Sports
Nationals explode for six-run inning, beat Padres
May 30, 2026; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; San Diego Padres shortstop Xander Bogaerts (2) celebrates with Padres third baseman Manny Machado (13) after hitting a solo home run Washington Nationals during the second inning at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images Luis Garcia Jr. hit a two-run single to highlight a six-run seventh inning as the Nationals rallied past the San Diego Padres for a 9-4 win Saturday in Washington.
Garcia had two hits and Drew Millas homered for the Nationals, who had lost two straight.
Washington trailed 3-1 entering the seventh when CJ Abrams led off with a single off Michael King. Jose Tena then reached on a fielder’s choice, moving Abrams to second. Jorbit Vivas walked to load the bases and Dylan Crews was hit by a pitch, forcing home a run.
Reliever Bradgley Rodriguez came on and Millas grounded to second baseman Tatis, but Crews was called safe at second with shortstop Xander Bogaerts’ foot not touching the base, and a run scored. Padres manager Craig Stammen argued the call and was ejected.
Mead walked to force in Washington’s fourth run and, after James Wood struck out, Garcia singled up the middle, scoring two more runs. The final run scored when Daylen Lile beat out a potential double-play grounder as Mead scored.
In the San Diego eighth, Miguel Andujar walked and scored on a double by Manny Machado. Two more walks by Gus Varland loaded the bases, but Clayton Beeter came on to retire Ty France.
Mead doubled home two runs in the bottom half to push the lead to 9-4.
Brad Lord (3-0) pitched two scoreless innings for the win and Beeter picked up his third save. Bogaerts, Machado and Fernando Tatis Jr. homered for the Padres, who have lost five of their past six games.
King (4-4) allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits in six-plus innings.
Bogaerts homered to center with one out in the second inning to give the Padres a 1-0 lead.
Millas tied it 1-1 in the bottom of the third with a shot to right. San Diego regained the lead in the fourth on Machado’s home run.
Tatis made it 3-1 in the fifth when he connected for his first home run of the season.
Foster Griffin allowed three runs on five hits – three of them home runs — over five innings for Washington.
–Field Level Media
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Texas A&M vs Texas State baseball live box score, results: Stats from NCAA Baseball Championship Game
Texas A&M vs Texas State baseball live box score, results: Stats from NCAA Baseball Championship Game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Texas State is coming off a late come from behind victory over USC on Friday. They now face the Aggies of Texas A&M. The Bobcats eventually beat the Trojans with less at bats, less hits and better pitching.
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A very similar story came out of the Texas A&M vs Lamar game. Less at bats, less hits, but better pitching. The question in this game could come down to the better pitching staff and the team that can generate runs, especially later in the game.
Both teams are adequately good at creating scoring opportunities. The question will be, which pitching staff can slow down the opposing offense.
