Swiatek’s run gets her 2nd Paris title
PARIS » Iga Swiatek is so efficient, so smooth, with a racket in her hand, seemingly never flustered a bit and, for months now, never beaten.
The only time she looked even the slightest bit shaken Saturday at Court Philippe Chatrier was after her 6-1, 6-3 victory against Coco Gauff in the final was finished, pushing the No. 1-ranked Swiatek’s winning streak to 35 matches and her French Open title count to two.
That’s when the tears flowed, first during the Polish national anthem — Swiatek is the only player from that nation to win a Grand Slam singles title — and, again, during the trophy ceremony.
Gauff, an American appearing in her first major final at age 18, and just weeks removed from celebrating her high school graduation with cap-andgown photos near the Eiffel Tower, never stood much of a chance — like most opponents against Swiatek lately.
MLB
BATTING AVERAGE RISES » The major league batting average rose to .245 in May from .231 in April, leaving the overall figure for the first two months at .240, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
This year’s figure is four percentage points above last year’s average through the first two months.
Last season’s final average of .244 was the lowest since 1972. The slow starts in both this season and last appeared to threaten the record low of .237 in 1968. After that year of the pitcher, the mound height was lowered from 15 inches to 10.
Golf
HORSCHEL BUILDS 5-SHOT LEAD » The Memorial has another player who appears to be running away with the tournament. Billy Horschel at least gets a chance to finish the job.
One year after Jon Rahm built a six-shot lead — only to be forced to withdraw after the third round because of a positive COVID-19 test — Horschel delivered a gem at Muirfield Village with a 7-under 65 for a five-shot lead.
Not only did Horschel make seven birdies, he has gone 44 consecutive holes without a bogey on a course where the greens have been getting increasingly firm under more sunshine than this tournament is used to seeing..
He was at 13-under 203, five shots clear of Aaron Wise (69) and Cameron Smith (72).
ALKER TIED FOR LEAD » Steven Alker topped yet another PGA Tour Champions leaderboard, shooting an 8-under 64 for a share of the second-round lead in the Principal Charity Classic.
Coming off a victory last week in Michigan in the major Senior PGA Championship, Alker played the four par-5 holes at Wakonda Club in 5 under — making an eagle and three birdies — to match fastclosing Jerry Kelly, firstround leader Kirk Triplett and Brett Quigley at 13-under 131.
NA RESIGNS FROM PGA TOUR » Kevin Na became the first player to publicly resign from the PGA Tour, four days after the Saudi-financed LIV Golf Invitational listed him in the field for next week’s debut of the new series.
Na is one of six players to have resigned, according to a person with knowledge of their decisions. The person spoke on condition of anonymity because the players have not said. Na announced his decision on social media.
Na is No. 33 in the world and among four players from the top 50 who have signed up for Saudi riches to play in Greg Norman’s new league of 48-man fields over 54 holes and as much as $25 million in prize money for each event.
The first one starts next Friday outside London.
Motor sports
BRISCOE EARNS NASCAR CUP POLE » Chase Briscoe finally has a pole to go with his first NASCAR Cup Series victory earlier this season.
The second-year driver for Stewart-Haas Racing drove through a bobble at the end of the backstretch and turned a lap of 138.274 mph, giving himself the best starting spot for the first time in his 51st career start. NEWS GARDEN WINS INDYCAR POLE » Josef Newgarden became the seventh different pole winner through seven IndyCar qualifying sessions this season when he put Team Penske at the front for Sunday’s final Detroit Grand Prix on Belle Isle.
Newgarden won the pole on the temporary street course for the third time in his career as time expired on Saturday’s qualifying session. He started on the pole at Belle Isle a year ago and led 67 of the 70 laps in a dominating run that appeared to be headed toward Newgarden’s first win of the season.
Instead, a late caution caused a restart and Pato O’Ward drove to snatch his first victory of the season; Newgarden was second.