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Every Monroe-area LSWA Class 3A All-State baseball, softball honoree

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1 / 6

See photos of Sterlington baseball throughout the LHSAA postseason

The Sterlington Panthers following their semifinal-clinching victory against South Beauregard.

(Treasure Washington/Monroe News-Star)

MONROE — The Louisiana Sports Writers Association announced its Class 2A All-State baseball and softball teams for 2026 on Saturday, June 6.

Northeast Louisiana is well-represented on these teams as Jena’s Kiette Cooper was named the Most Outstanding Player in softball and Sterlington’s Jeff Tannehill took home softball Coach of the Year honors.

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LHSAA softball: How the Monroe area excelled during the championships in Sulphur

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Cooper, a graduating senior who heads to McNeese this fall, had a 23-5 record in the circle for the LHSAA semifinalist Lady Giants with a 1.08 ERA and 332 strikeouts in 175⅓ innings pitched. She was named the All-Northeast Louisiana Pitcher of the Year in 2026 for her efforts. Cooper excelled at the plate as well with a .344 average, five home runs and 30 RBIs.

Jena senior Kiette Cooper.

Jena senior Kiette Cooper.

Tannehill, who also won softball and football championships at LaSalle and St. Frederick, respectively, is now a three-time Coach of the Year honoree after leading Sterlington to the Division III nonselect championship this spring. The Lady Panthers have clinched two LHSAA titles in three seasons and boast three All-State players in seniors Jaleeyah Alford and Sullivan Cannon and freshman Ansley Johnson.

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Jena senior Callie Decker also made All-State in softball while Sterlington seniors Landon Johnston and Miller Sheets and junior Devyn Downs and Caldwell senior Gump Dunn made All-State in baseball.

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Jena senior Carson Willis, junior Collin Jensen and sophomore Jonas Jenkins; Caldwell seniors Noah Pearson and Riley Sinclair and Sterlington senior Tre Burch were All-State baseball honorable mentions. In softball, Caldwell senior Calli Grace Baum and junior Rayleigh Thompson; Jena senior Triniti Williams and junior Mary Wood and Sterlington junior Austin Carter were All-State honorable mentions.

Below are the full lists for the 2026 Class 3A All-State baseball and softball teams.

Baseball

First Team

Player, School, Class, Stats

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P – Blaiden Dunn, Caldwell Parish, Sr., 9-5

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P – Hadley Hardesty, Westlake, Sr., 10-3

P – Landon Johnston, Sterlington, Sr., 10-2

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P – Logan Sorrel, Parkview Baptist, Sr., 1.51

C- Hunter Smith, Patrick Taylor, Sr., .506

INF – Landon Derouen, Erath, Jr., .510

INF – Devyn Downs, Sterlington, Jr., .360

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INF – Shepherd Gammon, University, Jr., 384

INF – Miller Sheets, Sterlington, Sr., .382

OF – Jaris Hamilton, University, Sr., .366

OF – Peyton Kile, Westlake, Sr., .403

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OF – Landon Lemaire, Erath, Sr., .340

UT – Brody Anderson, Westlake, Jr., 8-2

UT – Henry Beckers, Parkview Baptist, Sr., .442

UT – Liam Cazenave, St. James, Jr., 5-2

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UT – Jed Henry, South Beauregard, Sr., 9-1

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UT – Sebastian Rideaux, Acadiana Renaissance, Jr., 6-4

Most Outstanding Player: Hadley Hardesty, Westlake

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Coach of the Year: Blake Reed, Westlake

