World number one Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to bounce back from Wimbledon disappointment as she launches her North American hard court season in Toronto (Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV)Aryna Sabalenka's world number one ranking will be on the line at the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto, where the Belarusian star aims to extend her hard court dominance in the build up to her US Open title defense.Sabalenka has won 23 of her 24 hard court matches this year, the lone defeat her loss to Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final.But she was turfed out in the quarter-finals on the clay of Roland Garros and fell to Naomi Osaka in the round of 16 on the grass courts of Wimbledon.If Sabalenka fails to reach the round of 16 in Toronto, Kazakhstan's Rybakina can rise to number one if she lifts the trophy.Sabalenka has never made it past the semi-finals in Canada, which alternates each year between Montreal and Toronto, but she said she was feeling rested and ready to reassert herself after taking time off in the wake of her All England Club exit."Clay and grass, I wouldn't say they were that bad," she said. "I was trying a couple of things, didn't go the way that I expected. And now we're kind of back to basics and I really hope it's going to work out well."Sabalenka had exited Wimbledon saying she wanted to "forget about tennis".She did that with a summer holiday on the Greek island of Mykonos."I think the rest was much-needed," she told reporters on Sunday. "I spent there five, six days maybe. I felt much better, I couldn't wait to get back on court and start working towards my goals for this swing."Sabalenka heads a top half of the draw that also includes two-time winner Jessica Pegula, the third seed, 2024 finalist Amanda Anisimova and seventh-seeded Iga Swiatek of Poland.Former world number one Swiatek, a six-time Grand Slam champion, will be aiming to regroup after slumping to a third-round defeat at Wimbledon.Rybakina anchors a bottom half of the draw that also includes fourth-seeded Coco Gauff, four-time Grand Slam champion Osaka and newly crowned Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova.Czech Noskova, who broke into the top 10 after winning her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, is seeded sixth and could face another rising star in the Philippines' Alexandra Eala in the third round.They have met twice already this year, with Noskova winning both times.Wimbledon runner-up Karolina Muchova is among the notable absentees as she recovers from a minor surgery.Reigning champion Victoria Mboko of Canada, who thrilled Montreal fans with her run to a first WTA title last year, remains sidelined with the knee injury that forced her out of Wimbledon.- Tricky schedule -The ATP Masters 1000 in Montreal this week has also been hit by high-profile defections, including that of Wimbledon champion Jannik Sinner.Sabalenka said the scheduling is "tricky" for any player that does well in the grass court season, with the Canadian tournaments followed by a 1000-level event in Cincinnati in a schedule that offers little respite before the US Open begins on August 30."If you go far at the grass court (season) you feel really fatigued and you're not able to pull out any good tennis so what's the reason of coming when your body is really so much stress," she said. "It's very tricky, but this year I didn't do well so I'm here."All 32 seeded players received first round byes. Play was slated to get underway on Sunday, with seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams taking on Uzbekistan's Kamilla Rakhimova and former US Open winner Bianca Andreescu of Canada headlining the night session against Czech Nikola Bartunkova.bb/js

