The Comeback on Clay

June 14, 2021

By: Carlos Alvarez

Welcome Back 

With the 2021 Tokyo Olympics just around the corner, today’s edition has some international flavor. The French Open and Euro 2020 brought highlights and trophy ceremonies across the pond. Only six weeks until we start counting medals…

Letter Rip!

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FRENCH OPEN 

The Comeback on Clay: Djokovic Wins Number 19

Photo: Julian Finney / Getty Images

Novak Djokovic Overcomes 2-Set Deficit to Win 19th Grand Slam Title; Barbora Krejcikova Sweeps Women’s French Open for First Time in 21 Years

 

History in abundance at Roland-Garros! The weekend finales left tennis fans in awe after unranked Barbora Krejcikova shocked the women’s draw not once, but twice. It was Novak Djokovic who once again made history in the men’s draw, completing comebacks against Rafael Nadal (semis) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (finals) to win his 19th slam. Here’s how both champions made tennis history at the French Open:

 

Djokovic Wins Historic 19th Slam

It was never easy for the World No. 1, but he showed his moxie time and time again at Roland-Garros. Djokovic rallied from two sets down twice in the tournament — against Lorenzo Musetti (4th Round) and Stefanos Tsitsipas (Final) — making history as the first slam champion in the 21st century to win multiple two-set comeback matches in the same tournament. Djokovic stunned the clay-court king, Rafael Nadal (3-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-2) on Friday before crushing the spirits of 22-year-old Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday (6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4). Djokovic’s 19 major titles brings him within one of Roger Federer (20) and Nadal (20) for the all-time lead.

 

Krejcikova Sweeps Women’s Draw

The underdog story from the women’s side was a two-fold stunner as 25-year-old Czech star Barbora Krejcikova ran the table with the singles title on Saturday and the doubles title on Sunday. The unranked player took down five top-32 opponents in her singles run, including Americans Sloane Stephens and Coco Gauff. It’s her first major victory, but the future looks bright.

 

*Above links to finals highlights

 

Next Tennis Major: Wimbledon (June 28 — July 11)

 

Additional Storylines

ESPN: 4 Keys to Novak Djokovic’s French Open Victory Over Stefanos Tsitsipas

USA Today: Krejcikova Wins Women’s Doubles to Complete French Open Title Sweep

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EURO 2020

The Moment Europe Fell Silent

Photo: Friedemann Vogel / Getty Images

Opening Weekend Match of EURO 2020 Postponed After Christian Eriksen Collapses Mid-Game With Cardiac Arrest

 

The opening weekend action of the UEFA Euro 2020 Tournament was full of excitement on the pitch, but one scary moment blanketed the weekend in fear. Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen, a well-known star across Europe, collapsed in the 43rd minute of the team’s match against Finland. Team doctor Morten Boesen said Eriksen “was gone” before medical staff performed CPR and resuscitated him. His teammates gathered around him, anxious that they had just lost their friend and teammate. He was transported to a nearby Copenhagen hostpital where he’s reportedly in stable condition.

 

This weekend marked Matchday 1 of 3 in the group stage of the tournament. You can find match highlights below, as well today’s continued schedule of Matchday 1.

 

Euro 2020 Highlights

Italy def. Turkey (3-0)

Belgium def. Russia (3-0)

Wales ties Switzerland (1-1)

Finland def. Denmark (1-0)

England def. Croatia (1-0)

Austria def. N. Macedonia (3-1)

Netherlands def. Ukraine (3-2)

 

Today’s Schedule

Scotland vs. Czech Republic (9:00 am ET)

Poland vs. Slovakia (Noon ET)

Spain vs. Sweden (3:00 pm ET)

 

Additional Storylines

SI: Christian Eriksen’s Collapse Puts Everything in Perspective
The Guardian: 
Romelo Lukaku Scores Twice in Belgium Win, Sends Message to Christian Eriksen

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NBA PLAYOFFS

Suns Complete the Sweep

Photo: Dustin Bradford / Getty Images

Chris Paul Drops 37 Points as Suns Sweep Nuggets; 1st Team to Advance to Conference Finals

 

The first NBA team to punch their ticket to the conference finals is the Phoenix Suns, and they made it look easy. Chris Paul (37 points) and Devin Booker (34 points) led the way in Game 4 (125-118) — the closest game in the series — as Phoenix outscored Denver by 63 points over four games en route to the sweep. The Suns’ starters shot over 50 percent combined in all four games, and they looked nearly perfect as they outscored the Nuggets in 13 of the series’ 16 quarters. They’ll await the winner of the Jazz-Clippers series.

