Jul 27, 2022; Eagan, MN, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on at TCO Performance Center. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-USA TODAY Sports.
Last year was a difficult draft for most to handle or really enjoy when making mock drafts. The former general manager had decimated the Vikings’ draft capital by using future assets to move up for Dallas Turner and J.J. McCarthy.
While there is still time to prove those were the right moves, the lack of draft success before 2025 has caught up with the team to the point that the 2026 draft will have to be damn near perfect. The tough part is we really won’t know that for a couple of years as they develop.
Four Clear Draft Paths Define Minnesota’s Strategy at No. 18
In 2025, I felt the best strategy in the draft was to trade back to acquire more picks. With only four picks to start with, the Vikings needed more ammo and some key positions to fill. The Vikings took my third option of staying put and were rewarded with left guard Donovan Jackson, one of the players I speculated they might end up with.
Advertisement
Sure, it wasn’t the most exciting pick, but it was the best pick, and it strengthened a position that had been suffering for several years. Jackson was a solid performer and was the player Head Coach Kevin O’Connell had been dreaming about drafting.
Other than a broken wrist that caused him to sit out a few games, Jackson soon earned the respect of fans in an otherwise bad season. Will Fries at right guard was the most consistent performer among those who kept getting rotated out of the lineup due to injuries. Jackson was a close second.
Minnesota Vikings guard Donovan Jackson (74) goes through drills during a June 10, 2025 minicamp session at the team’s training facility in Minneapolis. The rookie lineman is expected to compete for a key depth role entering his first NFL season. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images.
The rest of the draft picks are all “wait and see” players. Tai Felton didn’t do much of anything. Tyrion Ingram-Dawkins got a good amount of playing time as a rotational player and had a few splash plays. Kobe King got cut late in the season and got picked up by the Jets.
Gavin Bartholomew was put on injured reserve for the season. Some of the undrafted free agents the team brought in outshone some of the drafted players.
Advertisement
Now the team has Rob Brzezinski as their General Manager — even if it ends up being temporary and nine draft picks to work with to make moves if they feel they need to. With more ability to move up or down in the draft or even acquire future picks, the strategy this year will be different than last year.
I used Pro Football Network to run my mock drafts. Not a bad program, as you can trade players and picks, and the computer will throw out trades for the automated teams to you and between them, adding surprises every so often. It’s also free!
I ran 15 mock drafts where I controlled the Vikings’ choices, making tradebacks, trade-ups, and staying put to find the best possible plan for the Purple Squad to take and what they should avoid. I’m only going to talk strategy here with a player breakdown in a follow-up article.
4. Trade Back to the End of 1st Round orOut
Advertisement
Last year, my suggestion was that they aggressively trade back out of the 1st round to acquire more picks since they were sitting at pick 24. With the draft cupboard so bare in 2025 and the previous failures in the draft, the team needed to shore things back up.
This year, that scheme would not be a great idea. To me, this draft feels top-heavy with several players available for depth. Minnesota doesn’t need depth players; it needs impact players, and it needs them now. Could they find diamonds in the rough? Sure. But they can’t risk that by trading away high picks to fill the roster.
Vikings executive Rob Brzezinski speaks with Vikings.com’s Gabe Henderson during a sit-down interview on Feb. 17, 2022, discussing organizational philosophy, front-office strategy, and the hiring of head coach Kevin O’Connell while outlining Minnesota’s leadership structure and long-term football operations vision in a detailed digital feature segment. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
They’ve done a great job with lower-level picks and undrafted free agents over the last few years who have played very well, but now they need guys who go from the draft floor straight to the playing field. This strategy should be avoided at all costs, especially if the guy everyone thinks they should take is sitting right there.
3. Trade Up Back Into The 1st Round
As I said, this draft is deep on supporting players and depth with a good amount of talent at the top. Sitting at 18 is right in the middle, and they should get a good player no matter what, but maybe they get aggressive and try to get back in the 1st round and snag another player of need.
Advertisement
The problem here is that you’re probably giving up 2027 picks to get there, and that draft is supposed to be stacked with talent. In the later rounds, I found that in most cases I could trade back and still get players of need and great value. I also found ways to get more picks for 2027, filling the missing 4th-round pick that goes to Carolina with a 3rd-round pick or two.
