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Sly Jake Paul.

He’s often barking or shouting or agitating. But on Wednesday, Aug. 20, subtlety appeared to be part of his repertoire.

In a post on X announcing his fight with Gervonta “Tank” Davis, a 5-5 ½ lightweight, Paul wrote, “First, I am going to kill David, then I will go on to slaughter Goliath.’’

 OK, so that language wasn’t exactly subtle. But later, Paul posted, “First David, then Goliath.’’

First David, then Goliath. Meaning, first Davis, then Anthony Joshua?

Davis, who last fought at 135 pounds, will be playing the role of David against the 6-1, 200-pound Paul.

And the 6-6 Joshua clearly would be playing the role of Goliath.

Paul’s business partner, Nakisa Bidarian, told ESPN the potential fight between Paul and Joshua is still on the table.

‘Jake is looking at it like he wants to show the world that he’s going to fight David and then he plans to take on Goliath,’ Bidarian said.

Earlier this month, Joshua’s promoter, Eddie Hearn, said Paul is the frontrunner to be Joshua’s next opponent and the fight would likely take place in the first quarter of 2026.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Paige Bueckers continues to impress during her rookie season with the Dallas Wings, adding the highest-scoring game of the year to her resume.

According to the WNBA, Bueckers also set the single-game rookie scoring record with a 44-point performance against the Los Angeles Sparks in an 81-80 loss Wednesday night at Crypto.com Arena.

(Cynthia Cooper of the Houston Comets scored 44 points back in 1997 against the Sacramento Monarchs during the league’s first season, but that total is not considered the rookie record, per ESPN’s Alexa Philippou.)

Bueckers also became the first player in the league’s history with 40-plus points on 80%-plus field goal shooting.

She shot 81% from the field and produced four rebounds and three assists in 36 minutes of play as the Wings fell to 9-27 on the season thanks to Kelsey Plum’s last-second shot.

Bueckers was named an All-Star earlier this year and entered Wednesday averaging 18.8 points, 5.4 assists and 4.1 rebounds per game in 28 games started.

Paige Bueckers stats tonight vs. Sparks

  • Points: 44
  • FG: 17-for-21
  • Rebounds: 4
  • Assists: 3
  • Steals: 1
  • Blocks: 0
  • Turnovers: 3
  • Fouls: 3
  • Minutes: 36

Paige Bueckers, Wings vs. Sparks highlights

When does Paige Bueckers play next?

The Dallas Wings host the Seattle Storm on Friday, Aug. 22, at College Park Center in Arlington, Texas.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Maximizing value is the name of the game in fantasy football. Finding edges in the draft can pay off immensely during the regular season and into the playoffs.

Identifying mid- to late-round value picks isn’t easy. Every new season provides a fresh batch of potential sleeper picks that could take your season from avoiding a last-place punishment to contending for championship glory.

Last year saw a lot of value from the wide receiver position. Rookies Brian Thomas Jr., Malik Nabers and Ladd McConkey were some of the best players at their positions in fantasy football. Others, such as Terry McLaurin, saw a new quarterback or coordinator provide a boost.

This year could see more of that improvement thanks to environmental changes for wide receivers and other positions alike. A quarterback with a new play-caller, a running back with an improved offensive line or more touches, or a tight end with a new quarterback or system could see a big jump in production compared to what’s expected.

But it’s not just those positions where you can find sleepers. It’s all over your lineup. We’ve chosen at least two sleepers at every position in 2025. With the exception of tight end (arguably the thinnest position in fantasy football), all of these sleeper candidates are 15th or lower at their position by average draft position (ADP) so you can truly find value outside of the first four rounds.

Top fantasy football QB sleepers

C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans

  • FantasyPros ADP: QB18, OVR130

Stroud struggled in Year 2 after setting high expectations from his rookie season. There’s a change in play-caller with Nick Caley coming over from the Los Angeles Rams, and an influx of talent in the receiving corps with Jayden Higgins, Jaylin Noel and Christian Kirk. Even a small improvement in structure could make him a high-end QB2 — much better than his current ADP.

