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No. 1 Iga Swiatek splits with coach after three years

Syndication: Desert SunIga Swiatek looks to her coaches box after winning a point against Maria Sakkari during the WTA final of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., Sunday, March 17, 2024.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland announced a split with coach Tomasz Wiktorowski on Friday after a three-year partnership.

Swiatek won four of her five Grand Slams, 19 of her 22 career titles and an Olympic bronze medal in Paris while working with Wiktorowski, who was voted WTA Coach of the Year by his peers in 2023.

“After 3 years of the greatest achievements in my career, together with my coach Tomasz Wiktorowski we decided to part way,” Swiatek posted on Instagram. “I want to start with a big thank you and appreciating our work together.”

Swiatek, 23, began working with Wiktorowski at the end of the 2021 season. Their time together also included her 37-match win streak in 2022, the longest streak of the 21st century.

“Coach Wiktorowski joined my team for three seasons, when I strongly needed changes and a fresh approach to my game,” Swiatek wrote. “His experience, analytical and strategic attitude and enormous knowledge about tennis helped us to achieve things I’ve never dreamed of only a few months after we started working together.

“Our main goal was to become No. 1 player in the world and coach Wiktorowski was the one who said it first. We aimed very high, we headed to every tournament with a clear goal to win it. Together with coach Wiktorowski we won many tournaments and 4 Grand Slams.”

Swiatek, who withdrew from this week’s China Open, cited the change in her sports team as a reason to withdraw from next week’s Wuhan Open.

“I’m really sorry for fans in China and those who wait to see me play, but I hope you understand that I need some time,” she said.

Swiatek said the break with Wiktorowski was a mutual and amicable decision.

“Coach, THANK YOU, I wish you all the best,” Swiatek wrote. “I know that you would like to rest after these 3 years of hard work and traveling a lot and spending some well-deserved time with your loved ones and I hope you’ll get what you need.”

–Field Level Media

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Cardinals agree to sweetened $15.5M deal with QB Jacoby Brissett

Jul 23, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during training camp at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn ImagesJul 23, 2026; Glendale, AZ, USA; Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett (7) during training camp at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Arizona Cardinals quarterback Jacoby Brissett agreed to a reworked deal that will guarantee him $15.5 million plus incentives, according to multiple reports on Sunday.

Brissett could earn $21 million this season if he meets all incentives. He is slated to become a free agent following the season.

Brissett has been unhappy with his contract all offseason after starting 12 games in 2025 and being projected as Arizona’s starting quarterback again this season.

The 33-year-old Brissett didn’t do on-field work during the team’s mandatory minicamp as he expressed his disdain for his deal due to pay $4.88 million in 2026 with just $1.5 million guaranteed.

However, he participated in Thursday’s first training camp workout with Arizona.

Brissett replaced injured Kyler Murray as the starter last season and completed 64.9% of his passes for career highs of 3,366 yards and 23 touchdowns. He also tossed a career-worst eight interceptions in 485 attempts.

Still, the Cardinals went 1-11 in Brissett’s 12 starts. In the offseason, Arizona hired a new coach in Mike LaFleur and drafted quarterback Carson Beck in the third round of the 2026 draft.

Overall, Brissett is 20-45 as a starter while playing for six teams. He made 30 of his starts for the Indianapolis Colts (2016-19) with 15 coming in 2017 when Andrew Luck was injured. He made 15 more in 2019 after Luck unexpectedly retired shortly before the start of the season.

Brissett has passed for 14,766 yards, 76 touchdowns and 32 interceptions in 101 games. Brissett and Aaron Rodgers both have 1.4 interception rates that are the lowest in NFL history.

–Field Level Media

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Report: A's sign LHP Dallas Keuchel to minor league deal

Jul 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) throws during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn ImagesJul 7, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Dallas Keuchel (60) throws during the second inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jason Parkhurst-Imagn Images

The Athletics signed former American League Cy Young Award winner Dallas Keuchel to a minor league contract, ESPN reported Saturday.

The 38-year-old left-hander, a two-time All-Star, last pitched in the majors for the Milwaukee Brewers on July 13, 2024.

He has 13 years of major league experience, most prominently with the Houston Astros (2012-18). In 2015, he went 20-8 with a 2.48 ERA and 216 strikeouts, en route to winning the AL Cy Young Award.

The veteran will now attempt another comeback with the Athletics. Per ESPN, he will report to Triple-A Las Vegas.

With the Astros, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, Texas Rangers, Minnesota Twins and Brewers, Keuchel is 103-92 with a 4.04 ERA and 1,254 strikeouts in 282 games (267 starts).

