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ATP Madrid Day 1 Predictions Including Monfils vs Gojo

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The first round of the ATP Madrid Open features some exciting matchups. Gael Monfils faces Borna Gojo, while Fabio Fognini takes on Laslo Djere. Sebastian Ofner meets Hugo Gaston, and Juan Manuel Cerundolo goes up against Aleksandar Kovacevic. With a mix of experience and emerging talents, these matches are set to deliver a thrilling start to the tournament. Who will advance to the next round?

ATP Madrid Day 1 Predictions

Fabio Fognini vs Laslo Djere

Head-to-Head: Fognini 2-2 Djere

Fabio Fognini and Laslo Djere face off in Madrid with their head-to-head series tied at 2–2, highlighting a balanced rivalry. Fognini, now ranked No. 112, has had a challenging 2025 season with a 3–6 record, including a recent first-round loss to Francisco Cerundolo in Monte Carlo. Djere has shown strong form on clay this year, boasting a 14–4 record and capturing the Santiago title. Given Djere’s recent success on clay and Fognini’s inconsistent form, Djere enters this match as the slight favorite.
Prediction: Djere in 2

Sebastian Ofner vs Hugo Gaston

Head-to-Head: Ofner 2-1 Gaston

Sebastian Ofner leads Hugo Gaston 2–1 in their head-to-head, including a straight-sets win on clay last year. Ofner has had a solid start to the clay season with a few strong Challenger-level showings, while Gaston has struggled to find form, going 2–6 on the surface in 2025. Though both are capable on clay, Ofner’s recent rhythm and past success in the matchup give him the edge.
Prediction: Ofner in 3

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Juan Manuel Cerundolo vs Aleksandar Kovacevic

Head-to-Head: first meeting

Juan Manuel Cerúndolo and Aleksandar Kovacevic face off in Madrid for the first time, each bringing contrasting clay-court credentials. Cerúndolo has a 19–10 record on clay this season, showcasing his comfort on the surface. Kovacevic on the other hand has had limited success on clay, with a notable win over Tomas Martin Etcheverry in Houston. While Cerúndolo’s clay-court prowess gives him an edge, Kovacevic’s recent confidence could make this a closely contested match.
Prediction: Cerundolo in 3

Gael Monfils vs Borna Gojo

Head-to-Head: first meeting

Gaël Monfils, at 38, continues to defy expectations with a strong start to 2025, including a title win in Auckland and a fourth-round appearance at the Australian Open. His recent performances, such as a victory over Fabian Marozsan in Monte Carlo, showcase his enduring athleticism and experience. Borna Gojo meanwhile has shown resilience, notably defeating Marton Fucsovics in Madrid qualifying. While this marks their first head-to-head encounter, Monfils’s form and experience make him the favorite, though Gojo’s recent momentum could pose a challenge.
Prediction: Monfils in 3

Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports



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Knicks face shocking backlash in player poll as Thibodeau joins worst coach ranks and team battles postseason doubts

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In the midst of shifting perceptions, the New York team finds itself at a crossroads as players voice their honest evaluations of the organization and its leadership, sparking a conversation about legacy and future aspirations.

Reputation Under the Lens

The dialogue among league players paints a complex picture of the organization. A recent anonymous poll of 158 players revealed a striking absence of favor toward the team’s inner workings, with the Knicks ranking among the league’s less respected organizations. Despite the team’s status as a playoff contender—and the remarkable feat of winning at least one series in each of the past two postseasons—the organization was lumped together with long-term rebuilders and historical disappointments. This grouping, which notably placed them in the lower echelon with just under 3 percent of the vote among 113 respondents, reflects not only the weight of past postseason struggles but also a persistent undercurrent of skepticism about their sustained success.

Coaching Controversy and Expectations

At the center of the scrutiny is head coach Tom Thibodeau, a figure known for his demanding approach and relentless work ethic. In a separate poll addressing the question of the league’s most challenging leadership to guide, Thibodeau found himself tied for a spot near the bottom, bringing into focus the harsh realities of managing high-profile athletes and intense game schedules. Despite the poll’s contrasting results—where a former Knicks assistant led the rankings—this criticism underscores the delicate balance between a coach’s personal demands and the broader expectations of postseason progress. The emphasis on Thibodeau’s workload and his pivotal role in steering the team makes it clear that the future of the Knicks may well depend on tangible improvements in playoff performance.

