Browsing: battles

Novak Djokovic battled past a spirited Zizou Bergs 6-3, 7-5 on Thursday to reach the Shanghai Masters semi-finals for a 10th time, setting up a clash with surprise package and the world No 204, Valentin Vacherot.

In challenging conditions, Djokovic was made to work harder than the scoreline suggests by his Belgian opponent, who registered more winners than the four-time champion but was undone by unforced errors.

“First encounter with Bergs, a great guy. Obviously a lot of firepower in his game. He played a good game,†Djokovic said. “I was a little bit too passive. Just very challenging conditions these days for all the players. Just trying to stay alive on the court and glad to overcome this hurdle.â€

In the opening set, Bergs showed remarkable resilience by saving five set points to frustrate Djokovic, before the Serbian finally closed it out with an unreturned serve. The second set proved even more gruelling, with both players serving well but treating the crowd to breathtaking rallies that left Djokovic hunched over his racquet on several occasions.

The highlight came during one extraordinary rally where the fourth seed gave Bergs five golden opportunities to seal the point with overhead shots and volleys at the net, only to somehow emerge victorious and bring the crowd to its feet. Djokovic eventually sealed victory on his third match point, advancing to face Vacherot in what promises to be an intriguing semi-final clash. “Amazing story for him. This tournament has taken out top players of the world … itâ€s really impressive what heâ€s doing,†Djokovic said on his next opponent.

Vacherot pulled off a huge upset, stunning the 10th seed, Holger Rune, 2-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4 to become the second-lowest ranked player ever to reach an ATP Masters semi-final. The Monegasque qualifierâ€s remarkable run will see him crack the top 100 next week after spending half of last year sidelined with injury, but even playing in Shanghai was a question mark when he arrived.

Valentin Vacherot after defeating Holger Rune. Photograph: Andy Wong/AP

“I didnâ€t even come as a qualifier, I came as an alternate. I wasnâ€t sure to even play the qualifier,†Vacherot said. “Coming back from six months out is always not easy. You cannot just come back and win tournaments right and left. Youâ€ve just got to fight your way through a little bit.â€

Vacherotâ€s stunning journey in Shanghai, which now includes wins over four seeds, looked doomed early on as Rune raced through a physically demanding opening set while the underdog felt his “lungs were screamingâ€. But the tide turned dramatically in the second-set tiebreak when Vacherot produced a stunning backhand crosscourt winner to take a 5-4 lead.

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Rune crashed his next shot into the net and could only watch as Vacherot fired a forehand winner down the line on set point to level the match. Rune struggled physically in the decider, requiring the trainer twice to massage his leg. Vacherot then capitalised to complete a memorable victory in a contest lasting a minute shy of three hours.

“It would mean a lot to play at least one of the guys of the ‘Big Three†in my career,†Vacherot said on playing Djokovic. Vacherotâ€s cousin, Arthur Rinderknech, is also in the quarter-finals, with the Frenchman set to play Félix Auger-Aliassime on Friday.

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Novak Djokovic overcame injury issues and sweltering heat as he beat Jaume Munar to continue his bid for a fifth Shanghai Masters title.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion appeared to struggle with an ankle injury and called for the trainer on a number of occasions to receive treatment, but persevered to win 6-3 5-7 6-2.

On Sunday Djokovic vomited during his win over Yannick Hanfmann in the previous round, which was played in temperatures of over 30C and 80% humidity.

On Tuesday Djokovic called for a medical timeout after breaking to go 3-1 up in the first set and grimaced as he received treatment to his left ankle.

After consolidating the break, he called for the trainer again before wrapping up the opener.

The Serb continued to struggle and grasp his ankle after points, but he managed to keep pace with Munar until the Spaniard struck the decisive blow at 5-4 to take the match to a decider, with Djokovic falling to the floor exhausted after a lengthy rally.

He was quickly attended to by the trainer and assisted to his chair before he had his blood pressure checked.

But, despite appearing devoid of energy, Djokovic returned to the court and broke Munar’s serve at the first time of asking in the third set.

The world number five broke again to take a 5-2 lead before holding to wrap up victory in two hours 41 minutes.