Honorable Mentions: AJ Armand, Buckeye; Alex Baggett, South Beaugard; Bryce Bankston, Albany; Drew Barrow, South Beauregard; Luke Becnel, St. James; Layf Bella, Berwick; Jacob Bourgeois, Fisher; Kaylor Broussard, Iota; Tre Burch, Sterlington; Carter Champagne, Erath; Tate Collins, Erath; Beau Cormier, Acadiana Renaissance; Ty Curtis, Buckeye; Seth DeGeorge, Parkview Baptist; Sabe David, Kaplan; Reece Dommert, Iota; Malachi Dunn, Madison Prep; Hudson Dupuis, Jennings; Camden Fisackerly, De La Salle; Jack Garcille, St. Louis; Jeremy Gibson, Patrick Taylor; Landon Gravois, St. James; Jonah Grob, Albany; Trent Helwig, Haynes Academy; Linzy Howard, Patterson; Justin Hunt, Buckeye; Sy Jackson, St. James; Jonas Jenkins, Jena; Collin Jensen, Jena; Brody Mayeaux, University; Tyler Mike, Fisher; Cain Milligan, Bunkie; Trace Moreau, St. Louis; Caleb Ortiz, Albany; Noah Pearson, Caldwell Parish; Parker Pilgreen, Bunkie; Jacques Riche, Bunkie; Karson Robichaux, De La Salle; Grayden Ross, Westlake; Cole Schexnaider, Acadiana Renaissance; Braden Scioneaux, St. James; Riley Sinclair, Caldwell Parish; Maddox Soileau, St. Louis; Trey Sotile, University; Lucas Surcouf, Haynes Academy; Dylan Vital, Lake Charles College Prep; Grant Vollmer, University; Cooper Williams, Westlake; TJ Williams, Vidalia; Carson Willis, Jena; Jake Wooten, Parkview Baptist; Jakson Yeager, Iota; Jackson Yellot, South Beauregard.

Division III nonselect champion Sterlington.

Division III nonselect champion Sterlington.

Softball

First Team

Player, School, Class, Stats

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P – Kiette Cooper, Jena, Sr., 23-5

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P – Lexi Greene, Kaplan, Jr., 24-7

P – Ansley Johnson, Sterlington, Fr., 18-3

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P – Ashtyn Rogers, Patrick Taylor, Sr., 19-4

C- Leah Godoy, Patrick Taylor, So., .434

INF – Jaleeyah Alford, Sterlington, Sr., .493

INF – Kayleigh Beckley, Caldwell Parish, Jr., .486

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INF – Rosalee Richey, Jena, Jr., .442

INF – Emma Venable, Jennings, Sr., .542

OF – Sullivan Cannon, Sterlington, Sr., .333

OF – Sadie St. Pe., Buckeye, Jr., .526

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OF – Morgan Singleton, University, 8th, .515

UT – Callie Decker, Jena, Sr., .396

UT – Mattie Fullington, St. Louis, So., .537

UT – Aimee Gawlik, Parkview Baptist, 8th, .400

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UT – Katie Elizabeth Lachney, Marksville, So., .636

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UT – Jalayah Slaughter, Parkview Baptist, Fr., .388

Most Outstanding Player: Kiette Cooper, Jena

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Coach of the Year: Jeff Tannehill, Sterlington

Honorable Mentions: Calli Grace Baum, Caldwell Parish; Andi Bettevy, Bunkie; Jai Bright, St. James; Austin Carter, Sterlington; Saige Cherry, Iota; Aubrey Crochet, Iota; Aubree Ducote, Bunkie; Ellie Gage, St. Louis; Azyria Garrison, Berwick; Liberty Greene, Kaplan; Gabriella Grogan, Patterson; Olivia Harmson, Buckeye; London Harvey, University; Anna Hebert, Kaplan; Rylee Henson, South Beaureguard; Kenadee Jeansonne, Buckeye; Mia Knight, Patterson; Emmarie Lacy, Parkview Baptist; Ava Landry, Parkview Baptist; Addisen Lipari, Berwick, Genie Lovett, Doyle; Charlotte Lowe, University; Makinley Miller, Buckeye; Myca Mudd, South Beauregard; Elaina Newman, Westlake; Rosalee Richey, Buckeye; Makayla Richoux, Cabrini; Kenzie Sonier, South Beauregard; Charli Sonnier, Iota; Malaya Sonnier, Jennings; Shiya Steib, St. James; Bailey Thomas, Albany, Shelby Taylor, Berwick; Rayleigh Thompson, Caldwell Parish; Abby Traub, St. Louis; Savanna Triche, Albany; Ava Webb, Bunkie; Triniti Williams, Jena; Hayden Williamson, Patrick Taylor; Piper Wimberly, Vidalia; Mary Wood, Jena; Addie Young, Parkview Baptist.

