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Djokovic Eyes Grand Slam Record at US Open, Sinner’s Doping Controversy Looms

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Djokovic Eyes Grand Slam Record at US Open, Sinner's Doping Controversy Looms

Novak Djokovic aims to break Grand Slam records at the US Open, while Jannik Sinner tries to overcome a drug scandal.

If defending champion Djokovic wins his fifth championship, he will become the tournament’s oldest Open era victor, joining Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, and Roger Federer.

The 37-year-old would also reach 25 Grand Slam titles, surpassing Margaret Court’s current total of 24.

The final Grand Slam of the year arrives at a key juncture for Djokovic.

This year, Sinner won the Australian Open and dethroned him as the world number one.

Carlos Alcaraz won the French Open and then easily defeated Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.

However, Djokovic returned to Roland Garros’ clay courts to upset Alcaraz in the Olympic final, which he described on Saturday as “the greatest achievement and greatest highlight of my career overall, winning the gold for Serbia.”

Djokovic became only the fifth player to complete a career Golden Slam, winning all four majors and an Olympic gold medal.

The triumph silenced naysayers who had written off the Serbs as a spent force in a new era where Sinner, 23, and 21-year-old Alcaraz are steadily pushing to the forefront.

Djokovic, who had surgery on his right knee in June, expressed concern that his chances of winning Olympic gold were fading.

“At 37, I wondered if this was the last chance. Maybe. “So I had to push harder than I had ever done,” he explained.

“It turned out to be one of my best performances in years, over the entire competition.

“Of course in the finals against Carlos, it was kind of a dream scenario really, having my wife and children there, the entire nation watching.”

When they draped the gold around his neck and played the Serbian song, Djokovic described it as “probably the most intense emotions I have ever had on a tennis court.”

Sinner, meanwhile, returns after an extremely exhausting doping inquiry in which he avoided a lengthy penalty when investigators accepted his claim that the illicit chemical entered his blood through contamination from a support team member.

In March, the 23-year-old Italian tested positive twice for clostebol, a banned anabolic substance. The International Tennis Integrity Agency exonerated him of misconduct this week, one day after winning the Cincinnati Masters.

“I’m just happy that it’s finally out,” said Sinner, who sacked his physiotherapist and trainer following the encounter.

However, his hopes for “clean air” at the US Open could be crushed as players query why there was no notification of an interim suspension as the inquiry continued.

Sinner stated that he would not be concerned about his reputation.

“This, I can’t really control,” he said. “So let’s see.”

Alcaraz, who won his first major at the US Open in 2022, was severely harmed by his loss to Djokovic in the Olympic final.

He burst into tears on the court, saying he felt he had “let Spain down”.

Despite losing his cool in a second-round loss to Cincinnati and a strained ankle during practice at Flushing Meadows, he remains confident he will be “100 percent” for his first-round encounter on Tuesday.

Coco Gauff, the defending women’s champion, has experienced a recent fall in form, prompting concerns about her ability to retain her US Open title, a feat last accomplished by Serena Williams in 2014.

A tumultuous third-round departure from the Olympics was followed by early losses in Toronto and Cincinnati.

The 2022 champion, five-time major winner and world number one Iga Swiatek, advanced to the Cincinnati semi-finals before losing to Aryna Sabalenka.

Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion who finished second to Gauff in New York last year, is another contender in a wide-open group that includes Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova and Olympic gold medallist Zheng Qinwen.

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The Masters Adds Two Hours Of Weekend Coverage On Paramount+

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The Masters and CBS will boost broadcast coverage by five hours next year, including two hours on Saturday and Sunday via CBS’s Paramount+ streaming service.

Augusta National recently announced another high-level corporate partner, Bank of America, raising the total number of “champion partners” for golf’s most-watched major to four.

The addition of Bank of America does not affect the commercial load. The Masters indicated the broadcast would continue with only four minutes of advertising per hour.

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The Masters Adds Two Hours Of Weekend Coverage On Paramount+

“The Masters Tournament has had the great fortune of enjoying an extraordinary relationship with CBS Sports for nearly 70 years,” said Augusta National and Masters chairman Fred Ridley. “Alongside our friends at the network, we are pleased to extend the tournament’s weekend coverage and ultimately deliver more live golf for Masters fans.”

CBS will extend Saturday’s show by one hour. Next year, it will run from 2 to 7 p.m. EDT, rather than 3 p.m. The third and fourth rounds will be shown exclusively on Paramount+ from noon to 2 p.m. and will be available on the streaming service until the 7 p.m. finale.

This extends the overall coverage to 23 hours, including ESPN’s broadcast from 3 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on Thursday and Friday.

CBS also produces extensive digital coverage via The Master’s app, which includes features including Amen Corner, holes 4-6, holes 15-16, and featured pairings.

