Alexandra Eala of the Philippines gestures during the second round women’s singles match against Maya Joint of Australia at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Thursday, July 2, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Alexandra Eala became the first player from the Philippines to reach the third round of a Grand Slam in the Open era, beating Maya Joint in an “electric” atmosphere at Wimbledon on Thursday.
The 21-year-old fought back to defeat Serena Williams’ first-round conqueror Joint 3-6, 6-2, 6-0, roared on by hundreds of Filipino spectators on Court Three.
“I really appreciate that I’m able to share this with the nation, but I think first and foremost it makes me super proud because of the work that I’ve put in.”
There was an unmistakably Filipino feel to the small arena on Thursday, and not just provided by her legion of enthusiastic fans waving the Southeast Asian archipelago nation’s flag.
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Her team and family were wearing t-shirts bearing a picture of the sampaguita, the national flower of the Philippines.
“I think the atmosphere today was amazing, it was electric, respectful and all that I could have hoped for,” said Eala, who stayed on court for as long as possible to sign autographs.
“Of course I also want to give them time, my time,” Eala told reporters of her fans. “It’s extremely hard to get tickets here at Wimbledon so I’m very happy with the support.”
The world’s 12th most populous country has not had many female sports stars to cheer in recent years, with men’s boxing legend Manny Pacquiao and gymnast Carlos Yulo flying the flag on the global stage.
Eala was sporting a custom Nike visor bearing a phrase in Tagalog which translates to: “Every dream begins as a seed. Once it grows, it cannot be stopped.”
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“I think it’s so sentimental to be able wear things or to carry parts of my culture with me on court, because of course it’s a huge reason as to who I am,” added Eala, the 29th seed.
“And for me to be able to represent the Philippines in Wimbledon, I guess, and in the biggest stages in the world, it means so much to me.”
Hard work ‘paying off’
Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates winning the second round women’s singles match against Maya Joint of Australia at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Thursday, July 2, 2026.(AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
Eala will resume her burgeoning rivalry with six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek on Saturday.
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She claimed a shock win over the Pole in the 2025 Miami Open quarter-finals, before losing a one-set lead in Madrid in a rematch a few weeks later.
Eala allayed any fears for her supporters that she was carrying an injury, despite wearing heavy strapping on her right leg.
“I’m okay, no injury, no serious problem. The bandage is more preventative. I mean, I guess I’m normal tired. It’s my job, so I’ll be back,” she said.
Eala had previously struggled to translate her strong performances on the WTA Tour to the major stage, winning just one match in her previous five Grand Slam appearances.
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But she arrived at the All England Club in excellent grass-court form after reaching the semi-finals in Berlin and winning a WTA 125 title in Birmingham.
“I’ve been working extremely hard, my team has been working extremely hard and I really feel like it’s paying off, so these wins mean a lot,” said Eala.
Eala gained a measure of revenge for an agonising loss to Joint, 12/10 in a deciding-set tie-break, in the Eastbourne final last year.
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“It hit me quite hard, I cried a lot, I wasn’t able to watch those highlights for a couple of months,” she said of that match.
“I think I’ve improved a lot in this past year, and I’m happy that I’m able to look back on that match now and smile.”
These Round of 32 matches are definitely full of twists. Portugal came back from 1-0 down to beat Croatia in Toronto. Goncalo Ramos scored a stoppage-time winner after Cristiano Ronaldo had earlier equalised from the penalty spot.
Who will Enzo Maresca bring with him to Man City? Guardiola coach, trusted ally, returning star – Manchester Evening News
Need to know
Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca will bring in his own backroom team as he replaces Pep Guardiola
New Manchester City head coach Enzo Maresca, joined by his assistants Danny Walker and Willy Caballero, at Leicester when returning as Chelsea boss(Image: Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
Everything you need to know about Enzo Maresca’s backroom staff after Manchester City arrival:
Maresca has become the new City head coach with his arrival being confirmed earlier this week.
The Italian, who previously served as Pep Guardiola’s assistant, has signed a three-year deal at the Etihad Stadium.
