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After three consecutive titles, Iga Swiatek's historic run at Roland Garros has come to an end. Not with a bang, but with a bagel. A true full-circle moment for Swiatek, who has had a nightmare year.
The fifth-seed Swiatek took on top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the French Open quarterfinal on Thursday. Sabalenka defeated Swiatek in three sets: 7-6, 4-6, 6-0.
It was a rollercoaster match, where Sabalenka started off strong and almost squandered the first set. Swiatek continued her momentum by taking the second set before falling apart in the decider.
Sabalenka's serve was not as accurate today but still held the edge over Swiatek, winning points on 71% of her first serves to Swiatek's 53%.
Additionally, Sabalenka was 8/10 on break points to Swiatek's 6/11. The last set took just 22 minutes, with Swiatek hitting 12 unforced errors to Sabalenka's zero during the most critical part of the match.
It has now been over a year since Swiatek won a tournament, much less made a final. Aware of the pressure on Swiatek, Sabalenka gave her opponent a lengthy hug at the net after their high-stakes showdown.
"I'm thrilled. It was an incredible match. Tricky in the beginning. Super glad I found my serve. The third set, oh my god, to win a set against Iga 6-0 on the clay. It's like something out of mind," said Sabalenka after the match.
"I'm super happy right now. But the job isn't done. I will make sure to bring my best tennis and best fighting spirit on Saturday."
Sabalenka has now reached the finals in three consecutive Major tournaments. She will face the winner of Lois Boisson and Coco Gauff on Saturday. She is now 39-6 with one more match to go on clay.
Meanwhile, Swiatek's 26-match win streak at Roland Garros ends, and so does her subpar clay court season.
Now, the Polish superstar will continue trying to win a title on grass, which is her worst surface. She has a record of 32-10 after the French Open.
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Carlos Alcaraz’s Buzz Cut Becomes the Talk Of US Open
Leave it to Carlos Alcaraz to create more buzz with his haircut than most players do with their entire first-round performance. The Spanish sensation rolled into Flushing Meadows sporting a fresh buzz cut that had everyone from Rory McIlroy to Frances Tiafoe weighing in like they were judging a hair show instead of watching tennis. We’ve seen some questionable style choices in sports over the years, but Alcaraz’s decision to go full buzzcut mode has divided the tennis world faster than a Serena Williams serve. One minute, he has his signature flowing locs, the next, he looks like he enlisted in the tennis army. The Great Hair Debate Of 2025 The drama unfolded Monday when Alcaraz stepped onto the practice courts looking like a completely different person. Gone were the locks that had become as much a part of his brand as his incredible drop shots. In their place? A buzz cut so severe it made onlookers do double-takes. McIlroy, who happened to be hanging around the practice facilities, couldn’t resist getting hands-on with the situation. The golf superstar immediately reached out to feel Alcaraz’s freshly shorn scalp, asking the obvious question: “Why this?” It is the kind of moment that makes you realize athletes are just like the rest of us. Completely fascinated by dramatic hair transformations. McIlroy, being the diplomat he is, gave it his seal of approval. “I like it,” he said, calling it a “good look.” Frances Tiafoe Delivers the Reality Check Enter Tiafoe, who provided the comedic relief this whole situation desperately needed. The American star took one look at his buddy’s new ‘do and delivered a reaction that was pure gold. Wide-eyed shock followed by brutal honesty that only true friends can get away with. “It’s definitely terrible,” Tiafoe said. “From a guy who gets haircuts week in, week out, and prides myself on good haircuts, it’s horrendous.” But here’s where Tiafoe showed why he’s not just a great tennis player but also a great friend. Despite roasting Alcaraz’s hair choices, he quickly added, “He’s my guy, though. It’s funny. I looked at him and I was like, ‘I guess you’re aerodynamic.'” The aerodynamic comment might actually be onto something. Maybe Alcaraz is playing 4D chess here, reducing wind resistance to gain that extra fraction of a second on his movement around the court. The Brother Who Started It All The story behind the buzz cut is almost as entertaining as the reactions it generated. Alcaraz explained that his brother was the unwitting architect of this whole situation. “My brother just – he misunderstood with the machine. He just cut it. Then the only way to fix it is just shave it off,” Alcaraz said. We’ve all been there, well, maybe not exactly there, but we’ve all had family members who thought they could handle tasks they probably shouldn’t have attempted. In