Frances Tiafoe, Taylor Fritz advance to US Open semifinals; 49ers get another star back; NFL predictions

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🎾 Good morning to everyone, but especially to…

FRANCES TIAFOE AND TAYLOR FRITZ

For the first time since 2009, an American is in a Grand Slam final. No. 20 Frances Tiafoe And #12 Taylor FritzFriends and doubles partners, both caused surprises in the quarterfinals of the US Open and will meet in the semifinals tomorrow.

• Fritz is dejected No. 4 Alexander Zverev6-7 (2-7), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (7-3). It's his fourth win against a top-10 opponent at a major this year, the most by an American since then Andre Agassi in 1999.
• Fritz spoke to Isabel Gonzalez before the tournament. This is required reading, now more than ever.
• Tiafoe then advanced via walkover Grigor Dimitrov retired due to a leg injury. Tiafoe was ahead 6-3, 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 4-1 and was on the verge of victory when play was suspended.

This will be the eighth Fritz Tiafoe meeting. Fritz has won six of the last seven. Both players have big serves and this match could hinge on Fritz. He has won 83% of his first serve points in the tournament, the best of any player, while Tiafoe leads the tournament in points won on second serves.

On the women's side #13 Emma Navarro Is to the semifinals even after hitting No. 26 Paula Badosa6-2, 7-5. Navarro won the final six games of the game, an impressive rally that gave her her second major semifinal this year.

You can follow all of our US Open coverage here.

😃 Honorable mentions

🏈 And not such a good morning for…

Every team is hoping the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS' difficult offseason continues

There were two of them a week ago 49ersThe best players had no plans to play and opponents were freaked out by the possibility of the San Francisco machine coming into play was nearing the end.

Today the band is back together and their opponents are threatened with immense pain. Trent Williams agreed with one Three-year, $82.66 million extension This includes $48 million at signing and a $25.69 million signing bonus ending his delay. It comes just days after the 49ers agreed to a four-year, $120 million extension with Brandon Aiyukwho had persevered.

Williams isn't just a great left tackle. He's a guy you can base parts of your offense on, similar to Aiyuk or Christian McCaffrey (WHO returned to practice) or Deebo Samuel or George Kittle. Why do you think the 49ers had one of the best offenses ever – yes, ever – last year?

Let me give it to you a little more perspective. Last year, using expected points added per game…

• With Aiyuk and Williams on the field, the 49ers offense was the best in the NFL. After all, the 49ers lead the league overall in this category.
• With at least one player off the field they were around 10th, similar to that Seahawks.
• With neither of them on the field, they were in 29th place, slightly worse than that Steelers.

So, sorry, opponents. The 49ers are back and ready to dominate…again. (Although they did many more contracts that need to be processed soon.)

😐 Not so honorable mentions

🏈 NFL Season Preview: Power Rankings, Super Bowl Picks and More

ONE. MORE. DAY. The NFL is back tomorrow. I don't know whether I should cry tears of joy, run a marathon with nothing but adrenaline, or switch off completely until then Chiefs And Ravens It starts tomorrow evening. I think for now I'll just try to do my job.

They know when football is in the air Pete Prisco's NFL Power Rankings make their triumphant return, and here are his top 5:

1. Chiefs
2. packer
3. 49ers
4. Bills
5. Bengal

A big reason for the Chiefs' high ranking – aside from the facts they have Patrick Mahomes and won two straight Super Bowls – is that they return so many proven pieces in addition to their offseason acquisitions. They took first place in Josh Edwards' Continuity rankings.

One team that I think is too low for Pete is this Aries (15th). You lost Aaron Donaldyes, but they still have it Matthew Stafford And Sean McVay Leading an offense that includes a breakout star Puka Nacua and now healthy Cooper Kupp. This group gives the Rams a chance in every game but none. The non-Donald parts of the defense should also be significantly improved.

John Breech agrees with me. In ours Experts bold predictionsHe ensures that the Rams win the NFC West.

OK, now for the Biggest and boldest predictions: Super Bowl winners, playoff participants and final standings of all teams. Here are some key takeaways from our panel:

• Only one team has been voted Super Bowl champions multiple times, and no, it wasn't the Chiefs.
• Three teams were elected division champions in both the AFC East and NFC South
• Eight teams were unanimously selected for the playoffs, and a total of 20 teams received at least one vote for a playoff spot.

John has it too Record predictions for each team and a vote for the best MVP to his projections.

Here's more:

🏈 College football rankings, power rankings, bowl projections

It's only been a week (well, two if you count Week 0), but college football is already wild and recent AP Top 25 And Coach survey reflect exactly that. But right now I'm mostly looking at Brandon Marcellos College football power rankingswhere the top 5 are…

1. Georgia
2. Ohio State
3. Texas
4. Ole Miss
5. Notre Dame

This is a big jump for the Fighting Irish and Brandon explained why:

• Marcello: “Everything Notre Dame hoped for came true in the opener Texas A&M. The defense is top notch and the offense has been a game changer at receiver. Riley Leonard He was also fantastic in his debut as he carried the team around the floor when needed. The starting touchdown drive was full of great plays in the most hostile environment of Week 1.”

Was also impressive Miami. The Hurricanes moved up to No. 4, the final bye in the College Football Playoff Jerry Palms bowl projections. (And yes, there's still a long, long way to go.)

Here are more reactions from Week 1 before we move on to Week 2:

🏀 The NBA's 21 most famous shots of the 21st century

We're in a quiet period in the NBA and preseason is still about a month away. It's the perfect time for big projects and lists that are 1) thoroughly researched and 2) sure to get a lot of conversation going. How else are we supposed to get through all this time?

Brad Botkin summed up both aspects 21 most iconic recordings of the 21st century. I won't give away too much, but I will tell you one thing that holds a special place in my heart.

• Botkin: “18. LeBron works his magic (2009) — LeBron James raged against them in the 2009 Eastern Conference finals magic averaging 38.5 points, 8.3 rebounds and 8.0 assists. It wasn't enough as Orlando eliminated that Cavaliers in six, but LeBron still came away with the signature shot of the series and his young career, with a stunning 3 to steal Game 2. The shot. The reaction. It’s all clearly etched into our collective basketball memory.”

I remember going to bed before this happened (I was 12 and at a club soccer tournament), waking up the next morning, rushing to the TV in the hotel lobby, and seeing dozens of other people watching the recording over and over again looked at. When you're 12, moments like this stay with you.

If nothing else happens, this will send you down a YouTube rabbit hole of fun (I speak from experience). And Give you something to talk about with your NBA-loving friends. What could be better?

📺 What we're watching on Wednesday

🎾 We're watching the US Open. Here's how.
🏀 Sparks with fever7 p.m. on CBS Sports Network
⚾ Guard at Royals7:40 p.m. on FS1
⚾ Yankees at Rangers8:05 p.m. on Prime Video