City’s players who aren’t at the World Cup will report for pre-season on Monday, July 20. However, Maresca is already hard at work behind the scenes to get the Blues prepared for the new campaign.
Maresca is set to confirm his backroom team before the players return and it is expected he will appoint six new members of staff.
Manel Estiarte, Lorenzo Buenaventura, Xabi Mancisidor, Pep Lijnders and Kolo Toure all left City when Guardiola departed. However, set-piece coach James French, who joined from Liverpool last summer, remains from the Guardiola era.
Roberto Vitiello is the first name expected to join Maresca. He worked with the new manager at Chelsea and Leicester having played alongside him at Palermo in Italy.
A familiar face also set to return is Willy Caballero. He made 48 appearances for the Blues and played alongside Maresca at Malaga.
Danny Walker worked with Maresca during his days with the City academy. Maresca hired him at Chelsea and Leicester, meaning he could return to City this summer.
Goalkeeper coach Michele De Bernardin and fitness coach Marcos Alvarez first worked with Maresca at Parma. Javier Molina Caballero was also an analyst for the Italian club and worked with Maresca at Chelsea and Leicester.
All six men are currently out of work since Maresca left Chelsea in January. Read the full story here.
Oct 30, 2025; Miami Gardens, Florida, USA; Amazon Prime analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick speaks during a broadcast prior to a game between the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens at Hard Rock Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
Generally speaking, former NFLer Ryan Fitzpatrick expects big things from new Minnesota Vikings quarterback Kyler Murray — but he doesn’t think the prosperity will last.
Murray is tentatively expected to win the Vikings’ QB1 job this summer, and according to Fitzpatrick, he’ll play well in 2026 and get stale thereafter.
Murray Will Cook — But There’s a Catch
Arizona Cardinals quarterback Kyler Murray (1) looks on after a win over the Atlanta Falcons at State Farm Stadium, with Nov. 12, 2023 marking the postgame scene in Glendale, Arizona. Murray stands on the field after helping Arizona finish off Atlanta in front of the home crowd during a hard-fought afternoon. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kartozian-USA TODAY Sports.
Fitzpatrick on Murray
Fitzpatrick delivered his Murray-themed takes on The Rich Eisen Show, stating, “I think his best year with Minnesota will be his first year, and if they keep him after that, it’s going to trail off because some of the issues that came up in Arizona are going to be the same issues that follow him. I don’t know that it’s a maturity issue.”
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“I just think, with Kyler Murray, what are his strengths? All the things that you can measure, those are the things that he’s always been unbelievable at. I think it’s just been some of the intangibles where he has struggled, fitting into a locker room and being able to elevate a team to the next level.”
Seeing whether Murray plays well and maintains the pace is well worth it for the Vikings, who signed Murray for $1.3 million in March.
“So I just think in Year 1, you’re not going to have to worry about those things because they’ll take care of themselves. It’s easy in Year 1 because everything is new. As you go on in the same spot for multiple years, those things become much more important,” Fitzpatrick, who started 147 games in the NFL, continued.
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“That’s what I’m saying as to why I think this year is going to be great, but it’s going to be a one-year experiment that starts out great and tails off from there.”
Tailing Off in 2027 Is a 2027 Problem and Worth the Gamble
Listen, if Murray is planning on cooking with the 2026 Vikings, but Fitzpatrick thinks the risk is that he might fall off a year later, that’s a crapshoot a team must be willing to take. For example, Sam Darnold thrived for the Vikings in 16 games. Then, he collapsed in his 17th and 18th starts, ruining the 2024 campaign. Minnesota’s response? Dump Darnold and embark on the J.J. McCarthy era — which led the Vikings to the here and now, signing Murray to perhaps rectify their quarterback conundrum.
NFL TV analyst Ryan Fitzpatrick stands on the sideline at Highmark Stadium on Oct. 26, 2023, in Orchard Park, New York, before the Buffalo Bills’ matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Fitzpatrick surveys the field before kickoff as broadcast crews prepare for the Thursday night setting in familiar AFC East territory. Mandatory Credit: Mark Konezny-USA TODAY Sports.
