Poland’s Maja Chwalinska (AP Photo)

Paris: While Paris buzzes around her, Maja Chwalinska keeps things simple: tea, a show, perhaps a little tennis, and an early night. It is the routine that has carried Roland Garros’ surprise finalist from world No. 114 to No. 21 in the Live Rankings, and she sees no reason to change it now. On Saturday, the Pole will face eighth seed Mirra Andreeva in the biggest match of her life, determined to remain inside the bubble that has served her so well these past weeks.Chwalinska, 24, has the word “free” etched on her left hand. She declined to explain its meaning, but is perhaps related to her struggle against depression, which forced her to step away from the game. “I feel like I’m in a bubble, I don’t know what’s going on,” she said after the semi-finals. “I just try to focus on every single match, give my all and then, after the tournament, there will be time to process it. Breathe in, breathe out.” A year ago, Chwalinska left Roland Garros after losing in qualifying competition. Now the 5 ft 5’ Pole stands one match from becoming the first qualifier in the Open era to win the title. A self-confessed tennis addict, she devours matches whenever she can, using them to study opponents and deepen her understanding of the game. That knowledge is reflected in her own tennis, a left-handed blend of angles, variety and imagination that keeps rivals guessing and has become one of the stories of this tournament.“I’m a tennis freak, I love watching tennis. When I was younger, I watched tennis all day, every day. I feel like it helps me read the game better,” she said, adding that she is grateful that she could watch Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic when growing up. “Sometimes I go back to these old matches and watch them play. It feels like poetry.” The daughter of a retired coal miner and a receptionist, Tomasz and Marcela, Chwalinska was uncertain of how she would pay for her stay in Paris as she progressed through the draw. A sponsor stepped in to help. She still does not have a clothing sponsor, but after the fortnight of her life, it is hard to imagine companies will not be queuing up to back her, whatever the outcome of Saturday’s final.’

Sportsbooks believe the Minnesota Vikings will win 8.5 games in 2026, and if that sounds familiar, it’s because that particular forecast has basically followed Minnesota for eight straight summers. But according to CBS Sports, Vegas is overlooking the Vikings, while overrating the Green Bay Packers.

It’s a rare bit of enthusiasm for Minnesota from a national media outlet.

The Vikings Get Rare Backing from CBS Sports

Jordan Dajani: Pick the Over for Vikings

Dajani of CBS Sports assessed the entirety of the NFC North, speaking highly of the Vikings, who are expected to finish in last place inside the division, according to live betting odds.

“Kyler Murray will have some fantastic weapons to work with, including Justin Jefferson, Jordan Addison, T.J. Hockenson and Jauan Jennings. I believe Jennings is one of the most underrated signings of the entire offseason, so don’t get me started on him,” Dajani began.

“He ranked second on the 49ers in receptions and receiving yards over the past two seasons and led the team in red-zone targets (34), fourth-quarter targets (50) and third-down targets (69) during that span. He’s also an elite run blocker and doesn’t drop the football. Thanks for entertaining my rant. Murray now also has the backing of a Brian Flores-led defense, which he didn’t have in Arizona.”

During his time in Arizona — 2019 to 2025 — the Cardinals ranked eighth-worst in the NFL per EPA/Play.

Dajani continued, “The Vikings did lose Javon Hargrave, Jonathan Allen and Jonathan Greenard on the defensive front, but I like some of the additions they made in the draft, including linebacker Jake Golday, defensive tackle Domonique Orange and safety Jakobe Thomas.”

“The Vikings hit the over on this line last year thanks to a five-game winning streak to end the season. Do we really see Minnesota getting worse? Verdict: Over 8.5 wins.”

Probably a Safe Bet

All of Dajani’s logic checks out; it’s not far-fetched. In short, the Vikings were a nine-win team last year — already beating the 8.5-win forecast with a similar roster, sans Greenard to Philadelphia — and have upgraded the quarterback spot with Murray.

The defense is Minnesota’s calling card for now, as the enterprise changed when Brian Flores arrived in 2023. The unit struggled during Kevin O’Connell’s first year with Ed Donatell calling the shots, but turned it around immediately when Flores walked through the doors in Eagan.

Pairing Murray with a Top 3 defense — Murray is accustomed to average or poor defenses in Arizona — should be the special sauce to top 8.5 wins. In his career, Murray has a better EPA+CPOE than Baker Mayfield, Trevor Lawrence, Daniel Jones, and C.J. Stroud. If you can imagine Mayfield or Lawrence under center for the Vikings, that’s basically what Murray will bring per efficiency.

