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World No. 152 Clement Chidekh, a Qualifier, Storms Into Brussels Quarterfinals

Former University of Washington star Clement Chidekh, ranked No. 152, beat the seventh seed for his first ATP win, then won again Wednesday to reach his first tour quarterfinal in Brussels.

Published

5 hours ago

October 22, 2026

Royal Jones

Clement Chidekh at the European Open in Brussels

Three years after leaving college tennis, Clement Chidekh is having the week of his life. The 25-year-old French qualifier, ranked No. 152 in the world, won his first two ATP Tour matches on consecutive days at the European Open in Brussels to reach his first tour-level quarterfinal.

On Tuesday, Chidekh dismantled seventh seed Botic van de Zandschulp — a player ranked 114 places above him — 6-1, 6-4 in 81 minutes, hitting 18 winners against just 15 unforced errors and converting six of 15 break points. It was his first ATP main-draw win in three attempts, after first-round losses in Montpellier in 2023 and Marseille in 2025. On Wednesday he backed it up, beating Britain’s Jacob Fearnley 7-6(4), 6-2 in an hour and 48 minutes. He faces third seed Francisco Cerundolo in Friday’s quarterfinals.

‘I’m very happy I could get it done,’ Chidekh said after the van de Zandschulp win. ‘The reward comes from a lot of good work.’

He earned his place the hard way, winning two qualifying matches over Belgian opponents, and his draw opened further when Kamil Majchrzak’s injury withdrawal reshuffled the field.

His route to the tour is an American one. Chidekh, from Arles in the south of France, played two seasons at the University of Washington, where he was ranked No. 1 in the nation in college tennis and went 42-11. The bet his coach made on him is still paying off: Matt Anger quit his job as Washington’s head coach to travel the tour with him.

The Brussels run is no fluke. Chidekh is 51-24 this season across all levels and has won five Challenger titles in his career — including back-to-back crowns in Nottingham and Glasgow in January and the Open Vendee earlier this month — and he reached a career-high No. 146 earlier in October. His live ranking is already up to around No. 138, another career best.

Photo credit: Julien Kammerer/DPPI via AFP

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Angel Reese’s Historic Night Powers Dream Past Valkyries 97-71 for 2-1 Finals Lead

Angel Reese had 21 points and 12 rebounds to become the first player in WNBA history with a double-double in each of her first three Finals games, and the Atlanta Dream routed the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 in Game 3 to take a 2-1 lead in the WNBA Finals.

Published

2 hours ago

October 22, 2026

Royal Jones

Angel Reese high-fives Jordin Canada during WNBA Finals Game 3

The Atlanta Dream turned their first home game of the WNBA Finals into a statement. Behind another commanding performance from Angel Reese, Atlanta blew out the Golden State Valkyries 97-71 on Wednesday night in front of a sold-out crowd of 17,099 at State Farm Arena, taking a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven series and setting a franchise record for points in a Finals game.

Watch the official Game 3 highlights:

Atlanta’s defense set the tone from the opening tip. The Dream held Golden State scoreless for the first five minutes, and the Valkyries did not make a field goal until Aminata Gueye’s hook shot with 4:38 left in the first quarter. Atlanta led 23-15 after one and 46-40 at halftime.

Golden State made its push early in the third quarter, tying the game at 49. Reese answered personally, fueling an 8-0 run and capping it with a coast-to-coast driving layup. After the Valkyries trimmed the margin to 59-55, the Dream closed the quarter by scoring 12 of the final 14 points to carry a 71-57 lead into the fourth, then outscored Golden State 26-14 the rest of the way. Atlanta has now outscored Golden State 63-35 in third quarters across the series.

Angel Reese celebrates with Rhyne Howard during Game 3 of the WNBA Finals at State Farm Arena. (AP Photo)

Reese finished with 21 points on 7-of-12 shooting, 12 rebounds, three assists and three steals. She is the first player in WNBA history to record a double-double in each of her first three Finals games, the youngest player ever with three straight double-doubles in the Finals, and she joined A’ja Wilson as the only players to post 20 points and 10 rebounds in consecutive Finals games. She also went 2-for-2 from three-point range; Atlanta is 14-0 this season when Reese makes a three.

“Time to take over. Do whatever it takes to win,” Reese said. “Everybody was just playing together. It’s fun when you win and you play with a great group. So it makes my job super easy.”

Rhyne Howard added 16 points and five steals, becoming the first player in league history with five steals in consecutive Finals games. Naz Hillmon scored 15, Isobel Borlase added 12 off the bench, and Jordin Canada finished with 10 points and eight assists. Atlanta shot 49.3 percent from the field, hit nine three-pointers and owned the paint, 44-20.

Gabby Williams led Golden State with 15 points, Tiffany Hayes scored 14, and Janelle Salaün and Cecilia Zandalasini added 13 apiece. But the Valkyries shot just 34.8 percent and committed 17 turnovers, which Atlanta converted into 22 points. “Sometimes, promises aren’t kept,” Golden State coach Natalie Nakase said.

Game 4 is Saturday, October 24 at 1 p.m. ET at State Farm Arena, televised on NBC and streaming on Peacock. Atlanta, playing in its first Finals since 2013, is now two wins away from the first championship in franchise history.