Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. File
| Photo Credit: Getty Images via AFP
It has been more than a decade since the U.S. Open had a repeat women’s champion, but World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka heads into her title defence at Flushing Meadows aiming to buck that trend.
“My thought is to change that,” said the Belarusian star ahead of the season’s final Grand Slam beginning in New York on Sunday (August 24, 2025).
“But, wow, that’s insane, you know, how unpredictable women’s tennis is, right? Should we change it? Should we try at least to change it?”
The last woman to win back-to-back US Open titles was Serena Williams, who won three in a row from 2012 through 2014.
Sabalenka said the pressure to repeat at a Slam is intense, but magnified in the boisterous atmosphere. “I think it’s a lot of pressure, definitely,” she said. “Just because this place is so big, and it feels bigger than the other Slams in some ways.
“Maybe every time defending champions come and they put so much pressure on themselves.
“But I feel like I’m experienced enough to just focus on myself and try to replicate that result.”
Sabalenka said she’s hoping she can call on the “tough lessons” she learned this year to pull off the repeat — and retain the number one ranking that is under threat if she doesn’t.
She fell in the Australian Open final in an agonising end to a bid for a historic three-peat in Melbourne.
A French Open final loss and a semifinal exit at Wimbledon followed.
Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi on Saturday ruled out any one-sided overtures towards India, saying that future dialogue on cricketing ties would only be pursued on the basis of equality.
Speaking at a press conference in Lahore, Naqvi said, “I think we are very clear that whenever talks are held will be on an equal footing with India and there will be no more begging for negotiations”.
“That time has passed and whatever will happen will be on the basis of equality,” he added.
Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, chairing a high-level meeting at the Capital Development Authority (CDA) Headquarters on Saturday, approved a series of major development initiatives for the federal capital.
The projects, ranging from new traffic infrastructure to housing sector upgrades and hospitality ventures, are aimed at easing urban challenges and improving civic facilities for residents.
One of the headline decisions was the launch of a flyover at T-Chowk and an underpass at Shaheen Chowk, with groundbreaking scheduled for early September.
The minister also ordered a city-wide operation against encroachments, stressing that there would be “no leniency” in removing illegal structures.
He set September 30 as the deadline for clearing affected sectors, assigning the responsibility to senior officials including the SSP Operations, ADCG, and Director DMA.
Housing societies were warned to strictly comply with regulations or face disciplinary action.
Team Penske, a longtime powerhouse in the NTT INDYCAR SERIES with 17 championships and 245 wins, surprisingly went winless through the first 14 races of the 2025 season. That changed Aug. 10 when Will Power (photo, above) claimed victory at the BITNILE.COM Grand Prix of Portland presented by askROI, ending the drought and providing a much-needed morale boost.
“The mood is always better after a win,” Power said. “It takes a bit of pressure off the whole team.”
With momentum on their side, Power, Josef Newgarden and Scott McLaughlin could be poised for a strong finish to the season.
All three start in the top four rows for Sunday’s Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 (2 p.m. ET, FOX, FOX One, FOX Sports app, INDYCAR Radio Network), led by McLaughlin (No. 3 Sonsio Vehicle Protection) in fourth, Power (No. 12 Verizon Team Penske Chevrolet) rolling off fifth and Newgarden (No. 2 Snap-on Team Penske Chevrolet) in seventh.
This comes at a track where Team Penske has a strong history, boasting a Milwaukee Mile-record nine career wins, including McLaughlin’s victory last year in the second race of the Milwaukee doubleheader.
In racing — as in other sports — success often balances out over time. Teams or athletes may slump, but talent and preparation tend to win out eventually. That’s the hope within Penske’s camp now.
“This could have happened earlier,” McLaughlin said. “There’s always light at the end of the tunnel. You just have to believe it.”
Newgarden and McLaughlin have both performed well at oval tracks, including Nashville Superspeedway, where Newgarden finished third and McLaughlin fifth last season. Power has 10 career oval wins, while Newgarden has 16, with at least one in every season since 2015. McLaughlin, meanwhile, led the series in oval points last year.
With only two races remaining, Milwaukee on Sunday and Nashville on Aug. 31, Penske has a shot at ending the season on a high. A win in Milwaukee could spark a streak, reaffirming the team’s elite status.
Team Penske President Jonathan Diuguid credited recent improvements behind the scenes.
“I can definitely say over the past three or four events, the group, both the engineering office and the shop floor, have changed how we approach some things,” Diuguid said. “That’s brought performance over the past couple of events specifically, and hopefully it will for the last two.”