LYTHAM ST. ANNES, England (AP) Shiho Kuwaki of Japan saved par to stay alive in a sudden-death playoff Sunday and won with a par on the second extra hole to claim the Womens British Open over Esther Henseleit of Germany for her first major title.Kuwaki closed with a 1-under 70 and looked like a winner in regulation until Henseleit holed a 40-foot birdie putt on the 18th hole at Royal Lytham & St. Annes for a 70 to join Kuwaki at 5-under 279.Henseleit then had the advantage in the playoff when the 23-year-old from Japan was in deep grass short of a bunker and had to lay up short of the green. Kuwaki hit wedge to 3 feet to save par and got another chance when Henseleit missed a 15-foot birdie putt for the win.___AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - JULY 7: Jacob Misiorowski #32 of the Milwaukee Brewers returns to the dugout against the St. Louis Cardinals during game one of a doubleheader at Busch Stadium on July 7, 2026 in St Louis, Missouri. (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images) | Getty ImagesAfter a rough start to the road trip in San Francisco, the Brewers have turned it around with two straight wins against the Angels. They can make this a winning road trip by completing the sweep this afternoon, and Jacob Misiorowski is on the mound for it.Since the All-Star Break, the Brewers have been deliberate with building Misiorowski back up slowly to help manage his work load. His previous start was last Sunday, where he pitched five innings and struck out twelve against the Rockies. His last two starts were limited to 65 and 83 pitches, so he will likely be limited to under 100 pitches again today. Misiorowski still leads all of MLB in ERA (1.58), strikeouts (185), and FIP (2.02), and is at 120 innings pitched this season.For the Angels, Walbert Urea gets the start today. He is a 22-year old RHP from the Dominican Republic who made his MLB debut at the start of the season. So far this season, he has a 2.70 ERA, 3.88 FIP, and 88 strikeouts in 93 1/3 innings pitched. He has had four consecutive starts allowing one run or fewer, with the last of those coming Monday against the Astros. In that start, he allowed just one run in six innings while striking out five.With the righty on the mound, Christian Yelich will get the day off. Jake Bauers takes the DH spot instead with Andrew Vaughn playing at first. Garrett Mitchell moves up to third in the lineup, with Brice Turang, Jackson Chourio, and William Contreras in their usual spots. Luis Lara, Cooper Pratt, and David Hamilton round out the lineup.Todays game will be broadcast nationally on Peacock at 2:15 p.m. It will also be on the Brewers Radio Network.Miz takes the mound on Peacock: Peacock: WTMJ#ThisIsMyCrew x @NicoletLawpic.twitter.com/7YOOlq7Cb2 Milwaukee Brewers (@Brewers) August 2, 2026DAY : @peacock, NBCSN : @AngelsRadioKLAA | AM830 App & KWKW 1330 [Spanish]#RepTheHalo x @FBMSupplypic.twitter.com/C9JuzU1DX1 Los Angeles Angels (@Angels) August 2, 2026

With the MLB trade deadline fast approaching, here's a look at betting odds for some star players' next teams

Valentin Barco will join Chelsea's pre-season tour in Asia [Getty Images]Chelsea have completed the signing of Strasbourg midfielder Valentin Barco on a seven-year deal.The 21-year-old becomes Chelsea's sixth signing of the summer after the arrivals of Morgan Rogers, Danny Welbeck, Emmanuel Emegha, Maxence Lacroix and Marco Palestra. The midfielder will join the remainder of Chelsea's pre-season tour, with the Blues set to face Italian side Juventus in Hong Kong on 5 August. Chelsea did not disclose the fee. Barco appeared once for Argentina at the 2026 World Cup, where they finished runners-up to Spain - and was slapped by Jude Bellingham after the semi-final victory over England.A product of Boca Juniors' academy, Barco joined Brighton in 2024 for a fee of 7.9m.But he spent just a year on the south coast, and joined Strasbourg the following summer after a successful loan spell. He comes the second player this summer to join Chelsea from Strasbourg, with both clubs owned by Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital.It is the 13th deal between the two clubs since the start of last season. Alonso heals Real Madrid scars to lead Chelsea's senior revolutionLatest Chelsea news, analysis and fan viewsAsk about Chelsea - what do you want to know?