This article originally appeared on Monroe News-Star: Monroe-area LSWA Class 3A All-State baseball and softball honorees

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Where and how to watch the World Cup including England and Scotland games

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(All times BST)

11 June: Mexico v South Africa (20:00 BST) – ITV

12 June: South Korea v Czech Republic (03:00) – ITV

12 June: Canada v Bosnia-Herzegovina (20:00) – BBC

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13 June: USA v Paraguay (02:00) – BBC

13 June: Qatar v Switzerland (20:00) – ITV

13 June: Brazil v Morocco (23:00) – BBC

14 June: Australia v Turkey (05:00) – ITV

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14 June: Scotland v Haiti (02.00) – BBC

14 June: Germany v Curacao (18:00) – ITV

14 June: Netherlands v Japan (21:00) – ITV

15 June: Sweden v Tunisia (03:00) – ITV

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15 June: Ivory Coast v Ecuador (00:00) – BBC

15 June: Spain v Cape Verde (17:00) – ITV

15 June: Belgium v Egypt (20:00) – BBC

15 June: Saudi Arabia v Uruguay (23:00) – ITV

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16 June: Iran v New Zealand (02:00) – BBC

16 June: France v Senegal (20:00) – BBC

16 June: Iraq v Norway (23:00) – BBC

17 June: Argentina v Algeria (02:00) – ITV

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17 June: Austria v Jordan (05:00) – BBC

17 June: Portugal v DR Congo (18:00) – BBC

17 June: England v Croatia (21:00) – ITV

18 June: Ghana v Panama (00:00) – ITV

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18 June: Uzbekistan v Colombia (03:00) – BBC

18 June: Czech Republic v South Africa (17:00) – BBC

18 June: Switzerland v Bosnia-Herzegovina (20:00) – ITV

18 June: Canada v Qatar (23:00) – ITV

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19 June: Mexico v South Korea (02:00) – BBC

19 June: USA v Australia (20:00) – BBC

19 June: Scotland v Morocco (23:00) – ITV

20 June: Turkey v Paraguay (04:00) – ITV

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20 June: Brazil v Haiti (02:00) – ITV

20 June: Netherlands v Sweden (18:00) – BBC

20 June: Germany v Ivory Coast (21:00) – ITV

21 June: Japan v Tunisia (05:00) – BBC

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21 June: Curacao v Ecuador (01:00) – BBC

21 June: Spain v Saudi Arabia (17:00) – BBC

21 June: Belgium v Iran (20:00) – ITV

21 June: Cape Verde v Uruguay (23:00) – BBC

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22 June: Egypt v New Zealand (02:00) – ITV

22 June: Argentina v Austria (18:00) – BBC

22 June: France v Iraq (22:00) – BBC

23 June: Senegal v Norway (01:00) – ITV

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23 June: Algeria v Jordan (04:00) – ITV

23 June: Portugal v Uzbekistan (18:00) – ITV

23 June: England v Ghana (21:00) – BBC

24 June: Croatia v Panama (00:00) – BBC

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24 June: Colombia v DR Congo (03:00) – ITV

24 June: Canada v Switzerland & Bosnia-Herzegovina v Qatar (20:00) – ITV

24 June: Scotland v Brazil & Morocco v Haiti (23:00) – BBC

25 June: Mexico v Czech Republic & South Africa v South Korea (02:00) – BBC

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25 June: Germany v Ecuador & Curacao v Ivory Coast (21:00) – BBC

26 June: Turkey v USA & Paraguay v Australia (03:00) – ITV

26 June: Japan v Sweden & Netherlands v Tunisia (00:00) – BBC

26 June: France v Norway & Senegal v Iraq (20:00) – ITV

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27 June: Cape Verde v Saudi Arabia & Uruguay v Spain (01:00) – ITV

27 June: Egypt v Iran & New Zealand v Belgium (04:00) – BBC

27 June: England v Panama & Croatia v Ghana (22:00) – ITV

28 June: Algeria v Austria & Argentina v Jordan (03:00) – BBC

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28 June: Colombia v Portugal & DR Congo v Uzbekistan (00:30) – BBC

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Devin Haney will only fight Shakur Stevenson under one condition

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Bill Haney has insisted that his son, Devin, would “absolutely” fight Shakur Stevenson, but only if their terms are adhered to at the negotiating table.

The two pound-for-pound stars have been linked with a move to Dana White’s Zuffa Boxing, perhaps with a view to collide under the promotional banner.

At this stage, Zuffa does not recognise the super-lightweight division, where Stevenson claimed his WBO title with a unanimous decision victory over Teofimo Lopez.

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This particular triumph saw him become a four-division world champion in January but, if he signs with Zuffa, the 28-year-old may need to decide between campaigning at lightweight or welterweight.