Dixon Leads Eventful Final Practice
Six-time series champion Scott Dixon led the final practice, which included an early session to work in the low line of the historic oval followed by an open session. Dixon’s best lap was 156.712 mph in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.
David Malukas ended up second – the same position in which he qualified – at 154.871 in the No. 4 Clarience Technolgies Chevrolet. But the practice came to a puzzling early end for Malukas when his car lurched to the right toward the SAFER Barrier exiting a turn. Malukas drove to the pits, where the A.J. Foyt Enterprises team diagnosed a broken halfshaft.
SEE: Final Practice Results
Nolan Siegel ended up third at 154.514 in the No. 6 Arrow McLaren Chevrolet.
There was a dramatic moment early in the session, during the portion to work in the low line of the 1.015-mile oval.
Santino Ferrucci pitted in his No. 14 Phoenix Investors Chevrolet fielded by A.J. Foyt Enterprises for tires and a wing adjustment. Upon exit, he slid sideways, with his left rear wheel hitting the right rear wheel of the empty No. 30 EVTEC Honda of Devlin DeFrancesco parked in front of him in the Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing pit.
Both cars suffered suspension damage, requiring repairs and robbing both drivers of precious track time. Ferrucci received a stop-and-hold penalty for the last 20 minutes of practice for contact in the pits.
“I’m really sorry to the 30 guys,” Ferrucci said. “I don’t think I’ve ever done that in my career. I think I stopped long on my marks. When I left, I almost spun trying to clear him, and I think I kicked the car too far. I apologize. That is totally my mistake.”
The session came to a premature end when Sting Ray Robb slid into the SAFER Barrier in Turn 2 in the No. 77 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet with about 90 seconds left. The right side of the car suffered moderate damage, but Robb was unhurt.
INDYCAR Remembers Wilson
Saturday marked 10 years since the tragic accident at Pocono Raceway that claimed the life of Justin Wilson (photo, above), one of the most respected and well-liked drivers in the INDYCAR SERIES.
Wilson’s loss sent shockwaves through the racing community, where he was admired not just for his on-track talent but for his humility, kindness and class off it.
“Great competitor,” Team Penske’s Power said. “Great family man. You wouldn’t find a person in the paddock who didn’t like Justin. That was a sad day. He’s definitely missed. I’m sure he would have gone on to win championships, the Indy 500 — he was that level.”
A seven-time INDYCAR SERIES race winner, Wilson delivered Dale Coyne Racing its first victory, in 2009 at Watkins Glen. In 2008, he raced with Newman/Haas/Lanigan Racing, where he became teammates with Graham Rahal — a relationship Rahal said helped shape his life and career.
“There was nobody in my career who had the impact that Justin did,” Rahal said. “As a teammate, a friend and an idol. I remember him joining the Jaguar F1 program right after my dad left. I followed his career closely. When he came to Champ Car, I was thrilled. A few years later, he became my teammate. I think about that all the time.
“I fondly remember a media day in Syracuse, New York, where he and Julia (his wife) were there and the fun we had. He was such a positive influence, just a great guy. I can’t believe it’s been 10 years.
“The ultimate competitor. Faster than hell. Always clean. That’s a lost art nowadays.”
Chip Ganassi Racing’s Dixon, who raced against Wilson from 2008 to 2015, also spoke fondly of their bond.
“He was a pillar in the racing community,” Dixon said. “Always someone you could lean on to get an honest, valuable answer. A big presence, but also the nicest person. We had a great relationship with him and his family.”
Team Penske Mourns Passing of Kainhofer
Karl Kainhofer, the first employee of Team Penske and a 2017 inductee into the Team Penske Hall of Fame, passed away Aug. 22 at age 94.
Kainhofer began his motorsports journey as a Porsche-trained master mechanic before becoming Roger Penske’s personal mechanic during Penske’s brief, successful career as a driver. When Team Penske was founded in 1966, the Austrian-born Kainhofer became its first full-time employee, playing a key role in guiding drivers like Mark Donohue to success across multiple disciplines, including the Can-Am Series, Formula 5000, INDYCAR SERIES, and Formula One.
In the second half of his career, Kainhofer served as the head of Penske’s engine shop, a position he held until retiring in 1997. His tenure with the team spanned 32 years.
Over a career in motorsports that stretched from 1958 to 1997, Kainhofer contributed to 170 victories, including 10 Indianapolis 500 wins, cementing his legacy as one of the most influential figures in Team Penske’s storied history.