Meanwhile, Darnold won a Super Bowl in Seattle.
So, the Vikings owe it to themselves to audition Murray in 2026, and if he’s productive, they’ll have a “cross that bridge when they get their problem” regarding Fitzpatrick’s prediction.
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Injuries to Monitor, Too
The larger concerns about Murray are his size and subsequent injury history. He’s only about 5’10” — depending on the measurer — and misses more games than most franchise quarterbacks. Through seven seasons, Murray has missed 26% of all eligible games, meaning he’s due to miss 3-4 per year.
While Fitzpatrick may fear a sophomore slump for Murray in the Twin Cities, Vikings fans should spend most of their time contemplating Murray’s durability when it comes to his weaknesses. He’s played full seasons thrice in his career — 2019, 2020, and 2024 — and then that’s it.
Optimists will say he’s due for a complete season sans injuries. Fingers crossed.
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Supreme Vikings QB Depth This Time Around
Minnesota is not messing around at quarterback this time. In 2023, the season was ruined when Kirk Cousins tore his Achilles. Backup quarterback Nick Mullens was hurt at the time, too, so the Vikings fired off an inexpensive trade for Joshua Dobbs, while experimenting with rookie Jaren Hall. The club ultimately flamed out because there was no QB1 stability and missed the postseason.
In 2025, McCarthy could not stay healthy, and Carson Wentz’s shoulder was fried by Halloween. Minnesota turned to Max Brosmer, which quickly revealed a disaster. Brosmer was not ready for the NFL, and in fact, posted more bloopers than completed passes.
Minnesota Vikings quarterbacks J.J. McCarthy and Kyler Murray work through minicamp practice reps at TCO Performance Center, with June 11, 2026 capturing Day 3 of team highlights in Eagan, Minnesota. The reshaped quarterback room builds timing and command before training camp, under Kevin O’Connell’s staff, during offseason work in the Twin Cities. Mandatory Credit: YouTube.
Now, the purple team has quarterback depth to prevent this madness. Between Murray, McCarthy, and Wentz, it’s next to impossible that all three would be lost for the season and ruin another shot at the playoffs.
The Vikings have quarterback depth and two passers specifically, Murray and McCarthy, with something to prove.
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Quarterback struggles in 2027 should be left for 2027. If Murray succeeds in 2026, he has a chance to sign a big contract in Minnesota and remain the quarterback for the next-decade-plus. His age, 28, allows for that upside.
Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker
Max Holloway recently shared his thoughts on potential fights against Justin Gaethje and Islam Makhachev after his Conor McGregor rematch.
Gaethje is coming off an incredible fourth-round knockout victory against Ilia Topuria at UFC Freedom 250 last month, where he won the undisputed lightweight championship. Meanwhile, Makhachev claimed the welterweight title after beating Jack Della Maddalena via unanimous decision at UFC 322 last November.
Holloway and McGregor will be throwing down in a welterweight bout in the main event of UFC 329 on July 11 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Considering that Holloway moved up to 170 pounds for this fight, he’s open to challenging Makhachev for the belt someday.
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In an interview with MMA Junkie, the Hawaiian fighter addressed his plans after the McGregor rematch. When asked who he’d pick as his next opponent between Gaethje and Makhachev, he replied:
Get the latest updates on One Championship Rankings at Sportskeeda and more
“Both those fights are fun. Why not go back to 155 [pounds] and do something amazing, and then ask to maybe come back up. We’ll see what happens. I’d love to fight both of them… That’s a tough one. I don’t know what I would choose… If everything goes good come July 11, ask me that question again and maybe I’d have an answer.”
Catch Max Holloway’s comments below (11:45 onwards):
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Max Holloway believes Conor McGregor is hyping himself up for UFC 329
Max Holloway isn’t fazed by Conor McGregor’s trash-talking ahead of their rematch at UFC 329 and believes the Irishman is simply trying to convince himself.
