World No 1 and top seed Aryna Sabalenka survived an almighty scare against Naomi Osaka at the Madrid Open, fighting back from a set and a break down to progress to the quarter-finals.
The Belarusian’s usual prowess in tiebreaks deserted her as she lost the first set on a lopsided breaker, 7-6(1), before falling 2-1 down in the second set after two mammoth games.
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But she regained her composure to break back to love for 2-2, aided by an Osaka double fault, and broke again for 5-3 from 40-0 down on her way to levelling the match.
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Errors began to creep into Osaka’s game in a frustrating third set, while Sabalenka was near-faultless on serve, dropping just three points, and she ran away with the decider to post a 6-7(1), 6-3, 6-2 win in two hours and 20 minutes.
The result keeps her hopes of defending her title and winning a fourth trophy in the Spanish capital alive.
Sabalenka said afterwards: “Oh my God, that was incredible level. She played incredible tennis. I feel like I just got lucky in a couple shots in the third set, that’s why it went that fast.”
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“I think I just dropped my level at the end of the first set and gave her that tiebreak quite easily, but overall I’m happy with my performance. When someone put me under pressure, I was able to pull out really incredible shots and incredible tennis. So I’m happy.
“I’m happy that she actually brought that fight, just so I could fight through it, I could struggle a little bit, and find a solution in the match.”
The top seed will face 30th seed Hailey Baptiste in the quarter-finals for the second consecutive WTA 1000 tournament, after the American came through a three-set tussle of her own with Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic.
Osaka ran out of steam in the final set (Getty)
Baptiste won 6-1, 6-7(14), 6-3 in two hours and 42 minutes but missed six match points in the second set, including five in an epic tiebreak – the longest first-to-seven tour-level tiebreak since Palermo 2024.
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The American served a series of three double faults at 6-5 and another two at match point, before a third at 11-11 in the tiebreak, whereupon she smashed her racquet in fury.
But after being taken to a decider by the 11th seed she regained composure to set up a second meeting with Sabalenka, who she lost to 6-4, 6-4 in the quarter-finals in Miami last month.
She said: “The tiebreak was insane. It was quite obvious that nerves got a bit in the way when I had some moments to close out the match, but that’s obviously a part of the game. I wasn’t able to get out of that tiebreak, but I was able to turn it around in the third set, so I can be happy about that. Super easy to just leave the match mentally after something like that.
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“Six match points? Outrageous. Having six chances — painful, very, very painful to not get out of that. Then you just start to think, is she going to turn this match around and have that victorious win? I think I told myself that I wasn’t going to allow that.”
Jan 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers head coach Mike Tomlin before an AFC Wild Card Round game against the Houston Texans at Acrisure Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Barry Reeger-Imagn Images
Former Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin said the timing was right for both him and the organization when he stepped down after 19 seasons without a losing record.
Tomlin, who guided the Steelers to victory in Super Bowl XLIII in the 2008 season, told NBC on Sunday night in his first interview since resigning in January that the lack of postseason success — no playoff wins since 2016 — figured into what was a difficult decision.
“You know, it’s probably not an overnight decision,” said Tomlin, 54. “It’s probably not something that I could articulate or share with people. There’s a loneliness with leadership.
“I just thought it was a good time for me personally and by that, I mean, just where I am in life and I thought it was a good time for the organization, to be quite honest with you. We didn’t have success in the playoffs in recent years and there’s just some veteran players there, man, guys like Cam Heyward and T.J. Watt and (Chris) Boswell, man, that I thought that just were worthy of the excitement and the optimism of new leadership.”
Tomlin will join NBC as an NFL pregame show analyst on “Football Night in America,” the network officially announced on Sunday. The show airs ahead of “Sunday Night Football.”
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“I just thought it would be a great way to stay connected to the game and the awesome people in it, players, coaches, executives,” Tomlin said, “and excited about doing that on Sunday night and traveling to different venues and getting that feel for the environment and lastly, I just thought it would be awesome to share insight with fellow football lovers.
“I love to talk football and so that’s just an exciting component for me. I got to admit, though, there’s going to be some anxiety about stepping into a new space, but good anxiety, it’s good to be uncomfortable with the growth associated with that. I’m fired up about it.”
