Know about Stephens survival, Venus plans for Serena, US Open heat rule

Cleveland Browns linebacker Mychal Kendricks apologized on Wednesday, shortly after he was hit with federal charges for insider trading. U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain, based in Philadelphia, announced the charges on Wednesday.

Browns LB Kendricks charged with insider trading, issues apology

Cleveland Browns linebacker Mychal Kendricks apologized on Wednesday, shortly after he was hit with federal charges for insider trading. U.S. Attorney William M. McSwain, based in Philadelphia, announced the charges on Wednesday.

Murray true to word with second round exit at U.S. Open

Andy Murray lived up to his pre-tournament prediction that he would not win this year's U.S. Open when he was beaten 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-4 by Spain's Fernando Verdasco in the second round on Wednesday. The former-world number one and 2012 U.S. Open champion, who is still working his way back from hip surgery and had earlier downplayed his chances, battled Verdasco for nearly three hours and 30 minutes before finally surrendering on a fourth match point while trying to force a fifth set.

Vikings WR Jones arrested on three allegations

Minnesota Vikings receiver Cayleb Jones is in Dakota County Jail in Hastings, Minn., after being arrested on suspicion of three counts on Tuesday. Jones is being held without bail on allegations of felony theft, misdemeanor assault and interfering with a 911 call, though he has not yet been charged.

Spurs officially sign Pondexter

The San Antonio Spurs announced Wednesday that they have agreed to a one-year deal with free-agent swingman Quincy Pondexter. The deal is worth just over $2 million, according to Spotrac.

Stephens survives scare to reach the third round in New York

Defending U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens overcame scorching heat, a blister and an inspired performance by qualifier Anhelina Kalinina to advance to the third round with a hard-fought 4-6 7-5 6-2 win on Wednesday. The third-seeded American fired an ace on match point to complete the comeback, which took 2 hours and 46 minutes on a hot and humid day on Arthur Ashe Stadium.

An absolute must, everyday. @Biofreeze #mysecretweapon pic.twitter.com/SID7hGnGks

— Sloane Stephens (@SloaneStephens) August 28, 2018

Packers' Rodgers signs historic $134 million extension

Aaron Rodgers has signed a contract extension, the Green Bay Packers announced Wednesday, that will reportedly make him the highest-paid player in NFL history. Rodgers' former teammate and current NFL Network analyst James Jones first reported the agreement, tweeting that Rodgers' extension is for four years and averages $33.5 million annually in new money, plus available incentives each year, with more than $100 million guaranteed. Atlanta's Matt Ryan held the previous benchmarks for annual salary ($30 million) and guaranteed money ($94.5 million).

Heat rule in effect again at U.S. Open

The U.S. Open will implement its heat rule for the second day running to give suffering players some relief from the brutally hot temperatures and high humidity at Flushing Meadows. Wednesday is forecast to be the hottest day of the week with the mercury expected to soar to 96 Fahrenheit (35.5 Celsius) as the second-round action takes place at the final Grand Slam of the year.

Practice courts @usopen players need to keep it short & save most everything for brutal heat wave conditions of their matches. Women have a heat rule w 10 minute break if they split sets. Men have no heat rule. This needs to change. How many players will have medical time outs? pic.twitter.com/4Xh9DU3yrT

— Pam Shriver (@PHShriver) August 28, 2018

Cornet forgiving but double standards remain

Women and men may receive equal pay for work at Grand Slams but a double standard that surfaced at the U.S. Open when Alize Cornet was slapped with a code violation for changing her shirt on the court continued to spark outrage over equality on Wednesday. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) was in full damage control mode defusing a controversy that erupted on Tuesday after the Frenchwoman noticed she had put her shirt on backward off the court during a heat break.

Venus eyes potential clash with Serena

Venus Williams beat Italy's Camila Giorgi 6-4 7-5 in the U.S. Open second round on Wednesday to set up a possible third-round match against her younger sister Serena. Venus seeded 16th, powered through the first set but appeared to lose energy toward the end of the second in broiling conditions inside the newly built Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Del Potro overwhelms Kudla in ominous power play

Argentine Juan Martin del Potro overpowered American Denis Kudla 6-3 6-1 7-6(4) in the U.S. Open second round on Wednesday, delivering a near flawless performance and serving notice that the injury-plagued 2009 champion is in top form. Showing no ill-effects from the wrist injuries that have dogged him in recent years, Del Potro thumped down 20 aces, won 85 percent of his first-serve points and never faced a break point in a match lasting less than two hours.

(With inputs from Reuters)