Djokovic will face world number 44 Ziziou Bergs in the quarter-finals, after the Belgian came from behind to beat 31st seed Gabriel Diallo 3-6 7-5 7-6 (10-8) in the last 16.

Tenth seed Holger Rune progressed to the quarter-finals with a 6-4 6-7 (7-9) 6-3 win against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Afterwards Rune called for the ATP Tour to introduce a heat rule similar to the one used at Grand Slams.

“It’s brutal when you have over 80% of humidity day after day, particularly for the guys when they’re playing during the day with the heat, with sun, it’s even more brutal,” he said.

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  Eric MoodyOct 6, 2025, 12:00 PM ET

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  Eric Moody is a writer for fantasy football, men’s and women’s basketball, and sports betting at ESPN. Eric joined ESPN in 2021 after working as a senior fantasy analyst at Pro Football Network. Prior to that, he spent much of his career as a manager at a Fortune 100 financial services company.

As the NBA gears up for an exciting training camp and preseason, fantasy basketball managers should keep a close eye on key position battles across the league.

Who wins and loses these competitions for starting spots and more minutes will go a long way toward shaping players’ fantasy value. Unlike the NFL, where position battles often revolve around executing specific plays or packages, basketball’s fight for playing time is far more nuanced. Success on the hardwood depends not just on individual skill but also on chemistry and fit with teammates.

After a busy offseason of roster changes and player movement, these looming position battles add an extra layer of intrigue as fantasy basketball draft season begins.

Boston Celtics guards: Payton Pritchard, Derrick White, Anfernee Simons

The Celtics’ backcourt is shaping up as one of the most intriguing fantasy puzzles this preseason. Pritchard enters the year as the reigning Sixth Man of the Year and should have an expanded role with Jayson Tatum sidelined. His elite catch-and-shoot ability and solid ball-handling make him a reliable contributor in points, 3-pointers and assists, even off the bench. If he earns starter-level minutes, his fantasy ceiling rises significantly.

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White is the floor-general and consistent scorer, capable of filling multiple stat categories. Without Tatum, White could see a bump in usage, making him a steady, versatile option for fantasy managers. His ability to create for himself and others keeps him in play across points, assists and 3-pointers.

Simons is the wild card. A proven scorer and elite 3-point shooter, he can erupt for huge fantasy performances, particularly in catch-and-shoot situations. The challenge: adjusting to a system where he isn’t the primary option. Simons also has trade rumors swirling, adding intrigue. How Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla deploys him alongside White and Pritchard during the preseason will be crucial for evaluating upside. Watching rotations, minutes and combinations in early games will give fantasy managers a preview of which guard or combination offers the best value this season.

Indiana Pacers center: Isaiah Jackson, Jay Huff

This preseason battle comes down to who will replace longtime big man Myles Turner as Indiana’s starting center. Jackson, a former first-round pick, has been developing steadily since arriving in Indiana and has the inside track after working with the first unit in pickup games. He’s a high-energy rim-runner and shot-blocker, but his offensive range remains limited. He’s also coming off an Achilles injury, leaving questions about his durability and readiness for a full-time role.

Huff, meanwhile, offers a skill set more similar to Turner’s. The 28-year-old big man can stretch the floor, protect the rim and run in transition, which is exactly the mix Indiana lost when Turner departed. While he’s less proven than Jackson at the NBA level, his perimeter shooting gives him a clear edge in spacing the floor.

Jackson enters camp as the presumed favorite, but Huff’s versatility makes him a legitimate threat to steal the starting job. This could become one of the Pacers’ most important position battles as they search for a new anchor in the middle.

New Orleans Pelicans center: Kevon Looney, Yves Missi

The battle for the Pelicans’ starting center spot is heating up this preseason, and it’s shaping up to be an intriguing matchup between experience and potential. Looney, a three-time champion, brings veteran stability, solid rebounding and a proven ability to anchor a frontcourt. His presence gives the Pelicans a safe, reliable option as they aim to compete in the Western Conference.