I think staying put in the upper rounds is still the way to go to lock down players who fill the team’s needs. One way to do this may be to trade away a player as part of a package deal, if necessary. Jordan Addison has many fans ready to part ways, and he could give the team some ammunition to move up. There are also Johnathan Greenard rumors that most hope don’t come true. Unless someone takes an absolute tumble down the boards, I don’t see any reason to open this door.
2. Trade Up
Sitting at 18 doesn’t sit well with some folks, as the Vikings went on a bit of a winning run at the end of the season. Once again, the team plopped down in sort of a no man’s land with the top picks just out of reach. However, there is some hope that they could move up if there is a payer they absolutely covet.
Advertisement
Oct 19, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Notre Dame Fighting Irish running back Jeremiyah Love (4) runs against the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets during the second half at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dale Zanine-Imagn Images
Should there be a player they feel could dramatically alter the team’s strategies on either side of the ball, they could make that move, since they have more draft capital. Again, they would have to give up picks in 2027 to get there, putting strain back on next year’s draft.
If they see that’s the way to go, then that player had best not only be an impact player from the start but a starter before the season ends. The team and the staff as a whole can’t have more draft failures on their resume.
Can they do it? Yes. Should they? I feel that only if someone with high impact falls near them and they only have to go up a pick or two to secure “their guy”. Selling the farm won’t be in the best interests of the future over the next few years.
1. Stay Put
2025 had fans all in a twist, wanting to make a move one way or the other. When they didn’t, I was pretty surprised that they didn’t at least trade back. In the end, that was the best decision they could have made. You build through the trenches, and Jackson was a great pick.
Advertisement
Once the entire line can play as a unit and not be a fruit basket upset by injuries, they could be the best line in the division and maybe one of the best in the league. That’s why I think they should once again stay put and take the best player available at a position of need. Several great players will be taken at the top of the draft.
Dec 25, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O’Connell looks on in the second quarter against the Detroit Lions at U.S. Bank Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Krohn-Imagn Images
What’s unique is that several great players in the 20s are worthy. The Vikings need a safety, center, and cornerback the most, with running back, wide receiver, and tight end being needs to fill for future consideration.
With all the mocks I’ve gone through, the Vikings can get any of these players by being patient. Some might see it as more of a luxury to take the best player available, but it’s never bad to have too much of a good thing. Staying at 18 also lets them decide if trading back a spot or two and still getting their guy is in play.
The draft rarely goes the way most of us think it will. I don’t believe in the “that will never happen” scenario because I’ve seen it time and time again. If the team stays at 18, I think we will all be happy with the outcome on draft night.
I’m a small-town boy with12 years in telecommunications and 13 years in radio but a lifetime as a Vikings … More about Tony Schultz
It’s all square between Marhoona and Tempted with one victory apiece, though one will claim superiority in their first encounter since the Golden Slipper of last year on The Championships’ Day Two at Randwick.
Both coming off Group 1 triumphs, Marhoona and Tempted gear up for the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday, after juvenile meetings split by Tempted’s 2025 Reisling Stakes (1200m) win and Marhoona’s Slipper.
Still, Tempted’s placing trailing superstar Ka Ying Rising in The Everest (1200m) then Group 1 capture in the Surround Stakes (1400m) marks her as strong favourite, opposite Marhoona’s $11 quote.
Marhoona’s preparer Michael Freedman knows the size of the job but has no complaints about his filly’s form.
Advertisement
“We did beat her in the Slipper, and she beat us in the Reisling,” Freedman said of the rivalry with Tempted.
“She is obviously a very, very good filly and she will take a bit of beating here next Saturday.
“I think Marhoona is going as well as she ever has. We’ll see when barriers come out, that can play a part, but she is in good order.
“Zac Lloyd has picked up the ride on her.”
Advertisement
Marhoona put paid to any Golden Slipper legacy issues last time, upsetting hardened sprinters for The Galaxy (1100m) success at Rosehill.
The trainer described the result as proof of her resilience and fight, praising the youngster’s record in minimal outings.