Trevor Lawrence, Jacksonville Jaguars

  • FantasyPros ADP: QB22, OVR144

Just like Stroud, Lawrence has a new play-caller on offense with the arrival of head coach Liam Coen. He also will have some improvements on the offensive line as well as a new weapon in the passing game in Travis Hunter. Brian Thomas Jr. was a standout wideout as a rookie and this environment should see Lawrence outplay his status as a low-end QB2.

Michael Penix Jr., Atlanta Falcons

  • FantasyPros ADP: QB24, OVR158

Penix is a risky choice given his inexperience but that makes him an even better sleeper. If you project his three starts from last year over the entire season, he’d have finished ahead of Stroud and Matthew Stafford. He has proven weapons on offense in Drake London and Bijan Robinson and a solid offensive line. He could make this ranking look silly come December.

Top fantasy football RB sleepers

Kenneth Walker III, Seattle Seahawks

  • FantasyPros ADP: RB17, OVR44

Walker III has struggled to stay healthy throughout his career and that’s depressed his value this season. Klint Kubiak’s arrival in Seattle as offensive coordinator is great news for Walker as more outside zone concepts could unlock him even more. His ADP paints him as a solid RB2. If he can stay healthy, there’s a chance he’s a top-10 RB by the end of the season.

TreVeyon Henderson, New England Patriots

  • FantasyPros ADP: RB23, OVR56

Henderson’s ADP shot up recently after he took a kickoff the distance for a touchdown in the preseason opener. That kind of electric play is going to get plenty of attention from fantasy managers, and for good reason. He’s the most dynamic player in the Patriots offense and that will matter for second-year quarterback Drake Maye and company. The opportunity is there for him to capitalize.

Jordan Mason, Minnesota Vikings

  • FantasyPros ADP: RB34, OVR94

Reports out of Vikings camp is that Minnesota coach Kevin O’Connell is running more of an even split in the backfield than in prior years. The Vikings gave up draft value to get Mason, showing how much they value his skillset. Minnesota’s offensive line could take a step in 2025 and the team might lean on the running game as J.J. McCarthy gets his footing. That’s enough opportunity for Mason to get touches alongside Aaron Jones Sr., who is entering his age-31 season.

Braelon Allen, New York Jets

  • FantasyPros ADP: RB54, OVR154

New York wants to run the ball more in Year 1 under coach Aaron Glenn and offensive coordinator Tanner Engstrand. The offensive line should be better than in 2024 and already looks in training camp to be better in run blocking than pass blocking situations. Allen’s had a solid share of the touches out of the backfield with Breece Hall, and the team appears heading to a committee approach this season.

Top fantasy football WR sleepers

Marvin Harrison Jr., Arizona Cardinals

  • FantasyPros ADP: WR19, OVR43

Harrison was one of the most anticipated rookie wide receivers in years last season. If not for fellow draftees Brian Thomas Jr., Ladd McConkey and Malik Nabers shining in Year 1, we likely would have a rosier view of Harrison’s first season. He’s a prime post-hype sleeper candidate; the production and high hopes for the son of a Hall of Famer could bear out with another offseason to develop.

Calvin Ridley, Tennessee Titans

  • FantasyPros ADP: WR30, OVR72

Tennessee’s quarterback situation is one of the most improved league-wide from 2024. No. 1 overall pick Cam Ward will almost certainly be a better starter than Will Levis and that’ll be to Ridley’s benefit. Free-agent additions Tyler Lockett and Van Jefferson aren’t game-changers, but they should open things up for Ridley to produce better than he did a year ago.

Ricky Pearsall, San Francisco 49ers

  • FantasyPros ADP: WR44, OVR96

Pearsall’s late-season production in 2024 might be a sign of things to come. He and quarterback Brock Purdy have established a great connection in training camp and the opportunity is there for the second-year wideout to produce. Brandon Aiyuk likely will miss the first month of the season and Jauan Jennings is in the midst of a contract dispute. Pearsall could make the most of it and far outplay his low-end WR4 status in drafts.

