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Hailey Baptiste stuns Sabalenka in Madrid

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Hailey Baptiste has pulled off one of the biggest upsets of the season, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-2, 7-6(6) in Madrid to reach her first WTA 1000 semifinal.

Baptiste saved six match points in the deciding set before forcing a tiebreak and completing a remarkable comeback. The victory ends Sabalenka’s 15-match winning streak and her title defense.

This is the biggest win of Baptiste’s career. She earns her first victory over a world No. 1 and is projected to rise to a career-high ranking of No. 24.

  • Jodar reaches first Masters Quarterfinal, faces Sinner nextJodar reaches first Masters Quarterfinal, faces Sinner next

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After the match, Baptiste reflected on the moment:

“Incredible. Super proud of myself. It was super tight… had to fight off match points. I’m really happy right now.”

She also spoke about what the win means for her confidence:

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“It just shows me where my game lies. I’ve always believed it. Now I’m starting to put it into action and the world is seeing it as well.”

Sabalenka admitted she had chances but was outplayed in the key moments:

“I had some opportunities and didn’t take them. I feel like she played very brave tennis in those match-point moments, and that made the difference… well done.”

The result also makes her just the second American woman to beat a world No. 1 in Madrid, joining Serena Williams.

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Baptiste will now face Mirra Andreeva in the semifinals as she continues a breakthrough run.

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Shaq’s daughter, Me’Arah O’Neal, announces transfer to Kentucky Wildcats

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NEWYou can now listen to Fox News articles!

College sports are completely different now than it was when Shaquille O’Neal spent his days dunking basketballs for the LSU Tigers before he entered the NBA.

O’Neal played three seasons at LSU before he chose to go pro. He was later selected No. 1 overall by the Orlando Magic in the 1992 draft.

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Florida Gators forward Me'arah O'Neal walking on the basketball court

Florida Gators forward Me’arah O’Neal walks on the court against the South Carolina Gamecocks at Exactech Arena at the Stephen C. O’Connell Center in Gainesville, Fla., on Jan. 4, 2026. (Matt Pendleton/Imagn Images)

With the rise of name, image and likeness (NIL) deals and the increased usage of the transfer portal, there is hardly an athlete nowadays who doesn’t at least think about changing up schools. O’Neal’s daughter became the latest college athlete to switch schools on Monday.

Me’Arah O’Neal announced she will transfer to the Kentucky Wildcats.

“I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful—I know that very well. (Psalms 139:14),” she wrote on Instagram announcing her commitment.

Tennessee guard Talaysia Cooper attempts a shot while guarded by Florida forward Me'Arah O'Neal in a basketball game

Tennessee guard Talaysia Cooper attempts a shot while guarded by Florida forward Me’Arah O’Neal in Knoxville, Tenn., on Jan. 1, 2026. (Saul Young/News Sentinel/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

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O’Neal played two seasons with the Gators, increasing her playing time in 2025-26. She averaged 13.6 points, 6.4 rebounds, 1.4 blocks and 1.4 steals per game. Florida finished 18-15 on the year but failed to make the NCAA Women’s Basketball Tournament.

The Wildcats are coming off a season in which they made the Elite Eight. Kentucky finished 25-11 and defeated the James Madison Dukes and West Virginia Mountaineers before falling to the Texas Longhorns.

Shaquille O’Neal previously praised his daughter as being the standout basketball player in his family.

Shaquille O'Neal standing and honoring the flag at a basketball arena.

Shaquille O’Neal honors the flag during the women’s basketball game at the Steven C. O’Connell Center Exactech Arena in Gainesville, Fla., on Jan. 29, 2026. His daughter, Florida forward Me’arah O’Neal, is on the team. (Alan Youngblood/Gainesville Sun)

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“My baby is the best athlete in the family because she can do it all,” he said, via ESPN. “She’s not an old-school player. She’s the new pick-your-type player, so I’m going to give her the title. She can shoot, she can dribble. She can’t be fazed when it comes to certain things.”

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Is Pokemon GO Fest 2026 Global fully free?

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Pokemon GO Fest 2026 Global will be a completely free event. Niantic has mentioned that there will be no paywalled content that had been common in previous iterations of the GO Fest event. This is a surprise step from the developers, but one that is likely explained by the big debuts scheduled for GO Fest 2026.

Coinciding with the game’s 10th anniversary, Pokemon GO Fest 2026 Global will take place on June 11 and June 12 between 10 am and 7 pm local time each day. The event will mark the debut of Zeraora and the mega-evolved forms of Mewtwo.


Pokemon GO Fest 2026 will be free for all trainers

Announcing the same, Niantic mentioned:

“Yes, GO Fest: Global is FREE for the first time! Pokemon GO Fest 2026: Global is FREE for all Trainers logged in during the event weekend. That means Special Research, additional bonuses, and an increased chance of encountering Shiny Pokémon are available to all Trainers at no cost!”

GO Fest 2026 Global Special Research will net trainers an encounter with the Thunderclap Pokemon, Zeraora. Those who have already caught the Pokemon in the in-person events will get Zeraora Candy instead. GO Fest 2026 Timed Research has a chance of giving Mega Mewtwo X or Mega Mewtwo Y Energy.

The following GO Fest 2026: Global bonuses and features will be active:

10 am to 7 pm each day

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  • “Increased appearances of Pokemon-type featured during each time block of GO Fest: Global!
  • Lure Modules activated during the event will last for one hour.
  • Incense (excluding Daily Adventure Incense) will attract special Pokemon.
  • Party Play will be active for nine hours
  • Increased chance of encountering Shiny Pokemon
  • Special Research including an encounter with Zeraora
  • Branching Timed Research with a choice between Mega Mewtwo X or Mega Mewtwo Y.
  • Global Challenges to unlock additional bonuses and Ultra Unlock events.
  • Different Pokemon type–themed Field Research every hour”

12 am to 11.59 pm each day

  • Up to nine free Raid Passes per day by spinning Photo Discs at Gyms
  • Up to six Special Trades
  • 1/2 Stardust cost for all trades
  • Open up to 50 Gifts each day
Mega Mewtwo forms in Pokemon GO Fest 2026 (Image via Niantic)Mega Mewtwo forms in Pokemon GO Fest 2026 (Image via Niantic)
Mega Mewtwo forms in Pokemon GO Fest 2026 (Image via Niantic)

The decision to make GO Fest 2026: Global free may have been influenced by the Super Mega Raids that trainers need to participate in to battle Mega Mewtwo X/Y and get their respective energies. Given that these unique Mega Raids can host over a thousand trainers, Niantic is hoping for a massive turnout and will surely ensure that the difficulty of these battles will be appropriately greater.

Furthermore, with an increased number of players participating and the massive popularity of Mewtwo, trainers may choose to spend more on Passes and Link Charges to get enough Mega Mewtwo Energy. For those unaware, “every Mega Mewtwo caught from Super Mega Raids will also have at least one Mega Level [or Mega Level 2 or 3 for lucky trainers] already unlocked and can be Mega Evolved without the initial energy cost”.