Canada's Diallo ousted by Griekspoor in second round of French Open
PARIS – Montrea's Gabriel Diallo is out of the French Open following a 7-5, 7-6 (3), 1-6, 6-3 loss to Tallon Griekspoor of the Netherlands in second-round action Thursday.
Diallo came back from 4-1 down in the second set and had a chance to break and go up 5-4, but Griekspoor held with back-to-back aces and won five straight points in the tiebreak to take a 2-0 lead in the match.
After Diallo dominated the third set, the 35th-ranked Griekspoor broke early in the fourth before serving to love in the final game.
The 23-year-old Diallo, who entered the French Open one spot off his career high at No. 54, won his first-ever match at the clay court Grand Slam when he upset No. 18 Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in straight sets in the first round.
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Denis Shapovalov of Richmond Hill, Ont., the last Canadian in the men's singles draw, was scheduled to face Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic later Thursday.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2025.
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Winnipeg Free Press
35 minutes ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
From local connections to grizzled vets
No, the 2024-25 NHL season is not finished, even if it might feel that way to many fans. The league didn't do itself any favours by going dark for five nights after the Florida Panthers and then the Edmonton Oilers punched their tickets to the Stanley Cup Final last week. But TV commitments, including stickhandling around the NBA Finals, meant an extended timeout. Good news: The waiting game is now over and the puck will finally drop on Wednesday night inside Rogers Place. It's the first championship rematch in 16 years and this series should be a dandy. These teams have plenty in common. They both finished third in their respective divisions during the regular season, essentially pacing themselves so they'd be ready when the stage got bigger. They've found another gear in the playoffs, winning three straight rounds in which they started on the road. There's no shortage of compelling storylines and reasons to tune in — even for folks around these parts who might have lost interest once the Winnipeg Jets were eliminated from contention last month. Let's dig into a few of the juiciest ones: WOE, CANADA: It has been 32 long years since the Montreal Canadiens defeated the Los Angeles Kings in five games to win the Stanley Cup for the 24th time in franchise history. Since then, the silver chalice has had a zip code rather than a postal code. Is this the year the Canadian championship drought finally ends? The Oilers (2006, 2024), Vancouver Canucks (1994, 2011), Calgary Flames (2004) and Montreal Canadiens (2021) have combined to go zero-for-six in the Final over that span, so hockey history would suggest a team from the Great White North is long overdue. Why not the one led by the game's best current player? Jason Franson / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid raising the Stanley Cup would mimic Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky's own first Cup wins — meeting the same team in back-to-back Finals and defeating them on their second try. Jason Franson / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Oilers captain Connor McDavid raising the Stanley Cup would mimic Sidney Crosby and Wayne Gretzky's own first Cup wins — meeting the same team in back-to-back Finals and defeating them on their second try. Connor McDavid raising the trophy to the rafters would be rather fitting considering the way two other NHL mega-stars captured their first Cups. Wayne Gretzky finished as a runner-up in his inaugural bid as his Oilers were swept by the mighty Islanders in 1983. But the 'Great One' would win his first of four titles in 1984 as Edmonton found a way to end the New York dynasty (four straight championships). Sidney Crosby came up short in his first attempt back in 2008 as his Penguins were defeated by the Red Wings. However, the tables were turned the following spring as Pittsburgh downed Detroit in a thrilling seven-game series. 