Keon Coleman, Buffalo Bills

  • FantasyPros ADP: WR51, OVR133

Coleman’s been candid about his struggles as a rookie and what he needs to improve going into Year 2. Luckily, he has one of the best quarterbacks in the league to throw him the ball and a well-established wideout alongside in Khalil Shakir. Coleman might have a capped ceiling given Shakir’s presence and the Bills’ potent running game but there’s every chance he could take a step in Year 2 and be much more than a WR5.

Top fantasy football TE sleepers

Tucker Kraft, Green Bay Packers

  • FantasyPros ADP: TE10, OVR104

Kraft finished as TE8 in half-PPR leagues last season on just 50 receptions, the second-fewest of any tight end in the top 15. Only Kyle Pitts (47, TE15) had fewer. There are a lot of mouths to feed in the Packers offense, but that didn’t faze Kraft last season. First-round pick Matthew Golden’s arrival shouldn’t impact him as much as it will the other wide receivers.

Brenton Strange, Jacksonville Jaguars

  • FantasyPros ADP: TE22, OVR187

Strange is a deep sleeper but could pay off. Like we said about Lawrence, Coen’s arrival should facilitate the Jaguars offense taking at least a small step forward in 2025. With Christian Kirk and Evan Engram out of the building, it’s unclear who will be the No. 2 target in the Jaguars passing game. Strange could take advantage; Coen made Cade Otton the top target in Tampa Bay for some stretches last season.

Top fantasy football K sleepers

Tyler Loop, Baltimore Ravens

  • FantasyPros ADP: K15, OVR276

This one is pretty straightforward. The Ravens had a top-three scoring offense in 2024 and keep their coordinator and MVP runner-up quarterback as well as most of the starting players. There’s little reason to think they’ll slow down. They’re playing a first-place schedule against many of the top powers in both conferences so they’ll need all of the points they can get. It’s a bit risky going with a rookie kicker but Loop could pay off.

Daniel Carlson, Las Vegas Raiders

  • FantasyPros ADP: K18, OVR313

Carlson finished as K10 in leagues last season and that was with the 29th-ranked scoring offense. Las Vegas invested heavily in offense this offseason and will have a huge upgrade at both quarterback and running back in 2025. This offense should be able to move the ball better throughout the season, giving Carlson more chances to score.

Top fantasy football D/ST sleepers

Seattle Seahawks

  • FantasyPros ADP: D/ST13, OVR249

The Baltimore Ravens defense took a huge step forward in 2023 to become the top unit in the league under Mike Macdonald. This season marks Macdonald’s second in Seattle and the defense could take a step as well.

Seattle very likely could end the year as a top-10 defense in both fantasy and on the field. The Seahawks face the AFC South and NFC South teams outside of their divisional matchups, and those don’t feature many high-powered offenses. There might not be many flashy names in this defense but there aren’t many glaring holes either. That talent group plus Macdonald’s play-calling could see them vastly outperform this draft slot.

Chicago Bears

  • FantasyPros ADP: D/ST16, OVR291

Chicago brought in longtime New Orleans Saints head coach and defensive coordinator Dennis Allen to run the defense under first-year head coach Ben Johnson. Allen’s defenses were always reliable in New Orleans; the Saints were a top-15 scoring defense from 2017 to 2023 with Allen at the helm. They dropped off in 2024 as he was fired mid-season.

The Bears play in one of the toughest divisions in football, but both the Vikings and Lions have questions on offense entering 2025 due to a first-year quarterback and new coordinator, respectively. Outside of divisional games, Chicago will face the AFC North and NFC East as well as the Browns, 49ers and Raiders. It wouldn’t be too much of a stretch to see the Bears finish as a top-12 D/ST with that schedule.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Luis Suárez scored two penalty kicks for Inter Miami, after Tigres UANL defender Javier Aquino was penalized for a handball in the penalty area on two separate occasions.

Tigres forward Iván López nearly tied the match in the final minutes, but his header hit the right post, bounced along the line to hit the left post, and diverted back into play.

Somehow, those instances don’t even measure up to the wildest thing that happened in Inter Miami’s 2-1 win over Tigres in their Leagues Cup quarterfinal match on Wednesday, Aug. 20. 

