Aryna Sabalenka beat Coco Gauff in the Miami Open women’s singles final 6-2, 4-6, 6-3 on Saturday.

The world No. 1 overpowered fourth-ranked Gauff in the first and third sets with sizzling groundstroke winners and became the first player to accomplish the “Sunshine Double” – winning Indian Wells followed by Miami in the same season – since Iga Swiatek in 2022.

It was Sabalenka’s second straight title at the Miami Open, Gauff’s hometown tournament, and put her ahead of Gauff in their head-to-head record, 7-6.

“You’ve pushed me to be a better player,” Sabalenka said during the ceremony, before adding about the crowd, “You always bring a full stadium.” 
The match lasted 2 hours, 11 minutes and ended on Gauff getting broken for the fourth time with a wide backhand.

Gauff fought back to force the third set, but couldn’t maintain the momentum she appeared to get from the deafening crowd supporting her.

“It sucks not to come out with a better result but I had a lot of joy this week,” Gauff said to the crowd. “You guys brought energy every day this week.” 
Sabalenka at times was frustrated by the fan noise, including when someone yelled “out” during a long rally. She used a curse word at the fan and the chair umpire warned the crowd, but also gave a code violation to Sabalenka.

“I shouldn’t be that rude, but come on, you cannot do that,” Sabalenka said at the ceremony. “So let’s agree we were both wrong, so sorry.” 
Gauff’s off-and-on serve created seven double faults while Sabalenka registered none.

Sabalenka broke Gauff in the first game of the third set, helped by a Gauff double fault and an unforced error. On break point, Sabalenka crunched a backhand winner.

“I was disappointed about that first game of the third set up 30-0 with momentum,” Gauff said. “It was an important game to win in that moment.” 
The match was attended by Kai Trump, President Donald Trump’s granddaughter and a golfer at the University of Miami. She posted a photo with Sabalenka at the tournament on social media Friday.

Sabalenka, who earned her 24th pro title, said before the match she was happy Gauff had found her best tennis in her home tournament at which she had never gotten past the fourth round.

Amnesty International warned this summer’s football World Cup, spread across three North American countries, risks becoming a “stage for repression” in a report published Monday.

The London-based human rights organisation’s report — “Humanity Must Win” — called on both FIFA and host countries the US, Canada and Mexico to take urgent action to protect fans, players and other communities.

FIFA has promised a tournament where everyone “feels safe, included and free to exercise their rights”. 

But Amnesty said that pledge sits in “stark contrast” to conditions on the ground in all three host nations, especially the US, which hosts three-quarters of the 104 matches.

Amnesty described the US as facing a “human rights emergency” under the Trump administration, marked by mass deportations, arbitrary arrests and what it called “paramilitary-style” Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

The acting director of ICE said last month the agency will be “a key part of the overall security apparatus for the World Cup”. 

This comes despite anger at the killing of two American citizens who were protesting aggressive ICE raids in Minneapolis in January.

Read moreIran ‘negotiating’ with FIFA over moving World Cup games from US to Mexico

‘Pay the price’

Amnesty said none of the published host city plans address how fans or local communities will be protected from ICE operations.

Fans from four nations taking part this summer — Ivory Coast, Haiti, Iran and Senegal — face US travel bans and LGBTQ+ fan groups from England and across Europe have said they will not attend matches in the US, citing risks to transgender supporters in particular.

“This World Cup is very far from the ‘medium risk’ tournament that FIFA once judged it to be, and urgent efforts are needed to bridge the growing gap between the tournament’s original promise and today’s reality,” the report said.

FIFA said earlier this month the 48-team tournament — the biggest World Cup in history — will proceed “as scheduled” with all teams taking part, despite uncertainty over Iran‘s presence due to the ongoing conflict in the Middle East.

The global football governing body, which has been heavily criticised over its decision to award a newly created “Peace Prize” to President Trump in December 2025, stands to earn $11 billion from the tournament cycle.

“While FIFA generates record revenues from the 2026 World Cup, fans, communities, players, journalists and workers cannot be made to pay the price,” said Steve Cockburn, Amnesty’s head of economic and social justice.

“It is these people — not governments, sponsors or FIFA — to whom football belongs, and their rights must be at the centre of the tournament.” 

The World Cup kicks off on June 11 at the Mexico City Stadium with the final scheduled for July 19 at the MetLife Stadium in New Jersey.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP)

The UConn Huskies needed to dig themselves out of a hole in the second half against the Duke Blue Devils, and behind Braylon Mullins’ clutch 3-pointer and Tarris Reed Jr.’s high-percentage scoring, they were able to pull off an incredible comeback victory to advance to the Final Four.