–Field Level Media

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Magomed Ankalaev puts away Bogdan Guskov at UFC Abu Dhabi

Oct 4, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Magomed Ankalaev (red gloves)  reacts after the fight against Alex Pereira (blue gloves) during UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn ImagesOct 4, 2025; Las Vegas, Nevada, UNITED STATES; Magomed Ankalaev (red gloves) reacts after the fight against Alex Pereira (blue gloves) during UFC 320 at T-Mobile Arena. Mandatory Credit: Stephen R. Sylvanie-Imagn Images

After a slow-paced, grueling affair that drew boos from the Etihad Arena crowd, No. 1-ranked former UFC light heavyweight champion Magomed Ankalaev finally put away No. 9 Bogdan Guskov with fifth-round ground-and-pound at 2:41 to cap off Saturday’s UFC Fight Night event in Abu Dhabi.

The main event was a slog for the first 15 minutes. The opening frame saw very little action, and the second round was largely uneventful aside from Ankalaev (22-2-1, 1 NC MMA) securing a clinch and landing a few knees. The lack of output continued into the third, prompting the restless Abu Dhabi crowd to loudly voice their frustration and shower both men with boos as they returned to their corners.

Ankalaev shifted gears in the championship rounds, immediately taking Guskov (18-4-1 MMA) to the mat to open the fourth. He worked his way to full mount before settling into half guard, eventually threatening with a rear-naked choke that Guskov managed to defend to survive the frame.

Guskov, who landed just 42 strikes throughout the entire fight, nearly pulled off a miracle head-in-arm choke early in the fifth round. Ankalaev calmly escaped the sudden submission threat and eventually took Guskov’s back. Despite a brief reversal from Guskov in a desperate scramble, Ankalaev regained top position and unleashed a vicious barrage of ground-and-pound to force the stoppage.

The victory gave Ankalaev his 13th UFC win, the most among active light heavyweights.

“I want to say thank you to Bogdan (Guskov) for coming in here and saving the fight,” Ankalaev said. “I feel good. Thank you.”

Watching the grueling affair cageside was reigning UFC light heavyweight champion Carlos Ulberg, who is currently sidelined recovering from a torn ACL. With the stoppage victory, Ankalaev likely solidified his position as the next challenger for Ulberg once the champion is cleared to return to the Octagon.

Flyweight Ramazan Temirov (20-3 MMA) secured his 12th consecutive victory in spectacular fashion, thoroughly dominating former title challenger Steve Erceg (14-5 MMA) en route to a first-round knockout.

Temirov set the tone early with a spinning back attack to begin the bout. Later in the frame, he unleashed a barrage of punches before putting the finishing touches on the performance. The final sequence began with a right hand before Temirov dropped and flatlined Erceg with a single punch to end things at the 4:21 mark.

Following the spectacular finish, Temirov used his post-fight interview to call out reigning UFC flyweight champion Joshua Van for a future title fight.

“I’m ready for everyone,” Temirov said. “Whoever is champion, I’m ready.”

Lightweight Magomed Zaynukov (9-0 MMA) leaned on highly effective striking and mixed combinations to secure a unanimous decision victory (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) over Damian Rzepecki (10-1 MMA). After a slow-paced opening frame, Zaynukov found his rhythm and dictated the action down the stretch, opening noticeable cuts over Rzepecki’s nose and eyes to cruise to the win.

Heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev (14-3-1 MMA) wore down an incredibly game Tyrell Fortune (18-4 MMA), ultimately securing a TKO victory with a devastating knee to the head at the 1:12 mark of the third round. Kuniev nearly finished the bout in both the first and second frames with a barrage of knees and elbows, but Fortune showed immense toughness, surviving the early onslaught and continuing to fight despite a severely compromised right rib.

In the main card opener, Abubakar Vagaev (25-4 MMA) leaned on a balanced attack of striking and timely takedowns to secure a unanimous decision victory (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) over Saygid Izagakhmaev (22-4 MMA).

Saturday’s main card was unexpectedly reduced from six fights to five just three hours before the event began. The UFC announced that Islam Dulatov was forced to withdraw from his scheduled welterweight bout against Wellington Turman due to an illness, prompting a last-minute cancellation.

Heavyweight Valter Walker (16-1 MMA) made history on Saturday’s preliminary card, securing his fifth consecutive submission victory to tie former middleweight title challenger Demian Maia for the longest submission streak in modern UFC history. Walker finished Thomas Petersen (11-5 MMA) via first-round calf slicer — an incredibly rare finish that marks only the fourth of its kind ever successfully executed inside the Octagon.

Saturday marked the UFC’s 23rd event in Abu Dhabi since 2010. The promotion also announced during the broadcast that it will make its 24th trip to the United Arab Emirates on Oct. 24 for UFC 333.

The UFC returns to action next Saturday, kicking off August with a trip to Serbia for UFC Fight Night.

–Field Level Media

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