Inter Miami coach Javier Mascherano provided one of the quirkiest moments of the Lionel Messi era in Major League Soccer, watching and coaching from the stands above his bench in the first row of Section 101 inside Chase Stadium after being ejected. He was given a red card after arguing with referees about the first half ending past allotted stoppage time. 

“We came out for the second half, and Javier was told he had been sent off,” Inter Miami assistant Javier Morales said in the postgame press conference.

Messi was not in action, dealing with a nagging right hamstring injury he reaggravated during a 3-1 win in a regular-season match against the L.A. Galaxy on Aug. 16. Messi watched Wednesday’s game from an on-field suite, one level below Mascherano in the stands.

Mascherano was even seen on the Apple TV broadcast talking on his iPhone in the 57th minute, seemingly to assistant coach Lucas Rodriguez Pagano on the field while fellow assistant Leandro Stillitano led the club on the sidelines.

“Tell me one time you’ve seen that,” Apple TV commentator Taylor Twellman said to play-by-play announcer Jake Zivin during the broadcast. “How’s that any different than him being on the bench?”

“He’s certainly within earshot of everybody,” Zivin said lightheartedly.

A Leagues Cup spokesperson told USA TODAY Sports after the match that cellphone communications are not prohibited, and Mascherano was seated in a space designated in accordance with tournament regulations.

While the rule implies Mascherano was allowed to coach through his phone, his actions will likely be reviewed by the Leagues Cup Disciplinary Committee.

“To be honest, a lot of things happened there,” Morales said.

Mascherano was not available to speak to the media after the match due to the red card. He will also be suspended for Inter Miami’s match in the Leagues Cup semifinals against Orlando City on either Aug. 26 or 27. The next time Mascherano will speak to the media is Aug. 22, one day before Inter Miami travels to face D.C. United in an MLS match.

It was a scene that would make former New York Mets manager Bobby Valentine proud. Valentine infamously returned to the Mets’ dugout in disguise, sporting a mustache, after being ejected during a game on June 9, 1999.

Mascherano was concerned because starting left back Jordi Alba suffered a right knee injury, and Inter Miami tried to finish the first half without making a substitution. Alba lingered on the sidelines before briefly reentering the match for the final minutes of stoppage time.

Alba then left the match after trying to start the second half, as Mascherano found his way to his seat in the stands. 

“The referees added four minutes, and we ended up playing like six minutes or something like that. So, we argued about the time,” Morales said. “You’re human. You start to talk. The referee said Javier (Mascherano) had the red card, and that’s it. We didn’t have much information. We were complaining about the time.”

Suárez scored a penalty in the 23rd minute, then sealed the victory with another penalty kick in the 89th minute. Aquino was penalized for a handball just minutes prior to both goals by Inter Miami’s Uruguayan star.

“They were two unfortunate plays where the ball hit his hand,” Tigres coach Guido Pizarro said of the handballs.

Added the 38-year-old Suárez: “I’m old enough to take on this kind of challenge, and I’m trying to help the team.”

Tigres tied the match at 1 when Ángel Correa, Messi’s Argentine World Cup champion teammate, scored in the 67th minute. López nearly sent the match to a penalty shootout with his borderline goal in the 91st minute.

“It was wild,” Morales said. “At the end of the day, we found a way to keep fighting and win the game.” 

When the final whistle blew, Mascherano walked behind a police officer from his seat. He pumped his fist to celebrate with fans sitting behind him, then walked down the stairs among other fans leaving the stands.

Maybe, Mascherano will keep the same seat for next week’s Leagues Cup semifinal.

This story has been updated with new information.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Andrew Roth, president of the State Freedom Caucus Network, helms an organization fighting to help conservatives win and wield control of state governments across the nation.

‘There is a swamp in all 50 states. There are 50 swamps,’ Roth told Fox News Digital during a Tuesday interview, noting that ‘liberal Republicans’ join with Democrats to expand government.

This ‘uniparty’ phenomenon exists in the U.S. Congress and in every state, Roth indicated, asserting that in red states many Democrats cannot win elections unless they don the Republican label.

‘They say they’re good on guns, and babies, and a few other things, but then they get in there, and they vote like liberals, growing government[.] ‘ Roth noted. 