The Las Vegas Raiders have a clearer picture for how they want to utilize Taron Johnson in 2026. Johnson was one of the Raiders marquee additions this year, and approaches the upcoming season with expectations to produce up to standard in Las Vegas defensive backfield.According to ESPNs Ryan McFadden, Johnson is in line to play two positions for the team next season.#Raiders are hoping to use Taron Johnson and nickel and safety this season. Johnson has 67 career snaps at safety, per TruMedia, which is why he has been getting a ton of reps at that position during practice. He was also working with the safeties during individual drills. Ryan McFadden (@ryanmcfadden_) August 2, 2026Johnson operated out of the nickel slot for the Buffalo Bills last season. He was used in a hybrid capacity, which included him lining up to rush the passer when needed. Johnson recorded four passes defensed and a tackle for loss on the year.The Raiders selected Treydan Stukes in the second round of this years draft with expectations he would play a similar role. Making him Johnsons main competition for snaps next season. Jeremy Chinn has also manned both positions last season, but is situated as the teams starting strong safety opposite Isaiah Pola-Mao.Johnson is expected to produce on the field for the Raiders next season, three years removed from being named a second-team All-Pro honoree in 2023.This article originally appeared on Raiders Wire: Raiders plan to play DB Taron Johnson at two positions on defense

Emma Finucane won almost half of Wales' golds at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026 [Getty Images]Not many top sports stars have perfect days during their career.Creating history by winning a fourth track cycling Commonwealth gold in one Games and leading your nation into the closing ceremony will come close for Wales' Emma Finucane.The 23-year-old from Carmarthen started the day at 9am in the first heat of the keirin.Twelve hours later and having emphatically claimed the gold on the final day of competition, Finucane was tasked with carrying the Welsh flag as Glasgow closed the Games. "I don't think I'll ever believe I've created history here and I can't believe little me has done this," said Finucane."The 10-year-old Emma is screaming inside about what is going on. I don't think it'll sink in probably until the next Commonwealth Games."'A huge success' - Wales win 31 medals at Glasgow GamesFinucane creates Games history with fourth goldTeam Wales roll of honour at Commonwealth GamesFinucane puts her name among the greatsEmma Finucane has competed in two Commonwealth Games [Getty Images]The 23-year-old's fantastic four gold medals on the track in one Commonwealth Games has not been done before. By anybody in any velodrome. This was in not just any old velodrome. It was the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome. The Scottish legend who is considered one of the finest track sprinters in history.But Sir Chris did not win four Commonwealth titles at one Games. Nor did Victoria Pendleton, Jason Kenny, Becky North or Anna Meares.Wales' own golden girl now has, but the rider herself would not comprehend the comparisons."No, I'm nowhere near them," said Finucane."They are icons of the sport. Absolute legends. To even have my name beside them is insane."I am not in their class but it's something you don't think about as an athlete. We're in a little bubble in here. "I am going to keep doing what I'm doing, go out there and ride with passion and love and see how far I can go in the sport." Dealing with the pressureFinucane has already gone pretty far probably considering she was already an Olympic champion at 21 and has achieved this remarkable feat in Glasgow at 23.Pressure was on her this week to achieve the four golds because she was an obvious class apart from the field. Even a field that included triple Olympic champion Ellesse Andrews.After winning the team sprint with Rhian Edmunds and Lowri Thomas, Finucane was imperious with stunning success in the individual sprint, 1,000m time trial and keirin.Her physical prowess is there for everybody to see but her mental capability has also stood up to the test over four remarkable days. "I definitely felt the pressure," said Finucane."Throughout the week, I just rode for my own race and it unfolded how it did. "After yesterday, the media were asking can you do four? I wanted to and knew it might be possible."In that semi-final I nearly didn't get through so I just enjoyed that final. I