“Him saying I’m not a different fighter and blah, blah, blah. It is what it is. Keep telling yourself whatever you’ve got to tell yourself. I just need him to come and show up July 11 and get in that octagon. Then we can find out if he’s right or wrong.”
Portugal reached the last 16 of the 2026 FIFA World Cup after a dramatic 2-1 victory over Croatia, but the match ended in controversy after a late Croatia equaliser was ruled out by VAR.
Croatia believed they had forced extra time when defender Josko Gvardiol tapped the ball into the net in the 13th minute of added time. The Croatian players and fans celebrated wildly, while Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo watched from the bench in disbelief.
However, the celebrations were cut short when Norwegian referee Espen Eskas was advised to review the goal following a VAR check for offside.
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The key question was whether Croatia striker Igor Matanovic had touched the ball with his head during the build-up. If he had touched it, then he was in an offside position and the goal could not stand. If he had not touched it, the goal would have been allowed.
Luka Modric and Croatia exit 2026 FIFA World Cup
After a lengthy review, officials used the technology inside the Adidas Trionda match ball, which contains a microchip capable of detecting every touch of the ball in real time. The data, supported by Snickometer-style technology, showed that Matanovic had made contact with the ball.
As a result, VAR official Jarred Gillett ruled that the goal should be disallowed for offside, leaving Croatia heartbroken and sending Portugal into the Round of 16.
The decision sparked angry scenes inside the stadium, with some Croatia supporters throwing plastic bottles onto the pitch after the final whistle.
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Croatia head coach Zlatko Dalic was unhappy with the officiating but stopped short of discussing the decision in detail.
“I will not comment much about it, but I will say the refereeing was very bad,” Dalic said.
“No fouls, no set-pieces on our side which should have been, but that’s no reason to talk about the defeat. It was very bad refereeing.
“You were able to see to what extent emotions had been killed and, altogether, all these decisions take you back and actually take the joy out of football.
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“VAR kills emotions, it kills everything within you. We have gone too far with VAR.”
Portugal manager Roberto Martinez defended the decision and said the technology had provided clear evidence.
“It’s a shame one of the two teams had to lose,” Martinez said.
“But there is no bad decision or lucky decision. It was a clear moment. The balls now have a chip and the sensor shows the ball was touched.”
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Former England defender Matt Upson, who was working for BBC Radio 5 Live, admitted he was not convinced by the television replays.
“Has he definitely touched that?” Upson asked during commentary.
“The spin on the ball doesn’t change. I don’t think he touches that ball.”
After watching further replays, he added: “From what I can see, I don’t see any change in direction of the ball. I can’t quite see that.”
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However, former Premier League assistant referee Darren Cann supported the decision, saying the technology proved Matanovic touched the ball.
“Snicko… that 100% proves that he touched it with the flick-on,” Cann said.
The dramatic finish ensured Cristiano Ronaldo’s World Cup dream remains alive. The Portugal captain had earlier scored his first-ever goal in the knockout stages of the World Cup before being substituted in the 81st minute.
For Croatia captain Luka Modric, however, the painful defeat may mark the end of an outstanding World Cup career. The 40-year-old midfielder, who made his 23rd World Cup appearance, was comforted by his former Real Madrid team-mate Ronaldo after the final whistle.
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“It is very harsh for Croatia to go out like this, for Luka Modric, probably his last game in the World Cup,” former Brazil midfielder Lucas Leiva said.
“A legend of the game. He has shown for more than 20 years how good he is. You feel sad for him, but he has had a great career.”
The best World Cup days don’t just produce great soccer. They produce theatrics.
On Thursday, as Spain met Austria and Portugal faced Croatia, and Switzerland tested Algeria, soccer’s past, present and future shared the same stage. An 18-year-old continued announcing himself to the world. A 29-year-old quietly strengthened his case as one of international soccer’s most clinical forwards. And veterans in their late 30s and early 40s reminded everyone they still have chapters left to write.