He said that while the goal of state freedom caucuses is to slash taxes and government, the first step is exposing ‘deceitful lawmakers for who they are. And then once you can do that, then you can hopefully start getting good people elected and then cut the budget, cut taxes, cut spending,’ he explained.

So far, the organization boasts freedom caucuses in 13 of the 50 states, including Pennsylvania, Maryland, South Carolina, Georgia, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Illinois, Missouri, South Dakota, Wyoming, Montana, Arizona and Idaho – but deep red states like Texas and Florida are conspicuously absent from the list. 

Asked whether this is because there are not enough conservative legislators in those states to form a freedom caucus, Roth replied, ‘That’s absolutely correct,’ explaining, ‘In Texas I could probably say there’s only one or two House members, and in Florida I’m not even sure I can say two.’

There are ‘zero’ conservative state lawmakers in the Alabama, Tennessee and Mississippi state legislatures, he said.

‘This is a big, big problem’ he noted, ‘and I don’t think enough people realize how bad it is.’

Roth indicated that the organization provides a state director in each freedom caucus state – those directors help read legislation, offer vote recommendations, work with other groups, and help with organizing and strategizing, he explained.

Roth noted that Louisiana state Sen. Blake Miguez, a Republican who belongs to that state’s freedom caucus, is challenging incumbent GOP U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy. 

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

  • Kansas City Chiefs coach Andy Reid’s office window was struck by a bullet in May of last year.
  • The incident was confirmed by a person close to the situation.
  • No one was injured, and police are investigating the incident as aggravated assault.

Kansas City Police Department spokesperson Capt. Jacob Beccina confirmed officers responded to an incident at the facility on May 4, 2024, in a statement to USA TODAY Sports.

‘When officers arrived they were told by overnight security that someone in the building alerted them to hearing a noise and observed what appeared to be a bullet hole in a window,’ the statement read. ‘Because the building was occupied at the time of the bullet coming through the window the case is being investigated as an aggravated assault. No one was struck, and there were no injuries associated with the incident.’

No arrests or charges have been made in the case and the investigation is ongoing, per Beccina.

A person close to the situation told USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell the team believes it was a random incident. The person spoke on condition of anonymity given that there is an ongoing police investigation.

The bullet shot a hole through the window and blinds before lodging between his bathroom and the entry door to the office, according to The Kansas City Star.

Two more bullets hit the practice facility in addition to the shot at Reid’s office, per The Star. One hit the floor above his office and the other hit an outdoor air conditioning unit.

The 66-year-old Reid is one of few people in the franchise to know about the incident. Bulletproof glass was later installed in his office.

Kansas City declined to comment. 

Kansas City’s practice facility is on the north end of the Truman Sports Complex that includes GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, home of the Chiefs, and Kauffman Stadium, home of the MLB’s Kansas City Royals.

This file will be updated with more information when available.

USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell contributed to this report.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The San Francisco 49ers will be down another wide receiver to start the 2025 NFL season.

Coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed to KNBR today free agent signee Demarcus Robinson will be suspended for the first three games of the regular season. This suspension stems from an arrest last November in which Robinson was charged with misdemeanor DUI. California Highway Patrol officers observed him driving more than 100 mph in southern California.

‘[Robinson] we’re not going to have for the first three weeks,’ Shanahan said. ‘You can always appeal it so we’ll hope for the best on that, but that is what we’re planning for.’

San Francisco signed Robinson to a two-year deal worth up to $9.5 million with $6 million guaranteed in one of their few free agent additions on offense.

Shanahan’s confirmation came as he described the depth problems the team’s had at the position during training camp.

Robinson’s one of the only wide receivers on the team not to have missed time with injury in either minicamp or training camp. The 49ers’ first-round pick from 2024, Ricky Pearsall, missed time early on with a hamstring injury but is back on the field for training camp. Jauan Jennings has dealt with a calf injury during training camp and Jacob Cowing and rookie Jordan Watkins are currently out with injuries as well.

The 49ers re-signed wide receiver Malik Knowles this morning before Shanahan confirmed Robinson’s suspension. Knowles spent the 2024 season with the Green Bay Packers and San Francisco signed him initially in June before waiving him.