|
2026 NCAA Baseball Championship |
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
R |
H |
E |
|
Texas A&M (40-14) |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
4 |
0 |
|||||
|
Texas State (37-24) |
1 |
1 |
0 |
2 |
3 |
1 |
Texas A&M vs Texas State baseball box score: Live stats from NCAA Baseball Championship
Texas A&M
|
Batter |
POS |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
AVG |
OBP |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
9 |
Gavin Grahovac |
1B |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
.345 |
.433 |
|
13 |
Caden Sorrell |
CF |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.344 |
.439 |
|
8 |
Chris Hacopian |
DH |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.310 |
.399 |
|
2 |
Nico Partida |
3B |
2 |
0 |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.318 |
.418 |
|
3 |
Jake Duer |
LF |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
.293 |
.399 |
|
16 |
Bear Harrison |
C |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.295 |
.486 |
|
10 |
Ben Royo |
2B |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
.455 |
.474 |
|
1 |
Terrence Kiel II |
RF |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
.261 |
.407 |
|
6 |
Boston Kellner |
SS |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
.237 |
.422 |
|
Total |
13 |
1 |
4 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
||||
H:
RBI:
|
Pitcher |
POS |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
BF |
ERA |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
21 |
Weston Moss |
P |
3.0 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
13 |
5.8 |
|
Total |
3.0 |
3 |
2 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
13 |
|||
Texas State
|
Batter |
POS |
AB |
R |
H |
RBI |
BB |
SO |
AVG |
OBP |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
7 |
Rashawn Galloway |
RF |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
.319 |
.370 |
|
33 |
Manny Salas |
DH |
2 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
1 |
.311 |
.413 |
|
32 |
Clayton Namken |
C |
2 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
.306 |
.398 |
|
24 |
Jaquae Stewart |
1B |
2 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
.263 |
.393 |
|
1 |
Justin Vossos |
SS |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.299 |
.370 |
|
44 |
Jackson Cotton |
LF |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
0 |
.250 |
.370 |
|
2 |
Chase Mora |
3B |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
.233 |
.293 |
|
9 |
Bennett Fryman |
CF |
1 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
.231 |
.322 |
|
21 |
Brady Boles |
2B |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
1 |
0 |
.260 |
.374 |
|
Total |
12 |
2 |
3 |
2 |
1 |
5 |
||||
H:
RBI:
|
Pitcher |
POS |
IP |
H |
R |
ER |
BB |
SO |
BF |
ERA |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
13 |
Jesus Tovar |
P |
3.0 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
13 |
5.1 |
|
Total |
3.0 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
0 |
4 |
13 |
|||
How to watch: Texas A&M vs Texas State 2026 NCAA Baseball Championship Game
Date: Saturday, May 30
Time: 7 p.m. ET
TV: ESPN2
More NCAA News
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2026 Charles Schwab Challenge Sunday tee times: Final round
The 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge concludes Sunday at Colonial Country Club in Texas. Full 2026 Charles Schwab Challenge tee times can be found at the bottom of this post.
Featured final-round grouping
Eric Cole will arrive at Colonial Country Club on Sunday with a unique opportunity in front of him. If he can hang onto the one-stroke lead he’s built up over 54 holes in Fort Worth, he’ll earn the first PGA Tour victory of his career. If he hopes to break through on the biggest stage, he’ll have to hold off a couple of talented pros playing alongside him in the final grouping.
Just a stroke behind Cole’s 12-under lead sits Ryan Gerard, who is seeking his second career Tour victory after winning the Barracude Championship last summer. Playing alongside the duo will be Mac Meissner, who is another stroke behind and is also looking for a maiden victory. The trio will go off in the final group of the day at 12:55 p.m. ET.
Check out below for everything you need to know to watch the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday.
Get ESPN+
With an ESPN+ subscription, you gain access to PGA Tour Live, where you can stream the best PGA Tour events live from wherever you want.
How to watch on TV Sunday
You can watch the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge from 1-3 p.m. ET on Golf Channel before the tournament finishes from 3-6 p.m. on CBS.
How to stream online Sunday
You can stream the final round of the Charles Schwab Challenge via PGA Tour Live on ESPN+, which includes exclusive early coverage starting at 8 a.m. ET on Sunday. ESPN+ will provide featured hole and featured group coverage; you can also stream CBS’s coverage on Paramount+.