'The Kid' would go on to win two more times, in 2016 and 2017. Look, we get that Canadian hockey fans aren't exactly a united bunch. The majority of Jets supporters, for example, would rather walk on hot coals than cheer for the Oilers. You'll find similar sentiments in every market. But we say it's high time to have a little patriotic puck pride and tell Uncle Sam he can sit this one out for a change. THE LOCAL CONNECTIONS: This series is loaded with local angles, from those with strong Manitoba roots to former members of the Jets, both on the ice and behind the bench. Last spring, former Jets bench boss Paul Maurice finally got his name engraved on Lord Stanley's mug after an exciting Game 7 triumph. Having former Jets associate coach Jamie Kompon beside him for the ride enhanced the experience. There's also some Manitoba flavour on Maurice's coaching staff with video coach Myles Fee, who hails from Dauphin and was once a defenceman on the Dauphin Kings in the Manitoba Junior Hockey League. The Panthers' blue line features Nate Schmidt, who has done an excellent job on the third pairing after the final season of his contract was bought out by the Jets last summer. Schmidt has three goals and seven points and has appeared in all 17 games during the playoffs. Schmidt's most frequent defence partner has been former Jet Dmitry Kulikov, who was on the Jets' third pairing during the run to the Western Conference final in 2018. As for the Oilers, they wouldn't have reached this point without the strong play between the pipes from Winnipegger Calvin Pickard during the first two rounds. Matt Krohn / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Oilers goaltender and Winnipeg product Calvin Pickard propelled Edmonton's run past the first round after standing tall against the Los Angeles Kings. Matt Krohn / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Oilers goaltender and Winnipeg product Calvin Pickard propelled Edmonton's run past the first round after standing tall against the Los Angeles Kings. Pickard got the call from Kris Knoblach for Game 3 in the first round and quickly rattled off six victories before suffering a lower-body injury. He returned to the backup role in Game 4 against the Dallas Stars and is on call if his services are required. Former Jets left-winger Evander Kane is having an incredible impact for someone who sat out the entire regular season. With six goals and 11 points in 15 games, Kane sits fifth in team scoring, just behind defenceman Evan Bouchard, Ryan Nugent-Hopkins, Leon Draisaitl and McDavid. That's impressive stuff and Kane's ability to crash the crease and play a physical game will be essential against Mathew Tkachuk and the Panthers. Former Jets D-man Mark Stuart is an assistant coach with the Oilers and is in charge of a penalty killing unit that's encountered some ups-and-downs, but will be relied on heavily against a Panthers power play that is operating at 23.2 per cent through 17 games. THE GRIZZLED VETERANS: Two of the oldest players in the NHL are four wins away from the second Stanley Cup of their respective careers — and both are playing an important role. Acquiring Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins just under the wire at the NHL trade deadline was a stroke of genius by Panthers general manager Bill Zito. Marchand, 37, has been a perfect fit for the bruising, yet skilled game the Panthers like to play. Used on the so-called third line with Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen, Marchand has been at his agitating best while chipping in at nearly a point per game pace (with four goals and 14 points in 17 playoff games). He's looking for his first title since winning it all with the Bruins in 2011 in what was his first full season and has been back only once since — losing to the St. Louis Blues in seven games in 2019. John Locher / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry scores against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. The 40-year-old winger has seven goals and 10 points in 16 playoff games this spring. John Locher / THE CANADIAN PRESS Edmonton Oilers right wing Corey Perry scores against Vegas Golden Knights goaltender Adin Hill in Game 1 of their second-round playoff series. The 40-year-old winger has seven goals and 10 points in 16 playoff games this spring. For the Oilers, Corey Perry continues to hold off Father Time with his blend of sandpaper and skill. Although his game has evolved from his days as a Hart Trophy and Rocket Richard Trophy winner back in 2011, the 40-year-old winger has seven goals and 10 points in 16 playoff games this spring. That's outstanding production on an Oilers team that's had a number of players step up in the secondary scoring