Stevenson has previously insisted that he would only face a welterweight opponent on one of two conditions: either with a rehydration clause in the contract or at a catchweight of 144lbs.

It seems that neither option is likely to be entertained by Haney, however, as the WBO champion’s father has told Cigar Talk host Naji that he would not accept any such offers.

While ruling out any possibility of a weight stipulation, Bill Haney did say that his son would face Stevenson at his usual fighting weight of 147lbs.

Haney became a three-division world champion last November, dethroning Brian Norman Jr with a unanimous decision victory after scoring a second-round knockdown.

Since then, there have been talks of a unification match with WBA champion Rolando Romero, which was initially rumoured to take place on May 30.

With no official dates in the diary, though, the immediate future for both Haney and Stevenson remains somewhat nebulous.

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2026 WWE King and Queen of the Ring: Results, bracket and format

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The King and Queen of the Ring tournaments have started. WWE has unveiled brackets for both tournaments, with heavy hitters such as Seth Rollins, Liv Morgan, Oba Femi and Jade Cargill, last year’s women’s winner, in the mix.

Last year’s update to the format arguably made the tournaments more important than ever before. Not only are the winners crowned King and Queen of the ring, alongside some legendary names, but they also earn world title shots at WWE’s second biggest show of the year, SummerSlam. The story behind the King and Queen of the Ring stretches from June until the first weekend of August, crossing Raw, SmackDown and Night of Champions before culminating with two world titles at SummerSlam.

The quarterfinals feature fatal four-way matches. Advancing superstars must win singles matches in the second and final rounds to receive their coronation. The opening rounds feature two superstars from Raw and SmackDown in each four-way match.

The first match in the men’s and women’s tournaments took place on the first Monday Night Raw of June. Oba Femi crushed Intercontinental champion Penta, Solo Sikoa and Carmelo Hayes to advance. Iyo Sky became the first women’s superstar to lock a semifinal spot by knocking off Roxanne Perez, Giulia and Lash Legend. That week on SmackDown, Dominik Mysterio and Raquel Rodriguez advanced to face the aforementioned winners from their respective divisions.

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Take a look below at the tournament schedule and results ahead of Night of Champions and SummerSlam, taking place on June 27 and Aug. 1 weekend, respectively.

King of the Ring tournament bracket


WWE

King of the Ring tournament matches

Quarterfinals

  • Oba Femi def. Penta, Solo Sikoa, and Carmelo Hayes via pinfall (Raw, June 1)
  • Dominik Mysterio def. Bron Breakker, Trick Williams, and Damian Priest (SmackDown, June 5)
  • Seth Rollins vs. Je’Von Evans vs. Talla Tonga vs. Ricky Saints
  • Jey Uso vs. LA Knight vs. Royce Keys vs. Finn Balor

Semifinals

  • Oba Femi vs. Dominik Mysterio
  • TBA vs. TBA

Finals (Night of Champions)

Queen of the Ring tournament bracket


WWE

Queen of the Ring tournament matches

Quaterfinals

  • Liv Morgan vs. Becky Lynch vs. Alexa Bliss vs. Chelsea Green
  • Sol Ruca vs. Lyra Valkyria vs. Charlotte Flair vs. Jade Cargill
  • Iyo Sky def. Roxanne Perez, Giulia, and Lash Legend via pinfall (Raw, June 1)
  • Raquel Rodriguez def. Bayley, Jacy Jane, and Kiana James via pinfall (SmackDown, June 5)

Semifinals

  • Iyo Sky vs. Raquel Rodriguez
  • TBA vs. TBA

Finals (Night of Champions)

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Adrien Broner predicts ‘easy’ win in Ryan Garcia vs Conor Benn world title fight

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Adrien Broner believes one man has an “easy” route to victory if Ryan Garcia and Conor Benn lock horns later this year.

While an official announcement is yet to emerge, the pair are set to collide in Las Vegas, with WBC champion Garcia revealing September 12 as a possible date.

The 27-year-old became a world welterweight champion in February, dethroning Mario Barrios with a unanimous decision victory after flooring his man in the opening round.

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Since then, much of the talk has centred around mandatory challenger Benn, who has not fought at 147lbs since his second-round finish over Chris van Heerden in 2022.

‘The Destroyer’ was then supposed to face Chris Eubank Jr later that year, only to fail two doping tests for banned substance clomifene.

