Sports Express | August 31, 2026 Djokovic Stunned in US Open First Round

1. Djokovic Stunned in US Open First Round

Source: DW

Sunday's US Open men's first round produced a major shock, as 39-year-old former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic fell to world No. 48 Mariano Navone of Argentina in a five-set battle lasting more than four and a half hours — his earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades, ending his latest bid for a 25th Grand Slam title.

The defeat snapped Djokovic's streak of 78 consecutive Grand Slam first-round victories, which began at the 2006 French Open. Visibly unwell throughout, he repeatedly threw up into a courtside bucket, and said afterward he "despised" every moment on court, with his back and shoulder giving out late in the match.

Djokovic said the health issue has troubled him for years in hot, humid conditions, and that he doesn't know whether it can be fixed, adding "I'm trying." The 25-year-old Navone called the win "unbelievable," saying it was "crazy" to face his idol on tennis's biggest stage.

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2. Aaron Donald Ends Retirement, Returns to Rams

Source: AP News

Aaron Donald returned to the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday, ending a 2 1/2-year retirement to chase another Super Bowl title. The 35-year-old defensive tackle, who played for the Rams from 2014 until his retirement in early 2024, won three AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year awards.

Donald said he made the decision after weeks of discussion and nearly three months of intensive workouts, signing a one-year deal that ESPN reported will pay him at least $20 million in incentives. He joined a light practice Sunday, exchanging hugs with Myles Garrett and other teammates.

Donald's 111 career sacks are a Rams franchise record and the second-most in NFL history among interior linemen. He said it is "a blessing" to have the chance to return, though he hasn't decided whether he will play in next month's season opener against the 49ers in Australia.

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3. Scheffler Passes Woods on PGA Tour All-Time Money List

Source: CBS Sports

Scottie Scheffler won his second Tour Championship and FedEx Cup title on Sunday at East Lake Golf Club, taking home $10 million and surging past Tiger Woods to grab the top spot on the PGA Tour's all-time money list. His career earnings now stand at $130,390,661.

Scheffler entered the week $600,000 behind Woods' $120,999,166 career total, and earned $14.1 million over the last three weeks. Woods had held the No. 1 spot since Feb. 13, 2000 — nearly a quarter century.

At just 30 years old, Scheffler now stands more than $11 million ahead of Rory McIlroy among active players; McIlroy took home $1.7 million for a T4 finish to climb past $119.5 million in career earnings.

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4. NFL Teams Trim Rosters to 53 at Cutdown Deadline

Source: Bleacher Report

NFL teams cut their rosters down to 53 active players by Sunday's 6 p.m. deadline, the final step before the regular season. Cutdown day also brought the biggest news of the day, with superstar defensive tackle Aaron Donald coming out of retirement to rejoin the Rams.

In Atlanta, with Michael Penix Jr. sidelined or limited for much of camp, the starting quarterback job was Tua Tagovailoa's to lose — and per NFL.com, his play made it clear that "this is Michael Penix's job for the taking."

The Cardinals waived former third-round running back Trey Benson with an injury designation, and he landed back on injured reserve; in Baltimore, third-round receiver Ja'Kobi Lane has all but locked up the No. 3 wideout role.

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5. Scherzer's Vintage Gem Powers Blue Jays Sweep

Source: Toronto Star

The Toronto Blue Jays blanked the Seattle Mariners 7-0 at Rogers Centre on Sunday to complete a series sweep, as 42-year-old Max Scherzer threw seven innings of one-hit ball with one walk and 10 strikeouts. He moved into ninth place on the career strikeout list with 3,535.

Scherzer joined Nolan Ryan as the only 42-year-olds ever to throw at least seven shutout innings while allowing no more than two baserunners and striking out at least 10.

It was the Jays' first Sunday win since June 7, snapping a 10-Sunday losing streak, and their first series sweep since mid-June. Toronto sits a game and a half behind Cleveland for the final American League wild-card spot ahead of Tuesday's three-game series with the Guardians.