CBS has made its live coverage of athletic events available on Paramount Plus. The extra two hours on weekends will be part of its exclusive material, which is the first time it has offered golf-related content.

The Masters and CBS have had an annual relationship since 1956 when the network televised the last four holes with six cameras. Only 25 years ago, CBS broadcast only 10 1/2 hours of live Masters coverage, including three hours on Sunday.

Bank of America joins a tiny group of key corporate sponsors at the Masters, including AT&T, IBM, and Mercedes-Benz, all of whom have expanded their agreements. The club does not publish the specifics of those contracts.

Bank of America has had a long-standing partnership with Augusta National, serving as the presenting sponsor of the Augusta National Women’s Amateur since its establishment in 2019, as well as the Asia-Pacific Amateur and Latin America Amateur since 2022.

masters

The Masters Adds Two Hours Of Weekend Coverage On Paramount+

“Through Bank of America’s support of our community initiatives and amateur events, they have become an impactful and committed partner in our organization’s mission in Augusta and around the globe,” Ridley told the crowd.

He stated that adding Bank of America as a top-tier sponsor broadens the partnership and improves the Masters “for many years to come.”

The Masters will be hosted on April 10-13 next year, continuing its history of taking place during the first full week of April. Scottie Scheffler is the defending champion.

SOURCE | AP

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The Eagles Lose to the Atlanta Falcons 22-21 Because of a Key Drop Late in the Fourth Quarter.

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(VOR News) – Saquon Barkley would have secured at least a first down, if not a touchdown, in order to secure a victory in the Eagles’ home opener.

Barkley was unable to maintain possession of a pass from Jalen Hurts, as a result of a fumble. The Eagles were compelled to settle for a field goal and halt the clock late in the game when a significant error occurred on third down at Atlanta’s 10-yard line with 1:46 remaining.

The Atlanta Falcons capitalised on Barkley’s error to execute an impeccable drive that the Eagles were unable to replicate, culminating in an extraordinary play. Kirk Cousins concluded the winning drive with a touchdown pass to Drake London, and Atlanta stunned Philadelphia 22–21 in their home opener on Monday night. Barkley stated unequivocally, “I erred.”

Today, I will depart from my gathering. The defence was incorrectly placed in that situation. If I succeed in making the reception, the game is over. Barkley and Hurts engaged in a brief conversation in the locker room following the contest.

Hurts’ fourth-quarter 1-yard push-push gave the Eagles an 18-15 lead.

Barkley was still in Hurts’ good graces, as the message was unambiguous. Barkley stated, “He is going to trust me in that situation every time.” Jake Elliott executed a 28-yard field goal subsequent to Barkley’s interception, as opposed to the Eagles’ effort at a fourth-down touchdown.

“Our objective was to increase by six points.” Coach Nick Sirianni declared, “It was unsuccessful.” “I intended for them to score a touchdown and attempt to drive on the field.” Additionally, they executed it.

Barkley has signed a three-year contract worth a guaranteed $26 million, making him the highest-paid running back in franchise history. The 27-year-old former New York Giant did have a propensity for fumbling the ball while a member of an NFC East opponent.

Hurts declared, “I have confidence in his ability to execute a play every day of the week.” In the same manner as all other individuals. It will be advantageous for us.

Barkley may be sufficiently trusted by the Eagles to proceed directly to first down in the future.

The Eagles had 34 seconds to propel Elliott into field goal range after London scored a touchdown by tormenting cornerback Darius Slay. Instead, Jessie Bates III intercepted Hurts’ pass, effectively ending Philadelphia’s remarkable comeback.

Sirianni declared, “The objective of that play was to advance down the field.” “The guy made a great play, and he took a chance.”

Slay, like Barkley, acknowledged his role in the loss after London’s touchdown secured the victory. “That is my responsibility, Philadelphia!” I have one to distribute to each of you. Oh my God! Slay posted writing on social media.

The Eagles, who began the season with a 10-1 record, are currently 1-1 and have remaining games against New Orleans and Tampa Bay.

Barkley made his home debut one week after rushing for 109 yards and three touchdowns against Green Bay, accumulating 95 yards. Eagles supporters jeered when Barkley failed to contact the ball on the game’s opening drive. Bradley Cooper, a Hollywood celebrity, scored two consecutive touchdowns from nine yards out to commence the second drive, causing Eagles supporters to go wild.

Barkley’s Eagles could not maintain success.

Cousins and the long play were unable to be stopped by the defence for the entire 60 minutes. Under the guidance of new defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, the Eagles established a pattern of allowing extended drives to conclude with three scores, rather than seven.