wanted to ride a race I was proud of."I rode it with confidence. I got myself to the front and just went out there and left everything on the track."Emotions take over after cycling exploitsFinucane has also created history in her own country by becoming the most successful Welsh woman in Games history.The honour of representing Wales is important to her as Finucane normally competes for Great Britain in major events like the Olympics and world championships.Finucane revealed she has been inspired by a speech by her Welsh team-mate Lewis Oliva on what it meant to represent the nation."I was crying my eyes out when I heard this," said Finucane."He said this was the reason we do what we do, because you are Welsh. "He ignited a fire in me. I was determined to ride for Wales and was going to do it with passion."It worked as Finucane led a Welsh cycling medal charge in Glasgow with 11 podium positions.This included six gold, three silver and two bronze, the most successful Commonwealth return for the sport.Finucane has heard the Welsh anthem four times in successive days, once with two team-mates and three on her own.She was the most emotional for this final one as she came to terms with what she had achieved."I was an absolute mess on the podium," said Finucane."I saw my family in front of me, the Welsh flag, and then all my team-mates also draped in the red flag."Things like this happen once every four years and I wanted to stand on that top set, sing the anthem and live in the moment."Counting on family support networkFinucane was not the only one who was a mess. In the crowd, her sister was in tears at the anthem alongside her parents, while her boyfriend Matthew Richardson was in contact from Japan.The cyclist was due to compete for England before getting injured in a cycling crash, something else Finucane has had to deal with.She says she is backed up by her family support."My mum and dad, my sister and partner was here, my brother's back at home and Matty was on FaceTime," said Finucane."He's literally in Japan and it's like 2am and he's called me. "So I have a massive support network network with me and they love me no matter what. "They'll text me, if you win or lose and that means everything because they don't put stress on me."The future can waitHaving conquered the Commonwealth, Finucane was asked whether her attention will turn to the Olympics in Los Angeles in 2028."I knew these questions would come, but I want to live in the moment," said Finucane."It's something I haven't been good at in the past. I've been always been looking at the next challenge."I have the World Championships in 10 weeks. I'm actually going away on holiday with on my sister and then I'll reset for them. "But for now I'll just soak it in and it probably won't do that for a long time."The short-term was more pressing because Finucane had somewhere to be as she was whisked off to prepare for the closing ceremony. During the numerous interviews she conducted after the race, Finucane was told in one by Team Wales chef de mission Gethin Jones she would be the flag bearer.Another overwhelming moment."I'm so honoured and I'm going to wave that flag with so much pride because Wales is amazing," said Finucane."It's such a beautiful place. We have so much pride, so much passion and so much talent."I feel like I'm living in an absolute dream. I can't believe I'm going to be the one standing there on television with the flag. It just doesn't feel real, it probably never will."I want to live in that moment, just breathe, realise what I'm doing, and fly the flag as loud and as proudly as I can."

The Packers are expected to have the same starting right tackle as last season when they take the field in September, but there will be a different name on the back of his jersey. Zach Tom told reporters on Sunday that he has changed his last name to Bako-Bewele. The name is a combination of names from his grandparents and the tackle explained that he wanted to honor his family's Nigerian heritage."Thats really the main reason why I did it," Bako-Bewele said, via Matt Schneidman of TheAthletic.com. "I want to have a name, especially when I start having kids, I want to have a name that I can pass down where it represents where they came from, where I came from. I just feel like that name people will see that name and have a good understanding of who I am, where I come from."Bako-Bewele is going into his fifth season with the Packers and he signed a four-year extension before the 2025 campaign.

