Sports
ATP Roundup: Top two seeds breeze into Estoril Open quarterfinals
May 29, 2026; Paris, France; Andrey Rublev returns a shot during his match against Nuno Borges of Portugal on day six at Stade Roland Garros. Mandatory Credit: Susan Mullane-Imagn Images The top two seeds at the Estoril Open faced little trouble on Thursday as Russia’s Andrey Rublev and Italy’s Luciano Darderi dropped a combined three games to advance to the quarterfinals of the ATP 250 event in Portugal.
The top-seeded Rublev took down Kazakhstan’s Timofey Skatov 6-1, 6-1. Rublev converted 17 of 23 first serve points (74 percent) and also broke Skatov six times in a match that lasted 59 minutes. Darderi was even more dominant in his 6-0, 6-1 win over Spain’s Pedro Martinez. Darderi didn’t face any break points and registered points on 17 of his 19 second serves.
In the lone upset of the day, France’s Luca Van Assche beat eighth-seeded Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in a match that lasted over two hours. Portugal’s Jaime Faria, who upset the No. 6 seed in the first round, continued his run into the quarterfinals with a win over Peru’s Gonzalo Bueno by a 6-2, 6-4 count.
Generali Open
Top-seeded Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan pushed his title defense of this ATP 250 event into the semifinals by taking down Slovakia’s Alex Molcan 6-3, 6-2 in Kitzbuhel, Austria.
Though Molcan broke Bublik four times, Bublik responded by breaking Molcan seven times. In the second set, Molcan forged a 2-2 tie as Bublik committed five double faults in the fourth game. Bublik (13 aces) went on to win the next four games to clinch the match. Bublik will take on fourth-seeded Tomas Martin Etcheverry in the semis after the Argentinian got the better of Peru’s Ignacio Buse with a 6-2, 7-5 win.
In the other half of the bracket, France’s Quentin Halys beat Argentina’s Mariano Navone 7-5, 6-3, while Yannick Hanfmann of Germany beat Argentina’s Sebastian Baez 6-3, 6-1. Hanfmann and Halys will face off in the other semifinal match.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Richard Carapaz conquers Stage 18 in Tour de France
Richard Carapaz celebrates as he crosses the finish line to win Stage 18 of the Tour de France on Thursday. Ecuador’s Richard Carapaz climbed into the overall top 10 at the Tour de France with his Stage 18 victory in the Alps on Thursday.
Carapaz, 33, finished the mountainous 185.2-kilometer trek from Voiron to Orcieres-Merlette in 4 hours, 26 minutes and 21 seconds. He pulled away on the last ascent of the day and covered the final 3 kilometers solo.
Switzerland’s Mauro Schmid was the runner-up for the second straight day, 45 seconds behind, and American Matteo Jorgenson placed third.
Carapaz moved into 10th place in the overall standings.
Four-time champion Tadej Pogacar of Slovenia still leads the competition by 4 minutes and 32 seconds over Belgium’s Remco Evenepoel. Mexico’s Isaac del Toro is third, followed by 19-year-old Frenchman Paul Seixas and Spain’s Juan Ayuso.
Stage 19 on Friday is a 127.9-kilometer route through the mountains from Gap to Alpe d’Huez. The 113th edition of the Tour de France concludes on Sunday in Paris.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Panthers OLB Nic Scourton (knee) carted off field as training camp opens
Nov 16, 2025; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Nic Scourton (11) reacts after a play in the fourth quarter against the Atlanta Falcons at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Brett Davis-Imagn Images Carolina Panthers outside linebacker Nic Scourton left the field on a cart after suffering an apparent right knee injury on Thursday, the first day of training camp.
An MRI was scheduled for later in the afternoon to determine the extent of the injury.
Reporters described it as an emotional scene as Scourton, 21, was in tears as the cart pulled away from the field. Before the cart departed, the entire team and head coach Dave Canales had a moment with him.
Practice was halted for the day.
In just his second season, Scourton was penciled in to start on the opposite side of Jaelan Phillips, acquired as a free agent in the offseason. As a rookie, Scourton appeared in 17 games (eight starts) and tallied 47 tackles (seven for loss), five sacks and a forced fumble.
Veteran Patrick Jones II and Princely Umanmielen, in his second season, could see game time in his absence.
The Panthers selected Scourton in the second round of the 2025 NFL Draft.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Dallas signs Benji Flowers, 15; reportedly reaches deal with Chelsea
Mar 15, 2025; Frisco, Texas, USA; A view of the logo and stadium during the game between FC Dallas and Vancouver Whitecaps FC at Toyota Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images FC Dallas signed 15-year-old U.S. forward Benji Flowers to a first-team deal Thursday and reportedly agreed to a future transfer to Chelsea FC when he turns 18.
Dallas will receive an initial fee of about $3 million from the Premier League side and up to an additional $7 million in performance-based add-ons, according to The Athletic.
Flowers is the youngest player ever to sign a first-team deal with FC Dallas. The homegrown contract runs through 2030-31 and includes an option for 2031-32.
“Benji’s signing is another proud day for FC Dallas and our Academy,” said club president Dan Hunt. “Our commitment has always been to develop young players and provide them with a clear pathway to the professional game. Benji has embraced every step of that journey through hard work, determination and the support of his family.
“His signing is a reflection of the tremendous work being done throughout the FC Dallas Academy and reinforces what is possible for the next generation of players. We are excited to watch him continue his development with FC Dallas and North Texas SC.”
The future is bright ??
Benji Fowers has been named to the MLS NEXT All-Star Game! pic.twitter.com/xk0HuFk16q
— FC Dallas (@FCDallas) June 24, 2026
Last month, Flowers was named to the MLS NEXT All-Star Game. The FC Dallas Academy product made his debut with North Texas SC on March 21 at 14 years, 11 months and seven days old, making him the second-youngest player in that club’s history.
“Benji is a special talent, and today is an important milestone for both him and our club,” said Andre Zanotta, FC Dallas chief soccer officer. “He has come through the FC Dallas Academy and has earned this opportunity through his work ethic, commitment and the support of his family.
“Every step of his development has come because he has embraced the process and continued to challenge himself every day. We believe he has a very bright future, but this is only the beginning of his journey as a professional. We’re excited to continue helping him develop here at FC Dallas before the next chapter of his career.”
–Field Level Media
Suspense Mystery Thriller Based On Hit Novel Will Leave You Breathless
Richard Carapaz conquers Stage 18 in Tour de France
