Epic Performances and Big Moves: Highlights from Sports World

A round-up of recent sports news detailing Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff's progression in the U.S. Open despite challenging conditions, and key transactions in the NFL and NBA. Additionally, MLB action saw Christian Bethancourt drive the Cubs to a major comeback victory.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Steamy conditions tested players' resolve at the U.S. Open on Wednesday but defending champions Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff both advanced to the third round, while Aryna Sabalenka marked her win by taking photographs with a mini version of herself. Sweat-soaked 24-times Grand Slam champion Djokovic looked far from comfortable under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium and had to battle from 2-4 in the second set before seeing off fellow Serb Laslo Djere, who retired injured at 6-4 6-4 2-0.

Becoming a minority owner of the Las Vegas Raiders could severely impact Tom Brady's new role as Fox Sports' lead NFL analyst. According to reports Wednesday from ESPN and The Athletic, NFL owners discussed at their meetings in Minneapolis restrictions that would be put on the former star quarterback should his bid to buy 10 percent of the Raiders become finalized.

The Boston Celtics and free agent guard Lonnie Walker IV agreed on a one-year contract, ESPN reported on Wednesday. Walker, 25, will receive an Exhibit 10 training camp contract, per The Athletic. If Walker is waived after camp and plays for the team's G League affiliate in Maine, he would be eligible for a bonus worth up to $77,500.

Quarterback Bailey Zappe apparently wasn't unemployed long. Multiple outlets reported Wednesday that Zappe, who was released Tuesday by the New England Patriots, will be signing the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.

Defending U.S. Open champion Novak Djokovic kept his bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title on track on Wednesday after fellow Serb Laslo Djere retired injured while trailing 6-4 6-4 2-0 in their second-round match. Djokovic had needed five sets to get past Djere in the third round a year ago and it looked as though Arthur Ashe Stadium would see another epic clash between the two as Djere went up a break in the second set.

The second round of the U.S. Open continues on Thursday as the world's top players battle for Grand Slam glory in New York. Top seed Jannik Sinner resumes his quest for a second Grand Slam title after his Australian Open success earlier this season when the Italian meets local favorite Alex Michelsen.

A tenacious Andrey Rublev survived a marathon U.S. Open encounter on Wednesday when he battled back from two sets down to beat Arthur Rinderknech 4-6 5-7 6-1 6-2 6-2 and move into the third round at Flushing Meadows. Few would have expected Frenchman Rinderknech to trouble four-times U.S. Open quarter-finalist Rublev, who had a 2-0 winning record against the world number 56, with one of those wins coming in this tournament last year.

Victoria Azarenka said she suffered a migraine during her match against Clara Burel at the U.S. Open on Wednesday but the former world number one still managed to claim a 6-1 6-4 victory to move into the third round. Azarenka was in cruise control as she comfortably took the opening set after winning the first five games but she quickly found herself 3-1 down in the second, appearing to struggle with the harsh lights at Louis Armstrong Stadium.

Defending champion Coco Gauff brought her 'nothing to lose' mentality to the second round of the U.S. Open as she cleaned up early mistakes to beat unseeded German Tatjana Maria 6-4 6-0 on Wednesday. The American, who beat Maria in Auckland last year, roared back from an error-riddled first set to sweep through the second and close out the affair with a sublime backhand winner.

Christian Bethancourt capped a career day with a go-ahead two-run single in the top of the ninth, lifting the Chicago Cubs to an improbable 14-10 win over the host Pittsburgh Pirates on Wednesday. Bethancourt finished with seven RBIs, six coming in the final three innings. He had three hits and scored three runs.

(With inputs from agencies.)