Connect with us

Sports

Alexander Zverev through to 4th round at Wimbledon

Germany's Alexander Zverev in action against the United States' Marcos Giron at Wimbledon on July 4, 2026.Germany’s Alexander Zverev in action against the United States’ Marcos Giron at Wimbledon on July 4, 2026.

Alexander Zverev is showing no hangover effects after capturing his first-ever Grand Slam event.

The French Open champion, who has typically struggled on the grass at Wimbledon, reached the fourth round with a convincing 6-2, 7-6 (4), 6-4 victory over Marcos Giron on Saturday.

The German served brilliantly, smashing 17 aces to only three double-faults and won 54-of-70 first-serve points.

After a routine first set, neither player flinched in the second, leading to a tie-breaker. Zverev sprinted to a 6-2 lead in the breaker, but Giron held off three consecutive set points before succumbing on the second seed’s forehand volley winner.

“He (Giron) is somebody who plays fantastic on grass and he shows it every time he steps out on the surface,” Zverev said. “He has won tour-level events on the surface, I knew that I had to be a hundred per cent ready from the first point onwards and I am very happy to be through in straight sets.”

Zverev has never been past the fourth round in London. To do so, he will have to take out No. 13 Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic, who edged Spain’s Jaume Munar, 6-4, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.

Lehecka blasted 52 winners in the four-set win and staved off six of Munar’s eight break point opportunities.

Zverev is 1-1 versus Lehecka, but the two have not played since 2023.

In the other quarter of the bracket, fifth-seeded Alex de Minaur outlasted Zachary Svajda, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2, 6-4 and No. 9 Flavio Cobolli of Italy rallied to knock off Russia’s Karen Khachanov, 0-6, 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-2.

The Australian took advantage of Svajda’s second serve, winning 35-of-50 points and converting eight break point chances. He also was efficient at the net, winning 22-of-27 while moving forward in the two-hour, 40-minute match.

“I feel great. I’m happy to get through the first week. This is the first goal of the tournament, obviously,” De Minaur said. “It’s getting down to crunch time, I guess. I’m happy with the way I have been playing. The body is feeling great. I thought today was probably the best I moved around the court.”

Cobolli, the French Open runner-up to Zverev, won only nine points in the first set. But after splitting a pair of tie-breakers, he flipped the early script, recording 22 winners and only 10 unforced errors.

de Minaur has won both matches against Cobolli, but the two hard-hitting baseliners have not played since 2024.

–Field Level Media

source

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Sports

Report: G Kyle Lowry to sign 1-day contract with Raptors, then retire

Mar 19, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry (7) runs up the court during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn ImagesMar 19, 2026; Sacramento, California, USA; Philadelphia 76ers guard Kyle Lowry (7) runs up the court during the second quarter against the Sacramento Kings at Golden 1 Center. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Kyle Lowry, a veteran of 20 NBA seasons, intends to sign a one-day contract with the Toronto Raptos and retire with the franchise for which his name is synonymous, Sportsnet reported Friday.

The Memphis Grizzlies selected Lowry, now 40, with the No. 24 overall pick of the 2006 NBA Draft and at the 2009 trade deadline. He was dealt him to the Houston Rockets as part of a three-team deal that returned Adonal Foyle, Mike Wilks and a 2009 first-round draft pick to Memphis from the Orlando Magic.

Before the 2012-13 season, the Rockets traded him to the Raptors for Gary Forbes and a 2013 first-round pick.

It was in Toronto that Lowry became a star, earning six consecutive All-Star selections (2014-20) and winning the 2018-19 NBA title with the Raptors.

He is the franchise’s all-team leader in 3-point field goals (1,518), assists (4,277) and steals (873). He stands second to another Toronto icon, DeMar DeRozan, in minutes played and games played.

A rebuilding Toronto team traded Lowry to the Miami Heat prior to the 2021-22 season, and he later signed with his hometown Philadelphia 76ers in 2014, appearing in just 72 games there over two-plus seasons.

He ends his career with averages of 13.8 points, 6.0 assists, 4.2 rebounds and 1.3 steals over 1,187 career games.

In his 601 games over nine seasons in Toronto, Lowry averaged 17.5 points, 7.1 assists, 4.9 rebounds and 1.5 steals per game.

He also won a 2016 Olympic gold medal with Team USA.

Sportsnet reported the Raptors have set a news conference for Tuesday, at which time is it expected Lowry will sign the contract and retire.

–Field Level Media

source

Continue Reading

Sports

MLB Best Bets: Friday Picks for Cardinals-Cubs and Red Sox-Angels

Jun 30, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits a two-run home run against the San Diego Padres during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn ImagesJun 30, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs shortstop Dansby Swanson (7) hits a two-run home run against the San Diego Padres during the fifth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: David Banks-Imagn Images

Happy 250th to all! We’ve got a packed weekend of baseball on tap, let’s celebrate the holiday with some winning MLB picks.