The Steelers went 10-7 in 2025 with a 30-6 wild-card loss to the Houston Texans on Jan. 12. He was replaced by Pittsburgh native and veteran head coach Mike McCarthy in late January.
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Tomlin guided the Steelers to the Super Bowl XLIII title with a 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in February 2009. Pittsburgh lost Super Bowl XLV to quarterback Aaron Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers, 31-25, in February 2011.
Tomlin posted a 193-114-2 record with Pittsburgh, tying him with Hall of Fame member Chuck Noll for the most regular-seasons win franchise history and ninth in NFL history. Noll also coached the Steelers (1969-91), with Bill Cowher (1992-2007) bridging the gap between Noll and Tomlin.
Rodgers, who played for McCarthy in Green Bay and with Tomlin last season, hasn’t announced his intentions for 2026 — return, retirement or something else. Tomlin predicted Rodgers, 42, will play his 22nd NFL season for the Steelers.
“Man, if you got a gun to my head, I’d say it’s AR,” Tomlin said. “I just think, Aaron, I just think being around him for the 12 months that I’m around him, he’s got a love affair with the game of football and not only the game, but the process, the informal moments, the development of younger guys, the interaction with teammates. I think he has an addiction to that, and there’s only one way to feed it. And certainly he is still capable and in really good shape. And so I think at the end of the day, he’ll play football.”
Dec 25, 2025; Landover, Maryland, USA; Dallas Cowboys defensive end Jadeveon Clowney (42) runs onto the field prior to the game against the Washington Commanders at Northwest Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Amber Searls-Imagn Images
The Minnesota Vikings traded Jonathan Greenard to the Philadelphia Eagles on Friday night and drafted no wide receivers during the event. Those circumstances make the team’s current free-agent board pretty damn clear: Minnesota needs a WR and OLB — at least two.
The roster is thinner in two obvious spots, and Minnesota can still patch both before training camp.
So, here’s who they should sign. Plain and simple.
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A Few Veterans Still Fit Minnesota’s New Roster Situation
Ranked from good signing to best, this is the Vikings’ theoretical free-agent pecking order. Note: The Vikings obviously won’t sign all of these players.
Tyreek Hill stands near the Miami Dolphins sideline during the first half, surveying the field as teammates and coaches move behind him on Sep 18, 2022, at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. The wide receiver wears his No. 10 jersey while awaiting the next series against the Ravens. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports.
5. Tyreek Hill (WR)
Hill’s existing relationship with Frank Smith, his offensive coach for four seasons in Miami and now Minnesota’s assistant head coach, presents a significant advantage if Hill’s free agency takes off. Additionally, Hill’s childhood as a Vikings fan creates a natural appeal.
If his medical checks clear, general managers will act swiftly. While his dastardly 2025 injury complicates the timing, a verdict should be near on Hill’s availability for 2026. If he receives clearance, Minnesota should pursue him aggressively; a hypothetical trio of Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, and Tyreek Hill would be magnificent.
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4. A.J. Epenesa (OLB)
This offseason, the Vikings hired Ryan Nielsen as their defensive run game coordinator. Nielsen, a well-traveled coach, most recently served as a senior defensive assistant for the Bills in 2025. There, he worked with Epenesa, a former 2nd-Round pick now in his sixth season.
Epenesa remains unsigned, is currently in the mid-tier free-agent market, and is likely available for approximately $4–7 million. His role is well-defined: given sufficient playing time, he consistently generates pressure on quarterbacks. He typically records around six sacks per season, making him a solid rotational depth piece behind Andrew Van Ginkel and Dallas Turner.
Epenesa’s primary weakness is his run defense, an aspect of his game that has not significantly improved over the years. That lack of development likely contributes to his current market value and explains Buffalo’s reluctance to re-sign him. Nevertheless, he remains a valuable asset as a situational pass-rusher.
In Minnesota, the Vikings have Jalen Redmond, Caleb Banks, and Domonique Orange for run defense. They just need an extra pass rusher.
3. Joey Bosa(OLB)
Bosa played 64% of defensive snaps last year in Buffalo and 50% in Los Angeles (Chargers) the year before that. Truth be told, with Greenard’s departure to the Eagles, that’s what Minnesota needs — a third pass rusher who can play on passing downs or start if something happens to Van Ginkel or Turner.
