Aug 30, 2026 · 7 min listen · Last updated August 30, 2026
From storyflo. This is your daily audio brief. Brock here. August 30th. Game day. Five stories worth your eight minutes — first one's a story. Let's get into it. First, from Sky Sports. US Open predictions: The Sky Sports Tennis panel pick their winners!.
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Daily Sports Brief · August 30th
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US Open predictions: The Sky Sports Tennis panel pick their winners!
The Sky Sports Tennis panel has shared their predictions for the US Open, highlighting both favorites and dark horses. Tim Henman is backing Sascha Zverev, citing his aggressive play since winning the French Open, and Aryna Sabalenka, who he believes will find her best form at the Grand Slam. Ryan Harrison is confident in Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff, noting their potential to shine despite recent challenges.
Naomi Broady is excited about Arthur Fils and Iga Swiatek, while Naomi Cavaday sees Carlos Alcaraz and Jessica Pegula as strong contenders. Jonathan Overend agrees with the buzz around Fils and Gauff, emphasizing their recent successes. The panel also mentions several dark horses, including Lerner Tien, Sorana Cirstea, and Frances Tiafoe, who could surprise everyone.
With the tournament kicking off soon, it’s shaping up to be an exciting event. The US Open starts on August 30, and you can catch all the action live on Sky Sports.
Want to challenge your football knowledge? Check out BBC Sport’s daily quizzes. They’ve got three fun options for you. First up, the "Who Am I?" game, where you guess the footballer with clues. The fewer guesses you make, the better your score. Then there's "Five in Five," where you need to name five correct answers in just five minutes. And don’t miss the Brainteaser—it's a tough one, giving you five lives to guess the answer before it’s revealed. If you’re hungry for more quizzes, head over to their dedicated pages and sign up for notifications. It’s a great way to keep your football brain sharp!
Norris: I can be forceful to get what I want at McLaren
Lando Norris has officially extended his contract with McLaren until at least 2030, solidifying his role within the team after claiming his first world championship in 2025. In a recent interview, he expressed how his experience has taught him to be more assertive in his position. He believes he can now be forceful in advocating for what he needs from the team, emphasizing that his role goes beyond just driving.
Norris is in his eighth season with McLaren, holding the record for the most Grand Prix starts for the team. Despite a rocky start to the current season, recent upgrades have helped him secure victories in Hungary and the Netherlands, narrowing the gap to the championship leader. He draws parallels to last year's title race, noting that perseverance and teamwork are crucial for success. As the season progresses, Norris seems poised to lead the team, especially with the upcoming Italian Grand Prix at Monza on the horizon.
Today on Sky Sports Racing: British raiders on show at Deauville
Today at Deauville, British horses are set to shine on Sky Sports Racing. In the Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville, Al Aasy, the seasoned nine-year-old, aims for glory under Tom Marquand. He’s up against Arrow Eagle, who’s looking to bounce back after a recent disappointment, and the unbeaten Mazzala, who’s a serious contender after winning his last two races.
In the Group 3 Prix de Meautry, British raiders Into The Sky and Mitbaahy are ready to clash. Into The Sky had a promising start to the season but struggled at Royal Ascot. He’s dropping in class and distance, so keep an eye on him. Mitbaahy, a consistent performer, is coming off strong finishes and could be right in the mix.
Over at Yarmouth, the highlight is the Bodhi Solutions Handicap. Hypnotised is on the rise after a near miss at Newbury and should be a strong contender. Adrestia, a previous stakes winner, is also in the running, especially with her weight easing. It’s shaping up to be an exciting day of racing!
A French mum, 'no good player' dad and Welsh tears
Stella Orrin is riding high after being named to her first senior matchday squad, bursting into tears when she received the news from Wales head coach Sean Lynn. The 20-year-old prop felt immense pride during her debut against the Barbarians, marking a significant milestone in her rugby journey. She’s been working hard for this moment, and it truly means the world to her.
As she looks ahead to the WXV Global Series, where Wales will face South Africa, USA, and Japan, Orrin is patient and trusts her coaches and teammates. She’s proud to represent Wales, a country that embraced her French mother.