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Missi, coming off a strong rookie season, showed promise as a versatile big man, averaging 9.1 PPG, 8.2 RPG and 1.3 BPG last year. However, his Summer League performance raised questions. Missi struggled with efficiency and finishing against lesser competition, reminding everyone that he’s still developing.

This preseason will be crucial for Missi to prove he can push Looney for the starting role. Looney’s experience and consistent production make him the early favorite, but Missi has the potential to force the front office to consider him long-term if he shows growth and consistency.

Managers will want to watch this competition closely because the outcome will shape not only New Orleans’ frontcourt rotation but also the team’s offensive and defensive identity for the upcoming season.

Milwaukee Bucks guards: Kevin Porter Jr., Cole Anthony, Ryan Rollins

Milwaukee enters the season with a young, versatile backcourt rotation following Damian Lillard’s departure. Porter is the frontrunner to start at point guard, expected to drive the offense alongside Giannis Antetokounmpo. Porter offers scoring, playmaking and off-ball efficiency, making him a key fantasy contributor. Last season, he averaged 11.7 PPG, 3.9 RPG and 3.7 APG in 19.9 MPG while shooting 49.4% from the field and 40.8% from 3-point range.

Anthony brings scoring punch and creativity off the ball. While he may be a backup, his ability to attack the basket, make plays and contribute defensively gives him upside as a high-leverage option in deeper leagues. Anthony will need to adjust to Antetokounmpo’s point-forward role but could carve out opportunities as a secondary playmaker.

Rollins is the most flexible of the trio. Though least experienced, his defensive acumen and ability to play multiple guard spots make him a situational asset. Doc Rivers’ open-minded rotation could see Rollins on the floor alongside either Porter or Anthony, allowing him to develop as a facilitator while also contributing as a 3-and-D option.

Porter is the anchor of Milwaukee’s backcourt and a safe, high-volume fantasy option. Anthony offers upside in scoring and playmaking for managers willing to monitor his role in the rotation. Rollins’ versatility provides streaming potential in favorable matchups or if injuries strike. The dynamic, multi-guard system means rotation changes could create value swings throughout the season.

Orlando Magic center: Wendell Carter Jr., Goga Bitadze

The center spot in Orlando remains a competition, but Carter enters the season with momentum after a fully healthy summer. Carter spent this offseason dedicated purely to skill work and confidence-building. He brings defensive versatility, rebounding and floor-spacing ability, while also benefiting from the team’s new sharpshooters in Desmond Bane and Tyus Jones, who can create open opportunities for him. Carter’s role is clear: He is expected to anchor the paint, protect the rim and adapt to whatever the team needs night to night.

Bitadze will once again challenge for minutes and could provide occasional scoring bursts or defensive relief, though Carter’s consistency and experience give him the edge in the rotation. Orlando’s frontcourt versatility allows head coach Jamahl Mosley to mix and match, keeping both bigs on the floor situationally.

Managers should watch this battle closely. While Bitadze may earn some run, Carter has positioned himself as the safer, higher-upside option for a team looking to compete in the Eastern Conference this season.

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Next Match:

Felician University

9/30/2025 | 7:00 pm

Sep. 30 (Tue) / 7:00 pm

 Felician University

PLEASANTVILLE, N.Y. –Pace University Volleyball dropped a tightly contested three-set match to Holy Family University on Saturday afternoon inside the Goldstein Fitness Center. Despite strong offensive and defensive efforts, the Setters came up just short by scores of 23-25, 22-25, and 26-28.

The opening set set the tone for the afternoon as the two teams traded points in a frame that featured five ties and four lead changes. The Setters leaned on the attacking presence of Emily Cineus and Cyanna Shirley, who combined for seven kills in the set. Cineus was particularly effective in the middle, while Shirley added timely swings to keep Pace within striking distance. Despite a late push, the visitors held on to take the first set, 25-23.

The second set played out in a similar fashion, as Pace continued to pressure the Tigers with balanced play. Kadence Ackmann delivered several kills in the frame while also proving a threat from the service line with one of her three aces on the afternoon. Camila Rodriguez kept the offense steady with five assists in the set and added an ace of her own. The Setters battled to the end but fell just short again, 25-22.

