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Anisimova thrashes Gauff to reach China Open final | The Express Tribune

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Anisimova thrashes Gauff to reach China Open final | The Express Tribune



BEIJING:

US Open runner-up Amanda Anisimova crushed defending champion Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-2 in 58 minutes on Saturday to reach the China Open final and will face Linda Noskova.

The 26th-seeded Noskova of the Czech Republic saved three match points in her semi-final to stun fifth seed Jessica Pegula in three sets.

“I felt really good throughout the whole match,” third-seeded American Anisimova, beaten in the final in New York by Aryna Sabalenka a month ago, said.

“All my shots were working today, which is my favourite way to play.

“Coco’s a really tough player, so I knew I was gonna really have to step it up.”

Read: https://tribune.com.pk/story/2565210/positivity-wins-as-anisimova-wills-way-into-us-open-final

Anisimova said she was surprised to be back in another final so soon, having taken time off after the US Open and removing a tooth the day of her flight.

“I didn’t really feel like I was match fit ahead of the tournament,” said the 24-year-old, who is one win away from a fourth career title.

“I was like, is it a mistake that I’m flying there (Beijing) and everything’s just off to a bad start?

“But I think I learned… when I’m not feeling my best physically or I’m facing a challenge, I actually play better because I don’t have as much pressure.”

‘One of the best’

Anisimova stormed into a 5-0 first-set lead in 15 minutes as an uncharacteristically shaky Gauff hit a slew of shots long and into the net.

The 21-year-old reigning French Open winner double-faulted twice to give Anisimova two set points before finally getting herself on the scoreboard.

But it was far too little, far too late.

Gauff’s nightmare continued in the second set as Anisimova again raced into a 5-0 lead over her compatriot.

Gauff managed to close that deficit by two games but a commanding Anisimova closed out in less than an hour.

It was Anisimova’s quickest win yet in the Chinese capital, where she pulled off two three-set comebacks.

“She’s definitely one of the best,” Gauff said.

“Today I would have liked to perform better and I need to step up my game.”

Gauff’s only previous loss on Beijing’s centre Diamond Court had been to Poland’s world number two Iga Swiatek in 2023, also in the semi-finals.

“It’s been a great year for me,” Anisimova, who qualified for the WTA Finals this week in Beijing, added.

Noskova ‘too happy’

Noskova surprised the more fancied American Pegula 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (8/6) to pull through in 2h 28min and will contest the biggest match of her career on Sunday.

“(Pegula) played incredible,” Noskova, 20, said.

“It was just two points away from a win or a lose.

“I’m just too happy that I would win.”

The two played smart over intense rallies, moving each other around the court.

The deciding set was a nail-biter, with the more experienced Pegula double-faulting on match point, before they went to a tiebreak.

“It was quite a tough match mentally and physically and everything else, so I’m just gonna cherish this win,” Noskova said.

She is after the second title of her career and first at the 1000 level.



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Dolphins’ Darren Waller says he was kicked out of exit meeting with coach Mike McDaniel before firing

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Dolphins’ Darren Waller says he was kicked out of exit meeting with coach Mike McDaniel before firing


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The Miami Dolphins fired head coach Mike McDaniel last week, and Darren Waller almost found himself right in the thick of it.

“I was at the scene of the crime, bro. I think I was the last person to see him before he got fired,” the Dolphins tight end said in a recent appearance on Johnny Manziel’s podcast.

Waller said he was in his exit interview with McDaniel discussing possibilities for the 2026 season before owner Stephen Ross “kicked the door open” roughly 10 minutes into their discussion.

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Miami Dolphins tight end Darren Waller (83) catches the ball in the first quarter at Bank of America Stadium on Oct. 5, 2025 in Charlotte, North Carolina. (Bob Donnan/Imagn Images)

“He comes in and, like, joins the conversation,” Waller said. “We’re just all talking, reflecting on the year, and Stephen Ross was like, ‘Love to have you back next year.’ Then the conversation kind of just hits a lull.”

Waller said Ross was then giving him a specific look, which Manziel understood.

“It’s time for you to get the hell out,” Manziel said laughing.

“I looked at Mike, and he said we’d finish the conversation later … I go out of the meeting, get a massage, check my phone and see he was fired. I’m like, ‘This s— is cold.’”

Ross cited a need for “comprehensive change” after the team missed the playoffs for a second straight year with a 7-10 finish this season. 

Mike McDaniel runs to the locker room

Miami Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel runs to the locker room after the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Sept. 14, 2025, in Miami Gardens, Florida. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

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The Dolphins made back-to-back playoff appearances in McDaniel’s first two seasons as head coach but were eliminated both times in the first round. The following season, they were eliminated after suffering an unexpected loss to the New York Jets in the team’s season finale. 

McDaniel’s final season in Miami was tumultuous, highlighted by quarterback Tua Tagovailoa‘s struggles and his eventual benching in the final three games of the season.  

As one of his last major moves as head coach, McDaniel said this week that the Dolphins would hold a quarterback competition for the 2026 season, a decision Tagovailoa seemed to welcome this week when he confirmed he was open to a “fresh start” somewhere else.