Shanahan expects former second-team All-Pro Brandon Aiyuk to be out until Week 6 of the regular season. The other injured players should be back sooner than that.

Robinson will miss the 49ers’ first three regular season games:

  • Week 1:at Seattle Seahawks
  • Week 2:at New Orleans Saints
  • Week 3:vs. Arizona Cardinals

Should the suspension hold, Robinson would be back for the 49ers’ home game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 4.

49ers WR depth chart

With Robinson suspended for the start of the season, San Francisco will rely on its depth at the position early on in 2025. Here’s how the depth chart looks ahead of the 49ers’ preseason finale against the Los Angeles Chargers:

  • Brandon Aiyuk*
  • Jauan Jennings*
  • Ricky Pearsall
  • Demarcus Robinson
  • Jacob Cowing*
  • Russell Gage Jr.
  • Jordan Watkins*
  • Isaiah Hodgins
  • Malik Turner
  • Terique Owens
  • Robbie Chosen
  • Junior Bergen
  • Malik Knowles

Wide receivers marked with an asterisk (*) are currently out with injury.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The US Open tennis tournament showed it’s never too late to spice things up, even heading into its 145th year.

The mixed doubles competition, largely an afterthought in the past, debuted a revamped format this week and energized crowds at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York. In part, that’s thanks to a star-studded, 16-team field that included names like Novak Djokovic, Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz.

Not to mention some riveting tennis like what was on display in the final Wednesday night, Aug. 21, when defending champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori outlasted Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud 6-3, 5-7, 10-6.

Oh, the 10-6 – that’s part of the adjusted scoring system that takes a little getting used to. Until the final, sets were played to four games, not six games, and there were no advantage points.

While purists might debate the merits of the scoring system, the play proved compelling – especially in the final.

The 6-foot-4 Vavassori was brilliant at the net and overpowering with his serve. Errani, 38, looked youthful with her smart play. And together, the Italian duo proved mixed doubles specialists can hold their ground against the planet’s best singles players chasing compensation.

The champions won $1 million, up from the $200,000 that went to the winners last year. It clearly helped lure marquee players into the draw, and the fans responded.

A good chunk of the sellout crowd remained to cheer the Italians and Swiatek, the reigning Wimbledon champion, along with Ruud during the post-match trophy presentation. Ruud thanked the tournament for “going a little bold and trying this out.’

“It was fun for us, and I hope it was fun for the fans,’’ Ruud said. “It’s midnight on Wednesday and we’re still here on Arthur Ashe and I don’t think anyone expected that but it’s been really cool for us players to try it.’’

Vavassori called it “an amazing atmosphere’’ and said, “We showed today that doubles is a great product.’’

He thanked his partner, Errani, for her energy that looked in ample supply. She beamed at Vavassori.

“It’s a pleasure for me to be by your side,’’ she said.

Their wizardry set off cheers, as did Swiatek and Ruud when they staged a mid-match comeback.

The crowd noise grew to a roar. The tension thickened. An experiment involving mixed doubles at the 145th US Open appeared to be a success.

US Open mixed doubles final highlights

Sara Errani/Andrea Vavassori def. Iga Swiatek/Casper Ruud to win title

Italy’s Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori won the US Open mixed doubles title for the second year in a row, holding off Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud in the finals 6-3, 5-7, 10-6 Wednesday, Aug. 20 at New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium.

The 6-foot-4 Vavassori was spectacular at the net and overpowering with his serve. And his 38-year-old partner, Errani, also was masterful during their two-day run through the 16-team field.

The Italians collected $1 million by winning the championship.

Sara Errani/Andrea Vavassori def. Danielle Collins/Christian Harrison

Italy’s Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori gave themselves a chance to defend their title as US Open mixed doubles champs. They did it by powering past Americans Christian Harrison and Danielle Collins 4-2, 4-2 in the semifinals. The Italians did not lose a single point during their service games in the first set, and Vavassori’s serves were especially wicked. The Americans broke Errani’s service to knot the second set at 2-2, but the Italians promptly won the next two games and closed out the match.