The third set proved to be the most dramatic, with the teams pushing into extra points. Cineus continued her standout performance, finishing the match with eight kills on a .583 hitting percentage while also contributing five total blocks. Despite holding opportunities to extend the match, Pace was edged 28-26 in the final frame.

Overall, the Setters finished with 35 kills, 13 service aces, and 12 blocks in what was a hard-fought effort on both sides of the net. Cineus led the way with her efficient hitting and blocking, Ackmann chipped in nine kills and three aces for 12.5 points, and Shirley added six kills and three blocks.

Pace will return to action on Tuesday, when the Setters host Felician University at the Goldstein Fitness Center. First serve is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in Pleasantville, N.Y.
 
 
 
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Through three NHL preseason games, several Philadelphia Flyers roster battles look far from being decided any time soon.

In losses to the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals, the Flyers very much looked like an uninspired team out of gas and out of ideas. Not unusual, given the nature of training camp, but concerning.

The best the Flyers have looked through three preseason games was, incidentally, in their first game against the New York Islanders, when Nikita Grebenkin, Trevor Zegras, and Matvei Michkov stole the show in a 3-2 shootout win.

A glass-half-full way of looking at things is that the Flyers also look like a team undoing three years of John Tortorella, clearly still learning Rick Tocchet’s new systems.

For many young players, including Michkov, Tortorella’s systems were all they ever had and are having to learn a new set of NHL systems all over again. Rome wasn’t built in a day.

But, overall, you’d like to see a group of young guys rise to the occasion and steal a roster spot when they see an opportunity. That hasn’t happened yet.

Flyers Stock Up, Stock Down Heading into Training Camp Week 2
Heading into the second week of Philadelphia Flyers training camp, a number of key players have boosted their stocks and chances of making the NHL roster. Others? Not so much.

Winger Alex Bump, for example, was one player I praised after the loss to the Canadiens. He started the game (strangely) paired with Nick Deslauriers and Jett Luchanko, and eventually started making plays after moving up to the top line with Sean Couturier and Bobby Brink.

So far, Bump’s game has been just that: flashes at times, but nothing sustained yet. For a solid 6-foot, 200-pound guy, he gets knocked over quite a bit, too.

If I had to call it today, Nikita Grebenkin makes the NHL roster with ease, if for no reason other than his ability to (apparently) play with different types of players in addition to his size and aggression.

The other forward spot is up for grabs.

It’s between Bump, Jett Luchanko, Rodrigo Abols, and maybe Denver Barkey, but the edge has to go to Abols at this time. The experienced Latvian can play center and wing and has put in some good shifts in the preseason.

If Bump makes the roster and Deslauriers is the only extra forward, the Flyers would be without a reserve forward who can play the middle, and that’s something they need to consider when constructing the roster.

On defense, Emil Andrae looked good in the first game against the Islanders and hasn’t played since.

Noah Juulsen has been making it a point to play with physicality, but he got lucky with the Kashawn Aitcheson hit in the first game and was penalized for a very similar hit against Ilya Protas on Thursday.

Flyers Make 10 More Roster Cuts, Including A Surprise
The Philadelphia Flyers have announced 10 further cuts to their training camp roster ahead of Thursday night’s preseason game against the Washington Capitals, but some names were more surprising than others.

Helge Grans has been just okay so far and was bad against the Capitals on Thursday, but as Tocchet remarked after the game, everyone was bad and probably tired, too. That led to the Flyers having the day off on Friday.

Tocchet prefers to have a lefty and righty on each defense pairing, but right now, the only two horses making serious claims for a roster spot are Andrae and Gilbert. I see a world where both make it and Egor Zamula is the odd man out and subsequently cut.

For all his size and physical tools, Zamula is still a very slow skater and plays slow, and it’s hard to predict what Tocchet’s patience level will be for that compared to the other options in the cupboard.

Fortunately, the Flyers have four more preseason games, including Saturday’s preseason home opener against Boston, before they open their regular season on the road against the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, who are now without captain Sasha Barkov, on Oct. 9.

There’s plenty of time for the youngsters (and some vets) to turn the page on a slow start to the preseason, but, so far, impressive moments have been far and few between.

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