“Karl Kainhofer’s contributions to Team Penske are immeasurable,” Roger Penske said. “As my mechanic while I was still a driver, Karl’s meticulous attention to detail was a perfect fit for what we wanted in our race team.
“Along with Mark Donohue, he and I set out to build Team Penske on the same foundational pillars that we use today. Respect, integrity, passion and a will to win were our hallmarks then as they are nearly 60 years later. Karl was a terrific friend and a great teammate that held numerous positions within our team, helping us to countless wins and championships across many series. Our family shares our condolences with the entire Kainhofer family.”
Expect Great Racing Sunday
Last year’s doubleheader at the Milwaukee Mile delivered thrilling racing, highlighted by a flurry of on-track action.
The first 250-lap race saw 667 passes, setting the stage for an even more exciting sequel. With teams able to make overnight adjustments, Sunday’s second race produced a season-high 763 on-track passes.
“I think with the passing and stuff that Santino kind of introduced in Race 1, everybody picked that up before Race 2,” Rinus VeeKay said.
Ferrucci surged from 19th to finish fourth in the opener, while Conor Daly used similar strategies to climb from 25th to third.
Although this year features just one 250-lap race, drivers expect Sunday to deliver more of the same.
“Similar racing to last year,” Power said. “I think it will be a good race.”
Marcus Ericsson, who finished fifth in last year’s second race, praised the current short oval aero package and how Milwaukee’s worn surface enables varied Firestone tire strategies.
“It’s a lot of fun to race here,” Ericsson said. “When you get new tires, it feels like Mario Kart — you’re overtaking three or four cars a lap. It was really fun last year. I love that kind of racing, where you can explore a second lane and try different lines. It keeps things interesting.”
Palou Going For Record
The race Sunday presents 2025 NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou with a chance to etch his name alongside legends A.J. Foyt and Al Unser by moving one step closer to tying the record for most wins in a single season.
Foyt captured 10 victories in 1964, a mark Unser matched in 1970. Both drivers also completed the rare Indy 500-Milwaukee Mile sweep in those seasons.
Can Palou, winner of the 109th Running of the Indianapolis 500 presented by Gainbridge on May 25, follow in their footsteps?
He earned his 12th career NTT P1 Award, including six in 16 tries this season. He had six in his previous 81 starts entering 2025.
Palou enters the weekend with eight wins in 2025 and two races remaining: Sunday’s Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 and next weekend’s Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix presented by Willscot at Nashville Superspeedway.
Last season, Palou finished fifth and 19th in Milwaukee’s doubleheader and 11th in Nashville, his first visits to both tracks, while focused on protecting a points lead. This year, with the championship already clinched, the approach is simple: race to win.
“I would love to, now that I’ve got the championship,” Palou said. “At the same time, the only way to get this done is by winning Milwaukee, so I’d better go fast on Sunday.”
Daly, Rasmussen Agree To Disagree
Tensions flared early in the race at Portland after Conor Daly and Christian Rasmussen clashed on track. On Lap 13, Rasmussen forced Daly off course while battling for position, with both drivers taking brief off-track excursions. Rasmussen accepted responsibility for the initial incident.
However, the situation escalated just one lap later when further contact from Rasmussen sent Daly hard into the Turn 11 tire barriers. In an effort to clear the air before this weekend’s race, the two drivers met at a Java House café in Indianapolis, a fitting location, as the coffee chain sponsors Rasmussen.
While they spoke face-to-face, they ultimately agreed to disagree.
“It was civil,” Rasmussen said. “We spoke about it. Obviously, we don’t agree on the matter, which I expect. I stand by that I don’t think I did anything wrong. He obviously thinks the same that he didn’t do anything wrong, so it’s one of those things. Race Control deemed it a racing incident, and I agree with that.”
As fate would have it, the two initially qualified in the fifth row on the starting grid. Daly qualified ninth in the No. 76 Juncos Hollinger Racing Chevrolet, with Rasmussen right behind in 10th in the No. 21 ECR Splenda Stevia Chevrolet. Both drivers will move up one position after Scott Dixon was handed a nine-spot grid penalty for an unapproved engine change, dropping him from fifth to 14th in the No. 9 PNC Bank Chip Ganassi Racing Honda.
Does Rasmussen now starting one row behind Daly force him to temper his aggression at the race start?
“I don’t intend to race him any differently than I would otherwise,” he said. “It doesn’t really change much for me.”