In the third quarter, Atlanta’s Younghoe Koo scored field goals from 39, 22, and 34 yards. The latter of these made his team lead 9–7. During their initial possession at the 20-yard line, the Eagles restricted the Packers to only three field goals.

The Cousins, who had signed a four-year, $180 million contract in the offseason, demonstrated significant improvement during the second half.

Cousins connected with Darnell Mooney on a 41-yard touchdown pass, resulting in a 15–10 Atlanta lead. Cousins later connected with Mooney for 21 and 26 yards on consecutive plays during the critical drive.

Brandon Graham, the defensive end for the Philadelphia Eagles, stated, “We are vulnerable to defeat, particularly if we fail to capitalise on our opportunities.”

DeVonta Smith spearheaded the Eagles during the absence of starting receiver A.J. Brown, who sustained a hamstring injury, by making seven receptions for 76 yards and scoring a touchdown. Sirianni expressed ambiguity regarding Brown’s duration of absence.

Hurt observed, “He has been missed, of course.” “I remain optimistic that others will take the initiative, despite this.” At that moment, we were unable to establish a connection. Tonight, it was not our night.

SOURCE: AP

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Buescher Tries Not To Think About Missed Shot For NASCAR Playoff Spot After Win At The Glen

Caleb Williams, The Quarterback, Sustained an Injury after the Houston Texans Sacked Him Seven Times.

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Buescher Tries Not To Think About Missed Shot For NASCAR Playoff Spot After Win At The Glen

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Watkins Glen, New York – Chris Buescher lost a playoff berth at Kansas when Kyle Larson clipped him on the final lap to win the closest finish in NASCAR history.

Buescher fought with Tyler Reddick after being denied a shot at the checkered flag following a late collision at Darlington, enraged that another postseason bid had been ruined.

Who knows. If Chris had made it to NASCAR’s postseason, he could have been a dark horse to defeat for the Cup title.

Buescher

Buescher Tries Not To Think About Missed Shot For NASCAR Playoff Spot After Win At The Glen

Chris had to play spoiler on Sunday at Watkins Glen’s road course.

Buescher’s last lap overtake on road-course ace Shane van Gisbergen in overtime propelled the RFK Racing driver to victory.

Chris led five consecutive non-playoff drivers to victory in a road-course race that played havoc on Denny Hamlin, Martin Truex Jr., Brad Keselowski, and a few title candidates.

“We’re going to play spoiler as much as we can in the next seven or eight weeks, as well,” Buescher told me.

Let the playoff field of 16 worry about their Cup championship chances heading into Saturday’s cutoff race at Bristol.

Instead, Chris had to figure out how to get all the champagne out of a large bottle of wine he had brought with him from Victory Lane.

“Looks ridiculous, don’t it?” Buescher cracked.

With title contenders well behind them, Buescher and van Gisbergen battled door-to-door to a dramatic finish on The Glen’s 2.45-mile road course. Van Gisbergen, who won his NASCAR debut at the Chicago street race last season, claimed the lead from the second row on a three-wide move during an overtime restart. Buescher pursued him in the No. 17 Ford, and the two cars collided at the “Bus Stop” – a vital inner loop on the circuit — before Buescher sped past van Gisbergen.

“I knew Chris was going to send it and push me if he could get there,” van Gisbergen explained. “I twisted, became a little loose, and clipped the interior wall. There was a driver error. I’m gutted.

Buescher outperformed the New Zealand driver in NASCAR’s second playoff race of the season. Carson Hocevar placed third, followed by Ross Chastain and Zane Smith.

Yes, it was that type of race.

Buescher, who won three times last season, qualified 24th and won his sixth Cup race.

“If we’re going to be blunt about it, not having to think about points at all on the playoff-side of it, or any cutoffs, opened up more opportunities for us today to go out there and get that win,” Buescher reported.

He also scored his second postseason upset in three seasons. Buescher won the third playoff race at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2022 for RFK Racing, the long-time Jack Roush-owned squad that competed with Keselowski in the ownership group two years previously. It was the first occasion in this iteration of NASCAR’s postseason that a playoff driver failed to win a race in a round.

Buescher Tries Not To Think About Missed Shot For NASCAR Playoff Spot After Win At The Glen

Joey Logano won the playoff opener in Atlanta last weekend and is the only driver who is guaranteed to advance to the next round.

After a few difficult seasons — Buescher went winless from 2017 to 2021 — he has tried not to concentrate on the close calls this season that robbed him of a postseason spot. He only wanted to savor the checkered flag and the rewards that come with it, such as a large bottle of champagne.

“Missing the playoffs hurt,” Buescher admitted. “It stung there. The season we had, with so many close calls and near misses, did not feel good. It’s a nice old-fashioned win. In that way, it’s incredibly meaningful for me and the crew to get this Mustang to victory lane.”

SOURCE | AP

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