department. Perry, who suited up for Team Canada at the memorable World Junior Hockey Championship in Grand Forks, N.D., back in 2005, is about to play in his sixth Stanley Cup final — and fifth in the past six years. But he hasn't won it all since his first trip with the Anaheim Ducks in 2007. One of these grizzled veterans is going to be a multiple Stanley Cup champion at some point during the next couple of weeks. And don't be surprised if they spend some time in this series getting under one another's skin in between providing important goals for their respective teams. THE GOALIE BATTLE: This will be one of the most fascinating stories of this series. On paper, the Panthers figure to have a decisive edge, since Sergei Bobrovsky is playing even better than he did last spring when he led the Panthers to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. There's probably nobody who benefited more from the lengthy break than Bobrovsky, who is 12-5 with a 2.11 goals-against average and .912 save percentage this spring (compared to going 16-8 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .906 save percentage in the 2024 playoffs). But that's part of the beauty of hockey. Many numbers can be informative, but the unpredictable nature of the goalie position makes it difficult to discern why certain things are happening on any given night. Karl DeBlaker / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is 12-5 with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage during this season's playoff run. Karl DeBlaker / THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is 12-5 with a 2.11 goals-against average and a .912 save percentage during this season's playoff run. That's what makes the journey of Oilers netminder Stuart Skinner so interesting. For the second consecutive spring, Stuart lost the net to Pickard — this time after consecutive losses to the Los Angeles Kings in the opening round. When the opportunity to return to the crease came, Skinner showed he was ready and he's racked up six wins of his own since that time. For the second consecutive spring, Skinner outplayed Jake Oettinger of the Dallas Stars in the Western Conference final and he's ready for his second taste of the Stanley Cup final. MIKE SAYS: Take the following with a massive grain of salt considering I'm just 7-7 so far in my predictions this spring. Truth be told, the Oilers have surprised me every step of the way — I had them losing to Los Angeles, then Vegas, then Dallas. I'm not going to make the same mistake a fourth time. Although I love how the Panthers play and feel foolish picking against them, I think the Oilers find a way to get the job done in what should be another epic battle. Just like last year, this one is going the distance, but McDavid stands tall at the end and is named playoff MVP. Winnipeg Jets Game Days On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop. KEN SAYS: Things have gone a bit sideways in the predictions game since a 6-2 start to the post-season in the opening round. After going 1-3 in the second, I correctly had the Panthers but didn't have the Oilers advancing, so that leaves me at 8-6 going into this Stanley Cup final. The Oilers are virtually clicking on all cylinders and their improved defensive play has many predicting the Canadian team drought is about to end. Getting Mattias Ekholm back is a huge boost on the back end for the Oilers, but the loss of energetic winger Zach Hyman is a massive blow — even with so many others doing their part at both ends of the ice. For me, not having Hyman tips the scales in what looks like a pick-'em series and that's why I'm taking the Panthers in six, with Bobrosvky getting the nod as the Conn Smythe winner. X and Bluesky: @mikemcintyrewpg X and Bluesky: @WiebesWorld Mike McIntyreReporter Mike McIntyre grew up wanting to be a professional wrestler. But when that dream fizzled, he put all his brawn into becoming a professional writer. Read full biography Ken WiebeReporter Raised in the booming metropolis of Altona, Man., Ken Wiebe grew up wanting to play in the NHL, but after realizing his hands were more adept at typing than scoring, he shifted his attention to cover his favourite sport as a writer. Read full biography Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Vancouver Sun
2 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Fleet's Hilary Knight, Sceptres' Natalie Spooner highlight list of unprotected PWHL players