Credit: Jaime Valdez-Imagn ImagesYou might not know it if youre just a general sports fan living in the age of the internet, but beyond the off-court drama involving Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham following comments she made about transgender athletes in an interview with ESPN nearly two weeks ago, the WNBA is hitting the home stretch of its season.Yet, since the ESPN profile of Cunningham dropped on July 21, the vast majority of mainstream conversation about the WNBA has centered on a role player that averages 9.5 points and 2.4 rebounds per game for a fourth-place Fever team.Thats not exactly typical of other professional sports leagues, even when a player is caught up in situations that arent directly related to anything happening on the court or field. Usually, its a story, but its far from the main focus.But as so often happens with the WNBA, the sideshow is now the main event. The reasons why are obvious. As a league that over-indexes in Black and LGBTQ representation, and has a player base that is often unafraid to advocate for those groups, it is a prime target of the culture wars.Plenty has already been written about that topic: the WNBA as political football. But perhaps something that hasnt been as readily addressed is whether the WNBAs centrality to these cultural conversations is net positive or negative for the league. Does the old adage that all publicity is good publicity apply here, at least from a commercial standpoint?Its fair to say that the Cunningham story has broken containment. WNBA outsiders which can be defined as sports fans or non-sports fans that do not watch or rarely watch a WNBA game are likely to have heard about Cunninghams comments in some form or fashion. Cable news channels are covering the story. Social media is replete with reaction to her statement, reaction to the reaction, and the numerous offshoots of angles her quote to ESPN has created, from her teammate Caitlin Clarks role in this saga to how various WNBA coaches have handled questions about it in press conferences.Undoubtedly, hordes of people who wouldnt typically be exposed to WNBA content have been exposed to this story. ESPN shows and sports and news podcasts are dedicating lengthy segments to Cunningham. But that attention is only valuable inasmuch as WNBA outsiders are converted to WNBA fans. The question becomes whether the WNBAs biggest story being one of cultural, not athletic, significance does more to stunt or grow the league?The answer is nuanced and difficult to discern.On the one hand, Cunningham has given the WNBA a two-week news cycle, during which the league has been talked about at a volume it simply would not have if it werent for such a polarizing story. While itd be nice to refocus that same volume of attention on the court, few leagues can drive this level of conversation purely through whats happening in the games. As seems to be proven time and again, in sports, politics, entertainment, and beyond, attention of any kind is invaluable.On the other hand, with the media so focused on the conversation spurred by Cunninghams remarks, the overwhelming coverage risks souring people on the WNBA in the first place. Current WNBA fans could become fed up and less engaged. WNBA outsiders might choose to avoid the league entirely because it can seem more like a soap opera than a professional sport.The little publicly available viewership data following the Cunningham profile has been positive for the WNBA. The leagues All-Star Game, which occurred four days following the publishing of Cunninghams comments, surged by 44 percent versus last year, with 3.2 million viewers tuning in. The audience growth, however, is likely attributable primarily to Caitlin Clarks participation in the game (she missed last years due to injury). Tuesdays Fever-Storm game, which itself was a lightning rod, averaged 1.4 million viewers, making it the second-most-watched WNBA game on cable this season.However, its impossible to judge the impact the Cunningham story has had on WNBA viewership based on just a couple of games. Itd be equally impossible to attribute any of that growth to the attention Cunningham has brought the league, when the WNBA is already on quite the upward trajectory independent of this story.What we can say, however, is that the Cunningham story is far from the first non-basketball narrative from the WNBA to grip the cultural conscience. A lot of those stories have centered on the ascendance of Caitlin Clark, but plenty havent. Brittney Griners detainment in Russia and the subsequent prisoner swap to bring her home comes to mind. Or when Atlanta Dream players protested co-owner Kelly Loeffler during her Senate run. Or the Pay Us What You Owe Us shirts players wore during the 2025 All-Star Game. Sure, most of those stories havent risen to the level of attention that Cunninghams comments have, but all of them seemed to garner more attention, at least in the broad sense, than the results of WNBA games being played at the same time.This is what puts the league in such a unique position. There are a growing number of diehard WNBA fans that do live and breathe whats happening on the court, but theyre often drowned out by the louder and broader audience interested in the cultural forces the WNBA and its players have put front and center. Its easier to have an opinion on Sophie Cunningham than on the Washington Mystics rotation, after all.The totality of this off-court coverage has coincided with record growth for the league. Attendance is up. Television ratings are sky high. The following top WNBA players have gained on social media in recent years is proof positive that the additional attention these athletes receive off the court has translated in some form or fashion to additional interest in the on-court product.More people than ever are talking about the WNBA, and thats good for business. But can the league find a way to lower the toxicity present in the current discourse and refocus the conversation on basketball? Thats a much tougher challenge, and one the league has so far fallen short on.The post Is all publicity good publicity for the WNBA? appeared first on Awful Announcing.

Scott White and Chris Towers break down all the deadline moves as they happen