Kevin O’Connell Due for a Playoff Win

O’Connell took over the Vikings in 2022 and has led the team to the NFL’s fifth-best win percentage in four seasons. Two of his seasons — 2023 and 2025 — were ruined by QB1 injuries, but even during those campaigns, O’Connell stabilized operations enough for Minnesota to find 16 total wins.

Yet, with the fifth-best win percentage, the man has not won a playoff game. Very few NFL head coaches see a fifth year without a postseason triumph; O’Connell snuck through.

Before too long, he must win a playoff game or risk hot-seat whispers. Winning regular season games only goes so far. The Vikings haven’t won a playoff game since 2019 — the day Kirk Cousins and Kyle Rudolph walked off the Saints in overtime down in New Orleans.

Bullish on the Lions

Dajani was also high on the last-place Detroit Lions, noting, “The Lions have plenty going for them. Quarterback Jared Goff has led the NFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns over the past four seasons. Running back Jahmyr Gibbs has scored more touchdowns in his first three seasons than any player in NFL history.”

“Amon-Ra St. Brown, Jameson Williams and Sam LaPorta provide a great supporting cast. Detroit traded running back David Montgomery to Houston, but I think Isiah Pacheco is going to play a fun role in this offense with his maniacal running style.”

Pound for pound, the talent of the Lions’ depth chart suggests it’s closer to first place in the NFC North than last place.

Dajani added, “Defensively, Aidan Hutchinson is an elite pass rusher, Jack Campbell was one of the best linebackers in football last year and cashed in on a lucrative deal, and Brian Branch, Kerby Joseph, DJ Reed and Roger McCreary can handle the weapons in the NFC North if they stay healthy.”

“It’s important to note that the Lions have the sixth-easiest schedule in the NFL this season. I’ll take them to go 11-6.”

The Los Angeles Rams are the runaway frontrunner to win the Super Bowl, especially after trading for EDGE rusher Myles Garrett this week.

Dustin Baker is a novelist and political scientist. His second novel, The Invaders , is out now. So is … More about Dustin Baker

As we count down to the first college football game of the 2026 season, we continue our new series: The records of each top CFB program in the West against all the others in the region.

Some schools have met many times over the years, while others are beginning new rivalries in the wake of recent realignment.

For each opponent in the table below, we provide the total games played, wins, losses, ties, winning percentage, first year played, and most recent contest.

We continue with Arizona State, which has played 727 games vs. regional foes, winning 428, losing 288, and tying 11 for a winning percentage of .596.

The Sun Devils have recorded the most wins (46) and lost the most games (52) against Arizona (with one tie). UA is also ASU’s most-played opponent at 99 games.

Here is a breakdown of Arizona State’s records vs. the region’s teams.

Ahead of his side’s one-off Test against Afghanistan, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir said that the series could be an “ideal opportunity” to try a long-term fourth spin bowling option. Team India will take on Afghanistan in the one-off Test at New Chandigarh from Saturday onwards. In the absence of veteran all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, two young all-rounders, Harsh Dubey and Manav Suthar, have got their India call-ups. Kuldeep Yadav and all-rounder Washington Sundar are other spin options in the squad. It would be interesting to see if Harsh or Manav get the reward of their long domestic grind in the form of a Test cap.

On similarities and differences between Harsh and Manav, Gambhir said during the pre-match presser, “Look, to a certain extent similar, but also a little different as well, because if you see that you do not only see that there are two left-arm spinners, but you also see that the release points, you also see what someone gets off the wicket and the trajectories and everything. And uh, who is probably most suited for red-ball cricket. And this probably is the only Test match where we can think of or looking at someone who could be a fourth spinner. Because after this, we go to Sri Lanka, and we might have to carry four spinners as well. So, this is an ideal opportunity to try someone who could be a long-term fourth spinner as well.”

Gambhir also said that the team has a “more or less a very settled batting line-up, especially at home”.

“We know what way we want to go. But yes, as I mentioned, that we might look at probably giving an opportunity to our finger spinner, who could be a fourth spinner as well. And that this is, again, a Test match is a Test match. I know people can talk about this not being a… in a World Test Championship cycle, but for me, I think it is a Test match that we need to go out there and win for the country. Because you do not differentiate between Test matches, whether it is not part of the World Test Championship, whether it is part of the World Test Championship. That is one of the reasons why we are going to try and play our full strength, even in this Test match,” added the coach.