“She is such a tough, game filly. She’s not overly big, but she hates getting beaten,” he said.
“It was a big thrill to come out and win a race like that with her after winning the Slipper.
Advertisement
“She won a Listed in the spring as a three-year-old, so it’s great credit to her. She’s only had eight lifetime starts and she has won two Group Ones.”
Pallaton from the same barn could enter the Arrowfield, fitted with blinkers post his colt-like display finishing out of contention in the Star Kingdom Stakes (1200m).
The stable will watch Profoundly, Saturday’s Adrian Knox Stakes champ, for her shot at the ATC Australian Oaks (2400m) barring any issues this week.
Visit leading betting sites to find the top racing betting markets ahead of the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint.
Apr 5, 2026; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Dusty May during a press conference ahead of the Final Four of the men’s 2026 NCAA Tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images
Michigan head coach Dusty May informed Michigan officials that he would not take part as a candidate in North Carolina’s coaching search — nor any other — ESPN reported on Sunday.
May, 49, has guided the Wolverines to the NCAA Championship Game in his second season in Ann Arbor. A year after he took them to the Sweet 16, May has the Wolverines sitting at 36-3 ahead of Monday’s championship matchup with UConn.
The Tarheels have been in pursuit of a new coach since firing Hubert Davis on March 24. The school is now facing a looming deadline of sorts with the transfer portal opening on Tuesday, yet it has also been doing due diligence with coaches still in the tournament.
Arizona coach Tommy Lloyd had been squarely in North Carolina’s sights until Friday, when Lloyd was given a significant contract extension to remain with the Wildcats. That provoked speculation that the Tarheels could turn their attention to another Final Four coach.
Advertisement
As Lloyd’s new deal became public, May — whose buyout is $7 million — also addressed job rumors on Friday, reiterating his commitment to Michigan.
“After last year, I decided that I’ll never, ever respond to any job speculation,” May said. “I think it’s well-documented how happy I am at Michigan. Obviously, my private life, my personal life, my family, their happiness is very important.”
Interestingly, Lloyd and May squared off on Saturday, with May’s Wolverines winning a one-sided affair, 91-73.
North Carolina finished 24-9 with a first-round exit in this year’s NCAA Tournament. Iowa State’s T.J. Otzelberger and Alabama’s Nate Oats have also publicly taken themselves out of the running in recent days. Other reported candidates include the Chicago Bulls’ Billy Donovan and Vanderbilt’s Mark Byington, among others.
Manchester United have been handed an injury boost ahead of the Premier League clash against Leeds United.
Manchester United have been handed an injury boost ahead of their return to Premier League action next week. After the international break and FA Cup action, United are back in action next Monday when they host rivals Leeds United.
United were last in action on Friday, 20 March, when they had to settle for a point from a 2-2 draw with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. That result left United in third place in the Premier League table, one point above Aston Villa in fourth.
Advertisement
The match against Bournemouth also saw Harry Maguire shown a red card, meaning that he will be suspended for the match vs Leeds.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our United WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our United Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
The extra break has given some members of the United squad extra time to recover from any bumps, bruises or injuries. With that in mind, here’s a look at the latest from the United treatment room.
Patrick Dorgu
Injury: Hamstring
Advertisement
The full-back has missed the last eight Premier League games due to a hamstring injury sustained in the closing stages of the clash against Arsenal. He is now back doing individual work on the grass as he steps up his recovery from the injury.
Potential return date: Vs Liverpool (H), Sunday, 3 May
Potential return date: Vs Leeds (H), Mon, 13 April
Benjamin Sesko
Injury: Knock
Like Mbeumo, Sesko pulled out of international duty over the break. The striker has been dealing with a fitness concern over the last few weeks, but should be able to feature for United against Leeds.
Potential return date: Vs Leeds (H), Mon, 13 April
Advertisement
Lisandro Martinez
Injury: Calf
The centre-back has missed the last five Premier League games due to the injury, but is closing in on a comeback.
What has been said: “[Lisandro is] closer, a lot closer. He’s getting there, so after this one. I think he’ll be alright.”
Advertisement
Potential return date: Vs Leeds (H), Mon, 13 April
Matthijs de Ligt
Injury: Back
The defender has been out of action since November due to a back injury.
