Miami, FL
Miami Open Day 2 preview: Andreescu, Raducanu to face off
Per week in the past in Indian Wells, a pair of US Open champions examined themselves towards World No.1 Iga Swiatek. Bianca Andreescu misplaced within the third spherical and Emma Raducanu adopted within the fourth.
Their Wednesday matchup (12 p.m. ET) presents one other compelling progress report as two gamers which were affected by a wide range of accidents try to recapture the shape that made them main champions.
Indian Wells Day 1
Raducanu, who 18 months in the past burst into prominence because the 2021 winner in New York, made some huge — and surprising — strides on the BNP Paribas Open. Coming off an ankle damage that sidelined her for 50 days, the 20-year-old was additionally battling a bout of tonsillitis and a reoccurring wrist damage.
However, she gained three consecutive matches, the final two — over Magda Linette and Beatriz Haddad Maia — her greatest displaying, by way of rankings, since her breakthrough triumph.
The attention-grabbing factor? Due to these accidents, Raducanu assessed her health stage at 35 p.c.
“Feels good, offers me confidence,” she informed reporters. “I believe particularly due to the place I used to be earlier than this match, didn’t suppose I might even play, to be sincere. Once I’m telling you I haven’t educated, like I haven’t educated.
Miami Open: Scores | Order of play | Attracts
“Yeah, I might say there’s a very lengthy solution to go, however I’m positively beginning the correct work now.”
Whereas Raducanu fell to Swiatek 6-3, 6-1, Andreescu was extra aggressive. She pressured Swiatek, the eventual semifinalist, to a second-set tiebreak earlier than dropping 6-3, 7-6(1). Afterward, Swiatek described Andreescu’s troublesome recreation.
“I believe the factor that she’s doing otherwise than different gamers is the best way she alters the rhythm with these fairly annoying excessive balls,” Swiatek stated, smiling. “I believe that’s the toughest factor. It looks like you may be aggressive enjoying towards her, however then again, she’s actually good at protection and he or she’s enjoying the slices which might be tough typically. You must be prepared for that.”
The one occasion through which Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, gained three straight matches this 12 months — the Thailand Open in early February — she retired to Lesia Tsurenko after receiving neck and shoulder therapy.
Raducanu and Andreescu have met solely as soon as, final 12 months in Rome’s first spherical. Trailing 6-2, 2-1, Raducanu retired with a again damage that had bothered her earlier in Stuttgart and Madrid.
People on parade
There are two different former Grand Slam singles champions among the many eight People in play on Wednesday.
Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, meets fellow American Shelby Rogers (7 p.m. ET). Imagine it or not, Stephens (ranked No.47) and Rogers (No.42) have by no means performed a proper WTA Tour match.
The 2020 Australian Open winner, Sofia Kenin, additionally on the comeback path, meets Australian qualifier Storm Hunter. Amanda Anisimova performs Madison Brengle in one other all-American contest. Taylor Townsend joins two U.S. wild playing cards — Ashlyn Krueger and Robin Montgomery– in motion.
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/PSYI4GW4DREEPGMLJENM3JLLOI.jpg "Frito-Lay recalls chips sold in Ohio over allergy risk")
Penn State had a successful Saturday, beating SMU in the College Football Playoff first round in convincing fashion. But not everything went the Nittany Lions’ way.
David Blay, one of Penn State’s top targets in the transfer portal, committed to Miami. The news was reported by on3 on Saturday afternoon.
In addition to Penn State and Miami, Blay was also being pursued by Florida State, Illinois, Oklahoma, USC, Wisconsin, Mississippi State and Arkansas.
Blay, a standout at Louisiana Tech who visited last weekend, was a top target for the Nittany Lions as they look to add depth and talent to their defensive line for the 2025 season.
Blay is a Levittown native who played at Harry S. Truman High School outside Philadelphia before going to West Chester to play at the Division II level in 2021 and 2022. Blay transferred to Louisiana Tech, where he was a first-team All-Conference USA selection this year.
Blay finished the 2024 season with 46 tackles, 10 1/2 tackles for loss and 6 1/2 sacks.
Penn State has addressed a couple needs in the portal so far in the winter window, earning commitments from USC wide receiver Kyron Hudson and Texas A&M defensive end Enai White. But the Nittany Lions would love to add a defensive tackle or two.
Throughout the season, Oklahoma City has had struggles shooting from outside, and a fix could come through the trade route.
On Friday, the Thunder won their seventh straight regular season game with a 104-97 victory in Miami. The Thunder improved to 22-5 and had one of their best 3-point shooting nights of the season, shooting 14-of-34 from outside.
On the other side, the Thunder might have played against someone who could be a seamless fit. Heat forward Duncan Robinson had a rough shooting night against the Thunder, as most players in the league do, but kept firing for a 3-of-11 night from beyond the arc.
A career 39.7% 3-point shooter, Robinson has hit near that mark again this season while taking well over six attempts per game. Although his defense has been criticized throughout his career, he has shown he can play well enough to stay on the floor and contribute, as seen by his roles in Miami’s 2020 and 2023 Finals runs.
As far as the trade block, the Thunder have already been linked to Brooklyn’s Cam Johnson. While he and Robinson have a similar contract, Johnson has one more year on his deal and makes a bit more money.
While Johnson’s added production makes him clearly the better player and potential target, the Thunder might be able to get Robinson for a much lower price, especially if the Heat begin to shift gears and go through with a Jimmy Butler trade.
In any case, the Thunder would have to send out someone in the rotation. Given what Robinson could bring to the Thunder, players on newly signed extensions, such as Isaiah Joe or Aaron Wiggins, could be the perfect centerpiece of a deal alongside another small contract.
Given their youth, skillsets, and long-term security, either could be a solid piece for the Heat. Meanwhile, this would be a win-now move for the Thunder, losing one of the young wings they’ve developed for a proven playoff performer.
Perhaps the Thunder would be hesitant to make such a deal after the Gordon Hayward trade went south last season. However, Robinson has been in and out of the Heat’s rotation throughout his time with Erik Spoelstra and could adapt to any role the Thunder throw at him.
There might not be a perfect trade for the Thunder, but Robinson could solve some problems and push the Thunder’s shooting into a championship tier.
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