Sabalenka's new mentality faces Rybakina's resolve in Australian Open final, a 2023 rematch
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka is focusing more on past losses than victories to motivate herself for the Australian Open final against Elena Rybakina. She lost five finals in 2025, including the WTA Finals — to Rybakina — and the Australian Open. Sabalenka says she has a new mentality. She's on an 11-match winning streak after winning the Brisbane International and reaching her fourth Australian Open championship match in as many years. Neither player has dropped a set leading up to this match. Both say the circumstances around that match mean it can't be used as a guide for the 2026 final.
Brooks Koepka feels the nerves in return to PGA Tour from LIV. He also heard plenty of support
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Brooks Koepka has rarely felt so relieved after failing to break par. The five-time major champion made his return to the PGA Tour after nearly four years on Saudi-funded LIV Golf. Koepka wasn't sure what to expect at the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines. What he heard was mostly a chorus of “Welcome back” from a big gallery. He didn't make a birdie until the 18th hole and shot a 73 that left him 11 shots out of the lead. Koepka can't remember the last time he was this nervous or the last time he cared what people thought.
Olympic gold medalist Sha'Carri Richardson charged with speeding in Florida
ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — Olympic sprinter Sha'Carri Richardson has been arrested and charged with speeding in Florida. Authorities say she was driving 104 mph on a parkway near Orlando. A spokesperson for the Orange County sheriff's department says she was dangerously tailgating and weaving through traffic. The 25-year-old Richardson is a renowned sprinter, having won a silver medal in the 100 meters and gold in the 4x100 relay at the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics. Last year, she apologized to her boyfriend after being arrested for a domestic violence offense at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
Patrick Kane passes Mike Modano for the most NHL points by a US-born player
DETROIT (AP) — Patrick Kane is now the highest-scoring U.S.-born player in NHL history. Kane passed Mike Modano by recording his 1,375th point on Thursday night in the Detroit Red Wings' game against the Washington Capitals. Kane reached the milestone a couple of months after turning 37. Modano was 40 when he scored a goal to register point No. 1,374. Kane has been one of the faces of American hockey since getting taken with the first pick in the 2007 draft by Chicago. He helped the Blackhawks win the Stanley Cup three times from 2010-15.
Hornets edge Mavericks 123-121 to spoil Cooper Flagg's 49-point game
DALLAS (AP) — Kon Knueppel made two free throws with 4.1 seconds left for a career-high 34 points and the Charlotte Hornets beat the Dallas Mavericks 123-121 on Thursday night, spoiling Duke roommate Cooper Flagg’s 49-point game. Flagg, who turned 19 in December, broke the NBA record for points in a game by a teen. Cliff Robinson set the previous record of 45 at age 19 for New Jersey in a game against Detroit on March 9, 1980. Knueppel grabbed an errant pass by Flagg near midcourt with seven seconds left and the score tied. He drove to the basket and was fouled by Flagg as the ball lodged between the rim and the backboard. Flagg’s shot at the buzzer hit the back of the rim.
Hurricanes become 3rd NHL team to rally from 2 goals down in final 2 minutes to win in regulation
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Jordan Staal and the Carolina Hurricanes have put together one of the most improbable comebacks in NHL history. With three late goals against the Utah Mammoth on Thursday night, the Hurricanes became the first team in more than 30 years and third overall to rally from two goals down in the final two minutes to win in regulation. The other teams to score three goals in the last two minutes to win were the Dallas Stars against the Boston Bruins on Oct. 14, 1995, and the Montreal Maroons against the New York Rangers on March 15, 1932.
Dispute over the Olympic medal stripped from US gymnast Jordan Chiles goes back to Swiss court
GENEVA (AP) — A gymnastics medal disputed by the United States and Romania at the 2024 Paris Olympics is heading for a fresh legal review in a Swiss court. Switzerland’s federal court says its judges sent the “highly exceptional circumstances” of the bronze medal awarded in women’s floor exercise back to the Court of Arbitration for Sport to examine new evidence. The event created a celebrated photo featuring bronze medalist Jordan Chiles, Simone Biles and Olympic champion Rebeca Andrade. Chiles was stripped of the bronze because the U.S. was said to have not challenged a score in time. Romania's Ana Maria Barbosu received the medal. The case rests on a handful of seconds.
Falcons add final piece to new leadership team by hiring Ian Cunningham as general manager
ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Falcons have added the final piece to their new leadership team by hiring Ian Cunningham as general manager. The decision came after new president of football Matt Ryan led the team’s second interviews with Cunningham and James Liipfert. Cunningham previously interviewed for the president of football position. Ryan was hired for that job and then led the search for new coach Kevin Stefanski. Cunningham and Stefanski will report to Ryan. Cunningham has served as the Chicago Bears’ assistant general manager for the past four years. He spent five seasons in various scouting and player personnel roles with the Philadelphia Eagles.
Justin Rose sets Torrey Pines pace with 62. Koepka makes his PGA Tour return with 73
SAN DIEGO (AP) — Justin Rose is taking advantage of good golf on the easier North course at Torrey Pines. He was only in danger of bogey one time and made 10 birdies for a 62 in the Farmers Insurance Open. That gives him a one-shot lead over Justin Lower. But this day was mostly about the return from LIV Golf of Brooks Koepka. The five-time major champion didn't make birdie until the last hole. But he had 15 pars on the tough South for a 73. Koepka said he was nervous about the reception he would get and was elated to hear support.
Devils' Jack Hughes leaves game with injury 2 weeks before US opens play at the Olympics
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Devils center Jack Hughes left the team's game against Nashville in the first period and did not return. Coach Sheldon Keefe said it was a lower-body injury, but does not believe it to be serious. Hughes’ exit comes two weeks before the U.S. is set to play its first game at the Milan Cortina Olympics. He missed five weeks earlier this season after injuring his right thumb at a team dinner and undergoing surgery. He had 14 points in his first 16 games back.
