FILE–Alexandra Eala of the Philippines celebrates after winning a women’s singles match against Naomi Osaka of Japan on day six of the Mubadala DC Open 2026 at William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center on August 01, 2026 in Washington, DC. Emilee Chinn/Getty Images/AFP

LIVE: Alex Eala vs Jessica Pegula – Mubadala DC Open final

MANILA, Philippines–Alex Eala was trailing Jessica Pegula at the Mubadala DC Open Final when heavy downpour suspended play at William H.G. Tennis Center in Washington.

That turned out to be just the calm before the real storm that the top-seeded Pegula simply couldn’t weather.

Back against the wall, Eala went on a ferocious fightback to overpower the American World No. 3 in the last two sets, 4-6, 6-4, 6-0, and capture the biggest win of her young career in front of a frenetic predominantly Filipino crowd at centre court on United States soil.

ALL ABOARD THE EALA EXPRESS 🔥

Alexandra Eala secures her first ever WTA Tour title!#MubadalaDCOpen pic.twitter.com/uSpxYxWqO5

— wta (@WTA) August 3, 2026

“It’s always a pleasure to share the court with you. I definitely learned so, so much, especially from your forehand lines and backhand crosses. So I’m really looking forward to many more finals with you,” said Eala, who chalked up her seventh win against a top 10 player this season.

The match, which was delayed for three hours due to the bad weather, was halted and pushed to another day when rain returned with Eala behind, 4-6, 2-1.

But it was certainly worth the wait, especially for Filipino fans, who stayed up in the wee hours of the morning to witness Eala achieve another historic feat.

The Filipino trailblazer claimed her first WTA Tour-level and WTA 500 title after going on another giant-slaying run.

“First, I wanna congratulate Alex on an amazing week, amazing tournament. I don’t know how much more I can say, but you’re an amazing player and just to see how far you’ve come over the last couple of years when we first played, see the amazing fans that follow you every single place you go, it’s not fun to play against, but I really do appreciate the fun atmosphere,” said Pegula, known for her calm and methodical style but unraveled amid Eala’s relentless and aggressive play at the resumption.

Eala opened her Washington campaign by rallying past Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen. She then dethroned defending champion Leylah Fernandez in another comeback win that saw her battle back from a 5-1 deficit in the second set.

The 21-year-old Eala also swept World No. 10 Elina Svitolina in the quarterfinal and dispatched four-time Grand Slam winner and former World No. 1 Naomi Osaka in the final four.

Eala, who is expected to crack the WTA top 20, looks to sustain her fine form at the WTA 1000 Canadian Open in Toronto, where she’s seeded 25th and drew a first-round bye.

Eala evened her head-to-head matchup with Pegula, who ended her dream run in Miami in March of last year. She also denied Pegula a second crown in Washington.

The BWF Badminton World Championships 2026, to be held at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium in New Delhi from August 17 to 23, will bring together the world’s finest shuttlers in pursuit of badminton’s most coveted individual title.

While Olympic champions, world No. 1 players and established stars will dominate the spotlight, a select group of players will arrive with an achievement that sets them apart from the rest. Long before conquering the senior circuit, they had already announced themselves as the best junior players in the world.

Making the transition from junior champion to senior world champion is one of the toughest feats in badminton, and only a handful of players have managed to complete that journey.

Akane Yamaguchi, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Ratchanok Intanon, Liu Shengshu and Dechapol Puavaranukroh all turned early promise into World Championship glory. As they return to New Delhi, the five former junior champions will be chasing another world title while looking to further strengthen their legacies on badminton’s biggest stage.

Five players who won both junior and senior world championships:

Akane Yamaguchi (Japan): From junior prodigy to three-time world champion

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  World Junior titles: 2013, 2014 (women’s singles)
• 
  Senior World titles: 2021, 2022, 2025

Akane Yamaguchi’s rise began with back-to-back women’s singles titles at the BWF World Junior Championships, making her the first Japanese player to achieve the feat. Soon after, she became the youngest-ever winner of a BWF Super Series title at the age of 16, signalling the arrival of one of Japan’s finest shuttlers.

