Third-seeded Coco Gauff recovered from losing her first set of the year, rallying Sunday to defeat Belinda Bencic of Switzerland and advance to the quarterfinals at the Australian Open.

But what she did after winning may have been even more timely.

In what’s become an unofficial tradition after winning their matches, tennis players are often handed a marker to write a message on the lens of a courtside camera. Gauff paused for a moment, then took the opportunity to address the United States’ ban of social media site TikTok that went into effect at midnight back home.

‘RIP TikTok USA,’ she wrote, adding a picture of a broken heart.

Gauff, who has more than 750,000 followers on TikTok, was asked about her reaction to the ban in her postmatch press conference.

‘I could not access it after my match. I honestly thought I would be able to get away with it because I was in Australia,’ she said. ‘Hopefully it comes back. … I love TikTok. It’s like an escape. I honestly do that before matches. I guess it will force me to read books more – be more of a productive human, probably. Maybe it’s a blessing in disguise.’

Gauff will next face 11th seed Paula Badosa of Spain, with the winner potentially taking on two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka – a 6-1 6-2 victor over teenager Mirra Andreeva.

Classic quarterfinal: Novak Djokovic vs. Carlos Alcaraz

Novak Djokovic charged into the Australian Open quarterfinals on Sunday, setting up a showdown with a familiar foe in the quarterfinals.

But before looking ahead to his upcoming match against Carlos Alcaraz, the seventh-seeded Serb took aim at the tournament’s official broadcaster.

Djokovic declined an on-court interview and curtly thanked the crowd after his 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) thumping of Jiri Lehecka. He was miffed at Channel Nine reporter Tony Jones, who had mocked him and his fans two days earlier.

‘Novak he’s over-rated, Novak’s a has-been. Novak kick him out. Oh, I’m glad they (his supporters) can’t hear me,’ Jones had said.

Djokovic said he would continue his media boycott until he receives an apology from Jones.

‘Since they’re official broadcasters, I chose not to give interviews for Channel Nine,’ Djokovic told reporters. ‘If you guys want to fine me for not giving an on-court interview, that’s okay. I’ll accept that, because this is something that needs to be done. That’s all there is to it.’

Australian Open Day 8 results

Men’s singles

7-Novak Djokovic (SRB) beat 24-Jiri Lehecka (CZE) 6-3 6-4 7-6(4)
3-Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) beat 15-Jack Draper (GBR) 7-5 6-1 (Retired)
12-Tommy Paul (USA) beat Alejandro Davidovich 6-1 6-1 6-1 Fokina (ESP)
2-Alexander Zverev (DEU) beat 14-Ugo Humbert (FRA) 6-1 2-6 6-3 6-2

Women’s singles

1-Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) beat 14-Mirra Andreeva (RUS) 6-1 6-2
27-Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) beat 18-Donna Vekic (HRV) 7-6(0) 6-0
3-Coco Gauff (USA) beat Belinda Bencic (CHE) 5-7 6-2 6-1
11-Paula Badosa (ESP) beat Olga Danilovic (SRB) 6-1 7-6(2)

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The Detroit Lions lost many notable players to injury throughout the season, including yet another during their divisional round NFL playoff game against the Washington Commanders on Sunday.

Cornerback Amik Robertson – who played very well against Minnesota Vikings star wide receiver Justin Jefferson last time Detroit was in action – left the game after taking a hit to his arm from teammate Jack Campbell.

According to NFL Media, Robertson suffered a broken humerus and underwent surgery Saturday night.

Robertson was corraling Commanders wide receiver Terry McLaurin on second-and-4 from the Washington 26-yard line. Campbell came in to finish the play and caught Robertson’s arm with his shoulder, forcing them to the ground and injuring Robertson’s arm in the process.

NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more.

Amik Robertson injury update

NFL.com originally reported Robertson was taken to a Detroit-area hospital for further evaluation following his injury. He is expected to be ready for offseason workouts.