2026 Charles Schwab Challenge Round 4 tee times (ET)
8:11 a.m. — Ryan Hisatsune, Tom Hoge, Thorbjorn Olesen
8:22 a.m. — Seamus Power, Luke Clanton, Lucas Glover
8:33 a.m. — Kevin Streelman, Mark Hubbard, Erik van Rooyen
8:44 a.m. — Joel Dahmen, Patrick Rodgers, Takumi Kanaya
8:55 a.m. — Nick Dunlap, Kevin Roy, Matt McCarty
9:11 a.m. — Garrick Higgo, Lanto Griffin, Davis Riley
9:22 a.m. — Patrick Fishburn, Emiliano Grillo, J.T. Poston
9:33 a.m. — Rico Hoey, Adrien Saddier, Ricky Castillo
9:55 a.m. — Jackson Suber, Brandt Snedeker, Max Homa
10:11 a.m. — Keegan Bradley, Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen, Andrew Novak
10:22 a.m. — Max McGreevy, Austin Smotherman, Kevin Yu
10:33 a.m. — Sam Stevens, Austin Eckroat, Adam Schenk
10:44 a.m. — Tom Kim, Keita Nakajima, Brice Garnett
10:55 a.m. — Robert MacIntyre, Billy Horschel, Davis Thompson
11:11 a.m. — Steven Fisk, Zach Bauchou, Michael Kim
11:22 a.m. — Matt Kuchar, Lee Hodges, Pierceson Coody
11:33 a.m. — Jordan Smith, Johnny Keefer, Chandler Blanchet
11:44 a.m. — Ben Griffin, Andrew Putnam, A.J. Ewart
11:55 a.m. — Ludvig Aberg, Akshay Bhatia, Brian Harman
12:11 p.m. — Christiaan Bezuidenhout, Doug Ghim, Gary Woodland
12:22 p.m. — Michael Brennan, Michael Thorbjornsen, Justin Thomas
12:33 p.m. — Hideki Matsuyama, Nico Echavarria, Mackenzie Hughes
12:44 p.m. — J.J. Spaun, Alex Smalley, Russell Henley
12:55 p.m. — Eric Cole, Ryan Gerard, Mac Meissner
Sports
Wilson converts penalty kick to pull Thorns into a 2-2 draw with the Royals
Sophia Wilson scored on a penalty kick in stoppage time to give the Portland Thorns a 2-2 draw with the Utah Royals on Saturday in a matchup of the league’s top teams.
In other National Women’s Soccer League matches, the Washington Spirit beat the Seattle Reign 2-1; and the Kansas City Current topped the Boston Legacy 1-0.
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The Thorns (7-3-3) took a 1-0 lead in the 21st minute on a goal by Olivia Moultrie.
The first-place Royals (7-2-3), unbeaten in their last 10, leveled the match on Kiana Palacios’ header in the 44th minute. It was the first goal that Portland had conceded at Providence Park this season and ended a 637-minute home shutout streak.
Mina Tanaka found Cloé Lacasse in the 50th minute to give Utah a 2-1 lead.
Alexa Spaanstra fouled Jayden Perry in the box for the penalty kick that Wilson converted for her fifth goal of the season.
Second-place Portland is unbeaten at home over 10 regular-season matches stretching to last season.
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Hershfelt gets go-ahead goal for the Spirit
Hal Hershfelt scored her first goal of the season in the 81st minute to give the Spirit (6-2-3) the win over the Reign at Audi Field.
Spirit midfielder Leicy Santos opened the scoring in the 18th minute off a free kick from outside the box.
The Reign (4-5-2) equalized in the 44th minute on an own goal from defender Lucia Di Guglielmo.
Hershfelt’s winner deflected off defender Jordyn Bugg.
Current remain unbeaten at home
Reigning league MVP Temwa Chawinga scored her seventh goal of the season in the 69th minute to lead the Current (7-5-0) over the visiting Legacy.
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Goalkeeper Lorena made three saves for her third clean sheet of the season.
The Current head into the summer break with an unbeaten home record (6-0-0) and now have a 23-match unbeaten streak at home (20-0-3).
The Legacy (2-7-3) are winless in their last three.
Current defender Kayla Sharples went down in the second minute with an injury and left the field as a concussion substitute seven minutes later.
___
AP World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/fifa-world-cup
Sports
Arsenal vs PSG HIGHLIGHTS UCL final: PSG beat Arsenal on penalties to defend their title | Football News
Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League crown after defeating Arsenal 4-3 in a dramatic penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra time at the Puskas Arena in Budapest.
Arsenal made the brighter start and took the lead inside six minutes through Kai Havertz. The German forward capitalised on a defensive error before rifling his effort into the roof of the net to hand Mikel Arteta’s side an early advantage.
