Author: Shekari Philemon

Spain reached the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on Wednesday for the first time in 18 years, beating Kazakhstan 2 to 1 in Shenzhen on the strength of a doubles performance that survived relentless pressure. How close was the deciding rubber? Closer than the score suggests. Cristina Bucsa and Sara Sorribes Tormo faced 20 break points against Anna Danilina and Zhibek Kulambayeva and saved 18 of them, winning 6 to 2, 7 to 5. Conceding that many chances and losing only two is unusual, and it is the entire reason Spain is still in the competition. A…

An independent tribunal has banned Indian player Parikshit Somani from tennis for four years after rejecting his explanation for a positive drug test, the sport’s integrity body announced Wednesday. What was the substance? Trimetazidine, a heart medication prohibited in sport. The 26 year old tested positive at a lower tier event in Astana, Kazakhstan, last year. His career high ranking was 256 in doubles, meaning this tennis doping ban involves a player operating at the margins of the professional game rather than a recognised name. What was his explanation? Contamination through food. He said a family member’s medication had entered…

Seattle Seahawks coach Mike Macdonald said Wednesday that recently circulated comments about a 2024 dispute with Denver counterpart Sean Payton were never intended for publication, and that he called Payton to apologize. What did he say about it? That responsibility sits with him regardless of circumstance. Mike Macdonald said he did not intend the remarks for public use but felt reaching out to Payton was the right step, since the Broncos were left handling something that originated on Seattle’s side. He described falling short in the moment and said he is responsible for what he says whether or not he…

Contract extension talks between the New York Knicks and Karl-Anthony Towns have stalled, with an agreement considered unlikely as the defending champions open training camp next week. What is available to him? Up to four years and $276 million. The two sides spent considerable time on it during the offseason without reaching terms, and negotiations have not moved recently. Nothing prevents a deal later in the season, but nothing appears close. Why would the Knicks hesitate? Payroll structure. The owner has repeatedly stated an intention to keep the team out of the second apron, the upper tier of luxury tax…

Stephen Curry has not signed the contract extension available to him, and he says that will change nothing about how he plays when Golden State opens training camp next week. What is on the table? An extension of up to two years and $136.7 million, which he became eligible for on Aug. 29 off a one year, $62.6 million expiring deal. The team presented several versions immediately, according to people within the organisation, ranging from the maximum to modest reductions to the option of waiting and deciding later depending on what flexibility the front office can generate. Why hasn’t he…

Atlanta is acquiring Dorian Finney Smith from Charlotte in exchange for Buddy Hield, Ryan Nembhard and cash, a deal both teams announced Tuesday. What exactly is moving? Finney Smith goes to Atlanta. Hield, Nembhard and cash go to Charlotte, which is expected to waive Nembhard. The Hawks Hornets trade creates a $2.1 million trade exception for Atlanta and a likely $4.5 million exception for Charlotte, mechanisms that let each team absorb salary in a future deal without sending matching money back. What does Atlanta get? A defensive wing with playoff experience. Finney Smith has three years and $53 million remaining…

Kawhi Leonard has agreed to a two year extension with the Toronto Raptors worth $115 million, with a player option for the 2028 to 29 season, committing the franchise’s 2019 championship centerpiece to the team that traded for him this summer. What are the terms? The extension brings his total Raptors commitment to three years and $165 million. He accepted $11 million less than the maximum available to him and waived a $7.45 million trade kicker, concessions made in discussions about the team’s rising payroll. At 35, Kawhi Leonard has structured a deal that keeps Toronto’s books workable rather than…

Red Bull has confirmed Isack Hadjar as its second driver for 2027, settling the more scrutinized half of a lineup that has been unstable for years. Why does this seat matter so much? Because of what happened to everyone else in it. A succession of drivers has struggled alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, with several removed or reassigned within a season. Isack Hadjar has produced eight points finishes and a podium at Monaco in his first year at the senior team, which by the standard of recent occupants is a clear success rather than a modest one. What is…

Esteban Ocon has described himself as a free agent for next season, an unusually direct acknowledgment from a driver whose seat has looked uncertain for most of the year. What did he actually say? Speaking to media in Baku ahead of the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, Esteban Ocon said he is currently a free agent for next year and that discussions involving his future include factors outside his control. Asked whether remaining at Haas is still possible, he offered only that it remains to be seen. Haas is not expected to announce its 2027 lineup this week. Why is his seat…

Czechia reached the semifinals of the Billie Jean King Cup Finals on Tuesday, beating Britain 2 to 0 in Shenzhen without needing to play the deciding doubles rubber. How did the tie unfold? Marie Bouzkova opened with a three set win over Sonay Kartal, taking it 7 to 6 in a first set tiebreak, dropping the second 4 to 6 and closing 6 to 4. Linda Noskova then sealed it against Katie Boulter 6 to 2, 7 to 6, finishing with an ace on her first match point. She hit 15 aces across the match to her opponent’s four. Who…