There was an emotional tribute. Supporters made Toronto feel like Lisbon and Zagreb. And another knockout match descended into chaos.
It became the kind of day only a World Cup can deliver.
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Here are the big takeaways from Thursday’s action.
Routine, ruthless, relentless
Against Austria, Spain didn’t just win; they looked every bit the team everyone else should fear.
La Roja might not have sparkled in the group stage, memorably opening the tournament with a frustrating draw against debutants Cape Verde. But Spain has grown into this competition in ominous fashion; not because it dazzled or relied on moments of individual brilliance, but because it made a tough European opponent look ordinary.
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Spain’s style of play is routine and relentless. Luis de la Fuente’s side kept the ball until Austria ran out of gas, moving with such precision that Ralf Rangnick’s backline could only chase shadows. For the Austrians, it would have felt like water filling a room — an unsettling wave of claustrophobia until suddenly there’s no air left to breathe.
Austria deserves enormous credit for hanging in as long as it did, with Alexander Schlager producing several outstanding saves. But even when Austria briefly found a foothold after halftime, the Spaniards were never frustrated. They simply kept asking the same impossible question until Austria ran out of answers, which is what separates this side from everyone else.
The metronomic calm of Rodri and Pedri in the midfield gave Spain complete control, while wonderkid Lamine Yamal provided the edge. The 18-year-old spent another afternoon making one of Europe’s most dependable backlines look uncomfortable, gliding past challenges with an ease that almost looked unfair. Then came Mikel Oyarzabal, whose quick movement and relentless work on and off the ball made him the perfect frontman for a team that values patience over theatrics. The Real Sociedad forward now has four goals in this competition, only two away from Golden Boot leaders Kylian Mbappé and Lionel Messi, who each have six. Could the 29-year-old be a sneaky pick to win the honour?
Overall, we’ve seen flashes of Spain’s brilliance throughout this tournament. Against Austria, we saw the complete version. The frightening part is the 3-0 knockout barely felt extraordinary — it just felt routine.
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And that’s exactly what World Cup winners tend to do.
A World Cup classic, made in Toronto
For 45 minutes, Portugal and Croatia played a match that looked destined to be forgotten.
The hour that followed was everything that makes the World Cup unforgettable.
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Portugal dominated the first half, holding possession while Croatia defended with every available blue shirt. It looked like a standard knockout match: tense, tactical and not exactly one to write home about.
Then Ivan Perišić changed everything.
The 37-year-old gave Croatia a shock lead early in the second half, which set the match into motion. Rafael Leão rattled the crossbar. 41-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo thought he equalized, only for an offside flag to cut his celebration short. Minutes later, he buried a penalty to score his first World Cup knockout goal and breathe life back into Portugal’s campaign.
And somehow, it still wasn’t over.
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Roberto Martinez’s boldest decision came when he replaced Ronaldo with Gonçalo Ramos late in the second half. But the questionable move proved inspired. Ramos rose above two Croatian defenders to power home a stoppage-time winner before Croatia thought it had forced extra time in the dying seconds, only for another offside decision to crush its hopes. It was pure cinema at Toronto Stadium, with eighteen minutes of added time, a pitch invader, fans throwing objects onto the field, and wave after wave of late chances from some of soccer’s greatest stars. Was it a technically perfect showing? Absolutely not. But sometimes, the most memorable sporting moments are simply the ones that make you feel something.
Portugal survived to set up a blockbuster Round of 16 showdown with Spain, while Croatia left heartbroken in what may have been Luka Modrić’s final World Cup appearance. Portugal will need to be far sharper against a Spanish side that has looked among the tournament’s most complete teams, but after Thursday’s result, it’s clear that the side is up for the challenge.
Beyond the result, this match wasn’t just another reminder of why the World Cup captivates billions every four years. It also showed what hosting this tournament can mean for Canada. Toronto Stadium became the setting for a night of chaos, controversy, heartbreak and jubilation that will live long in the memories of everyone lucky enough to witness it. If the 2026 World Cup is about growing the game in this country, nights like this are exactly how it happens.
