THE EVE EDITION
Zheng Stuns Świątek, Andreeva Battles Into the Quarterfinals
Qinwen Zheng delivered the biggest result of Monday’s US Open action, turning what looked like an impending first-set rout into a stunning straight-set victory over #8 Iga Świątek, while #5 Mirra Andreeva had to fight her way back from a set down against Anastasia Potapova.
Świątek raced to a 5-0 lead and appeared completely in control before Zheng transformed the match. She won seven consecutive games to steal the opening set 7-5, then carried that momentum into the second. Świątek never regained command, and Zheng finished off the upset 7-5, 6-3.
Andreeva faced a much different challenge against #24 Potapova. Potapova was sharp from the beginning and earned the decisive late break to take the opening set 7-5, but Andreeva responded with stronger tennis across the second and third to turn the match around.
A scary moment late in the third saw Potapova hyperextend her leg and require medical attention before continuing. Up to that point, it had been a high-quality match and another strong tournament showing from Potapova.
#2 Elena Rybakina gave #13 Naomi Osaka little opportunity to settle into their fourth-round matchup. Rybakina came out firing and raced through the opening set 6-1 before Osaka made the second considerably more competitive. Rybakina remained in control and closed out the 6-1, 6-4 victory, moving into a quarterfinal against Zheng with an additional prize now within reach: a victory would make her the new world No. 1.
#4 Coco Gauff also advanced in straight sets against #14 Iva Jovic. The stage appeared to get to Jovic early as Gauff overwhelmed her 6-1 in the opening set, but the 18-year-old settled down and played much better in the second. Their battle included a spectacular 24-point rally won by Gauff before she finished off the 6-1, 6-4 victory, ending an impressive tournament run for Jovic and securing another place in the final eight.
USA Roars Back, Belgium Stays Perfect as Group Play Ends
The group stage closed Monday in Berlin with the United States delivering a convincing response after its scare against Italy, while Belgium and France finished unbeaten and the qualification round took shape.
The U.S. rolled past Czechia 105-64 after escaping Italy 55-52 in its previous game, finishing Group D at 3-0. Breanna Stewart led the way with 19 points, seven rebounds and six assists in less than 17 minutes as the Americans looked much more like the tournament favorite expected to set the pace in Berlin.
Belgium also finished perfect, beating Australia 80-68 behind 22 points, 10 rebounds and eight assists from Emma Meesseman. France completed its own 3-0 run through Group B with a 111-56 rout of Nigeria, hitting a World Cup-record 22 three-pointers as Gabby Williams scored 25.
Spain recovered from its loss to Mali by beating Japan 79-59 and taking first place in Group A, while host Germany defeated Mali 83-58 to finish second. Hungary secured second place in Group B with an 82-73 win over South Korea, led by a 19-point, 10-rebound double-double from Dorka Juhász.
China claimed second place behind the United States in Group D with a 71-51 win over Italy. Han Xu finished with 19 points and 10 rebounds as Italy was unable to carry over the momentum from its near-upset of the Americans.
Puerto Rico closed the day with its first victory, rallying from seven down entering the fourth quarter to beat Türkiye 75-71. Arella Guirantes scored 21 points and Trinity San Antonio added 18 as Puerto Rico stayed alive, while Türkiye finished group play 0-3.
With group play complete, Belgium, France, Spain and the United States advance directly to the quarterfinals. The remaining eight teams now move into the qualification round Tuesday and Wednesday, fighting for the final four places in the last eight.
Korea DPR Opens Strong, China Pulls Away After Halftime
Defending champion Korea DPR opened its title defense with a 2-0 win over tournament newcomer Portugal, but not without some early chaos. Portugal appeared to score an own goal inside the opening minutes before the play was wiped out for offside. Korea DPR eventually broke through from the penalty spot in the 25th minute after a handball in the box, with Kang Ryu Mi converting before adding her second shortly after halftime. Portugal’s goalkeeper and a defender collided trying to deal with a ball in front of goal, leaving Kang free to head into an open net for the brace.