Robertson was down on the field before Detroit’s medical staff tended to him. He ultimately walked off the field under his own power but with help keeping his arm in place.

The Lions confirmed Robertson was questionable to return with an elbow injury. He was later downgraded to out.

Who is Amik Robertson?

Robertson was drafted in the fourth round, No. 139 overall by the Las Vegas Raiders in the 2020 NFL draft. He spent four seasons with Raiders, starting 21 games and tallying four interceptions, two sacks, two forced fumbles and 15 passes defensed for the team.

Robertson signed with Detroit during the offseason. He played in all 17 games for the Lions during the regular season, including four starts, and had eight passes defensed and a career-high three forced fumbles.

Lions CB depth chart

With Robertson out of the lineup, the team is getting thin at the cornerback position. Here’s who is on the active roster at the position for Detroit:

Terrion Arnold
Brian Branch
Kindle Vildor
Stantley Thomas-Oliver
Morice Norris

The Philadelphia Eagles will host the Los Angeles Rams on Sunday as the divisional round of the NFL playoffs continues.

Philadelphia knocked off the Green Bay Packers in the wild-card round with a 22-10 win, while Los Angeles made a statement with a 27-9 rout of the Minnesota Vikings in the final game of the NFL wild-card round.

The Eagles entered the postseason as the No. 2 seed and the Rams as the No. 3; therefore, this game will be played at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

The Rams are looking to cause a significant upset on the road, and they have the firepower on offense, with Matthew Stafford, Cooper Kupp, Puka Nacua, and Kyren Williams, to keep pace with the Eagles. However, Philadelphia presents a difficult challenge this weekend, boasting the top defense in DVOA, according to FTN.

The Eagles defense was on display when they held the Packers to 10 points and forced four turnovers in the wild-card victory. Philadelphia’s offense can control the game’s tempo behind their outstanding offensive line and Saquon Barkley. The star running back rushed for a career-high 255 yards in the Week 12 meeting against the Rams.

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The Rams seek revenge for their November loss on ‘Sunday Night Football’ to the Eagles, while Philadelphia continues to push for its second Super Bowl appearance in three years.

USA TODAY Sports will provide live updates, highlights and more from the divisional round matchup between the Eagles and the Rams on Sunday below. All times are Eastern.

Eagles vs. Rams start time 

Date: Sunday, Jan. 19, 2025 
Time: 3 p.m. ET 

The Eagles and Rams game will kick off Sunday’s pair of divisional-round matchups at 3 p.m. ET.

Eagles vs. Rams TV channel 

Cable TV: NBC 

Eagles vs. Rams predictions, picks 

Here’s how the USA TODAY Sports staff feels the divisional round matchup between the Rams and Eagles will shape up: 

Lorenzo Reyes: Eagles 26, Rams 19
Tyler Dragon: Eagles 28, Rams 23
Jordan Mendoza: Eagles 24, Rams 23

Eagles vs. Rams live stream 

Live stream: Fubo | Peacock 

For cord cutters looking for a live stream for the matchup, you can turn to Fubo. Fubo carries NBC, as well as CBS, FOX, NFL Network and the ESPN family of networks, meaning you can catch NFL action through the remainder of the season.

DETROIT – Something strange happened at Ford Field on Saturday night.

The NFL’s most raucous venue turned quiet. Eerily silent.

Jayden Daniels didn’t notice.

How fitting. The unflappable Washington Commanders rookie was smack dab in the middle of a wild second quarter, when the game’s momentum swung, the teams combined for a playoff-record 42 points and all the noise was hushed.

And it was no big deal. After punching a ticket to the NFC title game with a 45-31 knockout of the Detroit Lions, he pretty much shrugged about it afterward.

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“The crowd came out, they were very hyped,” Daniels reflected in a crisp, even tone. “But I wasn’t focused on the crowd noise when I was out there.”

