Caitlin Clark to miss the rest of the Fever’s season because of a right groin injury
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Caitlin Clark will miss the rest of the Indiana Fever’s season because of a right groin injury. Said Clark in a statement: “I had hoped to share a better update, but I will not be returning to play this season,” Clark said in a statement. “I spent hours in the gym every day with the singular goal of getting back out there, disappointed isn’t a big enough word to describe how I am feeling. I want to thank everyone who had my back through all the uncertainty.” Clark was injured late in a July 15 game against the Connecticut Sun, and later sustained a bone bruise. She averaged 16.5 points, 8.8 assists and 5.0 rebounds in 13 games in her second season in the WNBA.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will face Amanda Anisimova in the U.S. Open women’s final
NEW YORK (AP) — Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka will face Amanda Anisimova in the U.S. Open women’s final. The No. 1-seeded Sabalenka defeated No. 4 Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the semifinals Thursday night in a rematch of last year’s final. Then Anisimova eliminated No. 23 Osaka 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-3 to reach her second major final in a row after being the runner-up at Wimbledon in July. Sabalenka is one victory away from becoming the first woman to win consecutive championships at Flushing Meadows since Serena Williams collected a trio from 2012 to 2014. Sabalenka is a three-time Grand Slam champion. Anisimova is seeking her first major title.
Amanda Anisimova defeats Naomi Osaka at the U.S. Open to reach her 2nd Grand Slam final in a row
NEW YORK (AP) — Amanda Anisimova has eliminated four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-3 in a U.S. Open semifinal that ended at nearly 1 a.m. and featured two of the most powerful first-strike hitters in women’s tennis. The victory in a match that began Thursday and ended Friday put the No. 8-seeded Anisimova into second straight major final. She is a 24-year-old who was born in New Jersey and grew up in Florida. Anisimova will face defending champion and current No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka on Saturday for the title. Sabalenka beat Jessica Pegula in three sets on Thursday. Sabalenka owns three major trophies, all on hard courts.
Björn Borg tells the AP his prostate cancer is in remission after 2024 operation
NEW YORK (AP) — Tennis great Björn Borg reveals in the last chapter of his upcoming memoir that he was diagnosed with an “extremely aggressive” prostate cancer, and he tells The Associated Press that it is in remission after an operation in 2024. Borg said in a recent video interview with the AP from his home in Stockholm that his most recent tests came back clean in August and is feeling good. Borg won 11 Grand Slam singles titles before walking away from tennis at age 26, although he made a brief return later. That stunningly early retirement is one of several subjects, including his drug use and his relationships with family members and women, discussed in the book titled “Heartbeats.”
Travis Kelce on what’s changed since his engagement to Taylor Swift: ‘I got one more ring’
SAO PAULO (AP) — Kansas City Chiefs tight end and three-time Super Bowl winner Travis Kelce was asked in Brazil how his life has changed since he announced his engagement to Taylor Swift. Kelce’s response: “I got one more ring for it.” The Chiefs face the Los Angeles Chargers on Friday in Sao Paulo. Kelce said at a news conference Thursday that he loves “when the lights are bright.” He did not mention whether Swift would attend the game. Several Brazilian media outlets have reported that local TV stations are preparing for that possibility.
Lamar Jackson has quieted doubters for his entire career. Only one more question remains
OWINGS MILLS, Md. (AP) — Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens are facing a familiar challenge. They have another chance to avenge a playoff loss, this time against the Buffalo Bills in Week 1. Last year, they faced a similar situation against Kansas City but lost in the season opener. Jackson has spent much of his career overcoming criticism. At this point the only skepticism left is regarding his playoff performance. Despite winning his second MVP in 2023 and having a career-best passing season in 2024, postseason success remains elusive. Within the Ravens, there’s confidence in Jackson’s ability to lead them to a Super Bowl.
Lionel Messi scores twice in an emotional home farewell for Argentina
BUENOS AIRES (AP) — Lionel Messi made sure he had good memories of playing a home qualifier with Argentina’s national team for the last time in his illustrious career. Messi scored twice in Argentina’s 3-0 victory over Venezuela in front of a raucous sellout crowd that had gathered at estadio Monumental to bid him farewell. Messi hasn’t yet given any clues about when he’ll retire from the top level. But the qualifiers for the 2030 World Cup will begin in 2027, when he’ll be 40.