Iga Swiatek/Casper Ruud def. Jessica Pegula/Jack Draper

Clutch play propelled Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud past Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper in the semifinals (3-5, 5-3, 10-8). Down a set, Swiatek and Ruud rallied and won the second set, forcing a 10-point tiebreak. Swiatek, the reigning Wimbledon champion, and Ruud began to unravel, going down 8-4 after Swiatek’s double fault. But with the match hanging in the balance, Swiatek and Ruud were clutch again, reeling off six straight points for the victory.

US Open mixed doubles order of play today

All times Eastern. All matches are held at Arthur Ashe Stadium and televised on ESPN2.

Semifinals – Wednesday, Aug. 20

  • No. 1 Jessica Pegula/Jack Draper vs. No. 3 Iga Swiatek/Casper Ruud, 7 p.m.
  • Danielle Collins/Christian Harrison vs. Sara Errani/Andrea Vavassori, 8:30 p.m.

Final – Wednesday, Aug. 20

  • Semifinals winners, 10 p.m. | ESPN2

How to watch US Open mixed doubles 2025: TV and streaming

Wednesday, Aug. 20

  • Time: 7-10 p.m. ET
  • TV: ESPN2
  • Streaming: ESPN+ and Fubo
  • Location: Billie Jean King National Tennis Center (Flushing, New York)

Stream the 2025 US Open on Fubo

US Open mixed doubles 2025 format

Each match (other than the final) are best-of-three sets, and each set is first team to win four games. Unlike singles matches, there will be no-ad in games that reach a score of deuce (40-all), meaning that the winner of the next point wins the game. If each team has won four games in a set, a tiebreak will be played.

If the teams split sets, a 10-point match tiebreak will be played in lieu of a third set. The first team to win 10 points, with an advantage of two or more points, will win the match.

In the final, the first team to win six games wins the set, and the first team to win two sets wins the championship. If the teams split sets, a 10-point match tiebreak will be played in lieu of a third set.

US Open mixed doubles 2025 prize money

  • First round: $20,000
  • Quarterfinals: $100,000
  • Semifinals: $200,000
  • Runner-up: $400,000
  • Champion: $1 million

US Open mixed doubles results Tuesday

Quarterfinals

  • Iga Swiatek/Casper Ruud defeated Caty McNally/Lorenzo Musetti, 4-1, 4-2
  • Jessica Pegula/Jack Draper defeated Mirra Andreeva/Daniil Medvedev, 4-1, 4-1
  • Sara Errani/Andrea Vavassori defeated Karolina Muchova/Andrey Rublev, 4-1, 5-4 (7-4)
  • Danielle Collins/Christian Harrison defeated Taylor Townsend/Ben Shelton 4-1, 5-4 (7-2)

First round

  • Caty McNally/Lorenzo Musetti defeated Naomi Osaka/Gael Monfils 5-3 (4-3), 4-2
  • Iga Swiatek/Casper Ruud defeated Madison Keys/Frances Tiafoe 4-1, 4-2
  • Jessica Pegula/Jack Draper defeated Emma Raducanu/Carlos Alcaraz, 4-2, 4-2
  • Mirra Andreeva/Daniil Medvedev defeated Olga Danilovic/Novak Djokovic, 4-2, 5-3
  • Sara Errani/Andrea Vavassori defeated Elena Rybakina/Taylor Fritz 4-2, 4-2
  • Karolina Muchova/Andrey Rublev defeated Venus Williams/Reilly Opelka 4-2, 5-4 (7-4)
  • Taylor Townsend/Ben Shelton defeated Amanda Anisimova/Holger Rune, 4-2, 4-5 (7-2)
  • Danielle Collins/Christian Harrison defeated Belinda Bencic/Alexander Zverev, 4-0, 5-3
This post appeared first on USA TODAY

A Trump-aligned legal group founded by White House aide Stephen Miller filed Freedom of Information Act requests Thursday targeting a Biden organ transplant program that critics warn could be open to abuse.

The requests from America First Legal went to the Department of Health and Human Services, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Health Resources and Services Administration. At issue is the Increasing Organ Transplant Access Model, a six-year mandatory program finalized in December 2024 and set to take effect in July 2025, which aims to expand access to kidney transplants but has drawn criticism from Trump officials who warn it may be vulnerable to outside influence.