The Huskies were able to effectively pressure the Blue Devils into a turnover with less than seven seconds left. Caden Boozer had his pass deflected and the ball got into Mullins’ hands.

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UConn guard Braylon Mullins (24) celebrates after a basket against Duke during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

UConn guard Braylon Mullins, right, celebrates his game winning basket with guard Malachi Smith (0) during the second half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament against Duke, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

The freshman was well beyond the 3-point line when he chucked up the ball. His prayer was answered as the ball went through the back of the net. UConn’s 19-point comeback was complete as the Huskies’ bench jumped in jubilation.

UConn was able to get the ball into Reed many times over the course of the game and for nearly half of the second half, the Huskies were in the bonus. Reed finished with 26 points on 10-of-16 from the field with nine rebounds. He was 6-of-9 from the free-throw line.

MICHIGAN ROUTS TENNESSEE TO WIN REGIONAL FINAL, ENTER NCAA MEN’S FINAL FOUR

Duke guard Dame Sarr celebrates a basket against UConn during the first half in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Stephanie Scarbrough)

Duke was up three points with 28 seconds to go. UConn guard Silas Demary Jr. was fouled and went to the free-throw line for two shots. He missed the first and made the second. The second free throw enabled UConn to set up its press defense and force the turnover in the end.

The Huskies outscored the Blue Devils 44-28 in the second half after being down 44-29 in the first half.

Cameron Boozer led Duke with 27 points and grabbed eight rebounds.

UConn forward Tarris Reed Jr. (5) dunks during the second half against Duke in the Elite Eight of the NCAA college basketball tournament, Sunday, March 29, 2026, in Washington.  (AP Photo/Abbie Parr)

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UConn is back in the Final Four for the third time in three years. The Huskies will be looking to get back to the national championship after winning two titles in the last three years. UConn will take on Illinois and Michigan will go up against Arizona in the Final Four.

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Bubba Wallace was at the center of the biggest wreck of the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway. Fans online reacted strongly after a late-race crash triggered by the 23XI Racing driver caused a multi-car pileup and ended the race for three cars.

Wallace spent much of the race hovering around the middle of the field, struggling to move forward on a track where passing often comes down to tight, physical racing. Martinsville’s nature means bumpers are constantly in play, especially in congested traffic. But this time, what initially looked like routine contact escalated.

Wallace made repeated contact with Carson Hocevar while entering Turn 4 and through the corner. With limited space on the outside lane, Hocevar was forced up into Zane Smith. The contact sent Smith hard into the outside wall and triggered a stack-up behind. Within seconds, the track had over a dozen cars piled in with nowhere to go.

The crash involved Austin Dillon, Daniel Suarez, Chris Buescher, Erik Jones, Connor Zilisch, Riley Herbst, and others. Wallace spun in the incident, ending his race along with Herbst and Ty Dillon. Smith retired initially but returned later. The incident drew strong reactions from fans online, many of whom placed the blame squarely on the No. 23 driver.

Some comments on X did not hold back, pointing to what they felt was excessive aggression from Bubba Wallace in a tight corner.

“Bubba Wallace, what an F-ing joke,” a fan wrote.

“Retard wrecks half the field bc he got passed,” another one commented.

Others echoed the sentiments.

“Didn’t mean to?? He plowed him 4 times in 1 turn 🤣🤣,” someone wrote.

“Bullsh*t, he hit him three times. What a disgrace,” another one chimed in.

“Awww little man baby, trying to avoid a penalty. Nice try. Can’t wait to see what that penalty is,” a fan tweeted.

Others questioned whether the move was avoidable, especially given the lack of space Carson Hocevar had on the outside. While the language varied, the overall sentiment remained consistent, as many viewed it as a preventable incident.

Bubba Wallace reacts after crash ends his race early: “I misjudged”

After being released from the infield care center, Bubba Wallace addressed the incident and accepted responsibility for the contact with Carson Hocevar. His explanation pointed to a misjudgment rather than intent, though the result had already reshaped the race.

“I misjudged. I didn’t appreciate the three-wide in (Turn) 1 fine, and then I misjudged the center of the corner. Didn’t mean to turn him… What a frustrating day, man,” he said.

Wallace also reflected on the expectations heading into Martinsville, a track he has often considered one of his better opportunities.

“So much expectation coming here, favorite track, Hardee’s on the car. Just wasn’t the day we wanted. We really really have to figure out what it is at this place. We can win Saturday in practice, just don’t show up on Sundays. I hate it for our team,” he added.

It marked another setback for Bubba Wallace in what has otherwise been a strong start to the season. The 23XI Racing No. 23 finished inside the top 11 in the first five races. However, a DNF at Darlington followed by this crash at Martinsville has now dropped him nine places in the standings.