Collins wins Miami Open
Danielle Collins had the perfect send-off at her final Miami Open, beating Elena Rybakina 7-5, 6-3 on Saturday to capture the title in her home state before an adoring crowd that included Andre Agassi and Martina Navratilova.
The 30-year-old Collins announced at the Australian Open that this season would be her last because she's suffering from endometriosis, an ailment that affects the uterus.
Ranked No. 53 and unseeded, Collins was animated throughout the two-hour match against the fourth-ranked Rybakina, pumping her fist and staring up at the crowd that featured a big American flag early in the third row. It was too much for the ragged Rybakina, who hit several backhands long.
On her fourth match point, Collins hit a backhand crosscourt winner, then bent over for 10 seconds without moving, seemingly in disbelief.
It was the third career title and first since San Jose in 2021 for Collins, who became the lowest-ranked women's champion at Miami. She leaves with $1.1 million in prize money and will move up to 22nd in the rankings.
Women's basketball JOHNSON, REESE LEAD DEFENDING CHAMPION LSU PAST UCLA >>
Flau'jae Johnson had 24 points and 12 rebounds, Angel Reese put up her 26th double-double of the season and LSU beat UCLA 78-69 in the Sweet 16 to continue its quest for a second straight national title.
Reese had 16 points and 11 rebounds before fouling out late in the game for the Tigers, who closed the game on a 14-2 run. Aneesah Morrow had 17 points and Mikaylah Williams added 12.
LSU advanced to the Elite Eight, where it will face either Iowa or Colorado in Monday night's regional final.
Motor sports LARSON WINS POLE FOR NASCAR CUP SERIES RACE AT RICHMOND >>
Elk Grove's Kyle Larson turned a fast lap at 120.332 mph to win the pole position for Sunday night's NASCAR Cup Series race at Richmond Raceway.
Larson, the defending race winner, barely edged Hendrick Motorsports teammate Chase Elliott for his first pole of the season. Elliott was slower by just 0.002 seconds.
Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing qualified third and Alex Bowman, another Hendrick driver, was fourth. Bubba Wallace of 23XI Racing and Todd Gilliland of Front Row Motorsports will start in the third row, followed by Joe Gibbs Racing teammates Martin Truex Jr. and Ty Gibbs and Team Penske teammates Austin Cindric and Joey Logano.