On the absence of Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel from the Test match, Gambhir said that Jadeja still remains an integral part of the team.

“The chairman of selectors has already made it very clear that Jadeja is an integral part of this team. It was just that we had the opportunity to try another spinner. And I have already said that if you have to pick four spinners for Sri Lanka, this is the perfect opportunity to try a fourth spinner, because we have got Washi, Kuldeep, and Jaddu, uh, who, who are our top three spinners. So, if you have that opportunity, we will give it a try and use that opportunity.” he signed off.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)

Featured Video Of The Day

Delhi vs Mumbai IPL 2026: Fans Flood Arun Jaitley Stadium for High-Voltage Clash

A coalition of athletes, including several Olympians, have signed a letter advocating against Iran for its history and plans to execute star athletes, as the planned execution of Iranian boxing champion Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani looms.

Sani is a boxing champion, coach and political prisoner who is currently facing an imminent risk of execution in Iran by the Ayatollah.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

He was arrested by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in March 2020 following his participation in the November 2019 nationwide protests, which were initially sparked by a sudden hike in gas prices. The Iranian judiciary charged him with “corruption on earth,” which is a capital offense in the country.

The Olympians, headlined by women’s tennis legend Martina Navratilova and British swimming gold medalist Sharron Davies, call on world governing powers and sports bodies to intervene to prevent the execution.

“Currently, Mohammad Javad Vafaei Sani, a 31-year-old boxing champion and coach, remains on death row,” the letter states.

“We call on the United Nations, international sports federations, and governments to act immediately to save the lives of Iranian dissidents, including athletes. The world must not stand by while Iran silences its champions. We stand with the victims. We stand for justice.”

‘KILLING OFF THE COUNTRY’: IRAN EXECUTES DOZENS, ARRESTS 4,000+ IN WAR CRACKDOWN

The letter also pointed to past incidents of Iranian execution of star athletes in the country, including 19-year-old champion wrestler Saleh Mohammadi, whose execution sparked a global uproar in March.

“Since mid-March, Iran has witnessed a horrific spree of executions of political dissidents, marking one of the most severe crackdowns in the past three decades. Dozens of people have been executed following unfair trials and coerced confessions. The theocratic regime, fearing another uprising, has exploited the cover of war to suppress growing dissent. Several victims of these executions were protesters arrested during the January 2026 uprising. Among them were Saleh Mohammadi, a 19-year-old national wrestling champion, and Sasan Azadvar Joonaghan, a 21-year-old karate champion,” the letter states.

“Tragically, Iran has a grim history of executing athletes for their beliefs, including Habib Khabiri, the captain of Iran’s national football team, who was executed for his affiliation with the PMOI, and Forouzan Abdi, captain of Iran’s national women’s volleyball team, who was executed alongside 30,000 political prisoners during the 1988 massacre. In 2020, Iranian wrestling champion Navid Afkari was executed after participating in peaceful protests in 2018.”

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Saleh Mohammadi, an Iranian wrestling champion reportedly executed over protest participation earlier this year, is shown next to a Tehran billboard featuring Supreme Leaders Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, Ali Khamenei, and Mojtaba Khamenei on March 10, 2026. (The Foreign Desk/AFP via Getty Images)

The letter includes a total of 24 athlete signees, including nine Olympians and five Iranians.