Joey Bosa lines up for the Los Angeles Chargers, focused on the snap and ready to rush from his linebacker spot during action on Jan 1, 2023, at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood. The defensive star wears No. 97 as the Chargers face the Rams in a Los Angeles matchup. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports.
The four-time Pro Bowler has 10 sacks in the last two seasons. Why not add five more in Minnesota as Bosa embarks on his 30s? It could work.
2. Deebo Samuel (WR)
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Kyler Murray, entering his eighth season, has never been known for a deep-ball-heavy offense, although Murray certainly has the arm for it. If the Vikings build their offense around his obvious strengths — a strategy they absolutely should pursue — Samuel would be a highly sensible target.
Samuel excels with the ball in his hands, typically operating near or just beyond the line of scrimmage. At his peak with the San Francisco 49ers, he even functioned as a part-time running back, transforming short receptions into game-changing plays.
His age, turning 30 this year, is a factor. Samuel will likely seek a team with a legitimate chance at a Super Bowl. With Murray now leading the charge, Minnesota wouldn’t be a long-shot destination. The Vikings could offer a concrete quarterback plan, a dynamic offensive scheme from Kevin O’Connell, and a roster poised for contention.
Bring him to Minnesota.
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Pro Football Network‘s Austin Swaim on Samuel to the Vikings: “Imagine telling someone at the start of 2023 that Deebo Samuel would be combining with Justin Jefferson and Jordan Addison. That would be discussed as perhaps the greatest wide receiver room ever. Samuel’s ‘decline’ being a season in which he still crested 700 receiving yards despite quarterback issues might mean that becomes a reality, especially as the Vikings look to give either Kyler Murray or J.J. McCarthy all the assistance they can get.”
“Minnesota has holes at cornerback, safety, running back, offensive line, and potentially EDGE if they end up dealing Jonathan Greenard. I just don’t think they can invest a quality pick into a reliable No. 3 receiver, and Samuel is a great complement in the slot to Jefferson and Addison’s ability to get vertical.”
1. Jadeveon Clowney(OLB)
Clowney played 373 defensive snaps for the 2025 Dallas Cowboys and tabulated 8.5 sacks. He’s 33, so he assuredly isn’t a long-term solution, but let’s face it: with Greenard gone and Van Ginkel scheduled for free agency next offseason, Minnesota will probably have to draft an EDGE rusher early in 2027. In the meantime, Clowney makes sense as a patchover OLB, a man who can start if Van Ginkel or Turner battle injuries.
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Jadeveon Clowney patrols the field for the Carolina Panthers during second-half action, scanning the offense and preparing for the next play on Dec 22, 2024, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte. Wearing No. 7, he faces the Arizona Cardinals in a late-season contest. Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images.
The former first-overall pick (2014) never quite lived up to his billing, but he’s had staying power in the league, and if he were anything other than a first-overall pick, his career would be considered a resounding success.
He’d probably cost the Vikings $5 million. A bargain.
The pair have reportedly agreed terms to clash in the ring, a full decade after their rivalry first emerged. Boxing chief Turki Alalsheikh confirmed the bout on social media, with Joshua subsequently revealing he has put pen to paper on a multi-fight deal.
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Alalsheikh said: “To my friends in Great Britain – it’s happening. It’s signed.”
Joshua is set to face Kristian Prenga in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on July 25. The 36-year-old has been working alongside Usyk, who has defeated both AJ and Fury twice, ahead of his return following a serious car accident in Nigeria.
The Ukrainian heavyweight has already shared his verdict on the contest and is firmly convinced Joshua has the ability to beat the Gypsy King. Speaking this month, Usyk said: “I believe. I looked at how Anthony is training, he’s a machine. But now I think Anthony needs help.
“We, people who support, we must say, ‘Yeah, we do believe,’ because a lot of people, you know… I’m a fan of the soccer team Dynamo [Kyiv], I’m a fan a lot of the time. Sometimes my team lose, but I don’t say: ‘You’re bad, you’re bad.’ I say: ‘Things happen, you must work.’ I pray. I say ‘it’s normal’, because it’s a sport.’