China needed an entire half to break through New Caledonia before taking control after the break. Xiao Yafei scored almost immediately after the restart, and the game remained 1-0 until the 71st minute. From there, China scored four times in 12 minutes. Huang Jiaxin scored three of them for a rapid hat trick, while Zhou Xinyi added another in a 5-0 win. Halftime substitute Chen Ruilin helped unlock the game, assisting four of China’s five goals.
Costa Rica struck first against Colombia through Sheika Scott in the sixth minute, but Colombia answered from the penalty spot through Fernanda Viáfara in the 26th. Colombia took control after halftime, with Mariana Silva putting her side ahead in the 56th minute before Cristina Cortés finished the 3-1 victory in the 80th.
Spain also opened with a win, beating Nigeria 2-0 in Group F. Marisa García finished a low cross from Noemí Bejarano in the 13th minute before Alba Cerrato doubled the lead in the 73rd, giving the 2022 champions a controlled start to their tournament.
Korea DPR and Colombia finished the opening day level atop Group E, while China leads Group F on goal difference ahead of Spain.
Frauen-Bundesliga
Eintracht Frankfurt earned a 1-0 win at Union Berlin on Monday, with an own goal from Lina Hausicke in the 26th minute proving decisive. Union goalkeeper Nadine Böhi kept the hosts close by saving a Sara Doorsoun penalty shortly afterward, but Frankfurt controlled most of the match and held on for the clean sheet.
Liga F
Granada earned its first win of the season with a 3-2 victory over Real Sociedad. Leles opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Carlota Chacón equalized, and Raquel Gil restored Granada’s lead with a long-range strike. Klára Cahynová made it 2-2 just before halftime, but Iris Ashley headed in the winner almost immediately after the restart and Granada held on for all three points.
Liga MX Femenil | Jornada 6
Atlante’s meeting with FC Juárez was postponed after heavy rain and unsafe field conditions in Mexico City, with the match rescheduled for Tuesday.
León closed the night with a 5-2 win over Puebla, earning its first home victory of the Apertura. Nayely Bolaños scored twice, while Rubí Soto, Itzell Alemán and Fernanda Pinilla also found the net as León pulled away from a Puebla side that suffered its fifth loss of the tournament.
NCAA Volleyball
#12 Penn State swept DePaul 25-23, 27-25, 25-21 behind 16 kills from Whitney Lauenstein and 15 from Kennedy Martin, bouncing back from Sunday’s loss to Kentucky.
#21 Indiana dropped the second set at Southern Indiana before pulling away for a 25-15, 22-25, 25-15, 25-14 win. Ella Boersema led the Hoosiers with 16 kills on .583 hitting.
ISA World Junior Surfing Championship | El Salvador
The Girls U18 opening round finished Monday at La Bocana, while the Girls U16 competition moved into repechage at El Sunzal as the first elimination pressure of the championship began to build.
The U18 field completed its remaining Round 1 heats after Sunday’s opening session, while the U16 repechage gave surfers knocked out of the main draw their first chance to stay alive in the double-elimination format.
WWE RAW | Birmingham, Alabama
Becky Lynch tried to offer Stephanie Vaquer some backup before her title match with Liv Morgan, but Vaquer refused, telling Lynch that every time she trusts someone she ends up betrayed. Lynch’s response was less sympathetic: enjoy going back to Chile a loser.
Sol Ruca secured a place in Money in the Bank by winning a triple-threat qualifier against Lyra Valkyria and Maxxine Dupri. Valkyria appeared to have Dupri beaten until Bayley, the former partner she betrayed, pulled the referee from the ring before the three-count. With Valkyria distracted by Bayley, Ruca struck from behind with a Sol Snatcher for the win. Bayley then attacked Valkyria after the match before Lyra managed to escape.
Vaquer later took out plenty of frustration on Morgan, including a Devil’s Kiss on top of the announce desk, and appeared to have the match under control before Judgment Day changed everything. Roxanne Perez distracted the referee while Raquel Rodriguez knocked Vaquer from the top turnbuckle, leading to Rodriguez being ejected and Lynch running out to take her down. Perez then slipped Morgan the championship belt, allowing Liv to strike Vaquer with it before immediately hitting Oblivion to retain the title.