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