Category: 6. Sports

WIMBLEDON — Looking a lot like the World No. 1 and the favorite here, Aryna Sabalenka eased into the second round Monday with a 6-1, 7-5 win over qualifier Carson Branstine.

On a record hot opening day, Sabalenka was as cool as a refreshing glass of Pimm’s on No. 1 Court, winning in 73 minutes

Sabalenka has played only two of the past four Wimbledon tournaments — but made the semifinals both times. The people paid to figure these things out have installed Sabalenka as the one to beat, ahead of Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff

All three of Sabalenka’s major singles titles have come on hard courts. She came close to breaking through on clay at Roland Garros but lost to Coco Gauff in a three-set final. She’s determined to give herself another opportunity, on a surface that suits her dynamic and increasingly evolving game.

Wimbledon: Scores | Order of play | Draw

The first set went about the way you’d expect when the No. 1-ranked player meets a No. 194 qualifier. This was the 24-year-old Canadian’s first Grand Slam main-draw match and was seeking only her second-career win at the Hologic WTA Tour level. She was impressive in qualifying, defeating No. 1 seed Lois Boisson — a surprise semifinalist at Roland Garros — and Bianca Andreescu along the way.

Sabalenka won six of seven games in a scant 24 minutes. Branstine’s only game came after a 120 mph ace to avoid a shutout, delighting the supportive crowd. After double-faulting on her first set point, an unreturnable serve gave her the frame.

Branstine settled down in the second set, finding a groove in her service games. She was serving at 5-all when Sabalenka finally solved the problem. With Sabalenka moving aggressively forward, Branstine hit a forehand into the net and, suddenly, Sabalenka was serving for the match.

The qualifier finished with seven aces, but won only 11 of her 24 second serves. Sabalenka finished with 17 winners and 18 unforced errors, while Branstine’s numbers were 17 and 26.

Sabalenka is now 24-5 in first-round matches at the Grand Slams and hasn’t lost in that situation in five and one-half years, going 19-0. She is a perfect 10-for-10 against qualifiers in majors and has yet to lose a set.

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The opening Sunday will include world-class sport being screened live in the spectator village, including the men’s final of Wimbledon and the final round of the Genesis Scottish Open, while on the eve of The Open on Wednesday, July 15, 2026, fans can attend “The Open Preview Show” as all eyes look towards the opening tee shot first thing in the morning on the following day.

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• 2025 Free Agent Tracker

Keep track of the frenzy of moves during the 2025 NBA Free Agency period, which officially begins Monday, June 30 at 6 p.m. ET. 

Monday, June 30

Reports: James to stay with Lakers

The NBA’s all-time leading scorer will be staying put in Los Angeles as LeBron James plans to exercise his player option for 2025-26 with the team, per multiple reports.

Reports: Harden plans to re-sign with Clippers

Former Kia MVP winner James Harden plans to opt out of his deal for 2025-26, but will sign a new deal worth $81.5 million to stay with the Clippers, per multiple reports.

Ayton enters free agency

Portland has bought out the contract of former No. 1 overall pick Deandre Ayton, making him a surprise addition to the 2025 free agency pool.

Randle, Wolves reportedly agree to extension

The Timberwolves are keeping their frontcourt in order after agreeing to a three-year, $100 million deal with All-Star big man Julius Randle, per multiple reports.

Portis reportedly plans to re-sign with Milwaukee

One of the NBA’s top reserves, Bobby Portis plans to decline his player option for 2025-26 and instead agree to a three-year, $44 million deal to stay put, per multiple reports.

Thunder sign Jaylin Williams to extension

Oklahoma City announced it has signed big man Jaylin Williams to an extension, a deal that is three years and worth up to $24 million, per multiple reports.

While the competition season might be long over, that doesn’t mean freestyle skiing athletes are kicking back for a seven-month holiday. For moguls and aerials skiers, the off-season is one of the most important blocks of training in the year. It’s a time to recover, reset, and most importantly, level up. And with the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics creeping closer on the calendar, the intensity and purpose behind every session is only growing stronger.

Even without winter snow, there’s no shortage of work. Summer for these athletes means long days on water ramps, trampolines, and glacier courses—paired with hours in the gym, on the bike, and yes, sometimes even in the science lab. It’s all about perfecting technique, building strength, and unlocking new tricks so that once the snow flies again, they’re not just back—they’re better.