Several stars could be on the move as the Professional Women's Hockey League's new franchises start building their rosters this week. The league's six original teams released their lists of protected players Tuesday. The Boston Fleet are keeping goalie Aerin Frankel, defender Megan Keller and forward Alina Muller, while the championship-winging Minnesota Frost will hang on to forwards Kendall Coyne Schofield and Taylor Heise, and defender Lee Stecklein. The Montreal Victoire protected goalie Ann-Renee Desbiens, captain Marie-Philip Poulin and forward Laura Stacey, and the New York Sirens went with standout rookie Sarah Fillier, and defenders Ella Shelton and Micah Zandee-Hart. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. After making their first appearance in the PWHL final, the Ottawa Charge are hanging onto forward Emily Clark, first-year goalie Gwyneth Philips and defender Ronja Savolainen, while the Toronto Sceptres have protected defender Renata Fast, and forwards Blayre Turnbull and Daryl Watts. Just as revealing are the players that weren't included and are available for Vancouver and Seattle to sign this week or select in Monday's expansion draft. Here are some of the top players up for grabs. HILARY KNIGHT: Perhaps the most surprising name on the list of eligible players, the Boston Fleet captain is coming off a 2024-25 campaign where she tied for the league lead in scoring with 29 points (15 goals, 14 assists). The 35-year-old Knight is up for the Billie Jean King award as the PWHL's most-valuable player and has a long history on the international stage, including a gold medal with the United States at the 2025 women's world championships in April. CLAIRE THOMPSON: The Minnesota Frost had tough decisions to make after winning back-to-back Walter Cup titles, and opted to leave the 27-year-old defender exposed. Thompson put up four goals and 14 assists in her rookie season this year, and is a finalist for the PWHL defender of the year award. She also has history with Vancouver's new general manager, Cara Gardner Morey, having played for her at Princeton. ERIN AMBROSE: The veteran Canadian defender is a prime pick for expansion teams looking for both leadership and a stalwart presence on their blue line. Ambrose helped the Montreal Victoire finish the regular season atop the PWHL standings with 13 assists in 28 games. The 31-year-old from Keswick, Ont., has also been a key piece of Canada's women's squad, and won Olympic gold at the 2022 Beijing Games. ALEX CARPENTER: Over two seasons with the New York Sirens, Carpenter has emerged as an offensive specialist. The 31-year-old American notched 20 points (11 goals, nine assists) last season and was among the league's top-10 goal scorers. With ample experience on the international scene, Carpenter's presence would be missed by the Sirens. EMERANCE MASCHMEYER: A leg injury took the goalie out of Ottawa's lineup in mid-March and the Charge protected rookie netminder Philips after she backstopped the team to a nail-bitter overtime loss in the deciding game of the PWHL final. The 30-year-old Maschmeyer has big-game experience, helping Canada to gold at the 2022 Olympics. She's also coming off a season where she posted a 6-7-2-0 record with a .913 save percentage, a 2.58 goals-against average and two shutouts. NATALIE SPOONER: Spooner was named league MVP after the PWHL's inaugural season. The Toronto Sceptres forward spent much of the season rehabbing from knee surgery and played just 14 games in 2024-25, contributing five points (three goals two assists). A two-time gold medallist for Canada, the 34-year-old Spooner would add skill, experience and leadership to any expansion team. CANADIAN CONTENT: A number of the Canadians who won silver at the women's world championship in April are available to the expansion squads. Forwards up for grabs include Jenn Gardiner (Montreal Victoire), Julia Gosling (Toronto Sceptres), Brianne Jenner (Ottawa Charge), Emma Maltais (Toronto Sceptres), Sarah Nurse (Toronto Sceptres), Kristin O'Neill (Montreal Victoire), Jamie Lee Rattray (Boston Fleet) and Danielle Serdachny (Ottawa Charge). Vancouver and Seattle could also bring in defenders Sophie Jacques (Minnesota Frost) and Jocelyne Larocque (Ottawa Charge), and goalie Kristen Campbell (Toronto Sceptres). Vancouver and Seattle can sign players during an exclusive signing window between Tuesday and next Monday. An expansion draft will take place on Tuesday, followed by a league-wide entry draft on June 24.