 

Watch: Suns Complete Sweep of Nuggets to Reach Western Conference Finals

 

NBA Playoff Updates

 

Gm 4: Bucks def. Nets (107-96)

Milwaukee won its second-straight game to even the series against Brooklyn after Kyrie Irving went down with an ankle injury. The Nets could be without Irving and James Harden in Game 5. What looked like a sweep quickly became a series in the East’s 2- and 3-seed matchup. Series Tied (2-2)

 

Gm 3: Clippers def. Jazz (132-106)

Kawhi Leonard (34) and Paul George (31) combined for 64 points to answer the Jazz with a resounding Game 3 win. The Clippers came back from a 2-0 series deficit in Round 1, and they look poised to push Utah in another series turnaround. Game 4 is tonight in L.A. UTA Leads Series (2-1)

 

Gm 3: 76ers def. Hawks (127-111)

The MVP runner-up continues to be the difference-maker in the Sixers-Hawks series. Joel Embiid had a near triple-double (27-9-8) in a decisive Game 3 victory to give Philly the advantage in the series. The Sixers shot almost 60 percent from the field in Game 3. Game 4 is tonight in Atlanta. PHI Leads Series (2-1)

 

Tonight’s Schedule

Gm 4: 76ers at Hawks (7:30 pm ET)

Gm 4: Jazz at Clippers (10:00 pm ET)

 

Additional Storylines

The Ringer: Kyrie Irving Goes Down and the Nets Are in Trouble

CBS SportsLOOK — MVP Nikola Jokic Ejected From Game 4 After Flagrant 2 Foul

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MLB

Jacob deGrom Chasing ERA History

Photo: Mike Stobe / Getty Images

Mets Pitcher Drops ERA to Ridiculous 0.56 Through 10 Starts

 

Among the MLB’s weekend highlights was another stellar Jacob deGrom outing. The Mets’ ace fanned 10 batters on Friday in a win over the Padres (3-2) before leaving with elbow issues. The initial reaction is that the injury isn’t serious, which is good news for Mets fans as deGrom is chasing a historic season. With Friday’s performance, he dropped his season ERA to 0.56 — the lowest ever through a pitcher’s first 10 starts. Bob Gibson (1968) holds the lowest season-long ERA in the live-ball era at 1.12. His ERA was 1.52 after 10 starts that season, making deGrom’s eye-popping numbers even more fascinating. The question now is: When will he return to the mound?

 

Read: Tracking Jacob deGrom’s Pursuit of History (MLB.com)

 

MLB Quick-Hitters

 

Blue Jay Bats in BostonThe Toronto Blue Jays put together a batting clinic on Sunday at Fenway with eight home runs and an 18-4 win over the Red Sox. Toronto’s offensive onslaught puts them at 99 home runs — the most in the majors this season.

 

Tatis Tags a Grand SlamDespite deGrom’s flamethrowing Friday night, it wasn’t all bad this weekend for the Padres. Fernando Tatis Jr. belted a 444-foot grand slam on Sunday in a 7-3 win.

 

Yanks Skid Hits New Low: The Yankees lost two games over the weekend to the Phillies, including a 7-0 shutout on Sunday. They’ve now lost 11 of their last 15 after getting swept by the Red Sox one week ago.

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🎥 OTHER HIGHLIGHTS

🏒 NHL: Islanders Take Game 1

The Islanders held off the defending champion Lightning in Game 1 of the Stanley Cup semifinals Sunday night (2-1) behind Semyon Varlamov’s 30 saves in a 59-minute shutout. Tampa Bay scored its only goal in the final minute of regulation.

 

🏀 WNBA: Storm Surging to the Top Again

The Seattle Storm are the defending WNBA champs, and they’re clicking on all cylinders early in the 2021 season. They won two games over the weekend behind 40 points from Breanna Stewart (18 & 22) to improve their win streak to three straight and nine of their last 10.

 

🏎️ NASCAR: Larson Wins All-Star Race

Kyle Larson continued his dominant season behind the wheel with his second NASCAR All-Star Race victory in three seasons Sunday night at Texas Motor Speedway. He eked out the win over Brad Keselowski and Chase Elliot with a pass in the final 10 laps.

 

⚽️ SOCCER: USWNT Routs Jamaica in Friendly

Another day, another win for the U.S. Women’s National Team. The U.S. beat Jamaica (4-0) on Sunday behind three early goals from Carli Lloyd, Lindsey Horan and Margaret Purce before Alex Morgan added a goal in stoppage time.

 

🥊 UFC: Adesanya Retains the Title

Israel Adesanya dominated Marvin Vettori to retain the middleweight belt Saturday in UFC 263. Adesanya (21-1-0) won by decision.

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THE STORYLINES 

⛳️  U.S. Open 2021 Predictions

The 2021 U.S. Open field will be loaded with prominent former champions when the tournament tees off Thursday, June 17 at Torrey Pines Golf Club. (CBS Sports)

 

🏈  The CFB Playoff 12-Team Expansion FAQ

Why is the playoff poised to expand to 12 teams? How would it change the sport’s landscape? And what would it mean for Notre Dame? (The Ringer)

 

⚾️  Baseball’s Sticky Situation

Doctoring baseballs with ultra-tacky substances has pitchers dominating and some questioning the game’s integrity. Can cleaning up the balls liven up the sport? (NY Times, +Paywall)

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