After Portugal and Croatia turned Toronto into a movie, Switzerland offered something much different in Vancouver: control, patience, and punishment.
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Algeria had the ball for long stretches in the first half, but Switzerland had the better plan. They sat deep, waited for Algeria’s wandering wing-backs to leave space, and struck just 10 minutes in with a Breel Embolo tap-in.
For the sixth straight World Cup match, Algeria conceded first. And for all their possession and territory, they rarely troubled Gregor Kobel.
Then came the moment that effectively ended the contest. Just 47 seconds into the second half, Algeria switched off again. They failed to clear the danger on multiple occasions and watched Dan Ndoye bury a superb finish to double Switzerland’s lead.
That was the match in a nutshell. Algeria had the possession, but Switzerland had the control. They protected space, targeted Algeria’s biggest weakness, and never allowed the game to become the open, emotional contest their opponents needed.
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It wasn’t as dramatic as Portugal/Croatia, nor as technically dominant as Spain/Austria, but it was every bit as effective. Switzerland reminded everyone that knockout soccer doesn’t always need to be spectacular. Sometimes, success comes from identifying a weakness, exploiting it ruthlessly, and making the result feel inevitable.
Portugal’s Round of 32 clash with Croatia kicked off at midnight in Portugal, exactly one year after the death of Diogo Jota.
Before kickoff at Toronto Stadium, the big screens displayed his photo following the Portuguese national anthem as supporters paused to remember one of the country’s most beloved athletes.
Austria didn’t manage a single shot on target against Spain, which made for a quiet yet historic night for goalkeeper Unai Simón.
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The Athletic Bilbao star set a new all-time World Cup record for most minutes played without conceding, passing the previous mark of 517 set by Italy’s Walter Zenga in 1990.
It remains to be seen whether the 29-year-old can follow Iker Casillas as the second Spanish netminder to lift the World Cup trophy. But with La Roja looking this controlled, composed and downright scary, they’re certainly making the case.
Sportsnet soccer reporter John Molinaro captured one last postcard from Toronto Stadium before Portugal and Croatia took the pitch on Thursday. As the sun dipped below the skyline, a packed stadium of fans from around the world soaked in the atmosphere for Toronto’s final match of the 2026 World Cup – a fitting sendoff for a city that has embraced the tournament from day one.
Fun fact: Ronaldo scored his first goal for Real Madrid at this stadium in 2009, in a friendly against Toronto FC.
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1. Gonçalo Ramos (Portugal): Introduced off the bench, Ramos made an impact when it mattered most, as his stoppage-time header booked Portugal’s place in the Round of 16. The new AC Milan striker has averaged a goal or assist every 37 minutes at the World Cup, the best ratio of any Portuguese player thus far.
2a. Mikel Oyarzabal (Spain): He may not carry the same star power as some of the World Cup’s biggest names, but few forwards are as clinical. His brace against Austria sent Spain into the Round of 16 and extended a remarkable run of 17 goals in his last 17 international appearances. Ever since scoring the winner in the Euro 2024 final, the 29-year-old simply hasn’t slowed down.
2b. Lamine Yamal (Spain): The youngster was a constant menace against Austria, becoming the youngest player since 1966 to record more than 10 touches in the opposition box at a World Cup. Just as encouraging for Spain, the Barcelona winger played 85 minutes, his longest outing of the tournament and his most since returning from a hamstring injury.
3. Johan Manzambi (Switzerland): Switzerland’s breakout star keeps on delivering. The 20-year-old set up another goal on Thursday, taking his tournament tally to three goals and two assists. His pace down the left flank repeatedly stretched Algeria’s defence and gave Switzerland another dimension in attack. At this rate, it won’t be long before Europe’s biggest clubs come calling.
Naoya Inoue’s showdown with pound-for-pound rival Jesse ‘Bam’ Rodriguez may have to wait, leaving the Japanese superstar potentially searching for another opponent in the meantime.
