🎾 Kyrgios Cruises After Wimbledon Walkover

Bring on the weekend, it's Friday, 8 July

🔊 Sport Today Podcast

This morning, Martin Gabor and Lucy Watkin are at the mic. 

Today's listen time: 11 minutes. 

Listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify

📺  What we're watching this weekend

🏏 2.30pm, Friday - 2nd Test - Sri Lanka v Australia - Galle International Stadium, Galle - Foxtel, Kayo

🏉 7.50pm, Friday - AFL - Swans v Bulldogs - SCG, Sydney - Channel 7, Foxtel, Kayo

🎾 10.30pm, Friday - Wimbledon SF - Novak Djokovic v Cameron Norrie - All England Club, London - Channel 9, Stan Sport

⚽ 2.00am, Saturday - Euro 2022 - Spain v Finland - Stadium MK, Bletchley - Optus Sport

⚾ 9.00am, Saturday - MLB - Red Sox v Yankees - Fenway Park, Boston - Foxtel, Kayo

🏉 7.55pm, Saturday - Rugby Test - Australia v England - Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane - Channel 9, Stan Sport

🏁 11.00pm, Sunday - Formula 1 - Austrian Grand Prix - Red Bull Ring, Styria - Foxtel, Kayo

🏀 3.00am, Monday - WNBA All Stars - East v West - Wintrust Arena, Chicago - Foxtel, Kayo

All times are in AEST

🎾 Kyrgios cruises through to the final 

Let’s keep this simple. Nick Kyrgios is into the men’s singles final at Wimbledon. 

Golden points: Hang on, you told us that his semi-final against Rafael Nadal was later tonight. You lied!

• No, we didn’t. That was the plan until Nadal withdrew from the event because of an abdominal injury he picked up in the win over Taylor Fritz in the semis.

• He trained for about 45 mins this morning but said the injury would only get worse.

• It means Kyrgios can put his feet up because he’s into his first grand slam final. No Aussie man has won Wimbledon since Lleyton Hewitt back in 2002.

They said it: "I made my decision because I don't believe that I can win two matches." - It means Nadal can’t win all 4 majors this year.

What are the chances… other Aussies win a title? There was no luck for Sam Stosur and Matt Ebden in the mixed doubles final this morning. But Ebden has another chance in the men’s doubles final after he and Max Purcell saved 5 match points to reach the final.

What’s next: Kyrgios might wanna watch the match between Novak Djokovic and Cameron Norrie to see who he’ll play in Sunday’s final. That one starts at 10.30pm (AEST) on Channel 9 and Stan Sport.

🏀 Griner pleads guilty but case is far from over 

Brittney Griner’s court case in Russia has taken another turn, with the US basketballer pleading guilty to a drugs charge.

Golden points: This is an extremely complex case that goes way beyond what she’s been actually charged with.

• Griner arrived in Russia back in February and was arrested when security found a couple of vape cartridges containing cannabis oil.

• She’s been in prison ever since and is facing up to 10 years in jail. Here's the timeline of what's happened.

• The second hearing was last night and Greiner pleaded guilty to the drugs charge but said she didn’t knowingly break the law. 

• She’s written to US President Joe Biden to help sort out a release, but it goes deeper than that with reports Russia is using her as a pawn to sort out a prisoner swap for a high-ranking official in the States.

What’s next: The next hearing is on 14 July but it could be weeks until we know the verdict. 

🏉 Blues rookie misses out on dream debut 

Sport can provide the best stories. But geez it can be cruel at times.

Golden points: Jordan McLean was less than a week away from making his State of Origin debut as a 30yo. He would’ve been the 5th-oldest NSW debutant.

• But he was in tears yesterday after he was ruled out of the decider after he hurt his hamstring at training. 

• It’s a massive blow for both McLean and the Blues, but it does mean Jacob Saifiti comes in to make his debut.

• Origin is nothing new to the Saifiti family. His twin brother Daniel has played 7 games for NSW but didn’t get picked this year. 

They said it: "I was that excited, more from the point of view that I thought his footy was so ready… Heartbreaking.” - Blues coach Brad Fittler was devastated. 