Kunlavut Vitidsarn (Thailand): The junior king who conquered the senior stage

• 
  World Junior titles: 2017, 2018, 2019 (men’s singles)
• 
  Senior World titles: 2023

Kunlavut Vitidsarn rewrote the record books by becoming the only men’s singles player to win three consecutive BWF World Junior Championships titles, establishing himself as one of the brightest talents in the sport.

The Thai star has carried that promise into the senior ranks. He became Thailand’s first men’s singles world champion in 2023, claimed the silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, won the 2025 Asian Championships title and became the first Thai men’s singles player to reach world No. 1. Still in his mid-20s, Kunlavut will be among the leading contenders in New Delhi.

Ratchanok Intanon (Thailand): The teenage sensation who fulfilled her promise

• 
  World Junior titles: 2009, 2010, 2011 (women’s singles)
• 
  Senior World titles: 2013

Before Kunlavut made history, Ratchanok Intanon had already shown Thailand the path to badminton greatness.

The Thai star won three successive World Junior Championships titles and earned a reputation as one of the sport’s brightest teenage talents, thanks to her effortless strokeplay and creative shot-making.

She made an equally seamless transition to the senior circuit, becoming the youngest-ever women’s singles world champion in 2013 at just 18 years of age. Intanon later climbed to world No. 1, won multiple BWF World Tour titles and represented Thailand at four Olympic Games, cementing her place among the game’s most accomplished players.

Liu Shengshu (China): Doubles specialist making a rapid rise

• 
  World Junior titles: 2022 (women’s doubles and mixed doubles)
• 
  Senior World titles: 2025 (women’s doubles)

Liu Shengshu enjoyed a memorable BWF World Junior Championships campaign in 2022, winning gold medals in both women’s doubles and mixed doubles to showcase her versatility.

Her rise at the senior level has been equally impressive. Partnering with Tan Ning, Liu won the silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games before capturing the women’s doubles title at the 2025 BWF World Championships. The pair have quickly established themselves among the world’s strongest combinations and will once again be among the favourites in New Delhi.

Dechapol Puavaranukroh (Thailand): Reinventing himself as a world champion

• 
  World Junior titles: 2014 (men’s doubles)
• 
  Senior World titles: 2021 (mixed doubles)

Dechapol Puavaranukroh’s journey to the top took an unconventional route.

After winning the World Junior title in men’s doubles, the Thai shuttler switched his focus to mixed doubles, where he found his greatest success. Partnering with Sapsiree Taerattanachai, he won the 2021 BWF World Championships, reached world No. 1 and collected several BWF World Tour titles.

At the BWF World Championships 2026, Dechapol returns with Supissara Paewsampran and will be aiming to add another world title to his impressive résumé.

From junior promise to badminton’s biggest stage

Winning a World Junior Championship is often seen as a glimpse of future greatness, but only a handful of players manage to translate that promise into senior World Championship success.

Akane Yamaguchi, Kunlavut Vitidsarn, Ratchanok Intanon, Liu Shengshu and Dechapol Puavaranukroh have all achieved that rare feat. As the BWF World Championships 2026 gets under way in New Delhi, the five former junior champions will once again be chasing badminton’s ultimate prize.

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Veteran right-handed reliever Chris Martin was designated for assignment by the Texas Rangers on Monday after being reinstated from his third injured list stint this season because of a right shoulder issue.

Martin, who turned 40 in June, is 1-1 with a 9.00 ERA in 16 games this season, allowing 25 hits and 14 earned runs in 14 innings. He missed 75 games during his three IL stints.

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The 6-foot-8 Martin is an Arlington native who initially played for his hometown team in 2018 and 2019. He returned to the Rangers last season, when he had a 2.98 ERA over 49 relief appearances.