“But sometimes people are negative. They’re not family, they’re bulls***. Listen, we must help each other. If we don’t help each other, we are not people, we are animals.”
When asked if he thinks Joshua would knock out Fury, Usyk added: “I have no idea. I know he wins, but I don’t know.”
Usyk also weighed in on Fury’s unanimous decision win over Arslanbek Makhmudov earlier in April. He said: “Listen, it’s not a good performance for me, but Tyson wins, [so] it’s good.”
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“It’s normal. Listen, I support Tyson Fury, you know? I get a lot of messages from my acquaintances and my friends: ‘Oh, your friend won.’ It’s good.”
“[But] I’m nervous, because I watched only six rounds – the first six rounds, but then I went to church. I said: ‘Oh, be careful, hands up.’”
Fury and AJ have signed on a multi-fight deal in the past, only for it to fall through, but British boxing fans might finally be getting the match-up they’ve longed for. The agreement came off the back of Fury calling out AJ, who was sat ringside for the Manchester fighter’s comeback win over Makhmudov just over two weeks ago.
Joshua will first have to come through unscathed against unknown Albanian fighter Prenga, a heavyweight with 20 wins – all coming by way of knockout – and one defeat before the Battle of Britain.
Mats Sundin continues to ponder a potential role in the team’s front office, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported on Monday’s edition of 32 Thoughts: The Podcast.
“I have wondered if he’s been contemplating a larger role than has been hinted or reported, and I still believe that’s true and I think everyone’s hoping to get an idea this week of where he’s leaning and what he’s considering,” Friedman said.
After missing the playoffs for the first time in a decade, the Maple Leafs fired general manager Brad Treliving in March.
Friedman reported Friday that the Leafs appeared to have narrowed their search to former Arizona Coyotes GM John Chayka and Dallas Stars assistant GM Scott White.
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32 Thoughts: The Podcast
Hockey fans already know the name, but this is not the blog. From Sportsnet, 32 Thoughts: The Podcast with NHL Insider Elliotte Friedman and Kyle Bukauskas is a weekly deep dive into the biggest news and interviews from the hockey world.
Now, Sundin — the team’s all-time leader in points and game-winning goals — may have some element of involvement.
“Once we know where Sundin falls on this, we’ll have a truer, clearer picture of what the Maple Leafs front office is going to look like,” Friedman said.
Here’s a look at other NHL teams looking for general managers:
The Canucks are deep in an interview process featuring names like Maple Leafs assistant GM Shane Doan, former Buffalo Sabres GM Kevyn Adams, Canucks assistant GM Ryan Johnson, longtime NHLer Ray Whitney and Edmonton Oilers assistant GM Bill Scott.
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There are also five others in the mix, per Friedman, including some with B.C. connections as the Canucks potentially look for someone “that might have some pride in the region.”
The Predators‘ GM search may be clouded in some mystery.
“I have a sneaking suspicion that there’s a potential curveball there, that they’ve been either considering or talking to or looking at someone we haven’t seen yet,” Friedman said, adding that a decision is not expected on Monday.
Despite a decent start to the MLS season, Toronto FC finds itself in a bit of a predicament.
TFC (3-3-4) saw its seven-match unbeaten run snapped in a 2-1 home loss to Atlanta United on Saturday at BMO Field in a game that highlighted some major issues for coach Robin Fraser’s side.
Toronto has gotten into a bad habit of falling behind, trailing in seven of its opening 10 games this season. The Reds rescued a point from a losing position in two consecutive matches (and four times in their previous five outings) prior to this last weekend.
But there was no comeback against Atlanta. A poor start to the game laid the foundation of TFC’s third loss of the year as the visitors jumped out to a 2-0 lead thanks to a pair of second-half goals.
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Simply put, Toronto can’t continue to dig a hole for itself and expect to climb out of it. If TFC harbours any hope of ending its five-year playoff drought, it must start on the front foot from the opening kickoff and play from a position of advantage.
“Because this group never quits, you almost start to expect that we’re going to come back and tie it,” Fraser said. “(But) this is a game that’s not always going to go your way. … The mentality we showed towards the end was excellent. But we need to see that from the beginning.”
Another major cause for concern is the number of goals Toronto is leaking. TFC conceded eight times over the last three games, coughed up three goals in a match on four separate occasions, and has just one clean sheet through 10 contests.