Winnipeg Free Press
2 hours ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Home court not so sweet for Sea Bears
Home court hasn't been an advantage for the Winnipeg Sea Bears lately. The past two seasons saw Winnipeg's professional hoops squad go 15-5 inside Canada Life Centre, but this summer, they find themselves on a three-game slide on their own floor. Their latest defeat, which dropped them to 1-4, came on Saturday night in an 88-73 loss against the visiting Ottawa BlackJacks (2-2). The Sea Bears have now lost four straight games, all by double digits, since prevailing 92-89 over the Edmonton Stingers in the season opener. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Sea Bears guard Alex Campbell (centre) said Tuesday the team is still optimistic about their season despite dropping their last four contests. BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Sea Bears guard Alex Campbell (centre) said Tuesday the team is still optimistic about their season despite dropping their last four contests. 'I think we've got a younger group and it's taken a lot to realize how special this fanbase is and I don't think we've come out and played with the sense of urgency that I feel like we could, and I don't know why that is,' said veteran Canadian guard Alex Campbell after Tuesday's practice. 'We're still optimistic… It's about gelling and building this thing back up. We have one ultimate goal at the end of the summer, obviously, and we want to build up towards that.' Campbell and head coach Mike Taylor insist the team isn't on cruise control since they're hosting the CEBL's Championship Weekend (Aug. 22-24). They are guaranteed to play in the league's Western Conference championship game no matter how they finish the regular season. The last three hosts — Montreal Alliance (6-14 in 2024), Vancouver Bandits (8-12 in 2023), and Ottawa (8-12 in 2022) — all went into the final four weekend with losing records and none of them made it to championship Sunday. 'I think we've seen the last few years that (hosting) has not been easy for teams to handle. We're trying to avoid, we'll say, the trap of a challenging season and a difficult time to win games,' said Taylor. 'We've gotten off to a slow start, so I think the most important thing for us is to take ownership and understand where we are and understand where we want to be and work to get there.' MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor said hosting the CEBL Championship Weekend can lead to complacency during the regular season. MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Sea Bears head coach Mike Taylor said hosting the CEBL Championship Weekend can lead to complacency during the regular season. 'I do have to say, there can be some complacency and that urgency you normally have when you're playing, it's something that we have to address… (But) we're working hard and going in the right direction.' Inefficient shooting has plagued the Sea Bears. They're dead last in both field goal (36.7) and three-point percentage (25.7). 'I feel like we're getting the right looks, it's just more self confidence because teams are kind of labelling us as non-shooters, so I think that's getting into a lot of players' heads,' said American power forward Jaylin Williams, who had 16 points and five rebounds against Ottawa. 'It's just about boosting confidence and believing in those shots is the main way to improving things. A lot of guys can shoot, I mean, I see it with these guys in practice every day, they all can shoot, it's just about putting it together in games.' The good news is help is on the way as star Canadian centre Simi Shittu is expected to join the team on the road this weekend when they take on the Brampton Honey Badgers (0-5) Friday and then the Scarborough Shooting Stars (3-0) Saturday. The six-foot-10 Shittu, who is arriving late as he was finishing up the Greek Basketball League season with his club Promitheas Patras, is an accomplished name in the summer circuit as he was named to the All-CEBL First Team and All-Canadian Team in 2023 when he was a member of the Calgary Surge. Supplied / CEBL Winnipeg Sea Bears' Simi Shittu is expected to join the team on the road Friday against the Brampton Honey Badgers. Shittu spent the 2023 season with the Calgary Surge. Supplied / CEBL Winnipeg Sea Bears' Simi Shittu is expected to join the team on the road Friday against the Brampton Honey Badgers. Shittu spent the 2023 season with the Calgary Surge. Shittu isn't expected to play this week since he'll need some time to get comfortable with his Winnipeg teammates. 'In the past, we had the star mentality where we built things around Teddy (Allen), we built things around Justin (Wright-Foreman). We made an effort to have more of a team approach this summer, and the early results are not as productive as we have been, but we have Simi coming in,' said Taylor. 'Simi is important because we've never had an athletic rim protector that he can provide. He's also a player that can settle guys down. When other teams go on a run, we can throw the ball into the post to him and play through him. He can play multiple spots on the floor, and is a big, physical body that will help with the physical presence of our team.' The Sea Bears will return to downtown Winnipeg on June 11 to square off against Montreal. Former Sea Bears guard Mason Bourcier officially signed with the Edmonton Stingers on Tuesday. Bourcier requested his release from Winnipeg last week as the 25-year-old from Kelowna, B.C., was frustrated with his role on the team. He played over 20 minutes per game with the Sea Bears in 2024, but saw his playing time slashed in half through the first three games this summer. 'We wish him all the best, we wish his family all the best, but (his tenure here) had run its course,' Taylor told the Free Press. 'At this point, our team is really together, and the roles are set. Hopefully we can replace him with a more productive player, a better player.' Taylor AllenReporter Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor. Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press's tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press's history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