What’s next: There are just 5 sleeps left until the decider. But who’s counting? 

🏉 Cats purring loudly after statement win 

It’s a long way to the top, but the Cats are ready to rock and roll.

The score: Geelong defeated Melbourne 12.19 (91) to 9.9 (63).

Golden points: Those feisty felines are the flag favourites now after they beat the defending premiers to go to the top of the table.

• Geelong’s big guns up front had pretty quiet games, but it didn’t matter. They’ve now won 7 in a row and are ahead of the Demons on percentage.

• The win at home snapped a 3-game losing streak against Melbourne. That included an 83-point loss in the 2021 prelim final.

• The Dees have now lost 4 of their past 6 games. There’s no need to panic because they’re still 2nd, but they only lost 4 games last year.

What’s next: The Cats will finish Round 17 on top unless Brisbane belt Essendon on Sunday. The Demons have a tough run home with 4 games against top 6 teams to come.

Watch it: Cats fans will enjoy these highlights.

🏏 Maxwell puts selectors in a spin 

You’ve got to be in it to spin it. Well, it’s something like that. And Glenn Maxwell is certainly in with a chance of ending a long, long Test drought.

Golden points: The Victorian allrounder hasn’t played a Test match since 2017 but that could change when the 2nd Test starts later today.

• The Sri Lankan batters have 2 choices. They’re either going to get the express pace of Mitchell Starc or the spin and big-hitting that Maxwell provides. 

• Those aren’t great options. Maxwell’s ability to play spin could see him picked in the final XI because spinners had a field day in the first Test.

• Aussies spinners took 18/20 wickets in Galle, so we might not need 2 quicks.

They said it: "I'd love if anyone can read the wicket and tell us what it's going to do because I'm hopeless." - Hopefully someone helps Pat Cummins before the toss. 

Watch it: Settle in for the weekend with all the action on Foxtel and Kayo from 2.30pm (AEST).

👀 Quick singles

🎾 Ons Jabeur is the first African and Arab woman to make a grand slam final. She’ll play Elena Rybakina in the Wimbledon decider after they both won overnight.

🚴‍♂️ Defending champ Tadej Pogacar has made his move and now leads the Tour de France. He won stage 6, finishing just ahead of Aussie Michael Matthews.

🏉 The Warriors have lost one of their best young talents. Reece Walsh is heading back to Brisbane after he signed a 3-year deal to join the Broncos.

🏑 The Hockeyroos can rest up because they’ve booked their spot in the quarter-finals of the women’s Hockey World Cup. They beat South Africa yesterday to finish top of Group D.

🏉 The Wallabies have named their team for the 2nd Test against England. Taniela Tupou is back in the starting side after he missed most of the Super Rugby season through injury.

🏀 Sabrina Ionescu is going to be one of the best basketballers of all time. The youngster became the first player in WNBA history to have a 30-point triple-double.

🙃 Left of field...

You’re gonna need an art degree to decipher what Aaron Rodgers’ tattoo means.

Golden points: We’ve been looking at it for hours and we’re still not sure. Maybe it’s one of those magic eye things where you have to squint.

• A tattoo doesn’t usually mean much in the NFL, but it does when one of the best quarterbacks ever gets one.

• This is his first tattoo and he’s gone all out. He teamed up with a Hungarian artist who has come up with a design so wild that no one gets it.

• There are star signs, a couple of lions and an eye that follows you wherever you go. Everyone is trying to work it out.

They said it: "There's a deep and meaningful story and connection to absolutely each element of this art piece, and I'll share a little more about that one day." - Rodgers is the master of suspense.

📽 The highlight reel

It looks like the Oklahoma City Thunder are going to be the most exciting team to watch this season. Sure, it's just the NBA pre-season, but Aussie Josh Giddey is on fire after an incredible triple-double yesterday.

📸 Photo finish

Things didn't go to plan for Aussie F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo when he had a kick with the Sherrin...

🏃‍♀️ The finish line

🏆 Today's trivia answer

Mark Philippoussis made the 2003 final but lost to Roger Federer.