SPORTS HEADLINES

Andreeva powers into French Open semifinals and sets up showdown with Ukrainian

PARIS (AP) — Teenager Mirra Andreeva has dominated Sorana Cirstea at the French Open 6-0, 6-3 to reach the semifinals for the second time. Rain arrived in Paris on Tuesday and play started under the closed roof of Court Philippe-Chatrier. Cirstea was competing in the quarterfinals for the first time in 17 years and struggled against her 19-year-old rival. Andreeva’s deep groundstrokes and net charges overwhelmed the 36-year-old veteran.

Browns trade 2-time AP Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to Rams

The Cleveland Browns traded two-time AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year Myles Garrett to the Los Angeles Rams in a blockbuster deal. The Browns will acquire pass rusher and linebacker Jared Verse, a 2027 first-round selection, a second-round pick in 2028 and a 2029 third-round selection. Garrett is expected to report to the Rams’ facility on Tuesday and have a news conference to discuss the trade. Garrett was not seen at the Browns’ facility during offseason workouts. Coach Todd Monken said two weeks ago he had not had a face-to-face meeting with Garrett since being hired in late January.

Eagles trade receiver A.J. Brown to the Patriots, setting up reunion with coach Mike Vrabel

FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — The Philadelphia Eagles have traded wide receiver A.J. Brown to the New England Patriots. The Eagles will receive a first-round pick in 2028 and a fifth-round pick in 2027 for the three-time Pro Bowler. The trade comes after a frustrating 2025 season for Brown in Philadelphia, in which he had grown dispirited with an Eagles offense that played uninspired football at times while the team failed to defend its Super Bowl title. Brown’s arrival in New England will be a reunion with coach Mike Vrabel, who Brown played under for three seasons after being drafted by the Tennessee Titans in 2019.

Golden Knights and Hurricanes built their Stanley Cup Final teams in different ways

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — From their inception, the Vegas Golden Knights have been aggressive, pillaging the rest of the NHL during the expansion draft and making one big move after another to assemble the most talented roster money can buy in a salary-cap system. The Carolina Hurricanes have been far more careful, not just in terms of spending but to draft and acquire players who fit into coach Rod Brind’Amour’s system. Each team flies in the face of conventional roster building, but one will see its method lead to hoisting the Stanley Cup this spring.

Baseball players’ chief says union ‘has never been broken’ and will fight MLB’s salary cap proposal

NEW YORK (AP) — The head of the baseball players’ association insists the union will fight management’s salary cap proposal. Major League Baseball proposed a salary cap last week and seems set to start a lockout after the current labor contract expires Dec. 1. Interim executive director Bruce Meyer says the union has never been broken and never will be. He emphasized that baseball players have always been the most unified, which is why they don’t have a salary cap. Negotiators have not scheduled the next bargaining session.

Wemby vs. the Knicks: It’s fitting that a marquee matchup awaits in the NBA Finals

SAN ANTONIO (AP) — The marquee outside of Madison Square Garden in December 1949 once promoted the following event, which was happening a couple of days later: “Geo Mikan vs Knicks.” Not “Minneapolis Lakers vs. New York Knicks.” Just Mikan. The NBA’s first one-of-a-kind big man. It feels like history repeating itself now. The NBA Finals start Wednesday, with the San Antonio Spurs facing the Knicks for the title. And the marquee for this series — in San Antonio, in New York, in Paris and countless other points around the globe — may as well say “Wemby vs Knicks.” Victor Wembanyama keeps stepping onto bigger and bigger stages.

Pope Leo plays tennis religiously as part of an Augustinian devotion to sports and spirituality

PARIS (AP) — When Pope Leo XIV was elected last year and it emerged that he was a tennis player his love of the sport was quickly celebrated during an audience with top-ranked Jannik Sinner. In the ensuing months Leo has tried to set aside time in his busy schedule to play the sport every week as part of his Augustinian devotion to physical activity and spirituality. Leo likes to spend Mondays and Tuesdays at the papal retreat in Castel Gandolfo in the hills outside Rome where he plays tennis with his secretary. Former U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic says it’s “amazing to hear that Pope Leo loves tennis” and adds that it’s a game you enjoy “especially when you are playing without pressure of time, without pressure of tournaments.”

Muhammad Ali’s family reflects on the champion boxer’s legacy 10 years after his death

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — The wife of late boxing legend Muhammad Ali says his legacy of compassion endures 10 years after his death. Lonnie Ali says he “showed up every day with kindness and empathy in his heart for people who are in need.” The Ali Center in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky, is sponsoring a “Day of Compassion” this week to promote acts of service and caring. Ali died on June 3, 2016, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. Earlier this year, his face graced a U.S. Postal Service stamp for the first time.

Why soccer fandom in Latin America feels almost sacred

MEXICO CITY (AP) — Soccer devotion in Latin America extends far beyond the stadium. Ahead of the 2026 World Cup, fans across the region describe rituals, beliefs and emotional bonds tied to their teams that resemble forms of collective devotion. In Argentina, supporters perform “cábalas” — repeated actions believed to influence the outcome of a match, In Brazil and Chile, fans speak of clubs and players with language more commonly associated with faith and community. From Boca Juniors tattoos and Maradona images carried like sacred objects to lifelong rituals, soccer fandom becomes a source of identity, belonging and collective joy.

NBA mock draft: BYU’s Dybantsa headlines top tier with Kansas’ Peterson, Duke’s Boozer, UNC’s Wilson

BYU star freshman AJ Dybantsa headlines The Associated Press’ initial 2026 NBA mock draft. The first-team AP All-American has long been a favorite to go No. 1, a pick held by the Washington Wizards. He’s joined in the top tier of one-and-done prospects by Kansas guard Darryn Peterson, Duke forward Cameron Boozer and North Carolina forward Caleb Wilson. Next comes a group of freshman guards including Illinois’ Keaton Wagler, Arizona’s Brayden Burries, Arkansas’ Darius Acuff Jr. and Houston’s Kingston Flemings. Michigan is poised to have three Wolverines go in the first round after winning its first NCAA title since 1989. The draft’s first round is set for June 23.