Player Rankings and On-Court Narratives

Beyond the broader organizational concerns, individual player evaluations add additional layers to the conversation. Rising talents and key contributors have been both lauded and critiqued, with certain players emerging on the lists of “most underrated” and “most overrated.” Notably, in the mix of peer comparisons, fringe votes hint at the complexity and subjectivity of player impact. These rankings, while sometimes contentious, serve to further stimulate internal discussions about performance, strategy, and the evolution of on-court roles. The delicate balance of rising playmakers against established reputations provides a microcosm of the challenges inherent in a highly competitive environment.

Seasonal Aspirations and the Road Ahead

Caught in the heat of a 1-1 opening round series against a determined competitor, the team’s future hangs in the balance. The backdrop of postseason ambitions is stark: the weight of historical postseason droughts juxtaposed with recent playoff successes amplifies the pressure to succeed. The current narrative, marked by both resilience and critical self-assessment, sets the stage for a period of intensified competition, with every game serving as a testament to the team’s determination to rise above past limitations.

In the evolving landscape of professional sports, these unfolding dynamics within the organization serve as a compelling reminder that legacy is built in moments of both critique and triumph. The challenge for the team—and its leadership—lies not only in meeting the high expectations of today but also in laying the foundation for a more enduring legacy on the court.



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Federal judge orders Trump administration to rehire all Voice of America and Radio Free Asia staff

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Trump’s silencing of Voice of America



What Trump’s silencing of Voice of America means for listeners worldwide | 60 Minutes

13:17

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to rehire all Voice of America, Radio Free Asia and Middle East Broadcasting Network staff for now, and he said all congressional funding must resume to the outlets, which had been effectively shuttered by the administration. 

D.C. U.S. District Judge Royce Lamberth granted a preliminary injunction on behalf of the plaintiff, VOA journalist Patsy Widakuswara and her colleagues, against Kari Lake, the acting CEO of the U.S. Agency for Global Media. USAGM is supposed to be an independent federal agency overseeing public service media networks. 

The judge instructed the defendants to take all necessary steps to return the employees and their contractors to their outlets, so they can “provide news which is consistently reliable and authoritative, accurate, objective and comprehensive.” 

A preliminary injunction was not granted to Radio Free Europe because it filed a separate lawsuit. 

Last month, the Trump administration placed all full-time employees and contractors with the government-funded Voice of America on administrative leave. In mid-March, President Trump signed an executive order aiming to make sweeping cuts at the U.S. Agency for Global Media. 



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Harvey Weinstein Faces New Trial as Jury Is Seated

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As the first day of jury selection for Harvey Weinstein’s trial began in Manhattan, about 70 prospective jurors shuffled into the courtroom and were asked to stand. As they were sworn in, the court clerk said Mr. Weinstein’s name and a woman gasped.

The judge dismissed more than half of that group after they said they had scheduling conflicts or that they could not be impartial in the trial of Mr. Weinstein, a Hollywood mogul whose name became synonymous with sexual abuse. And so went four days during which the judge, prosecutors and defense attorneys slowly winnowed nearly 300 people.

On Tuesday, for the second time in five years, a jury of 12 Manhattanites and six alternates was chosen to decide Mr. Weinstein’s fate.

The judge and lawyers sifted through dozens of people who displayed various degrees of shock, interest and opinion about Mr. Weinstein, whose fall amid accusations of sexual assault and harassment propelled the #MeToo movement.

Mr. Weinstein, 73, faces two counts of first-degree criminal sexual act and one of third-degree rape after complaints by three women who said he assaulted them in 2006 and 2013.

He was convicted in 2020 of rape and criminal sexual act based on the complaints of two of the women and was sentenced to 23 years in New York prison. But his conviction was overturned last year and a new trial was ordered. In the interim, prosecutors added a new indictment.

Mr. Weinstein has also been convicted in California on sex-crime charges and faces a prison term there. He is appealing the California conviction. He has pleaded not guilty to all of the charges against him.

The new trial began in Manhattan criminal court last week, when prosecutors and Mr. Weinstein’s legal team began selecting from several pools of eligible jurors.

In one group, a man reacted to hearing Mr. Weinstein’s name with his eyebrows shooting toward his hairline; the man excused himself after the judge instructed people to leave if they had serious scheduling conflicts or if they could not be objective.

Others were dismissed by prosecutors and defense lawyers.

While being questioned by a prosecutor on the second day, one man said he thought the #MeToo movement had gone too far. He told a prosecutor, Nicole Blumberg, that his feelings were based on a personal experience of seeing high school classmates accused of sexual assault when “it ended up being nothing.”