Martin is 19-25 with a 3.53 ERA in 434 relief appearances over 11 big league seasons with seven teams. His 149 games with the Rangers are the most with a single team, and he pitched 100 games for Boston in 2023 and 2024.

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AP MLB: https://apnews.com/hub/mlb

A high, soft pitch is one of the most satisfying shots in golf, and it’s easier to hit than you might think. Start by using a sand wedge or lob wedge. The loft of these clubs helps launch the ball, while the bounce allows the club to glide through the turf.

Many golfers struggle because the leading edge digs into the ground, causing fat or stubbed shots. Learn to use the bounce correctly, and you’ll start hitting crisp, consistent pitch shots around the green.

Here are five keys that will help you use the bounce of your club more effectively and improve your short game.

1. Set the clubface square

Lofted wedges are designed to appear open at address. Properly setting the club on its sole is critical because it allows the wedge’s full loft and bounce to work as intended.

Start with the clubface square to slightly open. Opening the face more can increase launch and bounce, which may benefit higher-speed players. But for most golfers, square to slightly open is an ideal starting point.

2. Keep the clubhead centered

Ball position is a key to consistent pitch shots. Ideally, the clubhead should be positioned near the center, or slightly forward, in your stance.

This helps reduce excessive forward shaft lean, which can expose the leading edge and cause the club to dig. If you prefer playing the ball farther back in your stance, opening the face slightly can add bounce and help offset the steeper shaft angle.

3. Start with a neutral shaft position

A neutral shaft position at address helps maintain the wedge’s natural loft and bounce. As a starting point, the grip should point toward the center of your body rather than significantly forward. This allows the sole of the wedge to rest on the turf as it was designed and gives the bounce a chance to work.

4. Proper release through impact

While your address position matters, the shaft angle at impact is even more important. Unlike a full swing shot, pitches do not require significant forward shaft lean at impact. With shorter swings and lower clubhead speeds, too much lean can expose the leading edge and cause the club to dig.

Instead, let the clubhead release naturally so it aligns more closely with the shaft through impact. This release pattern is different from a full swing and allows the bounce to interact with the turf first, creating cleaner contact and more consistent results.

5. Find a wedge that fits you

Even the best technique will only get you so far if you’ve got the wrong wedge setup. The right combination of loft, bounce, and sole design plays a major role in how the club interacts with the turf.

If your wedges consistently dig or feel harsh through impact, it may be an equipment issue rather than a technique issue. First, make sure your fundamentals are sound with a qualified golf instructor. Then, getting properly fit for your wedges can be a game changer.

Mauricio Pochettino has agreed a new deal to remain as manager of the United States men’s national team until 2030.

The former Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea boss has been in charge since September 2024 and led the USA to the last 16 of the 2026 World Cup on home soil.

The co-hosts topped their group after wins over Paraguay and Australia before beating Bosnia-Herzegovina 2-0 in the last 32.

Their World Cup run ended with a heavy 4-1 defeat by Belgium.

Under the new agreement, Pochettino and his coaching staff will have a bigger role within US Soccer. They will also advise and support the organisation on areas including youth development, coaching education, professional league partnerships and the wider national team pathway.

“Working together with US Soccer over the past two years, it has become clear to us that there is tremendous potential to make the men’s national team programme even stronger,” Pochettino said.

“We are excited by the opportunity to bring all our experience and knowledge to even more areas of US Soccer while helping strengthen the pathways for players, coaches and teams across the federation.

“We want to try to have a lasting impact on the sport in the country that has welcomed us so warmly and for that impact to extend beyond results on the field.”

US Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone praised the work done by Pochettino and his staff.

“Mauricio has built a culture where players trust the group, trust the process and trust each other,” she said.

“We saw the impact of that belief in the way the team grew, competed and performed on the world’s biggest stage.

“That culture, and the staff who helped build it, are exactly what we want to continue investing in for the men’s national team now and for the future.”