As a result, that middleweight rivalry was not revisited until 2025, with Benn losing a unanimous decision in April before exacting his revenge in November.

Most recently, the 29-year-old outpointed Regis Prograis at a catchweight of 150lbs, featuring on the undercard of Tyson Fury vs Arslanbek Makhmudov in April.

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With Benn expected to challenge Garcia, though, former world champion Broner has told FightHype he suspects the Brit will be returned to the losing column.

“Ryan – easy. He’s got more talent. In that fight, the talent will show.”

Like Benn, Garcia has a controversial history with doping after testing positive for banned substance ostarine following his showdown with Devin Haney in 2024.

The American was subsequently handed a year-long ban, his majority decision victory overturned to a no-contest, before losing a unanimous decision to Rolando Romero in May 2025.

Benn has teased an announcement in the next two weeks, and if he is to get his mandatory shot at the belt, this US vs UK battle of stars could be one of the biggest of the year.

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Alex Eala survives ‘great test,’ advances to Birmingham Open final

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Alex Eala vs Rebeka Masarova Birmingham Open semifinalAlex Eala vs Rebeka Masarova Birmingham Open semifinal

Philippines’ Alexandra Eala in action during her semifinal match against Rebeka Masarova, on day eight of the Lexus Birmingham Open Championships at Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham, England, Saturday June 6, 2026. (Martin Rickett/PA via AP)

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala’s run continued in the Birmingham Open just past midnight on Sunday (Manila time).

This time, though, it took her a while to get the win.

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After easing her way into the semifinal, Eala survived her first real test in the WTA 125 tournament, overcoming Swiss Rebeka Masarova, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3, to reach her first final of the season.

READ: Alex Eala beats Sawangkaew, advances to Birmingham Open semis

Eala came into her match against Masarova having won her first three matches in sweeping fashion.

The top-seeded Eala again looked well on her way to another easy win after a dominant opening set, but Masarova regrouped and let the Filipino rising star know it’s going to be a long night.

Masarova’s fightback, coupled with several rain delays that led to a pair of suspensions lasting for hours, made it an excruciatingly long match and Eala could only breathe a big sigh of relief.

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“Really happy with the win today. It was such a great experience,” she said during the post-match interview.

“It was such a tough battle today. You’ll never know what’s gonna happen. Rebeka played really well, and she put me in tough spots,” she added.

READ: Alex Eala gets main draw entry to Queen’s Club Championships

Eala was on the brink of victory, up 5-2, when the rain poured and suspended the match for a second time.

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“I tried to relax. You never fully let go when it’s a rain delay,” said Eala during the extended breaks.

She stayed calm even at the resumption and with Masarova mounting one last rally after taking the eighth game of the deciding set. Down 15-30 in the ninth, Eala forced a deuce and led Masarova to commit back-to-back errors to book her spot in the title round.

It only gets harder for the 21-year-old Eala in the final against Czech Nikola Bartunkova, who also served as her doubles partner in Birmingham. They bowed out early after losing their first match last Monday. Eala is 0-13 against Czechs since turning pro in 2020.

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“Reaching the final is a physical feat. I’m feeling good. I think today was a great test and I’ll be ready for tomorrow.”

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‘Deserved a chance to prove’: Ashwin questions Suryakumar Yadav’s India T20 snub | Cricket News

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'Deserved a chance to prove': Ashwin questions Suryakumar Yadav’s India T20 snub

