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Liberty intend to show more of same in Game 2 vs. Aces

WNBA: Playoffs-Las Vegas Aces at New York LibertySep 29, 2024; Brooklyn, New York, USA; New York Liberty forward Breanna Stewart (30) shoots a jump shot over Las Vegas Aces center A’ja Wilson (22) during game one of the 2024 WNBA Semi-finals at Barclays Center. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

The New York Liberty are chasing a commanding 2-0 lead in their WNBA semifinal matchup with the two-time defending champion Las Vegas Aces when the best-of-five series continues Tuesday in Brooklyn.

Outside of a 3-3 score early in Sunday’s eventual 87-77 Game 1 win, New York led Las Vegas wire-to-wire in a rematch of the 2023 WNBA Finals. The Liberty overwhelmed the Aces with a swarming defense focused on limiting this season’s Most Valuable Player, A’ja Wilson.

Wilson scored 21 points Sunday on 9-of-16 shooting from the floor, but faced routine double- and triple-teams.

Las Vegas coach Becky Hammon said that both creating space for Wilson to operate, and Aces teammates getting to open spots for Wilson to pass when the defense collapses, will be critical.

“The best way is just keep the movement and keep the ball moving and let the ball naturally find who they’re cheating off of,” Hammon said, per the Las Vegas Sun. “It’s kind of everybody at different times.”

The Aces’ Kelsey Plum, who scored at least 23 points in three of the four games during last year’s Finals, opened this series in similar fashion. Her 24 points led the fourth-seeded Aces, but only one other Las Vegas player joined Plum and Wilson in double figures: Jackie Young with 17 points.

New York similarly leaned on a three-player rotation to carry the weight offensively in Game 1. Breanna Stewart dominated with 34 points, while Sabrina Ionescu and Jonquel Jones rounded out trio that was able to overcome the Las Vegas triple threat.

Ionescu scored 21 points and dished five assists, Jones had a 13-point, 12-rebound double-double, and the former two-time MVP Stewart was everywhere while shooting 12 of 19 (63.2 percent). Stewart had five rebounds, four assists, two steals and a blocked a shot to go with her game-high scoring total.

Stewart praised the Liberty’s connectivity as the top seed in the playoffs earned the Game 1 win. It was New York’s fourth straight victory over Las Vegas extending back to the regular season.

“It just feels like we have each other’s back, whether it’s offensively or defensively, (helping after a) mistake or not, we know where each other is going to be,” Stewart said.

–Field Level Media

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Right-handers for Giants, Brewers out to cap successful July with win

Jul 22, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA;  San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp (65) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn ImagesJul 22, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; San Francisco Giants starting pitcher Landen Roupp (65) throws a pitch in the first inning against the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Aiken-Imagn Images

A pair of young right-handers attempting to complete an unbeaten month of July will go head-to-head Tuesday night when Logan Henderson and the Milwaukee Brewers take on Landen Roupp and the host San Francisco Giants in the continuation of a three-game series.

The Giants opened the set with a 3-0 victory Monday, getting brilliant pitching from Tyler Mahle and a two-run homer from Grant McCray.

Roupp (7-8, 3.93 ERA) will attempt to successfully follow in Mahle’s footsteps as he looks to continue the form that led to a fast start this season before a two-month slump.

The 27-year-old began the season 5-1 through the end of April, but then started 11 consecutive losses, seven of which went on his record, in May and June.

The third-year major-leaguer has regained his winning form in July, however, going 2-0 with wins against the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners. He took a no-decision against the Kansas City Royals in a 5-4 win last Wednesday. He has allowed just three runs and nine hits in 21 innings.

Roupp’s earlier skid reached its greatest depth when he suffered through his worst outing of the season in a 16-2 loss at Milwaukee on June 1, charged with eight runs in four innings. The loss ran his career record against the Brewers to 0-2 with a 7.16 ERA in five games, including three starts.

Jackson Chourio’s two-run double and Brice Turang’s two-RBI triple, hit consecutively, were the big blows against Roupp in the earlier head-to-head in Milwaukee.