Her father, who played social rugby, is her biggest inspiration despite his modest playing background. He supports her wholeheartedly, attending every game and cheering her on. As Orrin trains with the senior squad, she’s grateful for the guidance from experienced players like Donna Rose and Gwen Crabb, who have helped her transition from age-grade rugby. She finds it surreal to be among players she once admired from afar.
Sabalenka bids to rediscover form at intriguing US Open
Aryna Sabalenka is looking to regain her form as she heads into the US Open. Earlier this year, she achieved a remarkable 'Sunshine Double,' winning both Indian Wells and Miami, which put her at the top of the WTA rankings. However, things took a downturn, and now she’s holding onto her number one spot with a 17-7 record since that Miami victory. With 2,000 points to defend, the pressure is on, especially with Elena Rybakina closing in.
Sabalenka's recent struggles have raised concerns about her mental game. She faced tough losses, including a surprising defeat to Sara Bejlek in Cincinnati, where she lost a significant lead. Despite this, she remains optimistic, stating she’s working hard to reset her mindset and come back stronger.
As the tournament approaches, the competition is fierce. Rybakina could take over the top ranking without even needing to win a match, while Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff are also in the mix, each with their own ambitions. The depth in the women’s game is impressive, with several players capable of making a deep run. It’s going to be an intriguing US Open, and all eyes will be on how Sabalenka performs under the spotlight.
Newly promoted Elversberg stun Leverkusen in five-goal thriller
Elversberg, the smallest town to host a Bundesliga club, pulled off a remarkable upset against Bayer Leverkusen, winning 3-2 in a thrilling match. The newly promoted side showcased their resilience and skill, holding onto their lead despite a strong challenge from Leverkusen. This victory is a significant moment for Elversberg, a town with just 13,000 residents, making their achievement even more impressive. The atmosphere was electric as they celebrated this historic win at home. It’s a reminder of how unpredictable football can be, and how the underdogs can surprise even the biggest teams. What a match!
Glover Teixeira scores early knockdown, dominates ‘Shogun’ Rua across 8 rounds to win decision
Glover Teixeira showed he still has the fire as he dominated Mauricio “Shogun” Rua over eight rounds in their boxing match at Spaten Fight Night 3. Teixeira scored an early knockdown, landing a powerful punch that sent Rua to the canvas. Though Rua managed to survive, he absorbed a lot of punishment throughout the fight. Teixeira was relentless, pushing Rua against the ropes and unleashing combinations, while Rua’s attempts to counter were largely ineffective.
As the rounds progressed, Teixeira maintained his aggression, landing stiff body shots and head punches. Rua found some success in the fifth round, but Teixeira quickly regained momentum, establishing a strong jab that kept Rua on the defensive. In the seventh, Teixeira unleashed a flurry of hard shots, but time ran out before he could secure a knockout.
Despite both fighters being past their prime, they delivered an entertaining bout. Teixeira’s performance suggests he’s ready to keep competing, while Rua, who may be considering retirement, faced a tough decision after this fight.
Report: Saints will keep Spencer Rattler despite trade interest
The Saints waived fourth quarterback Hunter Dekkers on Saturday, leaving Spencer Rattler and Zach Wilson behind Tyler Shough. The team received trade interest in Rattler, but plans to keep him, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports. If the Saints do indeed keep three quarterbacks on their roster, the question then becomes who will serve as the backup on game day. Rattler, a fifth-round pick in 2024, competed for the starting job a year ago and ended up starting the first eight games of the season.
UNC G.M. Michael Lombardi's lawyer calls ongoing investigation a "witch hunt"
UNC G.M. Michael Lombardi remains on paid administrative leave while the school investigates him. Recently, his lawyer has complained about the duration of the probe. On Saturday, Tom Mars attacked the investigation in comments to David Ubben of The Athletic. “If UNC had grounds to fire Michael for cause, they wouldn’t need to conduct such a far-ranging, lengthy witch hunt," Mars told Ubben. "They would have done so by now. I think the motive behind the investigation goes further than a $1.5 million buyout.