The Premier League champions controlled much of the first half, frustrating PSG with their disciplined defensive structure. Fabian Ruiz came closest for the French side before the break, heading over from a Nuno Mendes delivery as Arsenal entered half-time with a 1-0 lead.
PSG emerged with greater urgency after the restart and gradually began to dominate possession. Arsenal’s resistance eventually cracked in the 65th minute when referee Daniele Orsato awarded a penalty after Cristhian Mosquera brought down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia inside the box. Ousmane Dembele stepped up and calmly converted to level the scores at 1-1.
Both teams pushed for a winner in the closing stages of normal time. Vitinha squandered a glorious opportunity from the edge of the area, while Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Bradley Barcola both threatened on dangerous counterattacks. However, neither side could find a decisive goal, sending the final into extra time.
PSG looked the more dangerous side during the additional 30 minutes, with David Raya producing crucial saves to keep Arsenal alive. Despite late Arsenal pressure and a final opportunity from Viktor Gyokeres, the contest ultimately headed to penalties.
The shootout remained level through the opening exchanges before Nuno Mendes missed PSG’s third penalty and Declan Rice converted for Arsenal. However, Eberechi Eze dragged his effort wide in the next round, allowing PSG to regain control.
After successful penalties from Achraf Hakimi and Lucas Beraldo, Gabriel Magalhaes blasted Arsenal’s decisive kick wide, sealing a 4-3 shootout victory and a second consecutive Champions League title for Luis Enrique’s side.
Arsenal vs PSG UEFA Champions League final probable starting 11:
PSG starting 11: Safonov; Zaire-Emery, Marquinhos, Pacho, Mendes; Neves, Vitinha, Ruiz; Doue, Dembele, Kvaratskhelia
Arsenal starting 11: Raya; Mosquera, Saliba, Gabriel, Hincapie; Lewis-Skelly, Rice; Saka, Odegaard, Trossard; Gyokeres
Arsenal vs PSG UEFA Champions League final: The live telecast of the UCL 2025-26 final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal will be available on Sony Sports Network.
Arsenal vs PSG UEFA Champions League final live streaming: The live streaming of the UCL 2025-26 final between Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal will be available on the SonyLIV app and website.
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Champions League: How Kvaratskhelia shook off Arsenal shackles in second half
Champions League analysts Nedum Onuoha and Pat Nevin look at how Khvicha Kvaratskhelia was able to beat Arsenal’s plan to stifle him to become influential in the second half of the Champions League final.
MATCH REPORT: PSG beat Arsenal in shootout to retain Champions League
Available to UK users only.
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‘If I get picked…’: Shubman Gill sends message amid India T20 selection debate | Cricket News
Shubman Gill may currently lead India in Tests and ODIs, but the Gujarat Titans captain has not given up on making a return to the national T20I side.Speaking ahead of the IPL 2026 final against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Gill said he remains focused on improving his game despite finding himself out of India’s plans in the shortest format.The 26-year-old last played a T20 International during India’s home series against South Africa in December 2025. After a difficult run in the format, Gill was subsequently left out of the squad for this year’s T20 World Cup, where India successfully defended their title.However, the opener insisted that his ambition to represent India in T20Is remains intact.“I’d be happy to play if I get picked for the T20 team.”Rather than dwelling on selection matters, Gill said his focus remains on constant improvement across all formats of the game.“Honestly, I want to keep working on my game. I want to keep getting better as a T20 batsman, as an ODI batsman, as a Test batsman.”Gill endured a disappointing run in T20 Internationals last year. Across 15 matches in 2025, he managed only 291 runs at an average of 24.25, with a highest score of 47. Those struggles eventually saw him lose his place in the side amid intense competition for opening spots.Since then, India’s T20 batting depth has only grown stronger. Sanju Samson cemented his place with a stellar T20 World Cup campaign, while Abhishek Sharma has continued to strengthen his credentials. The emergence of 15-year-old Vaibhav Sooryavanshi has further intensified competition after the Rajasthan Royals sensation smashed 776 runs this IPL season at a staggering strike rate of over 237.Despite the challenge ahead, Gill remains committed to refining his game.