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O’Sullivan begins bid for record-breaking World Snooker Championship title against Chinese debutant Guoqiang  Ronnie O’Sullivan will face Chinese debutant He Guoqiang when he begins his bid to win an eighth World Snooker Championship title on Tuesday.The 25-year-old beat world number 18 Jack Lisowski in qualifying for the showpiece event at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, northern England, and has defeated O’Sullivan in two of their three previous career meetings.O’Sullivan, a 50-year-old Englishman, is looking to take sole possession of a modern-day record of seven world titles he currently shares with the retired Stephen Hendry of Scotland.Guoqiang is one of a record 11 Chinese players in the tournament, a sign of how the country has become a force in snooker, a sport traditionally dominated by players from Britain and Ireland.The China contingent includes reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday.Two of the first-round ties are all-Chinese encounters, with Xiao Guodong taking on Zhou Yuelong and Wu Yize playing Lei Peifan. The China contingent includes reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            The China contingent includes reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    Four-time world champion John Higgins faces two-time runner-up Ali Carter, with the winner potentially taking on O’Sullivan in the second round.Mark Selby, another four-time world champion, starts against shock 2024 finalist Jak Jones.Antoni Kowalski, the first Polish player to qualify for the Crucible, is up against three-time champion Mark Williams.The tournament starts on Saturday, with Zhao’s match against Highfield, while Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen faces China’s Zhang Anda on the other table.England’s Joe Davis won fifteen consecutive world titles between 1927 and 1946, but many of those successes came in challenge matches.The record in the modern era is usually dated from the reintroduction of a knock-out tournament in 1969.Published on Apr 16, 2026  #OSullivan #begins #bid #recordbreaking #World #Snooker #Championship #title #Chinese #debutant #Guoqiang

O’Sullivan begins bid for record-breaking World Snooker Championship title against Chinese debutant Guoqiang

Ronnie O’Sullivan will face Chinese debutant He Guoqiang when he begins his bid to win an eighth World Snooker Championship title on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old beat world number 18 Jack Lisowski in qualifying for the showpiece event at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, northern England, and has defeated O’Sullivan in two of their three previous career meetings.

O’Sullivan, a 50-year-old Englishman, is looking to take sole possession of a modern-day record of seven world titles he currently shares with the retired Stephen Hendry of Scotland.

Guoqiang is one of a record 11 Chinese players in the tournament, a sign of how the country has become a force in snooker, a sport traditionally dominated by players from Britain and Ireland.

The China contingent includes reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday.

Two of the first-round ties are all-Chinese encounters, with Xiao Guodong taking on Zhou Yuelong and Wu Yize playing Lei Peifan.

O’Sullivan begins bid for record-breaking World Snooker Championship title against Chinese debutant Guoqiang  Ronnie O’Sullivan will face Chinese debutant He Guoqiang when he begins his bid to win an eighth World Snooker Championship title on Tuesday.The 25-year-old beat world number 18 Jack Lisowski in qualifying for the showpiece event at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, northern England, and has defeated O’Sullivan in two of their three previous career meetings.O’Sullivan, a 50-year-old Englishman, is looking to take sole possession of a modern-day record of seven world titles he currently shares with the retired Stephen Hendry of Scotland.Guoqiang is one of a record 11 Chinese players in the tournament, a sign of how the country has become a force in snooker, a sport traditionally dominated by players from Britain and Ireland.The China contingent includes reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday.Two of the first-round ties are all-Chinese encounters, with Xiao Guodong taking on Zhou Yuelong and Wu Yize playing Lei Peifan. The China contingent includes reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                            

                            The China contingent includes reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday.
                                                            | Photo Credit: 
                                Getty Images
                                                    Four-time world champion John Higgins faces two-time runner-up Ali Carter, with the winner potentially taking on O’Sullivan in the second round.Mark Selby, another four-time world champion, starts against shock 2024 finalist Jak Jones.Antoni Kowalski, the first Polish player to qualify for the Crucible, is up against three-time champion Mark Williams.The tournament starts on Saturday, with Zhao’s match against Highfield, while Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen faces China’s Zhang Anda on the other table.England’s Joe Davis won fifteen consecutive world titles between 1927 and 1946, but many of those successes came in challenge matches.The record in the modern era is usually dated from the reintroduction of a knock-out tournament in 1969.Published on Apr 16, 2026  #OSullivan #begins #bid #recordbreaking #World #Snooker #Championship #title #Chinese #debutant #Guoqiang

The China contingent includes reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

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The China contingent includes reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday. | Photo Credit: Getty Images

Four-time world champion John Higgins faces two-time runner-up Ali Carter, with the winner potentially taking on O’Sullivan in the second round.

