Tennis-Khachanov upsets Auger-Aliassime to reach US Open third round Russia’s Karen Khachanov produced a stunning upset by defeating Canadian third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-7, 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 on Thursday to advance to the third round of the U.S. Open. The world number 50, who had previously lost his opening matches in three U.S. Open tune-up events, delivered a composed performance despite facing challenges throughout the match. Auger-Aliassime, a 2025 semi-finalist, struggled with errors and failed to capitalize on early opportunities, allowing Khachanov to seize control of the momentum. Khachanov, who reached the U.S. Open semi-finals in 2022, broke Auger-Aliassime’s serve seven times during the match and saved seven of the nine break points he faced. The Russian’s resilience was evident as he navigated a tense first set, where Auger-Aliassime briefly took a 3-0 lead but was undone by a series of unforced errors. Khachanov fought back to level the set, eventually prevailing in a tiebreaker after a long rally that ended with a backhand error from the Canadian. The second set saw Khachanov take an early 3-0 lead and maintain his composure, closing the set on his serve after overcoming a 15-40 deficit. In the third set, the Russian dominated, breaking Auger-Aliassime’s serve at love to build a 4-1 lead. By the fourth set, Khachanov had fully regained his confidence, opening a 4-0 lead that visibly drained Auger-Aliassime’s energy. The Canadian, who appeared disoriented and physically drained, failed to respond, with Khachanov sealing the victory with a powerful serve that Auger-Aliassime could not return. Khachanov’s win marks his second top-10 victory at a Grand Slam, a significant milestone in his career.#tennis #felix_auger_aliassime #us_open #karen_khachanov #grand_slam
Padres' Xander Bogaerts Slugs Walk-Off Grand Slam Xander Bogaerts delivered a game-winning grand slam in the 12th inning to lead the San Diego Padres to a 7-3 victory over the Colorado Rockies on Thursday. The veteran shortstop, who had already contributed two stolen bases and a run scored in the contest, came to the plate with the bases loaded in a 3-3 tie. His powerful swing sent the ball soaring to left field, clearing the bases and securing the win for the Padres. The walk-off home run marked a pivotal moment in the extra-innings matchup, which stretched beyond the standard nine innings. Bogaerts’ performance in the game was a standout moment for his fantasy value, as he finished with two hits, a grand slam, an additional run scored, and two stolen bases. His efforts helped the Padres overcome a tight game that required an extra frame to decide. The victory extended San Diego’s winning streak and highlighted Bogaerts’ ability to deliver in high-pressure situations. The walk-off grand slam also underscored his role as a clutch performer, capable of shifting the momentum of a game with a single swing. The game’s context was shaped by the Padres’ recent struggles to find consistency in their lineup. Bogaerts, who had started the season with a .308 OPS over his first eight games, had faced challenges in maintaining his offensive production. However, his recent performance has shown significant improvement. In the past five contests, he has gone 9-for-22 with two home runs, five RBIs, and two stolen bases, demonstrating his ability to adapt and contribute at a high level. The walk-off grand slam against the Rockies was a testament to his resurgence and his importance to the Padres’ offensive strategy. The Rockies, meanwhile, faced setbacks in their bid to secure the win.#san_diego_padres #colorado_rockies #xander_bogaerts #grand_slam #12th_inning
