Alex Eala, Czech partner exit Birmingham doubles

Filipina tennis standout Alex Eala and Czech partner Nikola Bartunkova bowed out of the doubles competition of the WTA 125 Birmingham Open on Monday night.

Eala and Bartunkova fell short to British duo Harriet Dart and Maia Lumsden , 4-6, 6-2, 9-11, in a match that lasted through a deciding match tiebreak.

The Filipina-Czech tandem appeared headed for a strong start after building a commanding 4-0 advantage in the opening set. However, Dart and Lumsden recovered in dramatic fashion, winning the next six games to take the set.

Eala and Bartunkova quickly regrouped in the second frame, dominating the British pair, 6-2, to force a winner-take-all tiebreak.

Match statistics showed just how closely contested the encounter was. Eala and Bartunkova finished with 62 total points won compared to 59 by Dart and Lumsden. They also won more service points, 37-35, and held a slight edge in receiving points, 25-24.

The pair converted four of six break-point opportunities, while their opponents capitalized on three of six chances. Eala and Bartunkova also performed better on second serve, winning 64 percent of those points compared to 33 percent for Dart and Lumsden.

Despite the defeat, the numbers reflected a tightly fought battle. Dart and Lumsden posted a higher first-serve percentage at 87 percent against 82 percent and won the lone tiebreak of the match. The British pair also put together a six-game winning streak during their comeback in the opening set.

With her doubles run over, Eala will now concentrate on the singles draw, where the tournament’s top seed is scheduled to face Australia’s Priscilla Hon in the Round of 32.

The post Alex Eala, Czech partner exit Birmingham doubles first appeared on Fastbreak.

A warm start to June with midweek relief coming

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) -- Good Monday morning! We are beginning both a new week and a new month under mostly cloudy skies, with areas of patchy fog developing across the region. Temperatures this morning are remarkably uniform, holding close to 70 degrees in most locations. As we move through the morning hours, clouds will gradually [...]

Aces coach Becky Hammon becomes 2nd fastest to 150 wins

Just one WNBA coach has totaled 150 career wins faster than Las Vegas’ Becky Hammon, who reached the milestone Sunday thanks to the Aces’ 91-81 win over the Golden State Valkyries.

Hammon hit 150 wins – regular season and playoffs — in 205 games as a coach, all with the Aces. Currently coaching in her fifth year, Hammon’s victory pace trails only Van Chancellor, the former Houston Comets top charge who reached 150 in 198 games.

“What stands out the most to me is how much I enjoy the process,” Hammon said. “We’re a process kind of team. If you go through the right process, you get good results. The results will be there.”

Hammon has been the head coach for all three of Las Vegas’ three WNBA championships (2022, ’23, ’25).

“She’s a player’s coach,” Aces star Jackie Young said. “I’m super thankful for her. She really changed my career.”

Four-time MVP A’Ja Wilson echoed that sentiment.

“I would run through a brick wall for Becky, as well,” Wilson said. “She instills so much power in us, so much confidence in us, and I think that’s one of the reasons why I’m willing to do whatever it takes to get her wins.” (Reuters)

The post Aces coach Becky Hammon becomes 2nd fastest to 150 wins first appeared on Fastbreak.

Drive Away Hunger Campaign Extended Through June 12; Donors Can Enter to Win World Cup Tickets

Drive Away Hunger Campaign Extended Through June 12; Donors Can Enter to Win World Cup Tickets

Jordan Heading drills go-ahead basket as TNT heads to PBA Finals

Jordan Heading converted a go-ahead three-point play as TNT Tropang 5G ousted sister team Meralco Bolts, 97-94, in Game 6 of the PBA Season 50 Commissioner’s Cup semifinals on Sunday at the Ynares Center in Antipolo City.

After the Bolts staged a massive fightback to tie the score at 94-all, Heading broke the deadlock with under a minute left to surge the reigning champions Tropang 5G ahead.

The Tropang 5G still had a chance to snatch the win, but CJ Cansino missed a four-point attempt, while Jason Brickman also failed to convert his three-pointer at the buzzer.

Heading finished the match with 30 points, including seven three-pointers, while Chris McCullough and Calvin Oftana added 22 and 12 markers, respectively, as TNT wrapped up the series at 4-2.

The Tropang 5G will defend their crown against Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in a best-of-seven titular showdown beginning this Wednesday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.

The post Jordan Heading drills go-ahead basket as TNT heads to PBA Finals first appeared on Fastbreak.

Storms for Sunday but drier and warmer by Monday

COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) —Another round of showers and thunderstorms is in the forecast for Sunday thanks to a stationary front that continues to linger. The best chance will be in the afternoon and evening, heavy rain will be possible if you are able to get under one of these storms. High temperatures today will depend [...]

Opelika Hiring Event to bring electrician, engineering career opportunities

OPELIKA, Ala. (WRBL) — The City of Opelika is offering aspiring, working electricians and engineers with several hiring opportunities with their upcoming Career Hiring Event on Tuesday, June 9, from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. The all-day event will be held at the Opelika Chamber of Commerce, located at 200 S. 6th St., for aspiring: [...]