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Three of the five top seeds in the women's draw were upset Saturday at the Italian Open in Rome. On Sunday, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff made sure it did not happen again.
Top seed Sabalenka came from behind to defeat former Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, while the fourth-seeded Gauff defeated Magda Linette of Poland 7-5, 6-3. Both Sabalenka and Gauff move into the Round of 16.
Sabalenka needed two hours, 13 minutes to win a match in which she set a personal best -- 23 break-point opportunities, of which she converted seven.
It was the No. 31 seed, Kenin, who took control of the service breaks in the first set, winning three games on break point.
But Sabalenka, of Belarus, kicked into another gear in the second set.
"I was going really tough on myself," Sabalenka said after the match. "It was a tough match -- she played incredible tennis in the first set. It was a great fight and super happy to get this match."
Sabalenka turned the tables on Kenin in the second set, breaking her serve three times. And she moved ahead in the third set when she went up 2-0, breaking Kenin on the seventh break point of the second game.
Sabalenka, who won the title on the clay courts in Madrid by beating Gauff last weekend, is seeking her first championship at the Italian Open. And after losses Saturday by No. 2 seed Iga Swiatek, No. 3 Jessica Pegula and No. 5 Madison Keys, Sabalenka has the inside track to the Rome title.
First, she must get past Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine, who defeated No. 24 seed Leylah Fernandez of Canada 6-4, 6-2 on Sunday.
Gauff advanced to the fourth round at the Italian Open for the third time in her career with her win over Linette. In the next round, she will meet former U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu, who was a 5-7, 6-0, 6-1 winner over Russian Veronika Kudermetova.
In the first set, Gauff struggled, racking up 24 unforced errors to nine winners. With the match tied 5-5, however, Gauff won eight of nine points to claim the first set. In the second set, she won on her fifth match point.
In other action, Canada's Bianca Andreescu knocked out No. 11 seed Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan 6-2, 6-4. In the fourth round, she will play the winner of Sunday's later match between No. 9 Qinweng Zhang of China and No. 26 Magdalena Freech of Poland.
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Browns play cruel joke on Shedeur Sanders before preseason opener
The Cleveland Browns aren't setting fifth-round pick Shedeur Sanders up for success before he makes his debut against the Carolina Panthers on Friday night. Amid hamstring injuries to Kenny Pickett and Dillon Gabriel, the Browns are giving the start to Sanders, hoping to keep QB1 Joe Flacco healthy before the regular season. However, the Browns aren't making Sanders' life easy before Friday's game. Per Zack Jackson of The Athletic, Sanders has yet to receive reps with the first-team offense in practice and has mostly worked with the third team in training camp. "Through 10 days of camp, Sanders is the only one of the four Browns quarterbacks not to take snaps with the No. 1 offense," Jackson wrote. "He piloted the No. 2 offense in one drill last week against the Browns’ No. 1 defense, but the majority of his snaps in camp have come with and against the No. 3 units... "Wednesday’s joint practice should provide some clarity on the Browns’ exact thinking and availability for Friday. Sanders likely won’t take No. 1 reps in the joint session, but he’ll have that practice and a Thursday walk-through to prepare further — and potentially get the chance to play the full game in the preseason opener." Per Fred Greetham of 247 Sports, Sanders did not receive reps with the first-team offense during the joint practice on Wednesday, but did take part in four plays during an 11-on-11 period against the Panthers following Flacco's reps. Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski thinks Sanders has received enough reps from the second and third team units to be ready for Friday night, arguing that the only thing different about the players on the first team is the "batteries" they're built with. "That's part of, I think it's just preseason ball, where you may have some ones going against twos," Stefanski said. "Two's going against one's. You could have, there's different guys in there at different times, but I think both sides, particularly in that first game, it's all about playing fast. "So you typically don't see a ton of looks that are unusual per se. So if you stick to your rules and you stick to what you've been taught over the last few weeks, you should be able to operate and function well." Sanders is going into his first NFL game flying blind after the Browns played a cruel joke on him this week. Frankly, there is a considerable difference in throwing to the equipment staff and players signed as undrafted free agents versus the speed that a first-team offense in the league has. The Browns aren't giving Sanders a fair fight by allowing him to practice a few reps with the first team. It's now up to Sanders to quickly respond to the differences if he wants a chance to move up the depth chart.