this case, a simple trim turned into a full-scale hair emergency that required drastic measures. The fact that Alcaraz was too far from his regular barber, Víctor Martínez, only added to the comedy of errors. Sometimes being a global tennis superstar means making do with whatever is available, even if that means letting your brother loose with clippers. Performance Over Presentation Here’s the thing that makes this whole story even better – the haircut didn’t seem to affect Alcaraz’s game one bit. He dismantled Reilly Opelka in straight sets (6-4, 7-5, 6-4), proving that sometimes less hair means more focus. “I felt like my hair was really long already, and before the tournament, I just really wanted to get a haircut,” Alcaraz said. The Spanish star even joked about the supposed aerodynamic benefits, saying the unexpected buzz cut made him feel “faster and more aerodynamic on the court.” Whether that’s scientifically accurate or just psychological warfare, it worked against Opelka. Social Media Goes Wild Of course, this being 2025, the hair situation immediately went viral. Social media platforms exploded with reactions, memes, and hot takes about whether Alcaraz looked better with or without his signature locks. The US Open’s official accounts leaned into the madness, posting videos of the various reactions that only added fuel to the fire. The internet never fails to turn even the most mundane sporting moments into content goldmines, and Alcaraz’s haircut was anything but mundane. From comparison photos to artistic renderings of what he might look like with different hairstyles, the tennis world temporarily became obsessed with follicular fashion. The Bigger Picture What makes this story so endearing is how it humanizes one of tennis’s biggest stars. Here’s a guy who’s won five Grand Slam titles, who’s considered one of the faces of the sport’s future, and he’s dealing with the same kind of hair mishaps that happen to regular people every day. Alcaraz’s response to the whole situation, laughing it off and focusing on his tennis, shows the kind of mental toughness that’s helped him reach the top of the sport. “Some people like it. Some people don’t like it,” he said. “To be honest, I’m just laughing about the reaction of the people.” Looking Ahead As Alcaraz prepares for his second-round match against Italian Mattia Bellucci, the hair will undoubtedly continue to be a talking point. But if his opening performance is any indication, this buzz cut might just become his secret weapon for another deep US Open run. Whether the aerodynamic theory holds up remains to be seen, but one thing’s for certain – Carlos Alcaraz has reminded us that sometimes the best sports stories happen off the court. And sometimes, all it takes is a brother with clippers and a sense of humor about the results.
Commanders crush training camp buzz with stunning trade report
Adam Peters is not one for sitting on his hands. And according to a recent report, the Washington Commanders general manager is looking to offload another veteran player who might not be part of the team's plans moving forward. According to Dianna Russini from The Athletic, the Commanders are gauging interest from around the league in Noah Igbinoghene. The cornerback enjoyed a decent 2024 campaign with significant responsibilities on his shoulders and deservedly got a new one-year deal this offseason. After starring at training camp and flashing in the preseason, most fans thought his place in Washington's corner unit was secure. That is more uncertain than ever now. Nothing has been confirmed one way or another, but at this time of year, there is also no smoke without fire. Commanders taking a big risk by potentially trading Noah Igbinoghene Igbinoghene is ascending when all hope seemed lost once upon a time. He was taken in the first round by the Miami Dolphins but never met expectations. Dan Quinn and Joe Whitt Jr. spent one year working with him on the Dallas Cowboys before bringing the defensive back to Washington. He's finally starting to put everything together, so this would be a questionable move. The Commanders' cornerback group is expected to be among their strengths this season. Marshon Lattimore and second-round rookie Trey Amos are the starting boundary tandem. Mike Sainristil is the potential superstar in the nickel. Two-time Super Bowl winner Jonathan Jones joined the ranks this offseason, and Igbinoghene was expected to round off the unit. There isn't much quality aside from that. Considering the injury issues around Lattimore and the age of Jones, keeping Igbinoghene has more benefits than letting him go. And it's also worth noting that he counts just $1.5 million against the Commanders' salary cap in 2025. It'll be interesting to see if a willing suitor comes forward for Igbinoghene. There are several teams in need of improving their cornerback depth, so they could see his current trajectory as the start of a potential career renaissance into his prime. He's also entering his sixth season and is still just 25 years old, which carries a ton of weight. Developments will happen quickly. But it's starting to look like Igbinoghene might not be around for much longer. More Commanders news and analysis