“You know, cricket is such a game that you can never really get perfect, but obviously, you can strive for it, and that’s what I try to do.”The Gujarat skipper enters the IPL final in excellent form. He has amassed 722 runs this season at an average of 48.13 and a strike rate of 163.72, including a brilliant 104 off 53 balls in Qualifier 2 against Rajasthan Royals.Gill said staying focused on preparation rather than external discussions has helped him remain mentally fresh throughout the season.“I think preparation is what keeps me mentally fresh, knowing what I need to do the next week, next couple of weeks or in the next series or next tournament, and preparing for that.”According to Gill, clarity around controllable factors is the key to handling the pressures that come with international cricket.“It’s about knowing the things that are in my control or knowing the things that I need to do well to be able to succeed and what we need to do well as a team to be able to succeed is what I think keeps me mentally fit.”While a return to India’s T20I setup may not be immediate given the competition for places, Gill’s performances in IPL 2026 have at least reopened the conversation. With another opportunity awaiting in the final, the Gujarat Titans captain will look to strengthen his case further with the bat.
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Ousmane Dembele Net Worth In 2026: Ballon d’Or Winner Who Is Also The Highest Paid Player In Ligue 1 | FIFA
Ousmane Dembele is 29 years old, worth around $40 million, and currently the best footballer on the planet by formal recognition. He earns more than any other player in Ligue 1, won the Ballon d’Or in September 2025, and heads into the World Cup as France’s most dangerous attacking weapon. Three years ago, Barcelona were trying to get rid of him. Football moves fast.
The Season That Changed Everything
The 2024-25 season settled every argument about where Dembele stood among the game’s elite. He finished the campaign with 35 goals and 16 assists across all competitions, numbers that would be exceptional for a striker and are remarkable for a wide forward. PSG won Ligue 1, the Coupe de France and the Champions League, their first European title, and Dembele drove all three. The Champions League final against Inter Milan ended 5-0, the heaviest margin of victory in the history of the competition. He set up two of the goals that night, was named Player of the Season for the tournament, and walked away from Paris in the summer of 2025 as the best player in the world.
He was named UEFA Champions League Player of the Season, Ligue 1 Player of the Year, and collected the Ballon d’Or in September 2025 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris. For a player who spent four years at Barcelona being written off as injury-prone and difficult, the symmetry of winning the world’s most prestigious individual football award in Paris was not lost on anyone watching.
The 2025-26 season has continued along similar lines. In 22 Ligue 1 appearances, he has scored 10 goals and contributed 17 goal involvements in total, placing him second in PSG’s top scorers list and among the top performers in the league.
The Salary and What It Means
According to L’Equipe’s ranking published in April 2026, Dembele is the highest-paid player in Ligue 1, earning €1.5 million gross per month. His PSG contract, signed on a free transfer from Barcelona in August 2023 and running until 2028, carries an annual gross salary of around €18 million per Capology, with performance bonuses on top of that.
Career earnings from salary alone across Rennes, Dortmund, Barcelona and PSG exceed €110 million. His endorsement portfolio, which includes Adidas and EA Sports, adds a further estimated €5 million annually. Total net worth across salary, endorsements, real estate in Paris and Barcelona, and other investments sits at approximately $40 million as of early 2026.
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UEFA Champions League 2026 Prize Money: How much will Arsenal or PSG win? | Football News
The UEFA Champions League 2026 final is over at the Puskás Arena in Budapest, where Paris Saint-Germain have beaten Arsenal on penalties to get European football’s most prestigious club trophy. While the sporting stakes are enormous, the financial rewards attached to the occasion are equally significant.
PSG won 4-3 on penalties as Gabriel and Eze missed their spot kicks on the night.
How Much Prize Money Is at Stake?
