US Open set to be terrorised by sex-crazed invasive BUGS as fans are warned to alert the authorities
British hopes Emma Raducanu and Jack Draper might have to take evasive action when they start their singles campaign next week as they chase the record $5million champions' pot.
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The three-week tennis Major may be marred by a swarm of spotted lanternflies, currently enjoying a population explosion.
The pesky critters have been spotted in 29 of New York State's 62 counties during a red-hot summer.
Flushing Meadows, the Slam's venue, is the fourth-largest public park in the State, with a total area of 897 acres.
Should any bugs appear at the venue, fans and players have been advised to report them to local authorities — then STOMP them to death.
Lanternflies recklessly munch everything from vegetable gardens to fruit trees and generally hatch in late May.
With people tending to notice them while they are frantically mating in August.
Kelli Hoover, professor of entomology at Pennsylvania State University, fears they will spread like wildfire across the States.
She said: 'They're hopping on trains, planes and ships.
"These guys are brave hitch-hikers.'
And Brian Eshenaur, an invasive species specialist at Cornell University, said: 'When somebody sees an insect, we ask them to take a picture first.
US Open Suspended as Hurricane Erin Floods Flushing Meadows
"And then stomp on it.'
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Metro
29 minutes ago
- Metro
Jack Draper tipped to struggle and Emma Raducanu's coach warned ahead of US Open
Andrew Castle believes Jack Draper could struggle at the US Open and has fired a sack warning to Emma Raducanu's new coach Francis Roig. Draper and Raducanu, the British No.1s in men's singles and women's singles respectively, are hoping to enjoy deep runs at Flushing Meadows. The fourth and final Grand Slam tennis tournament of the year gets underway on Sunday with Draper reaching the semi-finals in 2024. British tennis pundit and former player Castle feels Draper, ranked world No.5, faces a difficult task to progress that far in New York this year. Castle has also warned Rafael Nadal's former No.2 coach Roig that he may not last long in Raducanu's camp despite the pair only recently linking up. Draper has not played a singles match since Wimbledon because of an arm injury but did return to play the US Open mixed doubles with Jessica Pegula at Flushing Meadows over Tuesday and Wednesday. Speaking exclusively to Metro about Draper's chances in New York this year, Castle said: 'I'm worried about Jack [due to his injury] – what has he got? What's wrong with him? Is it a stress fracture? 'That's a pretty significant injury. If you have no matches between big tournaments, it doesn't bode well for a deep runner, I have to be frank. 'He's a tough, physical animal, but he's definitely hampered by not having had matches. I mean, that's what you want, is to step up to the line and the biggest moments and know that you're going to serve it out. 'Being 5-4 up and on serve and going bang, I'm going through you. That sort of stuff is what Jack was doing, like at Indian Wells. 'He was amazing in Australia to win those three five-set matches in a row having not played. He's an unbelievable player, but I would suspect that it's going to be very, very difficult to match what he did last year. 'Now, I mean, he might, but the odds have to be stacked against him.' Quizzed about Raducanu's coaching partnership with Roig and if he could help take her game to the next level, Castle added: 'Look, as soon as you say something good about an Emma Raducanu's coach, they're gone by the weekend. 'I have absolutely no idea what the long term. I mean, I hope it would be great to be long term, but long term in coaching Emma isn't very long. A couple of them from the old days, Nick Cavaday etc, they lasted a few years. 'But since been turning professional, I'd say that's a pretty insecure job. I have no idea how long this bloke is going to be around, but I was around playing when he was around, and I had no idea that he was ever going to go in a coaching direction. 'It can't have been a bad thing hanging around with the Rafael Nadal camp and being a part of the coaching programme for one of the greats. I mean, that tells you a lot. 'Let's be honest, you're dealing with some pretty significant raw material when you've got Rafa. But I mean, of course, to be around that setup and to see the detail and to watch the work, that is fantastic. 'He brings a wealth of experience. I suspect that he's really looking forward to this himself, because I think with Raducanu, you've got unbelievable raw material. 'I mean, she's not raw, but that's pretty exciting. As soon as we talk about this, though, he'll probably be gone but I hope not.' Asked if Draper had any extra motivation for the US Open after a disappointing second-round exit to Marin Cilic, Castle said: 'I don't think it's extra motivation. I don't think he needs any extra motivation. 'This guy is absolutely wound up and ready to succeed. I mean, nothing has changed. You play one bad match, or you play one match where an opponent gets inspired, you hit the net, all of it is just experience that goes in the system. 