What has been said: “He’s obviously trying to work to get back but it’s just the back issue, really, that’s proving difficult. We’ll keep working as hard as we can, to get him back as quickly as we can.”
Advertisement
Potential return date: Unknown
Up to 70% off Man United kits and merch
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar etched his name into the record books on Sunday as he became only the second bowler and the first fast bowler to take 200 wickets in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Bhuvneshwar achieved the milestone by dismissing Chennai Super Kings (CSK) batter Ayush Mhatre during their IPL 2026 clash at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium. The seasoned campaigner, now the second-highest wicket-taker in IPL history, joined fellow Indian and leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal in the exclusive 200-wicket club. Bhuvneshwar’s tally now stands at 200 wickets in 192 matches, at an average of 27.25. Chahal leads the charts with 224 wickets in 176 matches at an average of 22.68, while Sunil Narine sits third with 193 wickets from 191 matches.
Bhuvneshwar reached the landmark in style, troubling Mhatre with a hard-length delivery outside the off stump that rose sharply. Attempting a pull shot, Mhatre was cramped for room and mistimed the stroke, sending the ball looping towards mid-off, where RCB skipper Rajat Patidar completed a simple catch.
(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
Featured Video Of The Day
India Golf Premier League Unveils Squads For 10 Franchises Ahead Of Season Two
Mar 31, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Mookie Betts (50) throws to first for the out against Cleveland Guardians shortstop Gabriel Arias (13) during the fifth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images
The Los Angeles Dodgers put Mookie Betts on the 10-day injured list on Sunday after an MRI verified an oblique strain.
Manager Dave Roberts said Sunday that Betts could be sidelined four to six weeks, but he anticipated time missed being on the lower side.
Betts exited in the middle of the first inning on Saturday during the Dodgers’ 10-5 win against the Washington Nationals, with right lower back pain cited as the reason.
He was replaced by Miguel Rojas, who will bat second for the Dodgers against the Nationals on Sunday.
Advertisement
In a corresponding move, Los Angeles called up infielder Hyeseong Kim from Triple-A Oklahoma City. He played in 71 games and hit .280 for the Dodgers last season but didn’t make the club out of spring training. In six games at Oklahoma City, he is hitting .346 (9-for-26).
He could see some time at shortstop as well.
After posting a career-low .258 batting average last season, Betts — a former American League batting champion — is off to a slow start at the plate. The 33-year-old is batting just .179 (5-for-28), but he does have two homers and seven RBIs in eight games.
Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva has been wished a ‘good farewell’ by assistant Pep Lijnders as he nears the end of his contract.
22:30, 05 Apr 2026Updated 22:38, 05 Apr 2026
Advertisement
Bernardo Silva is set to leave Manchester City this summer when his contract expires. Assistant manager Pep Lijnders told fans to savour the ‘last six weeks’ of a phenomenal nine years at the Etihad.
Silva revealed back in October that he already knew what his future held beyond this season, but that it wasn’t the time to announce it. There have still not been any official statements from the player or the club, but Lijnders was clear after the 4-0 win over Liverpool when he was asked about Silva’s irreplaceable quality.
“You never replace a player with the same kind of player because they don’t exist. Bernardo Silva is unique,” the City assistant said. “The way he controls games, the way he moves, the way he receives, the way he leads, the way he sees the solutions. All these things.
Get MEN Premium now for just £1 HERE – or get involved in our City WhatsApp group by clicking HERE. You can also join our City Facebook page by clicking HERE and don’t miss out on our brilliant selection of newsletters HERE.
Advertisement
“You never search for a replacement of one type of player. You search for what is needed to grow with the team and somebody who can fit in the first XI. And then you hope, with our academy, with the young players we already bought that they can make that step as well in the midfield positions.
“If you see our young boys in the academy, then they have to make that step and to grow. But the most important is that the seniors who stay for a long time, that they stay, that they stay, that they stay. That they are always there and, around that, you can move.
“But it will be hard because, as I said, in the game, when he is not playing you will see how he is missed and that’s one game. Imagine a season. But every good story comes to an end, and I hope he enjoys the last months – there are only six weeks – and has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention as well.”