• Martina Navratilova — Former World No. 1 Women’s Tennis Player (Czech Republic/United States)
• Soolmaz Abooali — 16-time US Champion and three-time World Champion in Traditional Karate (United States)
• Sharron Davies MBE — Swimmer, Olympic Medalist (United Kingdom)
• Craig Foster AM — Former Captain of the National Football Team of Australia (Australia)
• Alberto Frati — Boxer; Former UBO International Super Featherweight Champion (Italy)
• Nikolai Terteryan — Boxer; European Games Gold Medalist (Denmark)
• Moslem Eskandar Filabi — Olympian; Gold Medalist in Greco-Roman Wrestling at the Asian Games (Iran)
• Tracy Edwards MBE — 1990 Yachtsman of the Year; Skipper of the First All-Female Crew in the Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race (United Kingdom)
• Bahram Mavaddat — Former Goalkeeper of the National Football Team of Iran (Iran)
• Carilyn Johnson — Ultrarunner; four-time Member of Team USA; two-time Gold and one-time Silver Medalist Team Member at the IAU 24-Hour World Championship (United States)
• Mohammad Ghorbani — Olympian; Gold Medalist in Freestyle Wrestling at the World Championships and Asian Games (Iran)
• Inga Thompson — Cyclist; Olympian; 10-time US National Champion; three-time World Medalist (United States)
• Monica Aksamit — Saber Fencer; Olympic Bronze Medalist; Pan American Games Gold Medalist (United States)
• Manouchehr Arastoupour — Gold Medalist at the World Rowing Masters Regatta (Iran)
• Chris Cook — Swimmer; Olympian; two-time Commonwealth Games Gold Medalist (United Kingdom)
• Eli Bremer — Olympian, Modern Pentathlon (United States)
• Ali Ziaei — Former National Sanshou Champion and Member of Canadian National Wushu Team (Canada)
• Vladyslav Heraskevych — Olympian, Skeleton Racer (Ukraine)
• Shea McAleese — Olympian; Former Member of the New Zealand National Hockey Team; Commonwealth Games Bronze Medalist (New Zealand)
• Asghar Adibi — Former Member of the National Football Team of Iran (Iran)
• Elham Asem — Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) Fighter and Referee; BJJ World Amateur Champion; Gold Medalist at the AJP Lisbon and Milan International Championships (Norway)
• Golpar Parvardeh — Gymnast; European Championships in TeamGym Silver Medalist (Sweden)
• Amin Karimi — Kickboxer; 16 B-Class Fights, 14 Wins (Germany)
• James Field — Former Captain of the US International Karate Team; Two-time National Grand Champion; Two-time Pan American Champion (United States)

USC football didn’t lean into the transfer portal this offseason. However, it did pick up receiver Terrell Anderson from North Carolina State. ESPN ranked Anderson as a top-50 newcomer for the 2026 season:

“Need: The losses of Makai Lemon and Ja’Kobi Lane left USC with a thin, inexperienced but talented receiver group entering 2026. Adding Anderson via NC State provides both talent and experience, giving the Trojans a reliable, highly skilled veteran presence to help stabilize the room and support quarterback Jayden Maiava in Lincoln Riley’s offense. His versatility this fall will be just as coveted as his NFL level physical tools.

Advertisement

“Value: Anderson adds size to the receiver room at 6-2 and 200 pounds. At NC State, he earned early playing time as a freshman and steadily increased his production, eventually becoming the Wolfpack’s leading receiver last season. His game is smooth and refined, and he is a polished route runner with an understanding of how to attack a defensive back’s leverage. He does an excellent job selling routes and manipulating defenders with angles in coverage. Anderson is also effective in contested situations, using body control and timing to win 50-50 balls.”

USC has been great at producing one star receiver on an annual basis, but depth has not been a feature of USC receivers in recent years. Terrell Anderson needs to be part of a receiver room in which several quality players emerge, giving Jayden Maiava options and presenting more challenges to opposing defenses.

This article originally appeared on Trojans Wire: USC football WR Terrell Anderson rated top-50 newcomer for 2026

GIO Stadium will play host to Friday’s
Round 14 NRL game between Canberra Raiders and
Sydney Roosters. The game kicks off at 8:00 pm with Sydney Roosters heading into the game as favourites with the bookmakers. Continue reading for our in-depth preview of the Canberra Raiders vs.
Sydney Roosters
game and give you our free tips and bets.

When: Friday June 5, 2026 at 8:00 pm

Where: GIO Stadium

Bet 💰: Bet On This Match HERE

Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters Odds

Canberra Raiders vs Sydney Roosters Preview

The Canberra Raiders have an opportunity to build momentum when they host a Sydney Roosters outfit searching for answers after consecutive defeats. Last season’s minor premiers have endured an inconsistent campaign but produced one of their better performances of the year in a convincing win over North Queensland. The Roosters, meanwhile, have gone from six straight victories to back-to-back losses, managing just 16 points across their last two outings. Sam Walker’s influence looms large after his impressive Origin debut, while young Raiders halfback Ethan Sanders continues to gain valuable experience in a difficult role. Recent history points towards another tight encounter, with ten of the last 14 meetings decided by six points or fewer. Canberra has also won four of the last five clashes between the sides, setting the stage for another fiercely contested battle in the capital.