Chris Grier looks on

Dolphins general manager Chris Grier and coach Mike McDaniel address reporters. (HAL HABIB / The Palm Beach Post / USA TODAY NETWORK)

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In addition to replacing their head coach and finding a reliable candidate for the quarterback position, the Dolphins will be looking for longtime general manager Chris Grier’s replacement after he was fired mid-season. 

Fox News’ Paulina Dedaj contributed to this report.

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Mets agree to deal with All-Star Bo Bichette after missing out on Kyle Tucker: reports

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Mets agree to deal with All-Star Bo Bichette after missing out on Kyle Tucker: reports


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The New York Mets have reportedly made a big addition to their lineup.

The Mets and Bo Bichette are in agreement on a three-year, $126 million contract on Friday, according to multiple reports. After falling short in the Kyle Tucker sweepstakes, who reportedly signed a whopping four-year, $240 million contract with the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Mets pivoted to Bichette.

The deal includes opt-outs after both the first and second seasons of the contract, according to multiple reports.

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Toronto Blue Jays designated hitter Bo Bichette (11) runs after hitting a three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third inning during Game 7 of the 2025 MLB World Series at Rogers Centre. The game was played in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Nov. 1, 2025. (John E. Sokolowski/Imagn Images)

Bichette, 27, had a good season for the Toronto Blue Jays last season, hitting .311 with 18 home runs and 94 RBI in 135 games. He sustained a knee injury in September during a collision at home plate and missed the remainder of the regular season, the ALDS and ALCS.

He returned in the World Series and was a big contributor to the Blue Jays, who were just two outs away from winning it all. In seven World Series games, Bichette hit .348 with one home run and six RBI.

However, during the World Series, he moved off his normal position of shortstop and manned second base, because of his limited mobility with the injury. Bichette graded out poorly as a defensive shortstop regardless, and it does not appear that the Mets signed him to play shortstop, as they have Francisco Lindor there currently, who is a good defender.

DODGERS SIGN STAR OUTFIELDER KYLE TUCKER TO $240M CONTRACT: REPORTS

Bo Bichette swings at home plate

Bo Bichette (11) of the Toronto Blue Jays hits a two-RBI single in the seventh inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 4 of the 2025 World Series at Dodger Stadium. The game was played in Los Angeles, California, on Oct. 28, 2025. (Harry How/Getty Images)

The Mets acquired Marcus Semien to play second base from the Texas Rangers earlier in the offseason, and he won a Gold Glove last season. With Semien and Lindor seemingly locked into second base and shortstop, respectively, it appears the Mets signed Bichette to play third base.

Bichette has never played third base in his professional career. If the Mets do indeed try Bichette at third base, it would mean their corner infielders could be making their professional debuts at their respective positions.

The Mets signed Jorge Polanco earlier this offseason to be their first baseman, despite him having never played there in his big-league career.

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Bo Bichette watches his homer go

Toronto Blue Jays’ Bo Bichette watches his three-run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the third inning of Game 7 of baseball’s World Series. The game was played in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, on Nov. 1, 2025. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)

Regardless of how the Mets align their infield, Bichette is a major boost to the top of their lineup. In seven seasons, Bichette is a career .294 hitter with 111 home runs and 437 RBI, along with 60 stolen bases.

The top of the Mets lineup will look very different next season with the additions of Bichette and Semien, along with mainstays Pete Alonso, Brandon Nimmo and Jeff McNeil all having departed in free agency or via trade.

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PSL 11 to kick off from March 26, says PCB

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PSL 11 to kick off from March 26, says PCB


Lahore Qalandars’ players and support staff celebrates winning the PSL 10 title after beating Quetta Gladiators at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on May 25, 2025. — PCB

LAHORE: The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) on Friday announced that the 11th season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) will kick off on Thursday, March 26, featuring eight teams following the inclusion of two new franchises.

The date was decided during the meeting of PSL Governing Council convened at the National Cricket Academy in Lahore on Friday evening to finalise preparations for the upcoming season, according to a press release issued by the cricket board.

PCB Chairman Mohsin Naqvi chaired the meeting, which was attended by representatives of all eight PSL franchises, along with PCB and PSL officials.

The council welcomed the new team owners of Sialkot and Hyderabad to the PSL family and congratulated the board and league officials on the successful conclusion of the new teams auction.

The two new PSL franchises were acquired by FKS Group and OZ Developers for a whopping Rs1.75 billion and Rs1.85 billion, respectively.

Detailed discussions during the meeting covered the schedule of PSL 11, player retentions, the adoption of the player auction or a hybrid format called ‘drauction’, and the option of opening direct signings.

It was confirmed that PSL 11 will kick off on Thursday, 26 March, ushering in a new era for the league.

The meeting concluded with the formation of a working group set to convene on Saturday to deliberate further on remaining agenda items. The governing council will reconvene immediately as required to finalise decisions.

The PSL, which began in 2016 with five teams and expanded to six in 2018, further grown with the addition of two new franchises in its 11th edition.

PSL 2026 matches will be hosted in Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, and, for the first time, Iqbal Stadium, Faisalabad, marking the venue’s debut as a PSL host city.





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