Barring a dramatic U-turn, Silva will leave City as one of their most decorated and greatest ever players. The Portugal international has won six Premier Leagues, a Champions League, two FA Cups and five Carabao Cups in nine glorious years at the Etihad.
Advertisement
As well as being the player Pep Guardiola has used the most in his managerial career in 450 appearances for City that will see him eighth in the all-time list for the club, Silva has led by example as club captain this year to restore standards that had dropped off last season. The 31-year-old lifted the Carabao Cup at Wembley last month and could yet win the Premier League and FA Cup again this year.
He has long talked about a return to boyhood club Benfica at some point in his career, although Barcelona and Juventus are also interested in signing him on a free transfer this summer. Wherever he goes, he will forever be loved at City.
Apr 4, 2026; Raleigh, North Carolina, USA; New York Islanders head coach Patrick Roy reacts against the Carolina Hurricanes during the first period at Lenovo Center. Mandatory Credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
The New York Islanders fired Hall of Famer Patrick Roy as the team’s head coach Sunday and replaced him with Peter DeBoer.
The Islanders (42-31-5, 89 points) have lost a season-high four in a row and reside in third place in the Metropolitan Division, one point ahead of the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets. New York is idle until Thursday, when they’ll host the Toronto Maple Leafs.
Roy, 60, posted a 97-78-22 record in three seasons since taking over for Lane Lambert as coach of the Islanders.
DeBoer, 57, guided the Dallas Stars to the Western Conference final in three straight seasons before being fired by the team on June 6. He posted a 149-68-29 record with Dallas.
Advertisement
DeBoer has a 662-447-152 coaching record with the Florida Panthers, New Jersey Devils, San Jose Sharks, Golden Knights and Stars. He guided the Devils to the Stanley Cup Final in 2012 and the Sharks to the finals in 2016.
Roy was a four-time Stanley Cup champion and a three-time Vezina Trophy recipient during his playing days.
He is the fourth coach to be fired this season. Rick Bowness replaced Dean Evason in Columbus on Jan. 12, D.J. Smith took over from Jim Hiller in Los Angeles on March 1 and John Tortorella replaced Bruce Cassidy with Vegas on March 29.
South Carolina head coach Dawn Staley was disappointed how the Gamecocks’ season ended on Sunday afternoon in Phoenix, a 79-51 loss to the UCLA Bruins in the national championship game.
During her post-game interview, Staley was asked about what happened in the Gamecocks’ prior Final Four matchup against UConn, where she and head coach Geno Auriemma had a tense exchange after South Carolina advanced to the title game for the third year in a row.
Rather than hash out more of her thoughts, Staley had a classy response.
Head coach Dawn Staley of the South Carolina Gamecocks watches during the first half of the NCAA women’s basketball championship game against the UCLA Bruins at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 5, 2026.(Ben Solomon/NCAA Photos)
“I don’t want – this is UCLA’s day, right? Let’s keep it UCLA, them winning the national championship,” Staley told reporters, via The Athletic. “… We’re not going to damper UCLA’s day with it.”
Before this national title contest, Staley was spotted having a cordial experience greeting UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close — a much different experience than how Friday night ended with Auriemma.
After the Gamecocks defeated the Huskies, Staley and Auriemma went viral with their interaction at midcourt, where Auriemma appeared to enrage Staley before walking off.
This time, Staley and Close hugged and shared a few words. During the exchange, Staley “looked around afterward like, ‘see??’”, per NBC Sports.
Staley was showing a bit of sarcasm, as she noted Auriemma didn’t shake her hand before the Final Four tipped off between the two teams on Friday night.
After the Gamecocks’ victory over the Huskies, Staley was asked what exactly happened with Auriemma, though she tried to explain her focus in helping her team lock in for the national title game. If they won, it would’ve been the fourth national championship in the last 10 years for South Carolina.
Advertisement
Head coach Cori Close of the UCLA Bruins watches during the first quarter against the South Carolina Gamecocks in the NCAA women’s basketball national championship at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 5, 2026.(Christian Petersen/Getty Images)
“For me, no distractions at this time. I’m concentrating on winning a national championship, that’s it,” Staley said at the time. “That’s a little disheartening. This is sports, sometimes things like this happen. Continue to focus on my team and ability to advance in this tournament and hopefully win another national championship.”
