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WTA roundup: Donna Vekic sweeps Emma Raducanu in London final

Jan 19, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Donna Vekic of Croatia in action against Mirra Andreeva in the first round of the women’s singles at the Australian Open at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn ImagesJan 19, 2026; Melbourne, Victoria, Australia; Donna Vekic of Croatia in action against Mirra Andreeva in the first round of the women’s singles at the Australian Open at Margaret Court Arena in Melbourne Park. Mandatory Credit: Mike Frey-Imagn Images

Donna Vekic swept local favorite Emma Raducanu 6-0, 7-6 (6) to become the first lucky loser to ever win a WTA 500-level title at the HSBC Championships on Sunday in London.

The 29-year-old Croatian won her fifth career singles title — her first at the 500 level — with a dominant opening set and a resilient second set. Vekic was broken twice in the second, falling into a 5-2 hole before winning four straight games. She then survived blowing a 4-1 lead in the tiebreaker to complete the sweep.

Vekic, whose last title came at the 2023 Monterrey Open, lost in the second round of qualifying. She’s the sixth loser to win a WTA event, the first since 2023. She overcame a 64% first-serve percentage and winning just 35% of her second serves by winning 49% of her return points and converting 5 of 11 break-point chances.

Raducanu, a London native from Bromley, came up just short of winning her first title since the 2021 US Open.

Libema Open

American Robin Montgomery won her first career WTA title in anticlimactic fashion after Czech competitor Barbora Krejcikova withdrew from the final due to illness at ‘s-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.

Montgomery, a 21-year-old Washington, D.C. native, largely dominated her run to the final in a field laden with upsets. After dropping the opening set of her opening match, she won her final eight sets of the event, sweeping Greet Minnen, Daria Snigur and Ajla Tomljanovic.

The eighth-seeded Krejcikova, the only seed to make the quarterfinals, was kept without a title since her 2024 Wimbledon title due to the withdrawal.

–Field Level Media

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Brooks Koepka (hand) WDs from RBC Canadian Open

Jun 13, 2026; Caledon, Ontario, CAN; Brooks Koepka hits his tee shot at the 17th hole during the third round of the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn ImagesJun 13, 2026; Caledon, Ontario, CAN; Brooks Koepka hits his tee shot at the 17th hole during the third round of the RBC Canadian Open golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Dan Hamilton-Imagn Images

Brooks Koepka acknowledged an injury to his hand after he labored through a 2-over-par 72 on the third round at the RBC Canadian Open on Saturday.

On Sunday morning, Koepka officially withdrew from the tournament at Caledon, Ontario.

The five-time major champion admitted that he was struggling with the grip of his club ahead of the fourth round.

“Yeah, I don’t know what it is. I’m struggling to grip the club with my ring finger and pinkie finger, so can’t grip it,” Koepka said.

“So the club is kind of just, my fingers would come loose, it was kind of numb. I don’t know what the deal was but hopefully we’ll figure it out.”

He opened the tournament with rounds of 64 and 68.

Koepka, 36, was spotted receiving treatment on the 11th tee box at the TPC Toronto at Osprey Valley (North Course) during the third round.

“Yeah, the whole warm-up, I felt fine, I was absolutely good,” he said. “Then got to the range and went to grip the club and I just couldn’t even grip it.

“So it lasted — it was all day. Felt better the last few holes. I don’t know if that’s just the meds kicked in or what it is. But hopefully we’ll figure it out now.”

Figuring it out is paramount given the U.S. Open is next week at Shinnecock Hills in Southampton, N.Y. He won the second of his two consecutive U.S. Open championships at Shinnecock Hills in 2018.

Koepka has been back on the PGA Tour since January after more than three years away with LIV Golf. He’s placed in the top 20 in six events this year but his next win would be his first in a standard PGA Tour event since the 2021 WM Phoenix Open.

–Field Level Media

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Thunder's Nikola Topic (back) expected to be ready for 2026-27 season

Apr 12, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic (44) drives around Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea (17) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn ImagesApr 12, 2026; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic (44) drives around Phoenix Suns guard Jamaree Bouyea (17) during the second half at Paycom Center. Mandatory Credit: Alonzo Adams-Imagn Images

Oklahoma City Thunder guard Nikola Topic is expected to be ready for the start of training camp after undergoing what the team called a minimally invasive lumbar microdiscectomy procedure.

According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, the surgery repairs a bulging disk in the lower back. Dr. Andrew Dossett performed the procedure at the Carrell Clinic in Dallas with Thunder medical personnel on hand.

The Thunder selected the 6-foot-6 point guard with the 12th overall pick in the 2024 NBA Draft out of Serbia, but he has had a difficult start to his career.

He missed his rookie season due to a pre-draft knee injury. In the preseason ahead of the 2025-26 campaign, he was diagnosed with testicular cancer and underwent treatment.

Topic, 20, returned to play 10 games for the Thunder last season, averaging 5.2 points and 4.4 rebounds in 16.0 minutes per game. In limited opportunities, he shot 40.0% (9-for-15) from 3-point range.

He is not expected to play in the NBA summer league in July.

–Field Level Media

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Royals place 1B Vinnie Pasquantino on 10-day IL

Jun 10, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (9) scores against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn ImagesJun 10, 2026; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino (9) scores against the Texas Rangers during the fifth inning at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Denny Medley-Imagn Images

Kansas City Royals first baseman Vinnie Pasquantino was placed on the 10-day injured list Sunday due to a right hamate fracture.

Pasquantino exited Saturday’s 8-7 loss to the Houston Astros after appearing to injure himself on a swing in the fifth inning.

He was replaced in the lineup by Isaac Collins, who took over in left field. Jac Caglianone moved from right field to replace Pasquantino at first base, and Lane Thomas shifted from left to right field.

“It stinks a lot. He’s a big part of our team,” catcher Carter Jensen said. “He’s a leader on this team, so seeing him go down, it’s never fun. But we’re backing him up and wishing him a speedy recovery [so he can] get back and help us win some games just like he does every night.”

Pasquantino, 28, is batting a career-worst .224 this season to go along with six homers and 32 RBIs in 68 games. He has a career .260 batting average with 76 home runs and 294 RBIs in five seasons with the Royals.

Last season, Pasquantino hit 32 homers and drove in 113 runs in 160 games.

Also Sunday, the Royals recalled outfielder John Rave from Triple-A Omaha.

Rave, 28, is hitting .278 with 10 homers and 32 RBIs in 60 games with the Storm Chasers.

He batted .196 with four homers and 14 RBIs in 72 games last season with the Royals.

–Field Level Media

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