Henderson (4-1, 3.05) has had a similar month. Like Roupp, he is 2-0 with a no-decision in July. The Brewers have won all three Henderson starts, games against the St. Louis Cardinals, Miami Marlins and New York Mets.

In just his second major-league season, the 24-year-old Henderson went winless in his first three starts in 2026 before going unbeaten in his past five. He has allowed just six runs and 11 hits in 15 1/3 innings in July.

His July starts followed almost a six-week layoff due to back soreness. But he watched closely, especially the games of hard-throwing staff ace Jacob Misiorowski, who clearly inspires him.

“It never gets old, and he’s taking it up a notch every start,” Henderson told reporters recently. “I feel privileged to have a front-row seat every game.”

Henderson never has faced the Giants.

One player Henderson definitely won’t see will be Giants slugger Casey Schmitt, who strained his right knee rounding first base after a hit in the second inning of the opener and had to be removed from the game.

The Giants announced after the game that Schmitt, whose hit raised his average to .271, would undergo an MRI on Tuesday.

San Francisco manager Tony Vitello said after the game that he feared Schmitt could miss “significant” time.

“He’s a little bummed out. He loves to play every day,” Vitello told reporters after the win. “Scary moment for him. He was really struggling just to move around. Heart’s got to go out to him and you hope for the best.”

– Field Level Media

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French legend Zinedine Zidane to coach national team

Jul 26, 2024; Paris, FRANCE;  Zinedine Zidane during the Opening Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games along the Seine River. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-Imagn ImagesJul 26, 2024; Paris, FRANCE; Zinedine Zidane during the Opening Ceremony for the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games along the Seine River. Mandatory Credit: Andrew P. Scott-Imagn Images

Zinedine Zidane, who led France to the 1998 World Cup championship, has been named the next coach of the French men’s national team.

He replaces Didier Deschamps, 57, who had been at the helm since 2012. Deschamps said in January 2025 that he intended to retire at the end of the 2026 World Cup, in which France lost 6-4 to England in the third-place match.

The deal with Zidane, announced Tuesday, is for four years, and he officially will begin his job on Aug. 1. His staff is expected to be revealed in September.

Zidane, 54, entered coaching after his playing days, and his Real Madrid teams won three consecutive Champions Leagues finals (2016-18) and two LaLiga titles.

He resigned from his job in Madrid five years ago and has not coached since, long projected as the successor to Deschamps.

“For me it’s a continuity, a dream,” Zidane said. “I had some offers during the five years I was away to take charge of a club but I turned them all down for the France team. It was the only thing I wanted to do.”

And Zidane said he is ready to get to work.

“I have so many emotions, I am ready for the challenge,” he said. “That’s what motivates me.

“Today I have the opportunity to be in charge of this team and I will give everything so that this team can win.”

Zidane will make his coaching debut with the national team on Sept. 25, when he leads France against Turkey in their first match of this UEFA Nations League schedule.

–Field Level Media

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Luca Van Assche beats Alexander Blockx in Portugal for first title

Jul 31, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Luca Van Assche (FRA) hits a forehand against Andrey Rublev (not pictured) on day five of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn ImagesJul 31, 2024; Washington, DC, USA; Luca Van Assche (FRA) hits a forehand against Andrey Rublev (not pictured) on day five of the Mubadala Citi DC Open at Rock Creek Park Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Luca Van Assche of France secured his first ATP title when he posted a 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 victory over Belgium’s Alexander Blockx on Sunday in the Estoril Open final in Portugal.

Van Assche, 22, converted 8 of 13 break points and overcame eight double faults to win in two hours and 24 minutes on the clay surface. He is the ATP’s 10th first-time winner this year.

Blockx, 21, had seven aces and seven double faults while playing in his first title match. He rallied from a 3-0 hole in the third set to tie it 5-5 before Van Assche closed it out by winning two straight games.

The championship match was the first between players born in 2004 or later.

–Field Level Media

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