Naomi Osaka overpowers Aryna Sabalenka to reach the Wimbledon quarterfinals

July 8, 2026

LONDON — When power meets power, getting in the first blow can sometimes be the key. In a matchup of two of the hardest hitters on tour, that was Naomi Osaka's strategy against top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the most highly awaited matchup of Wimbledon so far this year. Sabalenka had beaten Osaka in all three of their previous matches this year — including at the same stage of the French Open last month. "On the clay courts I felt like she was pushing me back a lot. I just tried to do it to her first," Osaka said. The tactics worked, and Osaka outslugged Sabalenka 6-2, 7-6 (2) ...

F1 Review: Back where it all began

July 8, 2026

ENGLAND — As people in the United States celebrated with fireworks and cookouts over the Fourth of July weekend, Formula One (F1) teams were hard at work near Milton Keynes, England, putting on the British Grand Prix, the ninth race of the season. Much as the 4th is a time to look back on ...

Max Homa gets in the British Open because of a short putt someone else missed

July 8, 2026

NORTH BERWICK, Scotland — The final minutes of the John Deere Classic brought yet another reminder how every shot matters, and how it can affect more than one player. Ben Kohles was tied for the lead with Chris Gotterup when he hit 8-iron into the water on the 18th hole. His penalty drop, ...

Anaheim Ducks re-sign D Pavel Mintyukov to 5-year deal amid Carlsson offer sheet drama

July 7, 2026

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Defenseman Pavel Mintyukov has agreed to five-year contract extension worth $36 million with the Anaheim Ducks, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Sunday because the Ducks didn't announce the ...

Alex Ovechkin declares ‘I’m back!’ and re-signs with Capitals to return for a 22nd NHL season

July 7, 2026

Alex Ovechkin is not ready to skate away from the NHL, not yet, and now he gets a chance to make his career goal-scoring record even more difficult to break. Ovechkin signed an incentive-laden deal Thursday to return for a 22nd season while also giving the Washington Capitals a chance to ...

Coco Gauff’s buzzer-beater at Wimbledon reminds her of Kawhi Leonard’s shot

July 7, 2026

LONDON — There's not usually a clock ticking down in tennis. Yet for Coco Gauff at Wimbledon on Sunday, the All England Club's 11 p.m. curfew made it seem like there was. And Gauff hit the winning shot at the buzzer. Two minutes before 11, Gauff converted her first match point with a service winner out wide to reach the quarterfinals at the grass-court Grand Slam for the first time. After beating Belinda Bencic 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, Gauff tapped her left wrist with the fingers on her right hand to acknowledge the timely ending. Gauff said it "kind of reminded me of" Kawhi Leonard's ...