Update on the latest sports
APTENNIS-US OPEN
Djokovic goes for Grand Slam vs Medvedev
NEW YORK (AP) — Novak Djokovic (NOH’-vak JOH’-kuh-vich) is a win away from a fourth Grand Slam title this year and a men’s-record 21st of his career. If he beats Daniil Medvedev (DAN’-ihl MEHD’-veh-dehv) on Sunday, the top-ranked Djokovic will become the first man to win all four major titles in the same year since Rod Laver in 1969.
This matchup of the tournament’s top two seeds is the second final this year between Djokovic and Medvedev. The Serbian won in straight sets at the Australian Open. He went on to win the French Open and Wimbledon to tie Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal with 20 Grand Slam singles titles.
Djokovic is 3-5 in the U.S. Open final. His nine appearances are the most in the professional era, dating to 1968.
This is Medvedev’s third chance to win his first major title. The Russian lost to Nadal in the 2019 U.S. Open final. Medvedev has lost only one set in the tournament. Djokovic has dropped the opening set in his last three matches.
Also Sunday, American teenagers Coco Gauff and Caty McNally will try to win their first Grand Slam doubles title against the team of Sam Stosur and Zhang Shuai.
NFL-NEWS
Fitzpatrick exits Washington debut with hip injury
UNDATED (AP) — Ryan Fitzpatrick was knocked out of his debut as Washington’s starting quarterback Sunday with a right hip injury.
Fitzpatrick was injured on a hit from Uchenna Nwosu midway through the second quarter of the season opener against the Los Angeles Chargers. Nwosu blew past new Washington left tackle Charles Leno before getting to Fitzpatrick.
The 38-year-old was helped to his feet by teammates but went back down to one knee and then a seated position. Fitzpatrick was in obvious pain on the field before walking off with trainers.
Fitzpatrick walked immediately to the tunnel and waved to fans on his way out. He was replaced by Taylor Heinicke (hy’-NIH-KEE), the surprise star of Washington’s wild-card defeat to eventual Super Bowl champion Tampa Bay. Heinicke was signed to be Washington’s “quarantine quarterback” last season while he was taking college classes online.
Fitzpatrick was 3 of 6 for 16 yards before getting hurt. Washington is the ninth team Fitzpatrick has started for during his 17-year NFL career.
In other NFL news:
— Some big names were unexpectedly inactive as the Chiefs played the Browns in a rematch of the divisional playoff game. Browns wide receiver Odell Beckham Jr., who was expected back from a knee injury, tried warming up barefoot inside of Arrowhead Stadium but was unable to go. Donovan Peoples-Jones got the start in his place. The Browns did have defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, who missed time this week with an illness. The Chiefs were missing three-time All-Pro Tyrann Mathieu (TY’-ran MATH’-yoo), who came off the COVID-19 list on Saturday.
— Maia Chaka has become the first Black woman to officiate an NFL game. She is working as a line judge for the Jets-Panthers game. Chaka said on the official NFL Instagram post before the game that “it’s a privilege that I’ve been chosen to represent women and women of color in the most popular sport in America.” She is just the third on-field female NFL official, joining Sarah Thomas and Shannon Eastin.
T25-COLLEGE FOOTBALL POLL
Oregon, Iowa enter top 5; Arkansas has 1st ranking since ’16
UNDATED (AP) — Oregon and Iowa are the big movers in The Associated Press college football poll after road wins over top-10 opponents.
The Ducks’ victory over Ohio State earned them a promotion from No. 12 to No. 4. It’s their highest ranking since they finished the 2014 season No. 2 as the national runner-up to Ohio State.
Another impressive defensive performance by Iowa in the Cy-Hawk Trophy game pushed the Hawkeyes from No. 10 to No. 5. Iowa, a 27-17 winner at Iowa State, allowed a total of 23 points while beating two ranked teams in succession for the first time since 1960. The Hawks have their highest ranking since they were No. 3 on Nov. 22, 2015, after a 12-0 start.
Arkansas, coming off a home win over old Southwest Conference rival Texas, was rewarded with its first appearance in the AP Top 25 in five years, coming in at No. 20.
Alabama remained No. 1 in the AP Top 25, which is presented by Regions Bank. The Crimson Tide received 60 of the 63 first-place votes. Georgia, which picked up the other three first-place votes, stayed at No. 2.
Oklahoma was No. 3 and followed by Oregon, Iowa, Clemson, Texas A&M, Cincinnati, Ohio State and Penn State.
Oregon’s eight-rung leap came after its 35-28 win in the Horseshoe. It marks the biggest jump for a team entering the top five since LSU went from No. 13 to No. 5 after it knocked off second-ranked Georgia in October 2018.
Ohio State dropped from No. 3 to No. 9 and Iowa State from No. 9 to No. 14.
F1-ITALIAN GP
Ricciardo wins Italian GP as Verstappen and Hamilton crash
MONZA, Italy (AP) — Daniel Ricciardo (rih-KAHR’-doh) has won the Italian Grand Prix for McLaren’s first win in nearly nine years.
Championship leader Max Verstappen and defending champion Lewis Hamilton both crashed out.
Hamilton had pitted from the lead and returned to the track just in front of Verstappen. The Red Bull driver tried to come up the inside on a turn as the seven-time champion defended his position. As the two made contact, Verstappen’s car catapulted on to the top of the Mercedes as both slid into the gravel.
The protective halo ring at the front of F1 car cockpits may have saved Hamilton from serious injury. Both drivers were able to walk away from their cars though Hamilton took a long time getting out of his.
Ricciardo’s win was his first since Monaco in 2018. He finished 1.747 seconds ahead of teammate Lando Norris and 4.921 ahead of Valtteri Bottas, who turned in a strong performance after starting from the back of the grid after a penalty for taking a new engine.