Last year, Toronto boasted one of the best defensive records in the Eastern Conference with an average of 1.29 goals against per game. That average has ballooned to 1.9 per game in 2026. The 19 goals TFC has conceded already this year represents 43 per cent of the 44 goals it coughed up all of last season.
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“Obviously, there are going to be ebbs and flows and we have to be comfortable in the moments (in games) that we can’t get to the things that we normally can. And in those moments, we have to stay together and just make sure that teams don’t get between us and behind us. This is all part of the maturation process of this team, meaning we have some very mature players, but as a team, we’re relatively new,” Fraser said.
Compounding the Reds’ woes is their injury situation, which is now beyond ridiculous.
Unavailable for Saturday’s match were winger Theo Corbeanu; defenders Nicksoen Gomis and Henry Wingo; fullbacks Matheus Pereira and Richie Laryea; DP midfielder Djordje Mihailovic; and forward Deandre Kerr. Corbeanu and Gomis have yet to make a single appearance this season, while Wingo has been limited to a 13-minute cameo off the bench in the club’s season opener in February.
Toronto’s player numbers were so low for Saturday’s match that defenders Reid Fisher and Jackson Gilman along with midfielder Antone Bossenberry were signed from TFC 2, its reserve team, to short-term contracts.
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On top of all of that, centre back Benjamin Kuscevic and midfielder José Cifuentes had to be subbed off in the first half Saturday due to injuries. Kuscevic (groin) limped off after only 20 minutes while Cifuentes followed 10 minutes later due to a knee issue.
Little wonder the Reds looked so disjointed for long stretches against Atlanta.
“The building of the relationships, the rhythm and that sort of thing gets disrupted and it has nothing to do with the player who’s coming in because I do like all of our players and I think these are good players coming in when guys get hurt,” Fraser offered.
“But I do think that the relationships and the chemistry is just a little bit off and takes time. So, when we have to keep chopping and changing, then it becomes difficult to maintain a rhythm.”
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TFC’s mounting injury crisis will test Fraser’s managerial acumen in the coming weeks as the long-term injuries to Mihailovic (the club’s top playmaker) and Laryea (its best player this season) robs him of two of his most important contributors.
While other players will have to step up, Fraser has to find a way to navigate a difficult stretch of games, which includes a visit to BMO Field by Lionel Messi and Inter Miami, in which his options will be limited and will more than likely have to play some players out of position.
• The Vancouver Whitecaps keep rolling. A fourth straight win was secured by Vancouver in a convincing 3-1 home decision over the Colorado Rapids on Saturday, allowing the team to push its record to 8-1-0. A sold-out crowd of 27,589 at BC Place watched the Whitecaps in the finale of their five-game homestand. Vancouver has only played one match away from home this season but is about to embark on an eight-match road swing from May 2 to July 25.
• CF Montreal (3-6-0) is showing signs of life. After a terrible start to the season (six losses in seven games), Montreal has won two in a row, including a 1-0 victory over New York City FC on Saturday at Stade Saputo courtesy of Prince Owusu’s team-leading sixth goal. Montreal has two wins from two games under interim coach Philippe Eullaffroy following the firing of Italian manager Marco Donadel.
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• Jayden Nelson boosted his chances of making Canada’s World Cup squad with a peach of a goal in Austin FC’s 2-0 home win over the Houston Dynamo on Saturday. The 23-year-old winger opened the scoring in the 13th minute with a slick effort, curling a right-footed shot off the far post after cutting inside of a Houston defender inside the box. The goal was Nelson’s second in eight appearances for Austin since joining the team in an off-season trade from Vancouver.
Editor’s note
John Molinaro is one of the leading soccer journalists in Canada, having covered the game for over 27 years for several media outlets, including Sportsnet, CBC Sports and Sun Media. He is currently the editor-in-chief of TFC Republic, a website dedicated to in-depth coverage of Toronto FC and Canadian soccer.
NEW DELHI: The 18-year wait was finally over, and when it ended, emotions overflowed across every Royal Challengers Bengaluru player, especially Virat Kohli, who has been with the franchise since the inception of the league back in 2008. Tears of joy, kissing the trophy, holding it high with pride, and continuous celebrations marked the scenes as RCB lifted their historic IPL 2025 title.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru won their first-ever IPL title after 18 years, defeating Punjab Kings by six runs in the final at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.