Browns releasing one-time Pro Bowl wide receiver
Diontae Johnson‘s efforts to find a stable NFL home will likely not include time with the Browns. The veteran wideout is being released today, NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo and Tom Pelissero report. The wide receiver’s tumultuous 2024 included a bevy of transactions and multiple aims to be traded and ultimately crushed his free agency value. Johnson was traded twice and cut twice last year, leading to a veteran-minimum Browns deal. Failing to make Cleveland’s 53-man roster represents another blow to a player who entered last season as a career-long starter. No other team made Johnson an offer this offseason. The Browns will not take on any dead money from this release as a result of the vet-minimum deal including no guarantees. The team did not add any other veteran receivers of note, but it will still move on from a former 1,000-yard player who had excelled for the Steelers over an extended stretch. The Steelers and Panthers traded Johnson last year after he grew unhappy with both situations. But Johnson then drew a team-imposed suspension in Baltimore after refusing to reenter a late-season game with the Ravens — who did not give the effective route runner a regular role. Johnson then grew unhappy with his Texans role following a subsequent waiver claim. The Ravens claimed him again for procedural purposes, wrapping a transaction-crazed (but largely inconsequential, productivity-wise) year for the six-year veteran. Cleveland has Cedric Tillman positioned as Jerry Jeudy‘s top complementary option, with 2024 fifth-rounder Jamari Thrash in the mix as well. The Browns also changed their receiver situation this month, signing Texas product Isaiah Bond after the rookie was not indicted on sexual assault charges. Johnson, 29, will pass straight to free agency as a vested veteran.
Keegan Bradley expected to make controversial Ryder Cup captain's pick
Keegan Bradley will announce his six captain's picks for the 2025 Ryder Cup on Wednesday, but we might already know the answer to the most glaring question he's facing. According to James Corrigan of The Telegraph, Bradley is expected to pick himself as a playing captain at Bethpage Black. If true, Bradley will become the first playing captain in the Ryder Cup since Arnold Palmer in 1963. It went well for Team USA 62 years ago, as the Red, White and Blue cruised to a 23-9 victory against Team Great Britain at Atlanta Athletic Club. Palmer went 3-0-1 in his four matches that week. It probably isn't fair to compare Bradley's situation to Palmer's six decades ago. In fact, the Europeans will be delighted if the American captain brings his clubs to Long Island in September. "It’s the impossible job to do both," Sir Nick Faldo, Europe’s 2008 captain, told The Telegraph. "There’s so much attention needed. The fans will call him selfish for picking himself. Goodness knows what the media will say. You could regret it for the rest of your life. Look, you’ve got enough going on trying to win your match. We hope Bradley does... we hope he stays as captain and does two roles!" Rory McIlroy, who figures to be one of the stars on Team Europe in 2025, echoed the same sentiment. "I don't think you can do it," McIlroy told reporters ahead of the BMW Championship. "I just think the commitments that a captain has the week of—you think about the extra media that a captain has to do, you think about the extra meetings that the captains have to do with the vice captains, with the PGA of America, in Keegan's case, preparing your speech for the opening ceremony. There's a lot of things that people don't see that the captain does the week of the Ryder Cup, especially now that the Ryder Cup has become so big." At the same time, it's hard to argue that there are six options better than Bradley on the American side. The 39-year-old recorded 11 top-20 finishes in 21 starts this season, won the Travelers Championship in June and finished T7 at the Tour Championship. He currently ranks 11th in the Official World Golf Ranking and 18th in the Data Golf Rankings. If Bradley weren't the Team USA captain, he would be a lock for a wild-card spot on the team. The only factor holding him back is the uncertainty of pulling double duty, but that's what his vice captains are for. Jim Furyk, Kevin Kisner, Webb Simpson, Gary Woodland and Brandt Snedeker are more than capable of picking up the slack when Bradley is on the course. This decision is exactly what the Europeans were rooting for, but Bradley plays his best golf when he's doubted.
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