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has questioned the selectors’ decision to drop Suryakumar Yadav from India’s T20I setup, calling it a “landmark” and “ruthless” call and suggesting that the World Cup-winning captain deserved more time to prove himself.The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Saturday announced India’s T20I squads for the tours of England and Ireland, naming Shreyas Iyer as captain and Tilak Varma as vice-captain.The decision also saw Suryakumar lose both the captaincy and his place in the squad, less than three months after leading India to the 2026 T20 World Cup title.Chief selector Ajit Agarkar said the move was based on form and the team’s plans for the next T20 World Cup cycle. Ashwin, however, felt Suryakumar had earned the opportunity to make one final case for himself, especially in the upcoming England series.Speaking on ESPNcricinfo, Ashwin said he was surprised by how the decision was made and believed Suryakumar’s contribution as captain should also have been taken into account.“Look, I think it’s a very interesting precedent, if I can say that. I just want to put myself in Suryakumar Yadav’s shoes and for an instance think how he would be feeling at this point of time. I’m sure every player has got the right to be gutted about being left out of the side and that’s fair if he’s feeling bad about it, but just the whole occasion, the way it’s been done, I am a little apprehensive about the whole thing.”“Because in my head I’m thinking, okay, I’m the T20 World Cup-winning captain. I’m just putting myself in Surya’s shoes and thinking about it. Sure, my batting form has let me down over the last 18 months or 15 months or whatever it is. I haven’t been in the prime form that I could have been. But then I managed to win a T20 World Cup for the country. Didn’t have the greatest World Cup as a batter, but surely, just like everyone else in the team – the coach, the vice-captain, the best-performing batter, best-performing bowler – he’s also been the best-performing skipper, right? He’s played his part.Ashwin said he understood the selectors’ long-term approach but felt Suryakumar deserved more backing after winning a World Cup.“I saw Ajit’s press conference and I liked what he said: for the next two years is what we are planning, which is quite a good way of looking at it. But is there a possibility that they could have given Surya a bit more time? And if you feel he’s not a walk into your XI, could he have been given that big England series to ask himself to prove once again as a batter that he belongs in that place? I just think he deserved that after having accomplished such a huge feat in his career.Ashwin added that the decision could become a reference point for future selection calls involving captains.“Has there been an instance where a captain who’s won the T20 World Cup has been left out without any ultimatum? I’m sure there’s been communication. I have no doubts with regards to that. But this is quite a landmark day in selection if you ask me, because this will be taken as some sort of precedent the next time such a thing ever comes up. And let’s not forget, T20 is a high-risk game where the batters are expected to put their wicket on the line for scoring those extra boundaries. You want them to play a brand of cricket which is high risk and hence my question is: could the captain of the defending champions have been dealt a slightly better deal than what he was dealt?”

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Mirra Andreeva wins French Open, defeats Maja Chwalinsa in straight sets

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Mirra Andreeva, a 19-year-old Russian tennis pro, won her first Grand Slam title on Saturday, defeating Maja Chwalinska to win the French Open.

Andreeva won in two sets, 6-3, 6-2, over the 114th-ranked Polish qualifier. Andreeva became the youngest player to win the women’s singles title since Monica Seles, who was 18 when she won her third straight French Open in 1992.

She also became the first Russian woman to win a Grand Slam since Maria Sharapova won the 2014 French Open and became the first teenager to win a Grand Slam title since Coco Gauff did so at the 2023 U.S. Open, when she was 19.

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Mirra Andreeva holding trophy after winning tennis final

Russia’s Mirra Andreeva holds the trophy after winning the final tennis match against Poland’s Maja Chwalinska at the French Open in Paris on June 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/AP)

Andreeva also became the first male or female tennis player born in 2005 to reach and win a Grand Slam title.

When Andreeva executed a backhand cross-court winner on her first match point, the Russian dropped to her knees on the clay to celebrate.

“You’re so young and talented. It’s so annoying,” Chwalinska told Andreeva during the awards ceremony.

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Russia’s Mirra Andreeva celebrates after winning the final women’s tennis match against Poland’s Maja Chwalinska at the French Open in Paris on June 6, 2026. (Christophe Ena/AP Photo)

Andreeva thanked herself for fighting “so many demons” during her title run at the awards ceremony.

“For believing in myself, always giving my 100%, even when it’s tough, trying every day to be better as a person and as a player, believing that I can do this, fighting so many demons inside of me,” Andreeva said.

“Only I know how tough it was for me,” Andreeva added. “How nervous I was throughout these two weeks.”

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Mirra Andreeva holding trophy after winning tennis final

Russia’s Mirra Andreeva holds the trophy after winning the final tennis match against Poland’s Maja Chwalinska at the French Open in Paris on June 6, 2026. (Thibault Camus/AP)

The match was tied 3-3 in the first set, but Andreeva then won 20 of the next 21 points to win the set and take control of the match.

Chwalinska was attempting to become the first qualifier to capture the Roland Garros title.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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PWHL Hamilton signs Alina Muller, Nicole Gosling to three-year contracts

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Hamilton continued to add foundational players Saturday in PWHL expansion with the signing of Swiss star Alina Muller and Canadian defender Nicole Gosling to three-year contracts.

Hamilton, Detroit, Las Vegas and San Jose, Calif., will join the women’s pro league next season to make for a 12-team league.