RCB all-rounder Krunal Pandya reflected on the title win, calling it one of the most emotional moments of his career and dedicating the triumph to the fans and former skipper Kohli.
Speaking on JioStar’s “The Krunal Pandya Experience”, the all-rounder said the long-awaited trophy meant the most to Kohli, who struggled to hold back his emotions after the win.
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“The ones who deserved it the most are Virat Kohli and the RCB fans. Virat has been an integral part of RCB from the first season. So, to win it and see him get emotional was special. Watching him cry was an emotional moment for everyone,” Krunal said.
“The love people have for RCB is incredible. That day, I said on the mic that whatever happens, we must win the trophy for the fans,” he added.
Krunal said fulfilling that promise after 18 years of waiting made the victory even more meaningful.
“I am glad I said it and that we were able to deliver in the final. The fans deserved this trophy more than anybody else, and obviously, Virat as well,” he said.
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“Playing for the country is number one for me, but winning for RCB after 18 years and having my best season while contributing well has to be one of my top moments,” Krunal said.
Krunal also spoke about his evolution as a cricketer over the years.
“I have changed over a period of time, for the better. As you go through the journey, you learn. A lot of credit goes to my parents and the upbringing they gave me. But as a human being, who I am, has remained the same. I love cricket, still as excited and passionate to play. I have always been a family man. I love my family, kids, and my wife, who has played an integral part,” the RCB all-rounder said.
Pandya, who was bought by RCB for Rs 5.75 crore at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction in Jeddah, was retained by RCB for the 2026 IPL season.
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In IPL 2026, RCB are currently placed second on the points table with 10 points.
If you enjoy RuneScape: Dragonwilds or RuneScape in general, Winds of Valen is going to be right up your alley. There’s not much to do in terms of quests or storyline progression, but you can fish, mine, and craft to your heart’s content. It’s very simple to grasp, and the community is rather helpful.
That being said, here are a few beginner tips and tricks you can use to get started on the best foot in Winds of Valen.
5 beginner tips and tricks to get you started in Winds of Valen
Mine Tin and Copper to craft basic weapons and armor (sell for Coins)
Mine Tin and Copper to earn easy Coins (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
As you start your run in Winds of Valen, the first thing you’ll want to do is mine Tin and Copper. While this is not Minecraft (and you may not yearn for the mines), this is the best way to get basic armor and Coins. The Tin and Copper that you mine can be smelted in a 1:1 ratio to create Bronze Bars, which can be sold for Coins.
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Sell Bronze Bars to make Coins (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
I would suggest you focus on Mining and Smithing for a while, as it’s the best way to get Coins without having to do too much work. Fishing and Potion Making are also great ways to get Coins, but the overall process is too long-winded. As you level up, getting Mining will become faster, which in turn will allow you to have more resources to work with and sell the finished product.
Sell anything you can’t use yet (including Power Gems)
Sell everything you can’t use (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
In Winds of Valen, the name of the game is resource collecting and leveling up. To that end, by the time you get your bearings, you’ll have more resources than you’ll know what to do with. After you craft what you need, you have two options: use the Bank to store things or sell for profit.
Use Coins to buy what you need (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
In my experience, selling is often better, as some of the best gear can be bought using Coins. Given that you’ll have to venture far and wide to get resources to craft better gear, being able to buy them without leaving the starting area is the best option available to you.
Use the Green Lantern at the center of the village to heal
Use the Green Lantern to heal (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
If you need to heal quickly, you have two options: Potions (which cost Coin) or interacting with the Green Lantern at the center of the village. This is a good option for when you’re just starting and don’t have Coins to buy Potions that heal you. Also, given that crafting Potions takes a long time, using this is faster, at least during the opening hours of the game.
Change Training Stance to level different skills
Change Stance to train different skills (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
What’s interesting about combat in Winds of Valen is that you’ll need to change Training Stance to level up certain skills. For instance, if you’re using melee weapons, you’ll need to change between Offensive (trains Attack) and Defensive (trains Defence). I’m still not sure how they affect combat (passively), but I’m seeing higher damage output and taking damage less often.