Season Record 40-40-2, -2.68 Units

Cardinals at Cubs

Cards F5 (+102 FanDuel)

We get a nice Rivalry Series here with the added twist that these teams are right in the middle of the NL Wild Card chase. That’s kind of surprising as far as the Cardinals are concerned as they sold off all sorts of pieces in the offseason as they looked to open up playing time for their younger players. Well its worked way better than they could have imagined. Jordan Walker has finally lived up to his prospect hype, and then some as he’s slashing 288/.342/.509 with 18 homers and 59 RBI’s in a shade over half a season. Meanwhile JJ Wetherholt is the current NL ROY favorite as he mans 2B and bats leadoff every day and he’s popped 12 homers with 9 steals and a .259 average. He’s got crazy good control of the strike zone for a rookie with a 10.35 BB% vs, a 15.9% K%.

I mostly love the Cards in this spot thanks to the pitching matchup. St Louis starts Andre Pallante, who’s quietly given them a very solid season. He has a 3.83 ERA and 1.23 WHIP while not missing a start and getting decently deep into games. He’s gone at least 6 IP in his last 4 starts and 8 of his last 11. He doesn’t get the whiffs you’d like as he has just an 18.7% K%, but he does limit contact well. His EV against is just 87 and it’s mostly on the ground with a 6.8 LA. That should prove helpful in hot and possibly windy Wrigley.

The Cubs counter with David Peterson, just imported from the reeling Mets. He pitched well in his first start with Chicago (5.2 IP, 2 ER) but it came with only 2 K’s. It’s been an overall forgettable year though with a 5.86 ERA and 1.59 WHIP. Like Palencia, he doesn’t strike out many (19.2%) and keeps in on the ground (7.7 LA). Unlike Pallante, its 90 EV contact. He’ll be better with the Cubs thanks their infield defense, but its a really tough formula for success. Give me the Cards here.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

Red Sox at Angels

Under 8 (-115 bet365)

It’s two pretty weak teams here but we have a nice matchup of lefties at least. Jake Bennett starts for the Red Sox and he has a 3.27 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 6 starts. He’s really been lethal in his last 2 outings, limiting the Rockies (at Coors) and the Yankees to just 1 ER total over 12.1 IP. The Angels start Reid Detmers and he’s a rare bright spot in another dismal season in Anaheim with a 3.88 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 27.8% K%. His xERA of 3.01 suggests he’s been even better than that. The Red Sox have played a bit better recently, but it’s mostly thanks to the their pitching as they still have a lousy lineup. Let’s bank on the arms here.

Our Current Best Offers

Channel debug: betting

source

Continue Reading

Sports

James Dolan's son, Quentin, takes over as president, COO of Rangers

Jun 18, 2026; New York, NY, USA; CEO of MSG Network James Dolan smiles during the New York Knicks Championship Parade through the Canyon of Heroes. Mandatory Credit: Brenden Willsch-Imagn ImagesJun 18, 2026; New York, NY, USA; CEO of MSG Network James Dolan smiles during the New York Knicks Championship Parade through the Canyon of Heroes. Mandatory Credit: Brenden Willsch-Imagn Images

Madison Square Garden executive chairman and CEO James Dolan ceded day-to-day ownership responsibilities of the New York Rangers to his son, Quentin, he announced Friday.

Effective immediately, the younger Dolan, 31, assumes the position of Rangers president, chief operating officer and alternate governor. He still will report to his father, who remains in control of the NBA’s New York Knicks.

“Quentin has made a strong impact on the Rangers and Knicks organizations, and we are pleased that he will step into this elevated position,” James Dolan, 71, said in a statement. “Quentin has quickly become an incredibly valued member of the Rangers franchise and played a key role behind the scenes with the Knicks during their championship run this past season. I look forward to seeing the positive influence he can make in this expanded and critical role.”

Quentin Dolan most recently served as senior vice president, player performance and science leader, an area he will continue to oversee for both the Rangers and Knicks.

“I’m honored to have this opportunity to ensure our hockey operations staff, coaches, and players have all the support they need to provide our fans a product they can be proud of,” Quentin Dolan said in the team-released statement. “I’m looking forward to immediately getting to work with (Rangers general manager) Chris Drury, (coach) Mike Sullivan and the entire staff.”

Drury will report directly to Quentin Dolan.

“Quentin and I have worked together for several years, and I believe him taking on this role will only make the Rangers organization stronger,” Drury said. “The front office and coaching staff will be working in unison with Quentin in all key areas of our team in an effort to put this franchise in the best position possible to compete for a Stanley Cup.”

–Field Level Media

source

Continue Reading