The annual pre-season transfer window in Indian domestic cricket allows players to switch state associations as outstation or guest recruits under the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) regulations.

State teams are permitted up to three guest players to strengthen their squads ahead of the Ranji Trophy, Vijay Hazare Trophy, and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy campaigns. These transfers are driven by players seeking more game time, specialized roles, or leadership opportunities, while developing state teams aim to recruit veteran talents to bolster their squad depth.

The upcoming 2026-27 season features several notable moves, with prominent domestic regulars and IPL players shifting allegiances. Let’s take a look at five such moves.

#1 Shashank Singh

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) all-rounder Shashank Singh will turn up for Puducherry in the 2026-27 season after shifting base from Chhattisgarh. The Chhattisgarh State Cricket Sangh (CSCS) has already issued an NOC to the player.

Singh alleged that the state association didn’t support him while he was recovering from an injury that he suffered last season. He further claimed that the association questioned his commitment, saying that the batter only wanted to play in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

The 27-year-old added that CSCS officials didn’t give him any clarity over why he was left out of the Chhattisgarh Premier League and the team’s pre-season camp.

Singh has played 21 first-class games for Chhattisgarh over the last seven years. He has also represented the state in 31 List A and 42 T20s.

#2 Yash Dayal

Royal Challengers Bengaluru fast bowler Yash Dayal will represent Chhattisgarh in the upcoming domestic season. He has already joined the team’s pre-season camp in Alur.

Dayal has not played any competitive cricket since the IPL 2025 final, after which he faced charges relating to sexual assault. The left-arm pacer was retained by Gorakhpur Lions for the upcoming UP T20 League. However, he didn’t feature in the 18-member squad the franchise announced following the auction.

The 28-year-old has represented Uttar Pradesh in 27 first-class, 23 List A, and 71 T20s, picking up 186 wickets across formats, including two five-wicket hauls.

Dayal will look to start fresh for Chhattisgarh in the upcoming season and make his way back to the scheme of things.

#3 Dharmendrasinh Jadeja

Chhattisgarh is looking to build a strong squad for the upcoming domestic season. As a result, they have roped in Saurashtra‘s veteran left-arm spinner Dharmendrasinh Jadeja.

The 35-year-old spinner has been a stalwart in the domestic circuit, picking up 423 wickets in 100 first-class matches, including seven 10-wicket hauls and 26 five-fors. Jadeja also has 121 List A and 65 T20 wickets under his belt.

Jadeja is also a very handy batter in the lower order, accumulating almost 2900 runs across formats. He also has 10 fifties under his belt.

Jadeja’s addition will certainly boost Chhattisgarh’s squad depth as they look to put in a spirited performance next season.

#4 Prasad Pawar

Mumbai wicketkeeper-batter Prasad Pawar has signed with Puducherry to play alongside Shashank Singh as a guest player in the upcoming domestic season.

Prasad has struggled for game time in the Mumbai squad, with Hardik Tamore playing as the first-choice wicketkeeper-batter. As a result, Prasad has decided to shift base to Puducherry in search of more playing time.

Prasad made his List A debut in 2021, while his first-class and T20 debuts came in 2023. Overall, he has represented Mumbai in 27 matches, scoring 591 runs, including one hundred and fifty each.

#5 Jayant Yadav

An offspinner from Haryana, Jayant Yadav, has decided to join Chhattisgarh for the 2026-27 domestic season. He brings truckloads of experience along with him, having represented India in six Tests and two ODIs while picking up 17 wickets in total.

Yadav has 96 first-class, 74 List A, and 95 T20s under his belt, picking up 272, 68, and 61 wickets, respectively, including two 10-wicket hauls and 15 five-fors. He is also very handy with the bat in the lower order, scoring 4781 runs, including three hundreds and 22 fifties. The 36-year-old cricketer also has one Test hundred and fifty each to his name.

Chhattisgarh will rely heavily on the spin duo of Yadav and Jadeja to bring laurels for the team in the upcoming season.