Sports
Aryna Sabalenka storms into quarterfinals in Beijing
Sep 7, 2024; Flushing, NY, USA; Aryna Sabalenka serves against Jessica Pegula (USA)(not pictured) in the women’s singles final on day thirteen of the 2024 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka cruised into the quarterfinals with a 6-4, 6-3 victory over No. 18 Madison Keys in just 65 minutes on Wednesday at the China Open in Beijing.
It is the 10th consecutive WTA Tour quarterfinal for the Belarusian star. The reigning U.S. Open champion has tied her personal best with 15 consecutive wins — dropping only one of 31 sets over that span.
Sabalenka improved her record to 4-1 against Keys by winning 84 percent of the points on her first serve (26 of 31) and converting five of seven break chances. Sabalenka finished with 14 winners and only eight unforced errors.
Sabalenka attributed her recent success to a calmer mindset on the court.
“In the past I had a lot of difficult things to face,” Sabalenka said. “After you face certain things, you realize it’s just sport. OK, if you’re not going to win this match, what happens? Nobody going to die. You’re not going to die. It’s OK. You’re going to go in another tournament and you’re going to try your best in the next one.
“Before it felt like if I’m not going to win this match, something bad is going to happen. I’m going to die, whatever. But these kinds of thoughts create all of that pressure, all of that frustration, all of that crazy stuff. Nowadays I’m just working hard, I’m trying to improve myself every day. Every time I’m on the court, I’m trying to give my best.”
Sabalenka also won 15 consecutive matches from 2020-21, a stretch that included her first Grand Slam title at the 2021 Australian Open.
Up next for the World No. 2 is unseeded Czech Karolina Muchova, who defeated Spain’s Cristina Bucsa 6-2, 6-0 in 69 minutes. Bucsa won only one of the 18 points against the first serve of Muchova, who never faced a break point.
Muchova is 2-1 against Sabalenka, winning their last two encounters.
Also moving on to the final eight is No. 5 seed Qinwen Zheng of China, who rallied past No. 34 Amanda Anisova for a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 win. Zheng will meet No. 17 seed Mirra Andreeva of Russia, who rolled to a 6-1, 6-3 defeat of No. 31 Magda Linette of Poland.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Orlando City SC sign homegrown D Bernardo Rhein
Nov 24, 2024; Orlando, Florida, USA; The Orlando City logo is seen prior to a match against Atlanta United in a 2024 MLS Cup conference semifinal match at Inter&Co Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images Orlando City SC signed homegrown defender Bernardo Rhein to a first-team contract through the 2027-28 season.
The deal includes team options for the 2028-29 and 2029-30 campaigns.
“Bernardo has earned this opportunity through his dedication, consistency and the progress he’s shown at every stage of our development pathway,” said Orlando City general manager Ricardo Moreira.
“Having started in futsal, Bernardo brings flair and intensity to our backline. From the Academy to OCB and now the First Team, he has embraced every challenge and continued to grow as a player and as a person. This signing reflects our commitment to developing talent from within, and we’re excited to support Bernardo as he takes the next step in his career with the Club.”
The 18-year-old made his MLS debut on April 22, 2026, against Charlotte FC. He becomes the 19th Orlando City Academy product to advance through the full development pathway.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Jerry Kelly ties Cameron Percy atop Senior Open leaderboard
Jerry Kelly drives on hole No. 4 during the Kaulig Companies PGA Championship Final Round, July 12, 2026, at Firestone Country Club in Akron, Ohio. With a 2-under par third round, Jerry Kelly tied Cameron Percy atop the leaderboard of the ISPS Handa Senior Open in Perth, Scotland on Saturday.
For Kelly, it was his second straight round of 2-under par 68 en route to being at 8-under 202 through three rounds. Meanwhile, Percy had his roughest afternoon of the week with a 1-over 71. The Australian started the event red hot with a 7-under 63.
Peter Baker (67, 5-under 205) and South Africa’s Darren Fichardt (68, 4-under) resided in third and fourth place, respectively. Pat Perez (67), South African Ernie Els (71) and Austria’s Markus Brier are all tied for fifth at three-under par.
Despite his position, Kelly, 59, remains focused on the round ahead of him.
“Yeah, we scoreboard watch, but it’s still Saturday,” he said. “So, there’s no real emotions going on for that scoreboard. Just want to position yourself for tomorrow and you want to get the job done tomorrow and that’s the key.”
Nevertheless, he recognized how meaningful it would be to win a Senior Open Championship.
“Yeah, that would be one of the most special things at this stage of my career. Like any player, I might treasure that above all else.”
Tim Petrovic was the round leader, shooting a 4-under that vaulted him 46 spots up the leaderboard into a tie for 16th place.
Clark Dennis had a strong showing, as well. His 67 shot him up 21 spots to a tie for eighth place.
Charles Schwab Cup leader Stewart Cink (70) is tied for 31st at 3-over 213.
–Field Level Media
Sports
With 318th homer, Royals' Salvador Perez sets club mark
Jul 25, 2026; Detroit, Michigan, USA; Kansas City Royals catcher Salvador Perez (13) receives receives congratulations from teammates after he hits a home run in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images Salvador Perez, who hit the first home run of his career at Comerica Park in Detroit in 2011, set the Kansas City Royals’ all-time record with No. 318 on Saturday at the same venue.
In the Royals’ 3-2 win over the Tigers, Perez tied the game at 2 in the seventh inning with a 401-foot solo shot to left off right-handed reliever Kyle Finnegan.
Perez’s blast broke a tie with Hall of Famer George Brett, who hit 317 homers for Kansas City from 1973-93. Like Brett, Perez has played his entire career with the Royals since debuting in 2011.
The 36-year-old is batting .210 with 15 homers and 44 RBIs in 98 games this season. He is a nine-time All-Star and a five-time Gold Glove catcher.
In 1,805 games with Kansas City, Perez has hit .261 with 748 runs and 1,060 RBIs.
–Field Level Media
Orlando City SC sign homegrown D Bernardo Rhein
Jerry Kelly ties Cameron Percy atop Senior Open leaderboard
