Sports

Spain 0-2 Canada: Fernandez builds on Stakusic’s heroics

Published

12 months ago

November 8, 2023

Teenager Marina Stakusic announced herself on the world stage by dispatching Rebeka Masarova and laying the foundations for Canada’s scintillating victory over hosts Spain at the 2023 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Finals.

Stakusic was in relentlessly sparkling form and outmanoeuvred world No. 65 Masarova 6-3 6-1 to post the biggest win of her career and her maiden triumph against a player ranked within the Top 100.

The baton then passed to Leylah Fernandez and she duly administered the knockout blow which not only handed Canada victory but also the initiative in Group C as they eye a semi-final place.

Left-hander Fernandez prevailed 7-6(8) 7-6(7) from a tense near-three hour encounter with the gritty Sara Sorribes Tormo to seal Canada’s first Billie Jean King Cup win over Spain for more than 50 years, since 1972.

There was further joy for the Canadians in the doubles as Eugenie Bouchard – playing her first Billie Jean King Cup tie since 2018 – joined forces with Gabriela Dabrowski to overpower Masarova and Sorribes Tormo 6-2 7-5.

The evening, however, belonged to Stakusic as the 18-year-old made it a Billie Jean King Cup debut to remember, showing skills and confidence beyond her years – and her world ranking of No. 258.

Indeed, Stakusic’s previous career-best victory was against Austria’s Jaimee Fourlis, who was ranked No. 152, at Granby in 2022, with her triumph over Masarova meaning she has scaled new heights in Seville.

“This is such a special feeling and makes me believe that I belong here,” Stakusic told billiejeankingcup.com.

“It is also super special to win in front of all the Canadians who I have worked with for a long time. What a feeling – it is the most meaningful win for me so far – and it will give me so much confidence going forward.”

Rewind a couple of months and Stakusic was just finding her feet on the ITF World Tennis Tour following a four-month injury lay-off and was ranked No. 588 in the world rankings.

At that stage, thoughts of a call-up for national service were not even on her radar, but three ITF World Tennis Tour titles and a rise of 330 ranking places piqued the interest of Canada captain Heidi El Tabakh.

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Sports

Sports betting roundup: NFL and college football were all about the favourites

Published

13 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

The past weekend of football was all about the favourites.

The favoured teams went 13-1 straight up and 10-4 against the spread in the NFL. In college football, the three most teams bet at the BetMGM Sportsbook in terms of number of bets and money all won and covered. All three were favourites.

Trends of the Week

The three most bet college teams that won and covered on Saturday were Ohio State (-3.5) vs. Penn State, Indiana (-7.5) at Michigan State and Oregon (-14.5) at Michigan. Penn State has now lost seven straight home games as underdogs. The Nittany Lions were up 10-0 in the first quarter and were 3.5-point favourites at the time. The Buckeyes won 17-10.

In the NFL, the three most bet teams in terms of number of bets and money were the Washington Commanders (-4) at the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions (-2.5) at the Green Bay Packers and the Buffalo Bills (-6) vs. the Miami Dolphins. All three teams won, but only two of the three covered the spread as Buffalo beat Miami 30-27.

When it came to the players with the most bets to score a touchdown on Sunday, only two of the five reached the end zone — Chase Brown (-125) and Taysom Hill (+185). David Montgomery (-140), Brian Robinson Jr. (+110) and AJ Barner (+500) did not score.

Upsets of the Week

The biggest upset in the NFL was the Carolina Panthers coming from behind to beat the New Orleans Saints 23-22. New Orleans closed as a 7-point favourite and took in 76% of the bets and 79% of the money in against-the-spread betting. The Saints fired head coach Dennis Allen following the loss. They have now lost seven straight games after starting the year 2-0.

Arguably the biggest upset in college football was South Carolina beating No. 10 Texas A&M 44-20 at home. Texas A&M closed as a 2.5-point favourite and took in 59% of the bets and 58% of the money.

Coming up

Right after the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the New York Yankees to win the World Series, odds for the 2025 World Series were released.

The Dodgers have the best odds at +400, while the Atlanta Braves and Yankees are next at +800.

The Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia Phillies round out the top five, both at +1100.

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This column was provided to The Associated Press by BetMGM online sportsbook.

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AP sports:

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Sports

Longtime rivals Ovechkin, Crosby join Necas as NHL’s three stars of the week

Published

13 hours ago

November 4, 2024

Anne Joseph

NEW YORK – Washington Capitals left-wing Alex Ovechkin, Carolina Hurricanes centre Martin Necas and Pittsburgh Penguins centre Sidney Crosby have been named the NHL’s three stars of the week.

Ovechkin had a league-leading five goals and nine points in four games.

The 39-year-old Capitals captain has 14 points in 11 games this season, and his 860 career goals are just 34 shy of Wayne Gretzky’s record.

Necas shared the league lead with nine points (three goals, six assists) in three games.

Crosby factored on seven of the Penguins’ eight total goals scoring four goals and adding three assists in three appearances. The 37-year-old Penguins captain leads his team with 14 points (five goals, nine assists) in 13 games this season.

Crosby and Ovechkin, longtime rivals since entering the league together in 2005-06, will meet for the 70th time in the regular season and 95th time overall when Pittsburgh visits Washington on Friday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 4, 2024.

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Oliveira, Mitchell named as finalists for CFL outstanding player award

Published

5 days ago

October 31, 2024

Anne Joseph

TORONTO – Running back Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell are the finalists for the CFL’s outstanding player award.

Oliveira led the CFL in rushing this season with 1,353 yards while Mitchell was the league leader in passing yards (5,451) and touchdowns (32).

Oliveira is also the West Division finalist for the CFL’s top Canadian award, the second straight year he’s been nominated for both.

Oliveira was the CFL’s outstanding Canadian in 2023 and the runner-up to Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly for outstanding player.

Defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund of the Montreal Alouettes is the East Division’s top Canadian nominee.

Voting for the awards is conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada and the nine CFL head coaches.

The other award finalists include: defensive back Rolan Milligan Jr. of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Montreal linebacker Tyrice Beverette (outstanding defensive player); Saskatchewan’s Logan Ferland and Toronto’s Ryan Hunter (outstanding lineman); B.C. Lions kicker Sean Whyte and Toronto returner Janarion Grant (special teams); and Edmonton Elks linebacker Nick Anderson and Hamilton receiver Shemar Bridges (outstanding rookie).

The coach of the year finalists are Saskatchewan’s Corey Mace and Montreal’s Jason Maas.

The CFL will honour its top individual performers Nov. 14 in Vancouver.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31.

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