Each of the four new clubs is required to get five players on its roster by Monday afternoon, which ends the second phase of a six-phase process.

Hamilton, whose general manager, Meghan Duggan, is a former captain of the U.S. women’s team, had four players on board with the signing of Muller and Gosling. 

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The first two were Canadian forward Brianne Jenner and goaltender Kayle Osborne.

Each of the eight existing teams was able to protect three players, but could also lose up to three players under contract for next season by Monday.

Muller was the third overall pick by the Boston Fleet in the PWHL’s inaugural draft in 2023. The forward scored the overtime winner for Switzerland for the bronze medal in February’s Olympic Games.

The 28-year-old is tied for the most assists in PWHL history with 40 in 80 career games. Muller is coming off a season of four goals and 17 assists with the Fleet. 

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Gosling was a finalist for the PWHL’s rookie award with three goals, 16 assists and a plus-16 rating for the Walter Cup champion Montreal Victoire.

The 24-year-old from London, Ont., had a goal and two assists in nine playoff games. Gosling played for Canada and won gold at the 2024 women’s world championship in Utica, N.Y.

She was a first-round pick, fourth overall, by the Victoire in 2025.

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Andreeva wins first Grand Slam tennis title

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Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva beat Polish underdog Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2 in the final of the French Open in Paris on Saturday to claim her first Grand Slam title.

Andreeva, 19, is the youngest player to win the women’s singles title at Roland Garros since the United States’ Monica Seles, who was 18 when she won a third consecutive French Open in 1992.

She is also the first Russian woman to win a Grand Slam since Maria Sharapova won the French Open in 2014 and the first teenager to take the crown ‌since Poland’s Iga ​Swiatek ⁠in 2020.

Andreeva’s opponent, Chwalinska, ranked 114th in the world, was attempting to become the first qualifier to win in the French capital, but stood little chance against the world number eight.

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In the men’s draw, Germany’s Alexander Zverev is also looking to win a first ever Grand Slam title when he faces Flavio Cobolli on Sunday.

Edited by: Jenipher Camino Gonzalez

How AI coaching helps tennis players master their game

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Mirra Andreeva comes of age to win French Open and end Maja Chwalinska fairytale run

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Mirra Andreeva overcame testing conditions and the burden of years of expectations to defeat qualifier Maja Chwalinska for her first grand slam title, becoming the youngest women’s champion at the French Open since 18-year-old Monica Seles in 1992.

19-year-old Andreeva announced her enormous potential on the clay with a storming run to the French Open semi-finals two years ago. Despite her young age she had long been tipped to convert that into titles – and two years on, the vastly experienced teenager fulfilled that potential, maintaining her focus despite a difficult, windy court and a highly partisan crowd to win Roland Garros 6-3 6-2.

The eighth seed collapsed to the clay and covered her face in disbelief as a smash, with Chwalinska rooted to the spot, sealed the first of what many believe will be several major titles. It brought an end to Chwalinska’s stunning fairytale run, as she attempted to become only the second qualifier to ever win a major, after Emma Raducanu at the US Open in 2021.

Andreeva paid tribute to Chwalinska in the podium ceremony, joking: “You are a very tricky opponent, I wouldn’t want to play against you another time… okay, it’s fine, I hope we play many, many more finals together in the future.

“I cannot believe I’m holding this trophy right now. Paris is going to have a very special place in my heart.”

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She thanked the tournament directors, ball kids, and her team, before adding: “Last but not least, I want to thank myself for believing in myself and always giving 100 per cent, even when it is tough. I try every day to be better as a person and as a player, and fight so many demons inside of me. Only I know how tough it was for me these two weeks – so thanks to myself.”

Mirra Andreeva is a grand slam champion for the first time at the age of 19 years and 39 days
Mirra Andreeva is a grand slam champion for the first time at the age of 19 years and 39 days (AP)

Andreeva had said after her semi-final win over Marta Kostyuk that a change in her perspective over the course of this season has allowed her to stay calm in situations that previously would have derailed her.

While her increased maturity has been evident the question remained of how she would fare in a cauldron of support for her opposition. Her impetuousness and temper have often worked against her, while she wilted against home favourite Lois Boisson at the semi-final stage last year, unable to cope with the emotion of the situation.