Beyond the glory of lifting the trophy, the final carries a substantial financial incentive. UEFA’s revised competition structure has introduced lucrative payouts throughout the tournament, and the final itself represents a major boost to either club’s finances.
Both Arsenal and PSG have already secured €18.5 million for reaching the Champions League final. However, the winner in Budapest will receive an additional €6.5 million bonus from UEFA.
As a result, the victorious side will walk away with a total final-stage payout of €25 million, while the runners-up will remain on the €18.5 million figure.
|
UEFA Champions League 2026 prize money |
|||
|
Tournament Stage Reached |
Fixed UEFA Payout (Euros) |
Approx. US Dollar Value |
Approx. Pound Sterling Value |
|
League Phase Starting Fee |
€18.62 Million |
$21.66 Million |
£16.08 Million |
|
Round of 16 Qualification |
€11.00 Million |
$12.80 Million |
£9.50 Million |
|
Quarter-final Qualification |
€12.50 Million |
$14.54 Million |
£10.80 Million |
|
Semi-final Qualification |
€15.00 Million |
$17.45 Million |
£12.96 Million |
|
UCL Final Runner-up Fee |
€18.50 Million |
$21.52 Million |
£15.98 Million |
|
UCL Final Winner’s Bonus |
+ €6.50 Million |
+ $7.56 Million |
+ £5.61 Million |
|
Total Standalone Final Share (Winner) |
€25.00 Million |
$29.08 Million |
£21.59 Million |
First Published: May 31 2026 | 12:36 AM IST
Sports
French Open 2026: Why are women being continually overlooked for Roland Garros night sessions?
This debate is nothing new – but nothing has changed.
In each of the past three years, questions have been raised about whether the French Open should do more to showcase the women’s game.
“I don’t think they have daughters, because I don’t think they want to treat their daughters like this,” said Jabeur.
The lack of action prompted recently appointed WTA chief executive Valerie Camillo to seek answers from French Open tournament director Amelie Mauresmo – a former women’s world number one – when they met at Roland Garros this week.
In what the WTA describes as an open and productive conversation, Camillo underlined her belief that women’s players have delivered some of the “most exciting and dynamic competition in global sport” over recent months and years.
It remains to be seen whether Camillo’s call for action is listened to.
Mauresmo has consistently argued that the danger of women’s matches going “really fast” is the justification behind the choices.
With tickets ranging from €60 to €280 (£50 to £240), tournament organisers think the possibility of a short two-set women’s match does not represent value for money.
Mauresmo has insisted the night sessions will not be extended to two matches – like the Australian Open and US Open – in fear of creating late finishes.
Will the French Open be swayed? It refused to waver last year, despite pressure from players, the women’s governing body and – according to reports, external – broadcasters.
Former world number one Osaka will meet Aryna Sabalenka – the current top women’s player – in the last 16 on Monday.
The Japanese player said she did not know if that blockbuster match would be under consideration for the night session, but added she felt the slot was reserved for “popcorn matches”.
If Osaka against Sabalenka does not fulfil the French Open’s criteria, it feels like nothing will.
“I hope it will change,” added Ostapenko.
“Even if it’s not me playing, I would like to see some women’s matches there. But I don’t know that we will.”
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How Arsenal’s endless attrition cost them the Champions League final
The most fitting way for Arsenal’s season to end, it appeared, necessitated a set-piece and Gabriel Magalhaes. Just not this particular set-piece or, for them, this particular end. The personification of their uncompromising excellence from corners was instead – strangely – on penalty duty, blazing a spot kick into the end populated by Paris Saint-Germain ultras.
The red flares were lit, but the red half of north London were in mourning. Second again, 20 years after their first Champions League final. In the plush seats, flanked by Luis Figo, Arsene Wenger had looked pensive more than an hour earlier. The scoreline could have given him grounds to smile, but he had seen this situation before. Arsenal one up in the Champions League final? That did not end happily in 2006. It wouldn’t in 2026 either.