Defeat Goblin Beserker to get Goblin Axe
Goblin Beserker will be your first real challenge (Image via SK Gaming | Fiery Dog Games)
At the start of your adventures, you’ll have access to conventional weapons (Swords, Bows, and Wands). If you enjoy going in close for the kill (and care not about blocking attacks), the Goblin Axe is perfect for you.
Each swing deals devastating damage to enemies, but you’ll have to earn it first by defeating the Goblin Berserker. I would recommend you attack it when others are in the fray. You will not be able to solo this beast.
Bangladesh beat New Zealand by 6 wickets (Pic credit: BCB)
Towhid Hridoy produced a sensational unbeaten half-century to guide Bangladesh to a commanding six-wicket win over New Zealand in the opening T20I on Monday. Chasing a stiff target of 183, Bangladesh found themselves in early trouble at 77 for three in the 11th over, with New Zealand’s bowlers firmly in control. However, Hridoy’s calculated aggression turned the game on its head as he finished on a match-winning 51 not out off just 27 balls, laced with two fours and three sixes.He first stitched together a crucial 57-run stand with Parvez Hossain, who chipped in with a brisk 28 off 14 deliveries, before adding an unbeaten 49-run partnership with Shamim Hossain. Shamim provided the finishing flourish with a quickfire 31 not out off 13 balls as Bangladesh raced to 183 for four with two overs to spare, sealing an emphatic start to the series.New Zealand’s strong total goes in vainEarlier, New Zealand posted a competitive 182 for six after opting to bat, riding on impressive half-centuries from Dane Cleaver and Katene Clarke, both of whom scored 51. The duo shared a solid 88-run partnership for the second wicket after Tim Robinson was run out for a duck early on. At that stage, the visitors looked set for an even bigger total on a good batting surface.However, Bangladesh clawed their way back through leg-spinner Rishad Hossain, who struck twice in quick succession to remove both set batters and halt the momentum. The pace trio of Shoriful Islam, Tanzim Hasan Sakib and debutant Ripon Mondol, after an initially wayward start, tightened their lines and lengths effectively. Tanzim’s wicket of Bevin Jacobs further dented New Zealand’s progress.Stand-in skipper Nick Kelly tried to steady the innings before a brief interruption due to bad light, while Josh Clarkson’s unbeaten 27 off 14 balls provided late impetus to push the total past 180.Despite a promising start with the ball, highlighted by Ish Sodhi’s 2 for 40, New Zealand failed to contain Bangladesh’s middle-order surge. The three-match series now moves to Chattogram on Wednesday, with Bangladesh holding a 1-0 lead.
Anthony Joshua‘s next opponent has been revealed ahead of his planned battle with Tyson Fury later in the year.
Joshua and Fury have been on a collision course for nearly a decade, and it appeared as if their fight would finally be confirmed after ‘The Gypsy King’ defeated Arslanbek Makhmudov at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London earlier this month.
A back and forth with Joshua then commenced, but ‘AJ’ stood firm as his team insisted that a warm-up fight would likely come next before the clash with Fury.
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Joshua last fought in December when he defeated YouTuber-turned-boxer Jake Paul, but prior to that his last bout against a legitimate opponent was in September 2024, when he was knocked out by Daniel Dubois in their IBF heavyweight title fight.
‘AJ’ was also involved in a tragic car crash just a few weeks after the match-up with Paul which sadly took the lives of his two close friends, and so it is clear why he preferred a warm-up bout next in order to best prepare for Fury.
The opponent for that warm-up has now been confirmed, after it was announced that Joshua will take on the relatively unknown Kristian Prenga on July 25 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
THE COMEBACK 👊@anthonyjoshua fights Kristian Prenga (20-1, 20 KOs) on July 25 in Riyadh!
Prenga has a 100% knockout record, with all 20 of his victories coming inside the distance, but the type of opposition he has taken on throughout his career is levels below that of Joshua.
He suffered a defeat in his fifth professional contest in 2017 to 1-2 opponent Giovanni Auriemma, but he has won all 16 of his fights since then, the most recent of those coming in February when he knocked out 16-14-1 opponent Joe Jones inside the first round.
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