Mark Selby, another four-time world champion, starts against shock 2024 finalist Jak Jones.

Antoni Kowalski, the first Polish player to qualify for the Crucible, is up against three-time champion Mark Williams.

The tournament starts on Saturday, with Zhao’s match against Highfield, while Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen faces China’s Zhang Anda on the other table.

England’s Joe Davis won fifteen consecutive world titles between 1927 and 1946, but many of those successes came in challenge matches.

The record in the modern era is usually dated from the reintroduction of a knock-out tournament in 1969.

Published on Apr 16, 2026

#OSullivan #begins #bid #recordbreaking #World #Snooker #Championship #title #Chinese #debutant #Guoqiang

Ronnie O’Sullivan will face Chinese debutant He Guoqiang when he begins his bid to win an eighth World Snooker Championship title on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old beat world number 18 Jack Lisowski in qualifying for the showpiece event at the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield, northern England, and has defeated O’Sullivan in two of their three previous career meetings.

O’Sullivan, a 50-year-old Englishman, is looking to take sole possession of a modern-day record of seven world titles he currently shares with the retired Stephen Hendry of Scotland.

Guoqiang is one of a record 11 Chinese players in the tournament, a sign of how the country has become a force in snooker, a sport traditionally dominated by players from Britain and Ireland.

The China contingent includes reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday.

Two of the first-round ties are all-Chinese encounters, with Xiao Guodong taking on Zhou Yuelong and Wu Yize playing Lei Peifan.

The China contingent includes reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

lightbox-info

The China contingent includes reigning world champion Zhao Xintong, who will face Liam Highfield in the opening match on Saturday.
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

Four-time world champion John Higgins faces two-time runner-up Ali Carter, with the winner potentially taking on O’Sullivan in the second round.

Mark Selby, another four-time world champion, starts against shock 2024 finalist Jak Jones.

Antoni Kowalski, the first Polish player to qualify for the Crucible, is up against three-time champion Mark Williams.

The tournament starts on Saturday, with Zhao’s match against Highfield, while Northern Ireland’s Mark Allen faces China’s Zhang Anda on the other table.

England’s Joe Davis won fifteen consecutive world titles between 1927 and 1946, but many of those successes came in challenge matches.

The record in the modern era is usually dated from the reintroduction of a knock-out tournament in 1969.

Published on Apr 16, 2026

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#OSullivan #begins #bid #recordbreaking #World #Snooker #Championship #title #Chinese #debutant #Guoqiang

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Deadspin | Padres C Freddy Fermin hit by foul ball but avoids concussion <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-900/28738736.jpg" srcset="https://images.deadspin.com/tr:w-900/28738736.jpg" alt="MLB: Seattle Mariners at San Diego Padres" class="w-full" fetchpriority="high" loading="eager"/><span class="text-0.8 leading-tight">Apr 15, 2026; San Diego, California, USA; San Diego Padres catcher Freddy Fermin, center, leaves the game next to manager Craig Stammen, left, and a trainer during the third inning against the Seattle Mariners at Petco Park. All MLB players are wearing number 42 today to honor Jackie Robinson. Mandatory Credit: Denis Poroy-Imagn Images<!-- --> <!-- --> </span></div></section><section id="section-1"> <p>San Diego catcher Freddy Fermin left the Padres’ Wednesday game against the visiting Seattle Mariners in the top of the third inning after taking a second foul ball off his mask.</p> </section><section id="section-2"> <p>“Took him back, tested him, no concussion stuff going on, but just a head contusion,” San Diego manager Craig Stammen said postgame. “It just feels like he got hit in the head. Luckily it’s not a concussion at this point. All the tests came back negative.”</p> </section><section id="section-3"> <p>After getting struck with a foul ball in the second inning, Fermin was hit directly between the eyes when Brendan Donovan, leading off the Seattle third, fouled off a 1-1 pitch from Randy Vasquez.</p> </section><br/><section id="section-4"> <p>Fermin went to his knees after getting hit. After the team’s training staff and Stammen came out to consult with Fermin, the catcher walked off the field.</p> </section> <section id="section-5"> <p>Luis Campusano replaced Fermin, who hadn’t batted in the first two innings. Fermin is hitting .161 with no homers and two RBIs in 15 games.</p> </section><section id="section-6"> <p>At the time of Fermin’s departure, Seattle led 2-0. The Mariners were up by four before the Padres scored five runs in the bottom of the ninth for a 7-6 victory.</p> </section><section id="section-7"> <p>–Field Level Media</p> </section></div> #Deadspin #Padres #Freddy #Fermin #hit #foul #ball #avoids #concussion