Steelers Now Have A Surefire Solution To End Cam Heyward's Hold-In
The Pittsburgh Steelers got hit with quite a bit of interesting news on Thursday. It started when NFL insider Adam Schefter reported that veteran defensive lineman Cam Heyward was staging a hold-in, attending training camp but not fully participating as he seeks a new contract. Not long after that, kicker Chris Boswell was also reported to be interested in a new deal, adding another contract situation to the team’s growing list of concerns. As for Heyward, Steelers insider Mark Kaboly quickly suggested a possible solution that could effectively end the hold-in without requiring a full contract extension. Kaboly proposed the idea of adding incentives to Heyward’s existing deal, which would reward performance while avoiding a long-term financial commitment. He believes this compromise would allow the Steelers to show respect for Heyward’s contributions while keeping the team’s salary cap in check. Kaboly explained that the Steelers used a similar approach in 2016 with star wide receiver Antonio Brown. At the time, Brown was also seeking a new deal, and instead of offering an extension, the team added incentives to his contract to keep him satisfied for the season. The move kept Brown on the field and productive, and Kaboly believes this method could work just as well for Heyward, helping resolve the situation without complicating the team’s financial outlook. "Steelers don't restructure contracts until a year out, but Cam Heyward has 2 years remaining on his deal," Kaboly posted on his social media. "Here is the kicker and this is what I would use if I were Heyward: The Steelers worked some funny math with Antonio Brown in 2016 to get him a $4 million raise." Heyward just received a new deal ahead of the 2024 season. Now, Kaboly is pointing out that with two years remaining on his contract, the Steelers typically don’t restructure deals until there’s only one year left. However, Kaboly believes that if the team follows the same approach they used with Brown, it could help resolve Heyward’s situation. "They moved $4 million of AB's 2017 money to 2016, then tore up the contract in 2017 and made him the highest-paid WR in the NFL," Kaboly said. "AB got a $4 million raise, and the Steelers were able to keep their long-standing policy intact." Both sides could technically come out ahead with this approach. The money was going to Heyward anyway, but by advancing a portion of it to this year, he gets earlier financial recognition without requiring a full extension. Then, when the time comes to negotiate a new deal, both parties can do so in good faith, working toward a contract that makes sense for everyone involved. For now, moving some money forward would be a clear sign of appreciation for Heyward’s contributions and an acknowledgment of how the market has shifted for elite defensive linemen. It would also allow the Steelers to maintain their long-standing policy of waiting until a player enters the final year of his contract before negotiating an extension. Ultimately, it’s a short-term financial gesture that builds trust and buys time for a more permanent solution. Steelers And Cam Heyward Both Could Come Out As Winners This approach not only benefits Heyward financially in the short term but also helps preserve the relationship between the player and the organization. It shows the Steelers value his contributions and want to keep him motivated without rushing into long-term decisions prematurely. By handling things this way, the team retains flexibility in managing their salary cap and future roster moves. It also avoids the potential pitfalls of a large extension that might limit options later. For Heyward, it offers a sense of security and respect while keeping open the door for a more comprehensive agreement when the time is right.
Jaydon Blue injury update: Major news emerges on Cowboys RB after Thursday practice exit
According to Nick Harris of The Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Dallas Cowboys running back Jaydon Blue suffered a bone bruise in his heel on Thursday. Blue was stepped on during practice, initially looking at an ankle sprain. Thankfully, the MRI came back with some positive news. “Cowboys RB Jaydon Blue’s MRI revealed a bone bruise in his heel after it was stepped on in today’s practice, according to a @startelegram source,” Harris said via X. “No ankle sprain. Good news for the young back who has emerged as an offensive playmaker in camp.” Blue previously told Harris that an ankle injury was what he suffered. Questions about the running back’s availability for Saturday’s preseason game against the Los Angeles Rams are now present. Something to watch as kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. CT from SoFi Stadium. Dallas took Blue in the fifth round of the 2025 NFL Draft, hoping to address its running back situation. Blue played his college ball inside the Lone Star State, suiting up for the Texas Longhorns. Plenty of guys at the position have come out of Austin and found quick success. Blue is hoping to be the next one. For now, there is an injury for him to deal with. No exact timeline has been provided per a report or by a team official. Hopefully, Blue is able to get things cleared up quickly and get his first taste of the NFL before Sept. 4’s season opener against the Philadelphia Eagles. More on Jaydon Blue, Cowboys running back situation Running back was a position the Cowboys needed to desperately figure out this offseason. Rico Dowdle, the team’s leading rusher, was no longer on the roster. Behind Dowdle, Dallas did not have much else. A nice mix of veteran presence and youngsters was needed. Javonte Williams and Miles Sanders provide the former, while Blue was a part of the draft class alongside Phil Mafah. A combination of those four figures to be on the opening night roster. Exactly how head coach Brian Schottenheimer splits up the carries is not yet known. Blue’s injury certainly does not help the situation. Cowboys players, in general, have been going down throughout training camp thus far. Making sure everyone is healthy will be critical heading into the season. Especially an explosive back like Blue, someone who can change the outcome of any game in just the snap of your fingers.
