San Diego Union-Tribune (Sunday)
BILES DAZZLING IN RETURN FOLLOWING A 2-YEAR LAYOFF
Simone Biles began her first competition in 732 days by briefly running around during introductions, unsure of where she was supposed to go.
It’s the only time she seemed out of place. Once Biles saluted the judges, it was the same as it ever was.
Biles soared to victory in the U.S. Classic on Saturday night at Hoffman Estates, Ill., in her return following a two-year layoff after the Tokyo Olympics, the case of “the twisties” that forced her to take herself out of multiple events in Japan seemingly firmly in her rearview mirror.
Wearing a black-andwhite bedazzled leotard, the 26-year-old Biles seemed in her element in front of a soldout NOW Arena crowd that was littered with signs of support. Her all-around score of 59.100 was easily the best of the night, remarkable considering she’d only really started training seriously in late April after her marriage to NFL defensive back Jonathan Owens.
She’s taken a muted approach to her return to the sport she’s spent the last decade redefining. Biles admitted as recently as last week that it took her a bit to recover from “the twisties,” slang for a mental block that caused her to lose her air awareness but stressed that she was “good.” Certainly looked like it. Wearing No. 231 and sporting — at least before she began competing — a necklace bearing “Owens” in tribute to her husband, she seemed equal parts and relaxed and energized.
Her score of 14.000 was the third best of the competition on the uneven bars and a signal of things to come.
She was as solid and steady as ever on balance beam, where she won a bronze in Tokyo after a week of uncertainty, a medal she’s described as one of the sweetest of her career.
She was dynamic on floor exercise, where her tumbling passes have long been showstoppers. Biles kept all three of her tumbling passes on the floor inbounds, something that was a problem at times in 2021. Her score of 14.900 included a start value of 6.8, a massive amount of difficulty considering no other athlete had a start value over 5.9.
Tennis
Coming off a pair of firstround exits at the past two Grand Slam tournaments,
Maria Sakkari was not necessarily anticipating a terrific showing at the DC Open in Washington. So how does a victory over the event’s No. 1 seed and a run to her first final of the season sound?
Sakkari let a huge lead disappear but recovered to take the last four games and beat top-seeded Jessica Pegula 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 in the semifinals. Next up will be a meeting against No. 3 seed
Coco Gauff, a 19-year-old American, for the championship today. Gauff advanced with a far more straightforward 6-3, 6-3 victory over defending champion Liudmila Samsonova.
In the men’s semifinals later Saturday, Tallon Griekspoor ended No. 1 seed
Taylor Fritz’s seven-match winning streak by eliminating the American 3-6, 6-3, 6-2. Now Griekspoor will face No. 5 Grigor Dimitrov or No. 9
Dan Evans in the final.
Anqi Mei of San Diego scored a 6-7 (0), 6-1, 6-4 victory over Alexandra Orlins of Cheshire, Conn., in firstround Girls’ 16s action of the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s and 18s National Championships at Barnes Tennis Center.
NFL
The Chicago Bears signed veteran tight end Marcedes Lewis to a oneyear contract. The 39-yearold Lewis — entering his 18th season — gives the Bears a blocking tight end to complement Cole Kmet and help protect quarterback Justin Fields.
The Dallas Cowboys and safety Malik Hooker
agreed on a $24 million, three-year contract extension.
Falcons cornerback Jeff Okudah is expected to return early this season after suffering a right ankle injury in Friday’s practice. Falcons coach Arthur Smith said the team received “very positive news” on Okudah.
Also
Ryan Reynolds, Rob Mcelhenney and Hugh Jackman watched an eightgoal thriller which had an unhappy ending for the Hollywood stars as Welsh soccer club Wrexham lost its first match back in England’s Football League. Host Wrexham was beaten 5-3 by MK Dons at the Racecourse Ground in the opening round of matches in the fourth tier.
Dillian Whyte’s heavyweight rematch against Anthony Joshua was canceled after Whyte returned “adverse analytical findings” on a doping test. The bout had been scheduled for Aug. 12 at London’s O2 Arena, but Matchroom Boxing called off the fight and said “a full investigation will be conducted.”
Josh Sills, a reserve offensive lineman for the NFC champion Philadelphia Eagles, has been acquitted of felony rape and kidnapping charges in Ohio and will be returning to the team’s active roster.