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Deadspin | A’s, Brewers meet again in Las Vegas after show-stopping opener     Jun 8, 2026; Summerlin, Nevada, USA;  Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the ninth inning at the Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images   LAS VEGAS — Both scheduled starting pitchers have a pretty good idea of what to expect when the Milwaukee Brewers face the Athletics on Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game series at Las Vegas Ballpark, the hitter-friendly home of the A’s Triple-A affiliate, the Aviators.    Left-hander Robert Gasser (0-2, 4.73 ERA) will start for the Brewers against right-hander J.T. Ginn (3-3, 2.74) of the A’s, who are using this series in Las Vegas to connect with the community. The Athletics currently play their home games in West Sacramento, Calif., but will move to Las Vegas permanently when their new climate-controlled stadium opens there in 2028.   On Monday, the Brewers rallied for a wild 15-14 victory in 12 innings in a 4-hour, 14-minute game that featured 11 home runs, including seven by the A’s. The teams combined for 34 hits.    “The most bizarre game I’ve ever had in Major League Baseball in 11 years,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said afterward. “I never saw anything like it.”    Milwaukee, which trailed 8-4 after three innings, tied the score at 10-10 in the ninth. The Brewers then scored four in the 10th, boosted by William Contreras’ three-run homer, only to see the A’s rally with four runs in the bottom of the inning behind homers from Nick Kurtz, his second of the game, and pinch hitter Jonah Heim.  After neither team scored in the 11th, automatic runner Christian Yelich stole third in the 12th and slid home ahead of the throw on Brice Turang’s fielder’s choice bouncer.   Milwaukee’s Chad Patrick took the mound in the home half of the 12th and stranded the tying run at third base to earn the save.    “I’ve played here and I’ve seen it,” said Patrick, who played at Las Vegas Ballpark when he was in the A’s system. “It’s definitely crazy. I don’t know if it’s necessarily made for big league hitters, but it’s still baseball.”    Tyler Soderstrom homered twice for the A’s, who also got solo homers from Zack Gelof and Shea Langeliers. Brice Turang, Andrew Vaughn and Jake Bauers also homered for the Brewers.    Milwaukee, which started its current six-game road trip with a three-game sweep at Colorado, moved a season-high 18 games above .500 (41-23). The Brewers lead the National League Central by 5 1/2 games over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals.     For the A’s, Ginn made his first three appearances of 2026 out of the bullpen before joining the rotation. He is 3-2 with a 1.49 ERA over his past six starts, holding opponents to a .172 batting average.    In his most recent start, he allowed one run — a homer by Pete Crow-Armstrong — in six innings of two-hit ball against the Cubs, leaving with a 6-1 lead, but did not get the decision in a 7-6 loss on Thursday.    “Ginn was exceptional again,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said afterward. “One pitch to Crow that he left up, but outside of that, I thought he had a dominating performance tonight.”    Ginn also has experience pitching at Las Vegas Ballpark during his minor-league career. He was 4-3 with 5.72 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2024 and was 1-0 with a 2.11 ERA in five starts in 2025.    Ginn is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against Milwaukee.    Despite a loss his last time out, Gasser is coming off his best start. He allowed one run on five hits in five innings, taking the loss in a 1-0 defeat against San Francisco on Wednesday.    He has never faced the Athletics in his 10 career outings.    The series with the Brewers will be followed by three games against Colorado in Las Vegas.  –Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Brewers #meet #Las #Vegas #showstopping #openerJun 8, 2026; Summerlin, Nevada, USA; Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the ninth inning at the Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images

LAS VEGAS — Both scheduled starting pitchers have a pretty good idea of what to expect when the Milwaukee Brewers face the Athletics on Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game series at Las Vegas Ballpark, the hitter-friendly home of the A’s Triple-A affiliate, the Aviators.