How To Beat Shiny Chien-Pao Tera Raid In Pokemon Scarlet And Violet
Shiny Chien-Pao is here, and if you’re not ready for it, you’re going to have a bad time. At Level 75, this Ice Tera-type legend isn’t messing around. But don’t worry! You don’t have to face this frosty feline unprepared. With the right strategy and team, you’ll be racking up wins faster than you can say “Sword of Ruin.” Here’s everything you need to know to outsmart Shiny Chien-Pao and emerge victorious in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. How To Beat Shiny Chien-Pao Tera Raid in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet and With the Best Build Possible What Makes Shiny Chien-Pao a Challenge? Before you charge into battle, you need to understand what you’re up against. Shiny Chien-Pao has an Adamant Nature and wields the Sword of Ruin ability, which reduces the defense of all opposing Pokémon by 25%. Add its blazing speed and high offensive stats, and you’ve got a serious problem on your hands. To make matters worse, this icy menace packs a terrifying move set, including Icicle Crash, Crunch, Sacred Sword, Ice Shard, and the particularly frustrating Haze. Oh, and just to keep you on your toes, it’ll lead off with Ruination, halving one of your Pokémon’s HP right out of the gate. The most annoying part? Haze spamming. Chien-Pao resets your team’s stat boosts multiple times during the fight, so keeping your strategy flexible is key. The Best Counters for Shiny Chien-Pao You’re going to need hardy Pokémon that can withstand Ice-based assaults while dishing out some serious damage in return. Choose Pokémon that can either nullify or exploit Chien-Pao’s weaknesses. Here are two of the best counters to take this icy menace down. 1. Ogerpon (Hearthflame Mask Form) Ogerpon in its Hearthflame Mask form is the ultimate Chien-Pao counter. Here’s how to build it for success: Recommended Build: Level: 100 Item: Hearthflame Mask Nature: Adamant Ability: Mold Breaker (pre-Terastallized), Embody Aspect (post-Terastallized) Tera Type: Fire Moves: Ivy Cudgel, Sunny Day, Swords Dance, Synthesis Why It Works: Ogerpon’s Hearthflame Mask form makes it a Grass/Fire-type, reducing the effectiveness of many of Chien-Pao’s devastating Ice and Fighting moves. Its move Ivy Cudgel becomes a Fire-type attack, delivering 100 base damage with a high crit rate. Pair that with Sunny Day to boost your Fire-type damage and improve Synthesis healing, and you’ve got a near-perfect setup for this raid. Strategy: Turn 1: Use Sunny Day to power up Ivy Cudgel while ensuring better healing from Synthesis later. Spam Ivy Cudgel to build Terastalization power. Once Chien-Pao’s shield goes up, Terastalize and hammer it with Ivy Cudgel. Use Synthesis as needed to recover HP, and Swords Dance post-shield for added offensive power. Even solo, this build gets the job done. But if your raid party runs multiple Ogerpon builds, you’ll obliterate Chien-Pao before the timer runs out. 2. Iron Hands An old favorite among raiders, Iron Hands is here to turn Shiny Chien-Pao into a fine powder. Recommended Build: Level: 100 Item: Booster Energy or Shell Bell Nature: Impish Ability: Quark Drive Tera Type: Fighting Moves: Belly Drum, Drain Punch, Scary Face, Thunder Punch Why It Works: Iron Hands boasts a massive attack stat and the bulk to survive multiple hits from Chien-Pao. Plus, with Drain Punch, it can regain plenty of HP to stay in the fight. Strategy: Open with Scary Face to reduce Chien-Pao’s speed. Use Thunder Punch for a chance to paralyze Chien-Pao. Once you’ve been Hazed, it’s Belly Drum time. Boost your Attack to max (+6) for devastating damage. Terastalize and hit Chien-Pao with Drain Punch to break its shield and maintain your HP. Rinse and repeat for the win. Pro Tip: Shell Bell offers extra healing for a safer run, while Booster Energy gives your initial stats a big bump. Choose based on your play style. Rewards and the Mystery Gift Twist Here’s the thing—even if you beat Shiny Chien-Pao, you can’t catch it right now. Why? Because this raid is part of a global event. For everyone to unlock Shiny Chien-Pao as a Mystery Gift, the community needs to rack up 1,000,000 successful raid completions. But don’t get discouraged. These raids offer excellent rewards, including XP Candies, Tera Shards, and even Herba Mystica for making Shiny Sandwiches. Final Thoughts When it comes to Shiny Chien-Pao, preparation is everything. Bring your best counters, manage your team setup carefully, and don’t panic when the stat resets start flying. With consistent strategy (and maybe some fiery Ogerpon friends), you’ll crush this Tera Raid in style. Remember, every completion gets us closer to unlocking Shiny Chien-Pao as a Mystery Gift. So, grab your Joy-Cons, rally your friends, and start raiding! For more raid tips and Pokémon guides, check out our latest expert content at Total Apex Gaming for more news.
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