The model builds on earlier payment experiments, testing whether financial rewards and penalties can improve care and expand access for Medicare and Medicaid patients.

Trump officials and allies, including America First Legal, argue the system risks distortion by outside interests — a charge that prompted AFL’s FOIA requests as part of a broader investigation.

They cited in part recent findings from an HRSA-led probe published earlier this year. That investigation suggested third-party groups or for-profit organizations ‘may have unduly influenced the IOTA Model’— though their exact role or the extent they may have done so is unclear.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also cited concerns from the study, which the department said in a statement ‘revealed clear negligence and disturbing practices’ by a large organ procurement organization in the U.S., prompting him to launch a new reform initiative.

In previewing the FOIA requests to Fox News Digital, AFL cited related concerns about patient safety, ethical misconduct, and discrimination in organ allocation, among other things.

The requests ask HHS, CMS and HRSA for a long list of information regarding the program and related correspondence — including emails, letters and memos between agency personnel and third-party representatives about the development or implementation of the IOTA Model. They also seek meeting records, agendas and summaries of discussions involving agency staff and outside officials.

The payment model will affect more than 100 U.S. transplant hospitals over six years, imposing mandatory financial incentives and penalties tied to a final performance score.

IOTA was touted as a way to help increase access to organ donors and transplants in the U.S. and help address the long waiting list of patients awaiting a transplant, which as of last fall stood at roughly 90,000 people.

Participating hospitals are evaluated for their performance in three key areas, according to CMS’s final rule, which took force in July, including the volume of kidney transplants, their matching efficiency, and post-transplant outcomes of their patients. But the role outside groups have played, including during the process of drafting the final rule, has prompted criticism and calls for additional scrutiny from Trump allies, including AFL. 

Self-interested third parties should play no role in shaping America’s organ transplant policy,’ AFL counsel Laura Stell told Fox News Digital in a statement previewing the FOIA requests and broader investigation.

‘Where monetary incentives and penalties come into play, there must be utmost certainty that CMS developed the program without influence from entities with improper motives.’

America First Legal, though not officially part of the Trump administration, was founded by longtime Trump adviser Stephen Miller after Trump’s first presidential term. 

Miller stepped down from AFL before rejoining the White House in 2025 as Trump’s deputy chief of staff. 

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The Kansas City Chiefs are moving on from one of their more disappointing recent early-round draft selections.

The team on Wednesday agreed to trade wide receiver Skyy Moore to the San Francisco 49ers, per multiple reports.

Moore, 24, was a second-round pick out of Western Michigan in 2022. The 5-10, 195-pound target served primarily as a backup as a rookie before making eight starts in 2023, but he struggled to establish himself as a reliable target for Patrick Mahomes. A core muscle injury limited him to just six games last season, and he has not caught a pass since December 2023.

Now, a player who appeared to have an uphill battle to remain in Kansas City for the final year of his rookie contract has a new home.

Despite Moore’s various setbacks, which included a hamstring injury in training camp and two drops in last week’s preseason loss to the Seattle Seahawks, Chiefs special teams coordinator Dave Toub maintained his faith in the wide receiver and returner’s future.

‘His punt-return ability and kick-return ability has really gotten better over the years,’ Toub said Tuesday of Moore, who returned a punt 88 yards for a touchdown against the Seahawks. “It showed right there. He’s solid there in that part of it. The other part is the mental thing with him. It’s just getting over the hump.

‘He’s definitely an NFL player, whether he’s on our team or not on our team. I think the return helped him and opened a lot of eyes for people. He’s a good football player.”

In San Francisco, Moore will provide depth to a San Francisco receiving corps dealing with a rash of injuries. Brandon Aiyuk is expected to sit out at least the first few weeks of the season as he recovers from last season’s knee injury, while Jauan Jennings has been slowed by a calf ailment. Backups Jacob Cowing and Jordan Watkins also remain sidelined, and Demarcus Robinson is facing a three-game suspension for violating the league’s policy on substance abuse, coach Kyle Shanahan confirmed Wednesday.

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