Left-hander Robert Gasser (0-2, 4.73 ERA) will start for the Brewers against right-hander J.T. Ginn (3-3, 2.74) of the A’s, who are using this series in Las Vegas to connect with the community. The Athletics currently play their home games in West Sacramento, Calif., but will move to Las Vegas permanently when their new climate-controlled stadium opens there in 2028.

On Monday, the Brewers rallied for a wild 15-14 victory in 12 innings in a 4-hour, 14-minute game that featured 11 home runs, including seven by the A’s. The teams combined for 34 hits.

“The most bizarre game I’ve ever had in Major League Baseball in 11 years,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said afterward. “I never saw anything like it.”

Milwaukee, which trailed 8-4 after three innings, tied the score at 10-10 in the ninth. The Brewers then scored four in the 10th, boosted by William Contreras’ three-run homer, only to see the A’s rally with four runs in the bottom of the inning behind homers from Nick Kurtz, his second of the game, and pinch hitter Jonah Heim.

After neither team scored in the 11th, automatic runner Christian Yelich stole third in the 12th and slid home ahead of the throw on Brice Turang’s fielder’s choice bouncer.

Milwaukee’s Chad Patrick took the mound in the home half of the 12th and stranded the tying run at third base to earn the save.

“I’ve played here and I’ve seen it,” said Patrick, who played at Las Vegas Ballpark when he was in the A’s system. “It’s definitely crazy. I don’t know if it’s necessarily made for big league hitters, but it’s still baseball.”

Tyler Soderstrom homered twice for the A’s, who also got solo homers from Zack Gelof and Shea Langeliers. Brice Turang, Andrew Vaughn and Jake Bauers also homered for the Brewers.

Milwaukee, which started its current six-game road trip with a three-game sweep at Colorado, moved a season-high 18 games above .500 (41-23). The Brewers lead the National League Central by 5 1/2 games over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals.


For the A’s, Ginn made his first three appearances of 2026 out of the bullpen before joining the rotation. He is 3-2 with a 1.49 ERA over his past six starts, holding opponents to a .172 batting average.

In his most recent start, he allowed one run — a homer by Pete Crow-Armstrong — in six innings of two-hit ball against the Cubs, leaving with a 6-1 lead, but did not get the decision in a 7-6 loss on Thursday.

“Ginn was exceptional again,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said afterward. “One pitch to Crow that he left up, but outside of that, I thought he had a dominating performance tonight.”

Ginn also has experience pitching at Las Vegas Ballpark during his minor-league career. He was 4-3 with 5.72 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2024 and was 1-0 with a 2.11 ERA in five starts in 2025.

Ginn is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against Milwaukee.

Despite a loss his last time out, Gasser is coming off his best start. He allowed one run on five hits in five innings, taking the loss in a 1-0 defeat against San Francisco on Wednesday.

He has never faced the Athletics in his 10 career outings.

The series with the Brewers will be followed by three games against Colorado in Las Vegas.

–Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Brewers #meet #Las #Vegas #showstopping #opener">Deadspin | A’s, Brewers meet again in Las Vegas after show-stopping opener     Jun 8, 2026; Summerlin, Nevada, USA;  Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras (24) celebrates after hitting a home run against the Athletics during the ninth inning at the Las Vegas Ballpark. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images   LAS VEGAS — Both scheduled starting pitchers have a pretty good idea of what to expect when the Milwaukee Brewers face the Athletics on Tuesday night in the second game of a three-game series at Las Vegas Ballpark, the hitter-friendly home of the A’s Triple-A affiliate, the Aviators.    Left-hander Robert Gasser (0-2, 4.73 ERA) will start for the Brewers against right-hander J.T. Ginn (3-3, 2.74) of the A’s, who are using this series in Las Vegas to connect with the community. The Athletics currently play their home games in West Sacramento, Calif., but will move to Las Vegas permanently when their new climate-controlled stadium opens there in 2028.   On Monday, the Brewers rallied for a wild 15-14 victory in 12 innings in a 4-hour, 14-minute game that featured 11 home runs, including seven by the A’s. The teams combined for 34 hits.    “The most bizarre game I’ve ever had in Major League Baseball in 11 years,” Brewers manager Pat Murphy said afterward. “I never saw anything like it.”    Milwaukee, which trailed 8-4 after three innings, tied the score at 10-10 in the ninth. The Brewers then scored four in the 10th, boosted by William Contreras’ three-run homer, only to see the A’s rally with four runs in the bottom of the inning behind homers from Nick Kurtz, his second of the game, and pinch hitter Jonah Heim.  After neither team scored in the 11th, automatic runner Christian Yelich stole third in the 12th and slid home ahead of the throw on Brice Turang’s fielder’s choice bouncer.   Milwaukee’s Chad Patrick took the mound in the home half of the 12th and stranded the tying run at third base to earn the save.    “I’ve played here and I’ve seen it,” said Patrick, who played at Las Vegas Ballpark when he was in the A’s system. “It’s definitely crazy. I don’t know if it’s necessarily made for big league hitters, but it’s still baseball.”    Tyler Soderstrom homered twice for the A’s, who also got solo homers from Zack Gelof and Shea Langeliers. Brice Turang, Andrew Vaughn and Jake Bauers also homered for the Brewers.    Milwaukee, which started its current six-game road trip with a three-game sweep at Colorado, moved a season-high 18 games above .500 (41-23). The Brewers lead the National League Central by 5 1/2 games over the second-place St. Louis Cardinals.     For the A’s, Ginn made his first three appearances of 2026 out of the bullpen before joining the rotation. He is 3-2 with a 1.49 ERA over his past six starts, holding opponents to a .172 batting average.    In his most recent start, he allowed one run — a homer by Pete Crow-Armstrong — in six innings of two-hit ball against the Cubs, leaving with a 6-1 lead, but did not get the decision in a 7-6 loss on Thursday.    “Ginn was exceptional again,” A’s manager Mark Kotsay said afterward. “One pitch to Crow that he left up, but outside of that, I thought he had a dominating performance tonight.”    Ginn also has experience pitching at Las Vegas Ballpark during his minor-league career. He was 4-3 with 5.72 ERA in 15 games (14 starts) at Triple-A Las Vegas in 2024 and was 1-0 with a 2.11 ERA in five starts in 2025.    Ginn is 0-1 with a 5.68 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against Milwaukee.    Despite a loss his last time out, Gasser is coming off his best start. He allowed one run on five hits in five innings, taking the loss in a 1-0 defeat against San Francisco on Wednesday.    He has never faced the Athletics in his 10 career outings.    The series with the Brewers will be followed by three games against Colorado in Las Vegas.  –Jim Hoehn, Field Level Media   #Deadspin #Brewers #meet #Las #Vegas #showstopping #opener

The internet tells me that Lisa Salters is an unconfirmed 5-2, but still this is pretty hilarious. Would it have killed ESPN to take a couple of steps back so both Wemby and their reporter could both be in the shot at once? It wouldn’t have taken away from the moment considering that Wembanyama is a literal giant, and it’s gotta be better than just having a random arm invading the frame.

#Victor #Wembanyama #interviewed #disembodied #arm">Victor Wembanyama got interviewed by a disembodied arm  There’s no good way to interview someone the size of Victor Wembanyama post-game, unless the man is sitting down. When you’re 7-4 your entire existence is spent adapting to the world around you, so I don’t blame him when he doesn’t feel like stooping down after a basketball game to make life easier on reporters. Still, it has a tendency to create some hilarious moments, as we saw on Monday night when ESPN’s Lisa Salters was reduced to a disembodied arm on camera.The internet tells me that Lisa Salters is an unconfirmed 5-2, but still this is pretty hilarious. Would it have killed ESPN to take a couple of steps back so both Wemby and their reporter could both be in the shot at once? It wouldn’t have taken away from the moment considering that Wembanyama is a literal giant, and it’s gotta be better than just having a random arm invading the frame.  #Victor #Wembanyama #interviewed #disembodied #arm

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