SPORTS HEADLINES

NEW YORK (AP) — Naomi Osaka has defeated Jelena Ostapenko in straight sets at the U.S. Open for her first victory over a top-10 opponent in more than four years. Osaka is a two-time champion at Flushing Meadows but has missed time in recent seasons because of mental health breaks and while having a baby. Her victory over 2017 French Open winner Ostapenko marked the first opening-round matchup at the U.S. Open between two past Grand Slam champs since Serena Williams eliminated Maria Sharapova five years ago. Other winners on Day 2 in New York included No. 1 Iga Swiatek and No. 1 Jannik Sinner.

Jannik Sinner starts poorly at the US Open but wins his first match since his steroids case emerged

NEW YORK (AP) — Jannik Sinner has overcome a poor start at the U.S. Open and won his first match since news of his doping case emerged a week ago. If there were boos at Arthur Ashe Stadium when he was introduced Tuesday, they were imperceptible. Sinner pulled away for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 victory against Mackie McDonald of the United States to reach the second round at Flushing Meadows. There were no apparent signs in the stands or disparaging shouts making reference to what no one knew about for months: Sinner tested positive twice for trace amounts of the anabolic steroid Clostebol in an eight-day span in March.

Kelces cash in: Travis and Jason Kelce take popular ‘New Heights’ podcast to Amazon’s Wondery

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce and his brother, former Eagles center Jason Kelce, are taking their popular “New Heights” podcast to Amazon’s Wondery under a three-year deal that gives the company exclusive advertising sales and distribution rights. The financial terms of the deal were not immediately available, though some reports put the total at nine figures. The deal was announced by Wondery on Tuesday and will begin with this week’s episode, dropping Wednesday. It includes the back catalog of podcast content along with exclusive rights to monetize and distribute audio and video episodes.

NFL owners newly endorse private equity stakes of up to 10% in teams by league-approved firms

EAGAN, Minn. (AP) — NFL owners have approved a rule allowing private equity investors in their teams. They voted to let certain league-sanctioned firms buy up a stake of up to 10% in the 32 franchises that are steadily soaring in value. The previously prohibited practice was studied for the past five years. During that time the Denver Broncos sold for $4.65 billion and the Washington Commanders went for $6.05 billion. The NFL took this vote at a special meeting in Minnesota. It vetted three standalone funds and one consortium of five firms as the only allowable investors.

CeeDee Lamb has his money, now the All-Pro receiver wants the Cowboys to re-up with QB Dak Prescott

FRISCO, Texas (AP) — Now that CeeDee Lamb has a contract that could keep him with the Dallas Cowboys through 2028, the All-Pro receiver is ready for the peace of mind that quarterback Dak Prescott will be with him. Lamb went through the team’s light workout Tuesday night, a few hours after signing the $136 million, four-year extension that ended his monthslong holdout. Prescott is going into the final season of the club-record $160 million, four-year deal he signed in 2021. And coming off by far the best year with his No. 1 receiver. Lamb led the NFL with 135 catches and had 1,749 yards receiving with 12 touchdowns.

Royals catch Guardians atop AL Central, move into tie for first after 6-1 win in rain delayed game

CLEVELAND (AP) — Paul DeJong hit a two-run homer as the Kansas City Royals caught Cleveland atop the AL Central by beating the Guardians 6-1 in a game delayed more than two hours by rain. The Royals, who lost 106 games last season, improved to a league-best 23-13 since the All-Star break, when they trailed the Guardians by seven games. Cleveland had been all alone in first since April 14 before dropping the first three games in this four-game series. The Guardians have lost nine of 12 and are just 17-21 since the break. DeJong homered in the second off Gavin Williams.

New York Liberty’s chemistry on and off the court has helped put them at top of the WNBA standings

NEW YORK (AP) — The New York Liberty have been building chemistry on and off the court and it’s paid off. They are the team sitting atop the WNBA standings. New York has won nine of its last 10 games, including all but one of is post Olympic contests to hold a three-game lead over Connecticut in the race for the No. 1 seed. Star Breanna Stewart credits the Liberty’s success to accountability. The team has had a year playing together and also has spent more time off the court together this season. Stewart says they go to dinners more together which has helped further strengthen their bonds.

PGA Tour postseason could use a little variety in its venues: Analysis

ATLANTA (AP) — The PGA Tour could use a change of scenery for its postseason. For the third straight year, the path to the FedEx Cup finale starts at the TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee. The only playoff event that changes venues is the BMW Championship. The problem for the tour is that Memphis is the headquarters of FedEx, the company that pays the bills. The FedEx Cup began in big markets like New York and Boston and two of them moved around. Now it starts in Memphis and ends in Atlanta. It would be ideal to persuade FedEx to alternate out of Memphis.

Kadarius Toney and Caleb Farley, 1st-rounders from 2021, let go on NFL roster cutdown day

Kansas City receiver Kadarius Toney and Tennessee cornerback Caleb Farley, both first-round picks in the 2021 NFL draft, are among the cuts as teams trim their rosters for the regular season. Toney was on his second team since the New York Giants drafted him 20th overall three years ago. The Titans took Farley two picks later. Teams had to cut their rosters to 53 players from the training camp maximum of 90. Toney, Farley and hundreds of others will be eligible to return on practice squads that allow up to 17 players.

America’s Cup sets sail in Barcelona with New Zealand defending the Auld Mug

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) — The world’s oldest international sports trophy, best yachtsmen and cutting-edge design and technology will come together in Barcelona when the 37th edition of the America’s Cup starts on Thursday. Boats from the United States, Britain, Italy, Switzerland and France will spend the coming weeks racing in the Mediterranean to decide which will earn the honor of trying to dethrone Emirates Team New Zealand. The two-time defender of the title get a guaranteed spot in the finals to be held in October.