‘The Monster’ outpointed Junto Nakatani in May – a performance that will live long in the memory of Japanese fight fans. Inoue was then immediately linked with Rodriguez, who recently moved up in weight to become bantamweight champion and take one step closer to the super-fight.
Following the fight, ‘Bam’s trainer, Robert Garcia, said that he would like his charge to have another fight at 122lbs before moving to 126 for Inoue.
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As a result, Inoue could look to face someone else in order to maintain his activity. After flooring recent Inoue opponent Luis Nery six times last month in a dominant four-round knockout win, three-division world champion John Riel Casimero wants to be that man, as per the Inquirer.
“It’s up to my promoter, but we all know who I want next and the one I have been wanting to fight, but this win just showed why Naoya Inoue was scared to fight me. That’s why.”
The 37-year-old Filipino has been pursuing a fight with the Japanese superstar for several years and had been set for a unification contest in April 2020 until the COVID-19 pandemic intervened.
Casimero’s repeated attempts to provoke Inoue have appeared to ruffle the Japanese star’s feathers. Whether that approach proves effective or costly could become clear in the coming months as ‘The Monster’ weighs up his next move.
A newly-crowned world champion insists he has no interest in swerving any potential rivals, including heavyweight prodigy Moses Itauma.
The 21-year-old comes off a destructive fifth-round finish over Jermaine Franklin in March, but now looks to complete what is, on paper, his toughest assignment thus far.
More importantly, Hrgovic should determine whether Itauma is a genuine world-class talent, with the Croatian having previously gone toe-to-toe in competitive encounters against the likes of Daniel Dubois and Zhilei Zhang.
The Dubois fight, in particular, saw Hrgovic prove himself at world level, despite their June 2024 contest ultimately resulting in an eighth-round stoppage defeat.
But while Itauma has agreed to face the 34-year-old in August, there is a chance he abandons this plan and pursues an IBF title fight with Frank Sanchez.
But Itauma is nonetheless closing in on a world title shot, regardless of whether he faces Hrgovic or Sanchez, and could eventually find himself in the ring with Agit Kabayel.
Speaking with Ring Magazine, the WBC champion said he would happily face Itauma – and any other competitor, for that matter.
“For me, it’s no problem – I’ll fight everyone. Now, I’m in the best situation. When the No.1 challenger is ready … [I’ll fight him].
“When we fight for [another] belt, maybe the WBA or WBO belt … We’ll make a unification [match].”
Kabayel was elevated from ‘interim’ to full WBC champion following Usyk’s decision to vacate his belts and, in turn, avoid any mandatory duties.
Stewart Cink walks across the eighth green during the first round of the U.S. Senior Open at Scioto Country Club in Columbus on July 2, 2026.
Stewart Cink put himself in contention to win a third straight major, as he shares the lead after the first round of the U.S. Senior Open Championship on Thursday in Upper Arlington, Ohio.
Cink and co-leader Charlie Wi of South Korea each shot 3-under-par 67 at Scioto Country Club to sit atop a tightly bunched leaderboard. Wi got a boost from a five-birdie streak, while Cink shot 5-under 30 on the back nine after carding two bogeys among his first nine holes.
George McNeill, England’s Simon Griffiths and Sweden’s Freddie Jacobson are a stroke back as 15 players broke par.
Defending champion Padraig Harrington of Ireland is among 10 golfers tied for sixth at 1-under 69.
The others are Ben Crane, Tommy Gainey, Paul Stankowski, Wales’ Jamie Donaldson, Australia’s Richard Green and Greg Chalmers, Germany’s Alex Cejka, Denmark’s Soren Kjeldsen and Spain’s Miguel Angel Jimenez.
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Cink opened with a bogey at the par-4 first hole and had another blemish with a bogey at No. 5 to make the turn at 2 over. He heated up on the back nine, with birdies at Nos. 10, 13, 14, 16 and 18 for a 30 and a 67 total.