For aerials athletes, summer kicks off the all-important water ramp season, a cornerstone of technical training. Here, skiers send their most complex tricks into pools, getting repetition and feedback without the hard landings of winter. With the Water Ramp Summer Grand Prix coming up later in the season—featuring four stops across Mettmenstetten (SUI), Park City (USA), Brisbane (AUS), and Qinhuangdao (CHN)—the stakes are already high.

Just take a look at Miha Fontaine, who recently shared a wild perspective of what it feels like to throw a double backflip into the water. It’s a view few get to see—and one that highlights the precision these athletes chase every single day.

The clubs last met at first-team level in September 2019, when United won a penalty shootout in the Carabao Cup, following a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford.

The same method was used to decide an EFL Trophy clash at the Crown Oil Arena a year later, after a goalless stalemate.

Former United Academy man Aidan Barlow is part of the current Dale squad.

More details on the pre-season schedule will be confirmed in due course.

LONDON (AP) — Two-time Wimbledon runner-up Ons Jabeur retired during her first-round match Monday after taking a medical timeout, the latest issue for her during an injury-filled season.

Jabeur, a 30-year-old from Tunisia, quit playing while trailing Viktoriya Tomova 7-6 (5), 2-0.

Jabeur was visited by a trainer in the first set. At one point, she sat on her sideline seat and cried into a towel.

“I wasn’t expecting not to feel good. I have been practicing pretty well the last few days. But I guess these things happen,” Jabeur said afterward. “I’m pretty sad. Doesn’t really help me with my confidence and what I keep pushing myself to do even though it was a very tough season for me. I hope I can feel better.”

She lost to Elena Rybakina in the 2022 final and to Marketa Vondrousova in the 2023 final. Jabeur also was a finalist at the 2022 U.S. Open, losing to Iga Swiatek.

Jabeur’s 2024 season ended early because of a shoulder injury and she’s dealt with leg problems this year.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Reigning women’s singles champion Barbora Krejcikova begins her title defence on Tuesday, 1 July at Wimbledon 2025 (30 June-13 July).

The Olympic tennis gold medallist opens on Centre Court in a bid for her third major singles title, having defeated fellow Olympic champion Jasmine Paolini in the 2024 final.

Krejcikova takes on rising Filipina star Alexandra Eala, who makes her main draw debut at SW19 on the grandest stage and her dream court.

Men’s world No.1 Jannik Sinner opens No.1 Court in an all-Italian battle against Luca Nardi, as the 23-year-old aims for his first trophy since the 2025 Australian Open.

Among the big names in action are seven-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic, Roland-Garros winner Coco Gauff and British No.1 Jack Draper.

Read on to find out the start times and how to watch the Championships live by scrolling over to 1 July below.

Cristiano Ronaldo has revealed that he had the opportunity to take part in the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup, but he resisted the temptation and signed a
new mega deal with Al Nassr.
The 40-year-old star striker is looking to have a great season with the Saudi Arabian club and do well with Portugal at the 2026 World Cup.

Ronaldo’s contract with Al Nassr was set to end on 30 June, but the former Real Madrid forward penned a new two-year deal on 26 June. He will now stay at the Saudi Pro League club till he’s 42.

It was reported that clubs from Brazil and Morocco were interested in signing Ronaldo on a short-term deal for the new-look Club World Cup, which has now been expanded to 32 clubs. Even FIFA president Gianni Infantino said that Ronaldo could play at the Club World Cup, even though Al Nassr have not qualified.

Ronaldo explains skipping Club World Cup

But Ronaldo has now clarified that the Club World Cup was not on his radar, as he loves Al Nassr and is already thinking about next year’s World Cup.

“I had some offers to play in the [Club] World Cup but I think it didn’t make sense because I prefer to have a good rest, a good preparation, because this season will be very long as it is the World Cup season at the end of the year,” Ronaldo told Al Nassr website.

“I want to be ready not only for Al Nassr but also for the national team. So, this is why I decided to play the last game for the Nations League and not listen to anything,” he added.

“And of course, to be in this club, which I love”.

Ronaldo recently helped Portugal win the UEFA Nations League title and will hope to win his first World Cup next year.

He added that one of his aims is to win a major trophy at Al Nassr.

“My goal, it’s always to win something important for Al-Nassr. And of course I still believe in that,” Ronaldo said. “This is why I renewed the two years more because I believe that I will be a champion in Saudi Arabia.”

Ronaldo has scored 93 goals so far in 105 appearances for Al Nassr. He is also very close to the 1,000-goal mark, having already scored 932.