Armstrong Dons New Suit
Marcus Armstrong sports a fresh look on both his No. 66 St. Thomas University Honda and his driver’s suit this weekend at the Milwaukee Mile. The updated design is part of a partnership launched in March between Meyer Shank Racing w/ Curb-Agajanian and St. Thomas University (STU), created to give students hands-on experience in Fashion & Merchandising, Big Data Analytics, Culinary Arts, and Sports Administration.
Armstrong’s custom race suit was designed by Fashion & Merchandising student Lucia B. Her, who is on-site this weekend to see her creation come to life on track.
Odds and Ends
Three drivers – Palou, Pato O’Ward and Rasmussen – have finished in the top 10 in all four oval races this season. They each start in the top 11 Sunday.
Kyffin Simpson joins Chip Ganassi Racing teammate Dixon by serving a nine-position grid penalty for Sunday’s race due to unscheduled engine changes following Tuesday’s team test at Nashville Superspeedway. Simpson, who qualified 20th, starts 26th. Louis Foster was also handed a nine-spot grid penalty for an engine change beyond his season allotment following Saturday morning’s practice. The engine in his No. 45 Droplight Honda (Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing) expired after just three laps. Though he qualified 22nd, starts 27th.
“Miller Lite Man” Doug Gilman, the fan who tossed a can of beer to Ferrucci after Road America, is attending as a guest of the team this weekend. Ferrucci plans to deliver a special surprise to Gilman on Race Day.
Malukas was thrilled to reconnect with his middle school science teacher, Mrs. Bowman, who is attending this weekend as a team guest. He spotted her on pit lane following his qualifying run.
It will be a final group of Tommy Fleetwood and Patrick Cantlay on Sunday at the Tour Championship, with $10 million on the line.
The Englishman and the American finished the third round at East Lake tied for the lead at 16-under, with Cantlay jumping up the leaderboard to match the 36-hole leader. Fleetwood is competing for his first PGA Tour title at 34 years old, while Cantlay is seeking his second Tour Championship, after winning it in 2021.
Advertisement
Fleetwood had a more adventurous day. There was the good, such as four straight birdies which included this beauty of a putt.
Then there was the bad, most notably the double-bogey on No. 15 that briefly knocked him out of the lead. He recovered with back-to-back birdies to draw even with Cantlay.
Keegan Bradley and Russell Henley loom behind in a tie for third at 13-under, with you-know-who one stroke behind them.
Scottie Scheffler looms for Cantlay, in 2 ways
How many strokes do you need between you and Scottie Scheffler to feel comfortable going into Sunday? Fleetwood and Cantlay will have to make do with four.
Advertisement
After a rough second round, the No. 1 golfer in the world rebounded with a 66 to keep himself within striking distance of the leaders with 18 holes to play, at 12-under. He’ll need some favorable outcomes to finish the job and repeat as FedEx Cup champion, but he has been rather good at making those happen lately.
The performance was also Scheffler’s 20th consecutive round scoring in the 60s, putting him one shy for the all-time record. The record-holder: Cantlay, with 21.
Keegan Bradley charges up leaderboard as Ryder Cup decisions loom
If U.S. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley feels the need to justify picking himself for the team, his job just got a bit easier.
Advertisement
A day after demanding attention with a 64 in the second round, Bradley charged into the mix with a 63, the low round of the day. The highlight: holing out from 57 yards on No. 6.
After four bogeys on the back nine Thursday, Bradley has bogeyed once over the past 36 holes. It’s the kind of performance that can swing a Ryder Cup roster decision, which looms for Bradley the captain and Bradley the player with the showdown at Bethpage Black nearly a month away. Bradley will announce his captain’s picks Wednesday.
The Pumas avenged last weekend’s 41-24 defeat in Cordoba that had seen the All Blacks return to the top of the world rankings.
“The stadium was rocking, honestly it was amazing. I’m really proud of the team and the whole squad,” captain Julian Montoya said.
“It’s a team effort and a team sport. I’m really proud. We believed that we could win – we’ve believed for a few years now.
“We came back from a tough loss in the last game and we stayed in the fight.”
“I think they showed more passion and intensity,” New Zealand captain Scott Barrett said.
“They got over the gainline and they held the ball, while we gave away penalties which just fed their game. They’re a quality team and we were outclassed.”
“Test footie is tough when you get three cards and they dominate the aerial game. We just didn’t get a lot of little things to go our way, which is earned off effort. It’s that simple,” New Zealand coach Scott Robertson added.
Argentina remain bottom of the Rugby Championship table but are now level on points with South Africa, who beat Australia 30-22 earlier on Saturday, with all four teams having won one game.