A woman chimed in, saying she had “the opposite feeling,” and that she believed the movement did not go far enough.

Both were dismissed.

Another man who had initially said he could be impartial had a change of heart. The man, an investment manager from the Upper East Side, said he had been “parsing” his feelings over two days and wanted to discuss his discomfort.

Earlier, one of the defense lawyers, Arthur L. Aidala, had asked the group what word came to their minds when they thought of Mr. Weinstein.

“The first word that came into my head was ‘pig,’” the man told the judge and lawyers. “I apologize, but I feel like a great sense of responsibility as a citizen and I take this stuff seriously.”

He was dismissed.

Here is what we know about the 12 jurors, based on their statements in court:

Juror 1, the foreman, was born in the Dominican Republic and came to New York in 1996. Currently unemployed, he has worked as a supervisor.

Juror 2 is a native New Yorker who lives on the Upper West Side, has a master’s degree in international business and works for a nonprofit.

Juror 3 is a native New Yorker who lives on the Lower East Side, has a master’s degree in mathematics and works as a research associate.

Juror 4 is a native New Yorker who lives in East Harlem, has master’s degrees in economics and sociology and is retired.

Juror 5 moved to New York from the Dominican Republic around 2000, lives in Inwood and has a bachelor’s degree in computer science.

Juror 6 is a native New Yorker who lives on the Upper West Side, has a bachelor’s degree in communications and works in corporate communication.

Juror 7 is a native New Yorker who lives in East Harlem, has an associate degree in information technology and works for a private bank.

Juror 8 is a native New Yorker who lives on the Upper West Side with her mother and child and works as a still photographer.

Juror 9 is a native New Yorker who lives in Harlem, has an associate degree in business and has worked as an administrator and an auditor for a city agency.

Juror 10 is a native New Yorker who lives in Greenwich Village, has a master’s degree in nutrition and works as a dietitian.

Juror 11 is a native New Yorker who lives on the Upper West Side, has a bachelor’s degree in English and is retired.

Juror 12 is from Georgia and moved to New York in 2013. He now lives on the Upper West Side and works at a bank.



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Hit PS4, PS5 RPG Is 75% Off on PS Store Just Before Major Update

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We are in the last couple of days of the PS Store Spring Sale. For the past month or so, the sales promotion has saved players up to 75% on some of the best PS5 and PS4 games available on the digital storefront. This includes this hit RPG from a long-running Bethesda franchise.

The Elder Scrolls Online is 75% off on PS Store

The Elder Scrolls Online for PS4 and PS5 is currently $4.99 on the PS Store. That is 75% off the typical $19.99 price tag. Players interested in this deal will want to act fast. The offer ends on April 24 at 2:59 A.M. ET.

“Every legend starts somewhere and in The Elder Scrolls Online, it starts with you,” reads the game’s description. “Write your story into a vibrant chapter of Tamriel’s distant past that takes place nearly 1,000 years before the iconic TES V: Skyrim, and discover a world steeped in adventure and possibility.”

It should be noted that this offer is for the Base Game Edition of The Elder Scrolls Online. This includes the base game, as well as the Morrowind Chapter, a piece of DLC that allows players to visit the fan-favorite location. Although it isn’t listed, the Imperial City DLC is also free.

When The Elder Scrolls Online first launched, it was met with okay reviews. According to review aggregate website Metacritic, it garnered an average score of 71 across 64 critic reviews.

Despite middling reviews, The Elder Scrolls Online has been an active MMORPG since 2014 and has been receiving regular updates and DLC since launch. In fact, its next major update, simply called Update 46, releases in June and includes new features like subclassing, a new storyline and zone, and other quality-of-life changes. This deal is a solid way for players to get their foot in the door before the update.

The post Hit PS4, PS5 RPG Is 75% Off on PS Store Just Before Major Update appeared first on PlayStation LifeStyle.



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Russell Wilson excited about Giants teammates, who ‘want to be great’

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One of the biggest questions the New York Giants had to answer during the offseason was what they planned to do at quarterback.

Daniel Jones was released in the middle of the 2024 season, and Drew Lock signed with the Seattle Seahawks. The Giants retained Tommy DeVito, but until a couple of weeks ago, that’s the only quarterback they had.

That’s when general manager Joe Schoen signed two veteran quarterbacks in Russell Wilson and Jameis Winston, and suddenly, the 2025 quarterback question was answered.

The Giants returned to Quest Diagnostics Giants Training Center this week for voluntary workouts, and Wilson was available to the media on Monday. He was asked about several aspects of his career and how he felt about being a Giant, but the biggest takeaway from his press conference was his energy.