“I don’t think I found anything,” Cink said of any adjustments when making the turn. “I just decided to start trusting what I’d already been in possession of. I’ve been off for a little while, and I started like I’ve been off for a little while. Middle of the fairway on 1, and I inexplicably lost my trust in the downswing and flared it out to the right in the bunker.
“I had to prove it to myself again that I could play decent golf a certain way. The back nine was really nice. I actually could have shot quite a bit lower on the back nine. I missed three very reasonably like inside — right around 10 feet or less birdie putts.”
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Cink leads the Charles Schwab Cup standings after earning four wins in nine events. He captured the first two majors of the year, the Senior PGA Championship in April and the Regions Tradition in May. He also won the Mitsubishi Electric Championship at Hualalai in January and the Hoag Classic in March.
Wi, whose best result this year is a tie for third at the Insperity Invitational in May, has three top-10 finishes in 2026 as he pursues his first win on tour. He is 31st in the Charles Schwab Cup standings.
“I hit the ball pretty solid today, made a couple of putts,” Wi said. “It was a hot day. I just made sure that I stayed in the ballgame, meaning like mentally, because you could easily lose it out there. Yeah, overall it was just a solid day in the first round.”
Starting his round on the back nine, Wi carded birdies at par-4 holes Nos. 10 and 13 before a bogey at No. 18. He also bogeyed No. 1 before stringing together five consecutive birdies at Nos. 3-7 to get to 5 under.
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“Today I was like, wait, did I just run off four in a row? On the fifth one I was thinking about it, come on, get it out of your brain, and I was able to make it,” said Wi, who had a five-birdie streak at the Regions Tradition.
However, disaster struck at No. 8. Wi had to take a penalty and drop on his third shot at the 496-yard par-4, which ranked the hardest hole of the round. Wi got to the green on his fourth shot and finished with a double bogey.
Switzerland ended an 88-year wait for a FIFA World Cup knockout victory after beating Algeria 2-0 to book their place in the last 16 of the 2026 tournament.
Goals from Breel Embolo and Dan Ndoye secured a comfortable victory for Murat Yakin’s side in Vancouver and helped Switzerland achieve their first World Cup knockout win since defeating Germany in 1938.
The Swiss made a bright start and took the lead after just 10 minutes thanks to a brilliant piece of play from exciting youngster Johan Manzambi. The Freiburg winger beat his marker with skill and pace before delivering a perfect cutback for Rennes striker Embolo, who finished from close range.
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Switzerland doubled their advantage just 46 seconds into the second half when Nottingham Forest winger Ndoye produced a composed finish inside the penalty area to put his side firmly in control.
The victory was another historic moment for Switzerland, who scored more than one goal in a World Cup knockout match for the first time since their famous 7-5 defeat to Austria in the 1954 quarter-finals.
Algeria, who were hoping to record their first-ever victory in the World Cup knockout stages, struggled to create clear opportunities. Their best chance came before half-time when Fares Chaibi’s weak effort was comfortably saved by Swiss goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.
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The North Africans rarely threatened after the break as Switzerland controlled the game with confidence and experience.
Switzerland nearly added a third goal late in the match when Fabian Rieder found himself with an open goal at the back post, but he mishit his effort straight at Algeria goalkeeper Luca Zidane.
The victory means Switzerland have now reached the World Cup last 16 for the fourth consecutive tournament and will face the winners of the Colombia versus Ghana match on 7 July at BC Place in Vancouver.
While captain Granit Xhaka marked his 150th international appearance with another impressive display, it was 20-year-old Johan Manzambi who once again stole the spotlight.
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The young winger’s brilliant run and assist for the opening goal highlighted his growing importance to the Swiss team. Having already scored three goals during the group stage, Manzambi registered his second assist of the tournament.
According to Opta, Manzambi has become the first Swiss player to be directly involved in five goals at a World Cup since detailed records began in 1966. At just 20 years and 261 days old, he is also the youngest player from any nation to achieve that feat since 1966.
With performances like this, Manzambi is quickly becoming one of the breakout stars of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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