And she was facing a similarly one-sided crowd on Saturday, with chants of “Maja, Maja, Maja” erupting during the warm-up, as world No 114 Chwalinska stepped up to serve, and at every changeover.

But the key to Andreeva’s run in this tournament has been her ability to adapt, whether that be to different opponents or rapidly changing conditions, and to keep calm, to the extent that she told press after the semi-final that she was so focused she could see “the little hairs on the ball”. She needed every bit of that focus on Sunday. Chwalinska was a difficult opponent, but in many ways this was Andreeva’s Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen to lose.

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Maja Chwalinska ran out of steam at the end of a stunning run from qualifying, which has launched her into the top 30 in the world
Maja Chwalinska ran out of steam at the end of a stunning run from qualifying, which has launched her into the top 30 in the world (Reuters)

Against Kostyuk Andreeva had seemed scarcely bothered by the wind, although she later admitted it had made for tough conditions, changing direction and speed unpredictably. The conditions were similar on Saturday, swirling and kicking clay up into the players’ faces. But they troubled her more, while the nerves of a first slam final were compounded by being the expected champion against a free-swinging underdog with nothing to lose.

Nerves were evidently a factor for both, however; Chwalinska, choosing to serve first, opened with a double fault, and there were four consecutive breaks of serve. The Pole’s unorthodox game style posed immediate problems as she chopped and changed pace and direction, with her heavy spin and lefty forehand, and the sheer variety and inventiveness of her game, frustrating Andreeva.

Chwalinska’s love of moonballs and ability to switch with ease between baseline exchange and clever drop shot paid off as she went toe to toe with the Russian, who struggled on serve and with her choice of shot.

But Andreeva’s ability to focus despite the many distractions – particularly as the wind continued to pick up – was on show as, from 3-3 and after four straight breaks of serve before Chwalinska held for the first time, she locked down. She broke the 24-year-old’s serve again before backing up the break for the first time, digging out a drop shot that very nearly died in the service box before planting a smash into the open court.

After taking a 4-3 lead in the first set Andreeva pulled away
After taking a 4-3 lead in the first set Andreeva pulled away (AP)

That was the catalyst she needed; she went 0-40 up in Chwalinska’s next service game and fired a beautiful backhand cross-court winner to take the set, celebrating with a fist pump and determined smile. She looked like a slam winner-in-waiting.

Andreeva’s first serve percentage, having hovered in the low 40 per cent in the first half of the first set, improved to the high 70s, while she showed more conviction in her clean, destructive groundstrokes. Chwalinska, who was playing in her 10th match in a row after winning three in qualifying, began to look mentally drained and to leak errors.

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There was more fight down the teenager’s side of the court: a sloppy service game as she led 2-0 saw her slip to 0-40 down, but she reeled off five points in a row, getting to deuce with a tidy backhand winner before Chwalinska hit long, to stave off trouble and extend her lead to 3-0.

She broke to love immediately after, with the Pole slipping glumly to the court as she watched a forehand trail long, her chances of a slam title carried away on the Parisian wind. In the ceremony, she joked: “You’re so young and talented, it’s so annoying.” To the crowd, she added: “I wish you could see a better match today but Mirra was just too good, so it’s her fault.”

Andreeva played patiently against a tricky opponent and overwhelmed her from the baseline
Andreeva played patiently against a tricky opponent and overwhelmed her from the baseline (AP)

Andreeva made a colossal hash of a net smash at 40-15 in her next service game, but didn’t blink, and a battering ram of a backhand down the line put her a game away from the title, 5-0 up. But as Chwalinska held for the first time in the set, the pressure was once more all on the teenager’s shoulders.

It told: a miss on a routine net volley brought up 30-30 and she swung long on a forehand to gift Chwalinska a rare break point, but although she saved the first, two clunking errors – the second another poor forehand long – handed over the break and set off another chorus of “Maja, Maja, Maja”.

But in the greatest test of her life the teenager held firm and Chwalinska buckled. Andreeva earned three match points and only needed one, shifting from baseline to net to hammer away the winner.

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She dropped to the ground in joy before embracing Chwalinska and heading up to her box, celebrating with coach Conchita Martinez, who has been integral to her rise.

After two weeks of intense focus, the teenager could allow herself a beaming smile, while having worked so hard on her composure, it was telling that there were no tears and she seemed relaxed. Like this was simply inevitable, the culmination of years of work that would always end with her lifting the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen aloft.

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