Wilson is excited about being in New York, about playing for the Giants, and about the guys he’s going to play with this year.

“I think what’s exciting is we’ve got a plethora of guys that can really make a lot of plays. Obviously, our star receiver, (wide receiver) Malik (Nabers) and what he’s capable of to (wide receiver) Wan’Dale (Robinson) and his ability to make plays. I think (wide receiver) Darius Slayton is a star, too,” Wilson said.

“Guys like (Daniel) Bellinger, who is a really, really talented tight end, and (tight end) Theo (Johnson) and guys like (tight end Greg) Dulcich I think are really good players that can run. I played with him in Denver. I know what he’s capable of. So many other guys. (Wide receiver) Jalin Hyatt, I think that he’s going to have a great year this year.

“I’m excited about the people. I’m excited about the guys. They love football. They love the work. They want to be great.”

Wilson, who suited up for the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024, is entering his 14th season in the NFL. He’s won a Super Bowl, he’s been awarded MVP, and he’s been selected for 10 Pro Bowls. He’s not the biggest guy on the field, but he moves the ball down the field and has the experience the Giants desperately need to lead this offense.

From the sounds of things, he’s ready to do just that.



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Winless Multan Sultans opt to bat against Lahore Qalandars

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Listen to article

Multan Sultans won the toss and elected to bat first against Lahore Qalandars in the 12th match of the 10th edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL), being played in Multan on Tuesday.

Lahore Qalandars will be aiming to extend their winning streak after securing back-to-back victories, while the Sultans will be looking to reverse their fortunes, having managed just one win in their last three matches.

Lahore Qalandars: Shaheen Afridi (Captain), Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Naeem, Abdullah Shafique, Daryl Mitchell, Sam Billings (wk), Sikandar Raza, Rishad Hossain, Haris Rauf, Zaman Khan, Asif Afridi.

Multan Sultans: Mohammad Rizwan (Captain & wk), Yasir Khan, Usman Khan, Kamran Ghulam, Michael Bracewell, Iftikhar Ahmed, Ashton Turner, David Willey, Usama Mir, Ubaid Shah, Joshua Little.

 



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‘Heartstopper’ to Conclude Nick and Charlie’s Story with a Movie Instead of Fourth Season

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There’s one more chapter to come in Nick and Charlie’s love story.

On Tuesday, April 22, Netflix announced that the final installment of Heartstopper is coming — and this time, Kit Connor and Joe Locke are bringing things to the big screen. Instead of a fourth season, the actors will star in a feature film that will “conclude the story of Nick, Charlie and their friends, with the narrative based around the yet unreleased volume six of Alice Oseman’s graphic novels,” per the streamer.

The film will see new challenges arise for “inseparable” Nick and Charlie as “the reality of a long-distance relationship begins to weigh on them,” per the official synopsis.

With Nick “preparing to leave for university and Charlie finding new independence at school,” while their friends are “also navigating the ups and downs of love and friendship, confronting the bittersweet challenges of growing up and moving on,” the fan-favorite couple starts to wonder, “Can first loves really last forever?”

Oseman said in a press release that she’s “completely overjoyed that we will get to tell the end of the Heartstopper story.”

“I’m so grateful to everyone who has worked hard to make this possible and to the incredible fans of Heartstopper for your patience and passion,” she said. “I cannot wait to bring this story to a magical conclusion.”

Production on the film will begin this summer, and Locke and Connor will be executive producers.

Kit Connor and Joe Locke in ‘Heartstopper’ season 3.

Samuel Dore/Netflix


In an Instagram post celebrating the news, Oseman said she’s “deeply relieved and so excited about this new creative venture” as she revealed she’s already written the script and is “hard at work.”

“I know you’ll have a lot of questions, and I’ll be able to talk about it more very soon, but for now let’s CELEBRATE!” she wrote. “Heartstopper is getting its ending!!!!!! 🍂

The movie will pick up after Nick and Charlie took a dramatic step in their relationship in the season 3 finale and slept together, following the storyline of the graphic novel. However, the looming threat of Nick’s journey to university and their relationship becoming long-distance, which was hinted at in the novel, was left out.

Joe Locke and Kit Connor in ‘Heartstopper’ season 2.

Netflix


Oseman told Tudum that it was an intentional decision as she wanted to end the season “on a high note” — and the cast agreed.

“I think it really works so much better for the TV show,” Connor, 21, said. “It’s such a nice, emotional end to the season. I’m really glad that it ended up that way.” 