“There’s no excuse for how I handled the end of the game vs. South Carolina. It’s unlike what I do and what our standard is here at Connecticut,” the Hall of Fame coach said in a statement on Saturday. “I want to apologize to the staff and the team at South Carolina. It was uncalled for in how I reacted. The story should be how well South Carolina played, and I don’t want my actions to detract from that. I’ve had a great relationship with their staff, and I sincerely want to apologize to them.”
Advertisement
Staley added she had “no idea” why Auriemma was angry after the game, though she guessed perhaps he was ticked off by the lack of handshake before the game on his own end. Either way, Staley was moving forward.
UCLA Bruins head coach Cori Close shakes hands with South Carolina Gamecocks head coach Dawn Staley after defeating South Carolina 79-51 in the NCAA women’s championship game at Mortgage Matchup Center in Phoenix, Ariz., on April 4, 2026.(Ronaldo Bolaños/Los Angeles Times)
“I don’t know what he came with after the game, but, hey, sometimes things get heated. We move on,” she said.
For UCLA, it was the first time the women’s basketball program has won the national title, as their emotional celebration ensued following the game in Phoenix.
The Portugal midfielder is in the final year of his contract and his future has been the subject of speculation throughout the current season.
Lijnders appeared to confirm the 31-year-old’s imminent departure while carrying out media duties on behalf of manager Pep Guardiola after Saturday’s FA Cup win over Liverpool.
The Dutchman, responding to a question about how City might replace him, said: “Every good story comes to an end and I hope he enjoys the last months – because there is only six weeks – and has a good farewell. He deserves all the attention as well.”
Silva has made 450 appearances for City since joining from Monaco in 2017, winning six Premier League titles and the Champions League as well as two FA Cups and five Carabao Cups.
Advertisement
Lijnders acknowledged he will be a hard act to replace.
He said: “You never replace a player (like him) with the same kind of player because they don’t exist. Bernardo Silva is unique, the way he controls games, moves, receives, leads and sees the solutions.
“It will be hard because when he is not playing in a game you see how he is missed. That is one game, imagine the seasons.”
Mar 4, 2026; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Mariano Navone (ARG) hits a shot against Marcos Giron (USA) in his first round match during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images
Spain’s Rafael Jodar, 19, captured his first ever ATP tour title in smooth fashion, taking down Argentinian qualifier Marco Trungelliti in straight sets 6-3, 6-2 in the Grand Prix Hassan II final on Sunday in Marrakech, Morocco.
Just 12 months ago, Jodar was ranked No. 911 in the world rankings but has had a quick ascent the last few months after making his tour debut earlier this year at the Australian Open. He became the first ever teenager to lift the trophy in Marrakech.
Jodar came out hot as he broke Trungelliti’s in the very first service of the game in which there were six deuces. Jodar led in winners (21-5) and faced just one break which he saved. He knocked home 15 of 17 second serve points (88.2 percent) and converted four of nine break points.
Trungelliti, 36, was also playing in his first career final after taking down the first, third and fifth seeds on the way to the finals. On Monday he will become the oldest man to make his top 100 debut in the rankings. This final marked the fifth-largest age gap between participants since 1990.
Tiriac Open
Advertisement
Seventh-seeded Mariano Navone of Argentina held strong to take down Spaniard qualifier Daniel Merida 6-2, 4-6, 7-5 in a 2-hour, 17-minute final in Bucharest, Romania.
Navone took control in the first set by converting 19 of 21 first serves and breaking Merida twice. After faltering in the second set and losing his second service of the all-decisive third set, Navone broke Merida’s serve on three of the final four games of the match.
This is Navone’s first ever title after he lost in this same final in straight sets in 2024. According to the ATP live rankings, this should bump Navone up 18 spots to No. 42 in the world which would surpass his highest ranking of No. 47 in 2024.
Advertisement
U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championship
American fourth-seed Tommy Paul is facing off with Roman Andres Burruchaga of Argentina in the final in Houston, Texas.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login