Sports
Alexander Zverev to meet Carlos Alcaraz in Aussie semifinals
Jan 25, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Alexander Zverev of Germany in action against Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in the fourth round of the menís singles at the Australian Open at John Cain Arena in Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images Seeking his first Grand Slam championship, Alexander Zverev is through to the semifinals of the Australian Open for the third year in a row.
The third-seeded German defeated No. 25 Learner Tien of the United States 6-3, 6-7 (5), 6-1, 7-6 (3) on Tuesday in Melbourne.
Last year, Zverev lost in the Australian Open final to Italy’s Jannik Sinner in straight sets. In 2024, he fell to Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the semifinals.
Zverev, 28, has reached two other major finals. He was beaten by Austria’s Dominic Thiem in the 2020 U.S. Open title match and by Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz for the 2024 French Open crown. Both matches went five sets.
Tien, 20, was competing in his first career Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Zverev fired 24 aces, committed just one double fault and never lost his serve while facing just three break points. Tien wasn’t nearly as solid on his serve, offsetting his 11 aces with nine double faults and winning only 44% of his second-serve points.
“Learner from the baseline was playing unbelievable,” Zverev said. “I haven’t played anyone who plays that well from the baseline for a very long time.
“I don’t know what (coach) Michael Chang has done with him in the offseason, but the way he’s playing, it’s incredible. Without my (24) aces, I probably would have not won today. I’m obviously very happy with my serve but happy to be back in the semis.”
While Zverev had a small edge in winners (56-53), Tien committed 42 unforced errors to the German’s 22.
Zverev will face the top-seeded Alcaraz following the latter’s 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 victory against Australian hopeful and No. 6 seed Alex De Minaur.
Alcaraz has not dropped a set in Melbourne as he looks to complete a career Grand Slam at the age of 22. He is a two-time champion at each of the other three majors but has never reached the final in Australia.
“I’m just really happy with the level that I’m playing every match, since the first round,” Alcaraz said. “I’ve been increasing my level each match. I was talking with my team about being patient, because I want all the things right now. But they told me to be patient, that the level will come. Today I felt really comfortable, playing great tennis, which I’m really proud about.”
Alcaraz is trying to become just the sixth man in the Open Era to complete the career Grand Slam, joining Andre Agassi, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Rod Laver.
He saved five of seven break points against De Minaur and finished with a 26-16 edge in winners while winning 82% (18 of 22) of his points at the net.
Alcaraz improved to 6-0 against De Minaur. His upcoming match with Zverev is a rematch of a 2024 quarterfinal, which the Spaniard lost in four sets.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Brewers recall RHP Logan Henderson to start vs. Nationals
Apr 4, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Logan Henderson (43) pitches during the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Purnell-Imagn Images The Milwaukee Brewers recalled right-handed pitcher Logan Henderson from Triple-A Nashville and announced him as the starter for their Sunday afternoon road game against the Washington Nationals.
Henderson, 24, will be inserted into the lineup immediately, starting on the mound for the Brewers. Milwaukee has won five of its past six games.
Ranked as the No. 6 prospect and the top pitcher in the Brewers’ system by MLB Pipeline, Henderson will be making his second big league start of the season on Sunday.
He is 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA in one appearance. He gave up two runs on three hits in two innings as an opener in an 8-2 loss to the Kansas City Royals on April 4.
Last season, Henderson started five games for the Brewers and was 3-0 with a 1.78 ERA.
In five games (three starts) for Nashville this season, Henderson is 2-0 with a 1.02 ERA. He has struck out 26 batters in 17 2/3 innings.
In a corresponding move, the Brewers sent right-hander Easton McGee, 28, to Nashville. He pitched two innings of relief this season in two games and allowed just one base hit.
Washington left-hander Peter Poulin (2-0, 4.11 ERA) will oppose McGee in the series finale.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Raptors' Brandon Ingram in walking boot ahead of Game 7
Apr 26, 2026; Toronto, Ontario, CAN; Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram (3) shoots the ball as Cleveland Cavaliers center Jarrett Allen (31) defends during game four of the first round of the 2026 NBA Playoffs at Scotiabank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images Toronto Raptors forward Brandon Ingram was seen in a walking boot during the team’s shootaround on Sunday morning, several hours before Game 7 of the Eastern Conference first-round series against the host Cleveland Cavaliers.
Ingram is listed as questionable to play in the game due to right heel inflammation.
An All-Star this season for the second time in his career, Ingram was limited to 11 minutes and scored one point in Toronto’s 125-120 setback to Cleveland in Game 5 on Wednesday. He did not play in Toronto’s 112-110 overtime victory in Game 6 on Friday.
During the regular season, the 28-year-old Ingram averaged a team-high 21.5 points over 77 games. He also averaged 5.6 rebounds and 3.7 assists and drilled 38.2% of his 3-point attempts.
–Field Level Media
Sports
76ers' Joel Embiid to home fans: 'Don't sell your tickets'
May 2, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; New York Knicks guard Josh Hart (3) scores a three pointer against the Philadelphia 76ers with 25 seconds to go in game six of the first round for the 2024 NBA playoffs at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images It’s just a little more than 100 miles from Madison Square Garden in New York to Xfinity Mobile Arena in South Philadelphia — a relatively short car ride or train trip for Knicks fans who wanted to see their team in action against the 76ers in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
But 76ers star Joel Embiid, who was the NBA’s Most Valuable Player and a first-team All-Pro selection in the 2022-23 season, wants no part of Knicks fans invading his team’s home arena.
In his postgame interview Saturday night after the Sixers stunned the Boston Celtics in Game 7 of their series to advance, he put 76ers fans on notice.
Don’t sell your playoff tickets — especially not to Knicks fans.
New Yorkers overtook the Philadelphia arena two years ago when the No. 2-seeded Knicks eliminated the No. 7 Sixers in the opening round of the postseason. It has been presumed that Knicks fans bought their tickets from 76ers fans.
“I just have a message for our fans,” Embiid said Saturday night. “Last time we played the Knicks, it felt like [Philadelphia] was Madison Square Garden East. We’re going to need the support.
“Don’t sell your tickets. This is bigger than you. We need you guys.”
Embiid offered a solution, if need be.
“Knicks fans travel — they buy tickets,” he said. “There’s going to be people who will sell the tickets because they need the money. Don’t do it, we need you guys. We need the support, and we need them to be extremely loud. If you need money, I’ve got you.”
The Eastern Conference semifinal between the teams begins Monday in New York, with Game 2 set for Wednesday. The series will move to Philadelphia on Friday for Game 3, followed by Game 4 on Saturday.
The Knicks defeated the Atlanta Hawks in six games to advance.
–Field Level Media
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Brewers recall RHP Logan Henderson to start vs. Nationals
