Top seeds cruise despite US Open downpour

Paige Bueckers & Natalie Nakase: Part-time ballers, full-time comedy duo.

Big names cruise despite US Open delays

Rain delays are reshaping the US Open, as top seeds tore through the Slam’s opening round despite storms backing up play across Flushing Meadows.

• Two-time defending champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka downed Camila Osorio to book a second-round spot, as No. 2 Elena Rybakina, No. 4 Coco Gauff, No. 5 Mirra Andreeva, No. 8 Iga Świątek, No. 13 Naomi Osaka, and fan favorite No. 17 Alexandra Eala comfortably followed suit.

• Upsets were few, as Yulia Putintseva stunned No. 12 Belinda Bencic, British qualifier Harriet Dart bounced No. 55 Peyton Stearns, and US vet Sloane Stephens picked up her first major win in two years over No. 38 Clara Tauson. (See full coverage)

On the docket: Yesterday’s suspended clashes are slated to pick back up today, including US star No. 14 Iva Jovic’s battle with Magdalena Fręch — frozen at 4,4.

• All-US showdowns headline today’s lineup, as No. 3 Jessica Pegula returns to face Sofia Kenin and No. 26 Emma Navarro takes on Caty McNally after Sunday’s viral first-round finish.

• “I remember when I first played here at 18 years old, and just how completely overwhelmed I was with gratitude and disbelief that I was playing in the US Open,” Navarro said. “I try not to get too far away from that feeling.” (See full schedule) 

Tune in: US Open coverage resumes today at 11 AM ET (ESPN).

Gotham locks in Rose Lavelle through 2029

No. 1 Gotham is revving its engine, as the defending NWSL champion reportedly re-signed USWNT midfielder Rose Lavelle through 2029 despite “aggressive offers” from competing clubs.

• Lavelle was set to become one of the NWSL’s highest-profile 2027 free agents, with Gotham — already nearing the salary-cap max — likely using the new High Impact Player rule to seal the deal.

• “I think every team wants to sign Rose Lavelle,” Gotham President of Soccer Operations Yael Averbuch West told The NY Post in July. “So absolutely, we’re working every day on it.” (See full report)

Big deal: The World Cup and Olympic champion has been key to the Bats’ surge, tallying four goals in 19 appearances and sparking a nine-game unbeaten run that has Gotham five points clear atop the table. 

• Lavelle scored the game-winner in the 2025 title match and helped lift the inaugural Concacaf W Champions Cup — before anchoring this season’s bid for a first-ever NWSL Shield.

• However, she’s currently in concussion protocol after suffering a head injury in August 23rd’s 0-0 draw with Angel City, leaving her status unclear for this weekend’s clash with No. 10 Denver.

Up next: Gotham visits the Summit on Sunday at 2 PM ET (CBS).

Heavy hitters square off in Springfield

The WPBL’s debut season is heating up, as No. 1 San Francisco takes on No. 4 Boston with just five games to go before the four-team playoffs hit the field.

• The Firebells have dominated the pair’s regular-season series, taking Friday’s clash 14-6 behind home run co-leader and No. 1 draft pick Kelsie Whitmore’s three RBIs and six strikeouts.

• San Francisco enters hot off recording the league’s first-ever walk-off, as Andréanne Leblanc’s two-out grand slam delivered Sunday’s dramatic 11-9 comeback over No. 3 New York. (Watch full highlights) 

Scouting report: The Hunters counter with their own two-way ace in Alli Schroder, though the No. 5 pick hasn’t quite lived up to expectations.

• Schroder carries an 6.68 ERA into tonight’s matchup, after giving up six hits and five runs to the Firebells across three innings pitched last week.

• Boston currently sits four games below San Francisco and 2.5 games below the Heights, with three more chances to move up the table before next week’s semifinals. (See full standings)

Tune in: San Francisco faces Boston tonight at 7:30 PM ET (ESPN+).

Gear up for the home stretch. 

Get 20% off orders under $100 or 30% off $100+ on all Just Women’s Sports apparel.

No code needed. Discount automatically applied at checkout.

Williams sisters learn US Open doubles path

The Williams sisters are back, as Tuesday’s US Open doubles draw revealed the wildcard duo will face Hao-Ching Chan and Maya Joint — the Australian teen that downed Serena in her Wimbledon singles return this summer.

• The two-time US Open doubles champions return to the tournament for the first time since 2022, most recently warming up with a first-round loss to Marta Kostyuk and Peyton Stearns in Cincinnati last month.

• Both sisters are making a second New York appearance this year, with Serena having reached the mixed doubles quarters alongside Carlos Alcaraz and Venus falling to Sofia Kenin in singles. (See full report)

Familiar faces: 2025 US Open doubles runners-up Taylor Townsend and Kateřina Siniaková enter as the top seed, while defending champions Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe have split up, with Dabrowski partnering Luisa Stefani as the No. 2 seed. (See full draw)

Tune in: US Open doubles coverage starts Thursday (ESPN).

Sky shuts down Skylar Diggins for the season

Chicago’s rough spell just got rougher, as marquee 2026 signing Skylar Diggins landed on the season-ending injury list after re-aggravating a right knee issue.

• Diggins hasn’t played for the Sky since July, initially airing her frustrations on social media before clarifying her benching was tied to injury, not friction with the team. 

• The 36-year-old said she has not requested a trade and expects to be back with Chicago next season, fulfilling the backend of her two-year, $1.8 million deal. (See full report)

Falling short: Already eliminated from playoff contention, No. 10 Chicago now turns toward an offseason full of personnel questions after another losing campaign.

Quote of the day

Olympic freestyle skier Eileen Gu
describing the winning mentality that’s led her to three Olympic gold medals.