'It was actually a wake-up call… For all the highs, there are normally some corresponding lows and you rise, and Jack has done the classic thing of the brilliant young player who has flown up and now there could be a year or two where it's just do the work, do the work, do the work. 'He's going to get his highlights and if he stays injury free, we're going to see him go deep into second weeks of Slams for a long time. He's a long way off from being Andy Murray yet.' Speaking about Raducanu's chances of a deep run, Castle continued: 'Her actual ranking is No.35 but I see her as top 20 in the world and that's a very, very high level. 'In two years' time, I can see her being a top 10 player. I think that there's only six or seven players who are, most days better than her. I think she'll put herself in the frame for a big week or two at a Grand Slam sooner rather than later. More Trending 'Second week [should be her aim for Flushing Meadows]. There's nothing wrong with her going out of the third round of a Grand Slam, but if you're seeded and you don't win a couple of rounds, it hasn't been great. 'Let's be honest, somebody can play great against you, it's a random thing, but for her, and the matches that she's won and she's played, returning to a venue that she adores, I hope she has a great time, I would love to see her win. 'To win three rounds and get into the last 16 of a Slam is a serious achievement. She knows she can do it, she's done it before so I would say second week minimum.' For the latest tennis odds and the most up-to-date markets, go to Betway. MORE: Mark Petchey reveals truth behind Emma Raducanu and Carlos Alcaraz romance rumours MORE: Cole Palmer can get Chelsea's misfiring attack off the mark at West Ham MORE: Jannik Sinner made shock Serena Williams request before US Open mixed doubles withdrawal Your guide to the week in football. 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Daily Mail
30 minutes ago
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Sophie Cunningham's week goes from bad to worse as injured basketball star is slapped with ANOTHER fine by the WNBA
Sophie Cunningham's season may have been brutally cut short but that doesn't mean she's escaping punishment from the WNBA. The Indiana Fever star, who was confirmed to have suffered a season-ending knee injury earlier this week, was fined again by the WNBA for her criticism of the referees. On a previous episode of her 'Show Me Something' podcast, Cunningham had taken aim at the 'annoying' whistle that Dallas Wings star Paige Bueckers had received during a recent clash against the Fever. 'I love Paige to death, don't get me wrong,' Cunningham said on August 13. 'I think she's a hell of a player and would love to play with her one day, but those refs were giving her every frickin' whistle last night. Like, you literally couldn't touch her. That's just so annoying to me.' And on the most recent edition of her show, Cunningham revealed that her comments had proven costly. 'I'm officially 3-for-3 on being fined by the WNBA,' Cunningham said on her latest podcast episode. 'They didn't like my comments on Paige Bueckers. I didn't even say anything bad!' @sophaller is a perfect 3-3 on getting fined 🔥 — Show Me Something (@ShowMe_Pod) August 20, 2025 The guard made comments about an 'annoying' whistle for Paige Bueckers on her podcast Cunningham didn't reveal the exact amount she'd been fined this time, however, it will add to the $2,000 worth of penalties that the WNBA has already slapped her with. She was fined $500 for a TikTok she posted and another $1,500 for comments on the debut episode of 'Show Me Something.' And the Fever guard simply can't catch a break. The fine comes just two days after it was confirmed that she will miss the remainder of the season. The Fever announced the news on Tuesday, saying Cunningham suffered a knee injury but that she is expected to make a full recovery. A specific injury was not revealed in the team statement. However, Chloe Peterson of the IndyStar reported that Cunningham had suffered an MCL tear. The injury took place in the second quarter of Indiana's overtime win against the Connecticut Sun, when Cunningham dropped to the court while clutching her right knee. She would be helped off the court with a towel over her head as she made her way into the locker room. Cunningham, who has been integral to the Fever this season in Caitlin Clark 's long absence, was standing under the basket and playing defense when a collision with Sun guard Bria Hartley occurred. Hartley was attempting a pass when she collided with the lower leg of Cunningham, who stayed on the court in pain until team personnel helped her to her feet. Both Cunningham's sister Lindsey and her mom Paula took to social media last week to blast both the league and rival Hartley in the wake of the Fever star's injury. Lindsey hit out at the league in a post on X, furiously accusing the WNBA and its referees of failing to protect its players. Their mom, Paula, also joined in the criticism and accused Hartley of endangering her daughter. Paula posted in a now-deleted post on X: 'Hartley is a disgruntled player having trouble everywhere she goes; she's plain mean and plays out of control'. Cunningham became an important role player for the Fever after coming over from the Phoenix Mercury. She finished the season averaging 8.6 points and 3.5 rebounds a game, while making 47 percent from the field and 43 percent behind the arc — both career highs.