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6. Ex-RCMP Official Warns NHL Teams Amid Hellebuyck Trade Request

Source: The Big Lead

Former RCMP assistant commissioner Dale Sheehan has warned NHL teams against letting players dictate trade outcomes after Connor Hellebuyck's public request. The three-time Vezina Trophy winner confirmed on Aug. 27 that he wants to leave the Winnipeg Jets.

Sheehan argued on X that teams risk damaging long-term planning when players can force moves despite existing contracts, writing that teams "may as well stop signing long term contracts" and insisting "a contract is a contract — make them play or let them sit."

Hellebuyck is under contract through 2030-31 after signing a seven-year, $59.5 million deal in 2023 with an $8.5 million annual average value, plus a full no-movement clause. GM Kevin Cheveldayoff said the team is handling the situation "in a thoughtful manner."

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7. Redblacks' Historic Skid Reaches 17 Straight Losses

Source: Sportsnet

Zander Horvath rushed for 164 yards and four touchdowns Sunday night as the surging B.C. Lions rolled past the winless Ottawa Redblacks 45-24, improving to 6-5 with their fifth straight victory.

The Redblacks fell to 0-11 and, with a bye next week, won't play again until Sept. 12 — meaning they will go more than a calendar year without a win. Ottawa last won on Sept. 5, 2025, and its 17-game losing streak is now the longest of the CFL's modern era.

Quarterback Jake Maier also became the first quarterback in league history to start a season with 11 straight losses. Ottawa finished with minus-3 net rushing yards, and head coach Ryan Dinwiddie admitted the run game has been "a problem all year."

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8. Roughriders Complete Comeback to Edge Argonauts

Source: TSN

The Saskatchewan Roughriders edged the Toronto Argonauts 28-24 on Saturday in front of a sold-out Mosaic Stadium crowd of 33,350 — the CFL's biggest crowd of the season.

An offside penalty on the Argonauts late in the game gave Saskatchewan a fresh set of downs, and Tommy Stevens' two-yard touchdown run put the hosts ahead for good. Toronto quarterback Chad Kelly went 28-of-38 for 416 yards and three touchdowns, but revealed after the game that he had broken a toe.

Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris threw for 313 yards, connecting 10 times with KeeSean Johnson for 146 yards and a touchdown. Argonauts head coach Mike Miller said the loss "doesn't come down to one play," noting his team had chances it couldn't convert.

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9. Atmane's Cramp Controversy Ends in US Open Heartbreak

Source: The New York Times

Térence Atmane's first-round US Open match descended into farce Sunday, as the 24-year-old Frenchman froze with leg cramps while up two sets and a break, before Spain's Jaume Munar rallied to win 6-7(5), 3-6, 6-1, 7-6(4), 7-5.

Atmane repeatedly called the trainer, but was denied treatment in the fifth set because medical timeouts are not permitted for cramps — even as he insisted "it is pain, not cramp." He even asked to see the trainer's credential to learn his name, which the trainer declined.

The New York Times noted a similar situation unfolded at the 2026 Australian Open semifinals, when Carlos Alcaraz cramped against Alexander Zverev and received treatment — highlighting the subjectivity and inconsistency in the sport's cramping rules.

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10. Bombers Stun CFL-Leading Alouettes

Source: Winnipeg Free Press

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers stunned the CFL-leading Montreal Alouettes 44-28 on Friday, outplaying their East Division visitors in all three phases for a convincing and surprising victory. The Bombers improved to 6-5, while the Alouettes dropped to 9-2.

Quarterback Zach Collaros, who turned 38 on Thursday, produced his finest outing of the year, completing 26 of 32 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns with no turnovers. Running back Brady Oliveira rushed 16 times for 106 yards and a touchdown.

The Bombers dominated time of possession 37:50 to 22:10, posted 32 first downs to Montreal's 17, and blocked a punt. They now head to Regina for Sunday's traditional Labour Day Classic against the Roughriders.

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