Mikel Arteta, the master of detail, the manager who seemed to leave nothing to chance, appeared to have neglected one key element. Matvei Safonov, Paris Saint-Germain’s utterly unconvincing goalkeeper, saved nothing: not in the match, and not in the shootout either. Arsenal only needed to get their penalties on target, especially with David Raya making a terrific stop from Nuno Mendes. But Eberechi Eze followed a stuttering run-up by sidefooting wide. Gabriel skied his.
Live by the set-piece, die by the set-piece? Maybe. Arsenal’s Champions League campaign ended with defeat and yet undefeated. They did not lose a game in 90 or 120 minutes, let alone a tie. Results gave them a fine claim to be Europe’s best team this season. But against the side who retain the distinction of being champions of Europe, who pass the eye test as the outstanding outfit, they played with an inferiority complex.
Arsenal completed 199 passes, PSG 837. Indeed, Arsenal only completed 1.3 passes per kilometre their players ran; over 150, some 6.6 more than PSG. It was the price of not having the ball. Uefa’s possession statistics gave them a 36 per cent share, Opta’s a mere 24.7; the latter felt the more accurate.
It was one of those days when it seemed Arteta had remembered precious little of his education at La Masia; when, of his managerial mentors, he resembled David Moyes more than Pep Guardiola. And yet, when his right-back was a centre-back, his left-back was a centre-back and his two centre-backs were centre-backs, he looked more like Tony Pulis than either.
But perhaps it would have been foolhardy to play PSG at their own game. Bayern Munich tried in the semi-final, contested a classic and lost 5-4 at the Parc des Princes. That was the game of the competition; the true final, some might say. But the Gunners had progressed to the actual final their way. The endless attrition of Arteta’s Arsenal meant they were the side PSG could not destroy.
It had been billed as attack against defence. Arsenal gave themselves a lot of defending to do, partly by doing too little attacking. After Kai Havertz’s sixth-minute goal, they did not have a shot on target in the remaining 114 minutes; nearer 124, given the added time. Which, given the vulnerability of PSG and the frailties of Safonov, may have been a missed opportunity.
But PSG did not attack to their full capability; they were devastating against Inter in last season’s final, dragged into dullness by Arsenal. Arteta’s side saw off Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Ousmane Dembele and Vitinha, all substituted.

Arsenal delivered a masterclass in off-the-ball shape, in organisation, in concentration. They defended in a 4-4-2-0 formation, no one near the half-way line. Forget two banks, this was three. But it was an approach that meant they had to be flawless, and they were not. Cristhian Mosquera, the third-choice right-back, got the wrong side of Kvaratskhelia for a second. Penalty. The lead that Arsenal held for 59 minutes was wiped out.
And their defensiveness came at a cost: to themselves. Martin Odegaard went off after just 12 touches in 65 minutes. That felt a waste of a talent. Bukayo Saka was muted, too. Leandro Trossard got an assist, but by charging down a clearance.
The exception among the attackers was the terrific Havertz. Arteta had shown his clinically unsentimental streak by omitting Viktor Gyokeres, whose finest Arsenal performance came in the first leg of the semi-final against Atletico Madrid, whose grandfather fled Hungary. Havertz started and became just the third player to score in Champions League finals for two clubs; but, like Mario Mandzukic, the second did not come in victory.
The German is a curiosity of a footballer; not really a forward, not really a midfielder but very much a Kai Havertz. He was a sign, though, that wherever Arteta had a selection dilemma, except perhaps Myles Lewis-Skelly for Martin Zubimendi in midfield, he took the more defensive option.
Defence could have worked, too. Defence, indeed, won Arsenal’s last European trophy, the 1994 Cup Winners’ Cup. The now familiar chant of “1-0 to the Arsenal” dates back to victory over Paris Saint-Germain this season. When it was 1-0 to the Arsenal again, it looked like they may bore their way to glory in a way Wenger’s great aesthetes never could on the continental stage. But Arsenal have been accused of reducing football to a procession of set-pieces. And when there were 10 penalties in a row, they missed two. Set-piece again, oh no, oh no.
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