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The first three seasons of Heartstopper can be streamed in full on Netflix.





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Doechii, Lucy Dacus, Clairo Lead

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Doechii, Lucy Dacus, and Clairo sit atop the bill for the New York edition of the 2025 All Things Go New York, taking place Sept. 26 through 28 at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens. 

Twenty-four artists will perform across the three-day event, with Dacus and Djo kicking things off on September 26, and additional performances from Gigi Perez, Rachel Chinouriri, Maude Latour, the Aces, Sarah Kinsley, and Goldie Boutilier. 

Day two (Sept. 27) will feature a headlining set from Doechii, as well as performances from Remi Wolf, Lola Young, Griff, Peach PRC, Michelle, Alameda, and Sunday 1994. And on the final day (Sept. 28), Clairo will headline following sets from the Marías, the Last Dinner Party, Paris Paloma, Blondshell, G Flip, Joy Oladukon, and Hey, Nothing. 

Tickets for All Things Go New York will go on sale April 25, though a fan presale is set for April 24 at 10 a.m. local time. Full information is available on the All Things Go website.

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All Things Go, which originated in Washington, D.C. (or technically, Columbia, Maryland, just outside the capital), expanded to New York for the first time in 2024. This year, both the D.C. and NYC editions of the festival have expanded to three days for the first time.

There is some overlap, too, between the D.C. and NYC events with Doechii, Dacus, Clairo, the Marías, Djo, the Last Dinner Party, Gigi Perez, Rachel Chinourriri, and Joy Oladokun all playing both festivals. Among the artists featured at just the D.C. event are Kesha, Noah Kahan, Sharon Van Otten, Faye Webster, Wallows, Julien Baker & Torres, Lola Young, Marina, and Role Model. 



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Rising tennis star Eala stays focused at Madrid Open despite more attention on her

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MADRID (AP) — Teenage sensation Alexandra Eala is trying to stay grounded despite all the sudden attention she’s attracted following her breakthrough run in Miami.

The 19-year-old Eala, a product of Rafael Nadal’s academy, has climbed to No. 72 in the WTA rankings after reaching the Miami Open semifinals as a wild-card entry last month. She’s the first Filipina to be ranked inside the top 100.

“Now that the dust has settled, I try not to think about Miami so much,” she said. “Of course, it comes to mind when everyone’s asking, but in my mind I have my whole life to look back at those moments and I’ll always have those memories. But the tour goes on, competition goes on, so right now I’m fully focused on Madrid.”

Eala defeated Viktoriya Tomova 6-3, 6-2 in her opening match at the clay-court Madrid Open on Tuesday, setting up a rematch against four-time French Open champion Iga Swiatek, whom she beat in straight sets in the Miami quarterfinals.

“I definitely think that each match is a different story,” Eala said. “Even if it’s against the same player every time — doesn’t matter if I play her at the same time next year in Miami or in Madrid next year, it’s going to be a different story than the last one.”

The left-handed Eala also defeated two other Grand Slam champions — Jelena Ostapenko and Madison Keys — in Miami.

“A lot of external factors have changed (since Miami),” Eala said. “More eyes on me. I guess there’s more exposure. But in the day-to-day and how I feel internally, nothing has changed much because the work ethic always been there. My team has been so down to earth, keeping me grounded and reminding me what’s important to focus on right now.”

In Miami, Eala became the first Filipino player in the Open Era to win four main-draw matches at a WTA 1000 event.

“What was quite a shock to me was that I’ve won against top 10 and top five players. Happy shock, of course,” she said. “But the mindset is still, especially before the matches, is that you can beat them.”

Eala, who lost to Panna Udvardy in the round of 16 at a WTA 125 tournament last week in Oeiras, Portugal, clinched her first WTA 1000 win in Madrid last year.

Move to the Rafa Nadal Academy

Eala moved to Spain at age 13 after an invitation from the Rafa Nadal Academy following one of her victories in a youth tournament.

“I definitely think it was a big milestone when I moved to the Rafa Academy. They’ve been a part of my journey, for sure,” she said. “It was a it was a tough decision to send me to Spain, at such a young age, but I was super excited. I knew it was a big opportunity to get out of the Philippines and develop my tennis.

“They’re very experienced people,” she said. “The coaching staff have a lot of experience, a lot of knowledge. And and they have a structure that enables me to grow and to figure things out by myself and to develop as a player.”

Nadal was among those congratulating Eala after her surprise run in Miami.

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AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis





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