Reuters
30 minutes ago
- Reuters
Orioles' Dylan Beavers, Samuel Basallo eye home debuts vs. Astros
August 21 - There finally is some buzz around the Baltimore Orioles again, with the combination of recent success and the arrival of new prospects creating interest. How that holds up against the Houston Astros will be determined beginning Thursday night in the opener of a four-game series in Baltimore. There will be much-anticipated home debuts for outfielder Dylan Beavers and catcher Samuel Basallo, a pair of players who reached the major leagues during the Orioles' recent road trip. Basallo, 21, racked up five RBIs across three games and batted .300. "I've had this really good ability to put the bat on the ball ever since I was a little kid," Basallo said. "So I think that's something I've taken a lot of pride in, being able to put the bat on the ball." Beavers batted .286 across four games, with one RBI. The Orioles, who were off Wednesday after Tuesday night's 4-3, 11-inning victory at Boston, have won six of their last seven games -- with the loss coming in 12 innings Saturday at Houston. Baltimore won the other two games in the series. Houston saw its losing streak extend to four games with a 7-2 setback at Detroit on Wednesday. At least that snapped a three-game scoreless streak for the Astros, whose no-runs stretch reached 31 innings. "Baseball is a long, long, long season," Astros manager Joe Espada said. "We're still in a really good position. The last time I checked we're in first place." Houston leads the Seattle Mariners by 1 1/2 games atop the American League West. The Astros, though, have concerns about center fielder Taylor Trammell, who had a hard fall Tuesday night and then came out of Wednesday's game after colliding with the wall and was carted off the field. Espada said he's being evaluated for a concussion. The Orioles also are trying to patch things together. Infielder Jordan Westburg was out Tuesday because of an ankle ailment. Catcher Adley Rutschman was scratched from the lineup because of abdominal soreness, and he hasn't played since Sunday. Their statuses are unclear for the Houston series. "I think we get to Thursday, we'll have a pretty good idea if we're going to kind of keep him day-to-day and keep him off the IL and what that kind of looks like," Orioles interim manager Tony Mansolino said of Westburg. "Doesn't mean he's going to play Thursday, but if we're able to just kind of suck it up four or five days and then play him." Rookie right-hander Brandon Young (1-6, 5.68 ERA) will look for his second big-league victory as the starting pitcher Thursday for the Orioles. His lone triumph came with eight shutout innings last Friday in Houston, where he held the Astros to one hit without a walk and six strikeouts in a 7-0 victory. "I can kind of get that monkey off my back and kind of breathe a little bit," Young said of notching a victory. It was far from ordinary as he held a perfect game with two outs in the eighth inning before an infield single ended that quest. Houston will have right-hander Jason Alexander (3-1, 4.74 ERA) on the mound on Thursday. He didn't record a decision Saturday when he allowed two runs on three hits in six innings in his team's 5-4 victory against Baltimore. The runs came on Dylan Carlson's two-run home run. That marked Alexander's third consecutive six-inning outing. It's the only time he has faced the Orioles. --Field Level Media