In other words, it didn’t matter to Daniels when the decibel levels hit triple digits or when the shock set in for the rowdy fans that the home team was in serious trouble.

Daniels passed for 299 yards and two touchdowns. He rushed for more than 50 yards. Meanwhile, Jared Goff, Detroit’s ninth-year quarterback, looked so rattled as he coughed up the football four times, Daniels didn’t commit a single turnover.

That’s how you win in the playoffs. And Daniels, who posted a 122.9 passer rating, was pretty close to perfect. There was a 38-yard dime to Dyami Brown that set up a touchdown. A well-timed swing-screen that Terry McLaurin took 58 yards for a touchdown. Three conversions on fourth downs. And he kept beating the blitz.

All of it came wrapped in what we’ve learned is essentially Daniels.

Man, is this kid cool. For all of his precision throwing and the smooth-gliding running, composure is his secret sauce. It’s no wonder that heading into the divisional round, he led Washington to five consecutive victories, when in each case he had the ball in his hand at the end. His demeanor undoubtedly brings out the rest of his game.

“No moment gets to him,” Austin Ekeler, the eighth-year running back, told USA TODAY Sports. “Good or bad.”

Sure, we’ve heard this all season as Daniels, 24, has layered one wow moment on top of another. The 2023 Heisman Trophy winner, drafted second overall, has only been the centerpiece to the revival of a signature NFL franchise and played his way to front-runner status for Offensive Rookie of the Year honors.

Now he’s continued the vibe in the playoffs, when conventional wisdom suggests it would be tougher.

Isn’t Daniels due to crack under playoff pressure?

Apparently not. Nobody sent him that memo. He feels no need to change his approach.

“Not at all,” he said. “Stay the same. Obviously, the media and everybody will put more magnitude on the game because it’s win or go home. But you’ve got to go out there and stay consistent.”

That’s hardly lip service. When the TV cameras caught glimpses of Daniels sitting on the bench on Saturday night, he was typically mellow. Teammates will tell you that’s pretty much been the case with him all season, no matter the circumstance. Doug Williams, the in-house legend and personnel executive, has been saying something similar since Week 1.

Daniels is that guy you might have heard about who doesn’t get too high when things are going well, and he doesn’t get too low when adversity strikes. He’s the same guy. You know his teammates love this quality about him because they are, well, rather consistent in describing his persona.

Does he ever change his expression?

Ekeler grinned, then offered, “Sometimes, he cracks a joke here or there. But that’s him. He’s laid-back. He’s looking to have a good time, play some ball with his friends.”

The Commanders (14-5) are one victory from the Super Bowl. How crazy is that?

It’s about as crazy as a rookie stepping into the NFL and playing like a 10-year vet. The Lions were certainly wary. During the week, coach Dan Campbell and defensive coordinator Aaron Glenn raved about Daniels’ knack for making savvy decisions. The respect was authentic – and proven on the film and with the results.

Then Daniels went out and proved it some more. The Lions blitzed at a higher rate than all but one NFL team during the regular season, sending an extra rusher on 34.6% of the snaps, which undoubtedly was influenced by the rash of injuries to the defense.

Sensing a heavy dose of blitzes, the Commanders felt that the effectiveness of their offense would hinge on winning the man-to-man coverage matchups – and with Daniels getting the ball away quickly. Done. He threw 31 passes and was never sacked.

“He’s amazing,” said Brown, who led Washington with six catches and 98 yards. “A true competitor.

“Just (him) being a rookie, man, I can’t wait to see him in his prime.”

That goes for the rest of us, too. But first things first. Before Daniels gets to his prime, there’s a date in the NFC title game.

Of course, he likes his chances, having advanced this far. Nothing about this situation seems too big for him. But he’s so cool in expressing that. As you might expect.

Do you feel like you can beat any team, anywhere?

“I love my team,” Daniels replied. “I’m confident in my team. We’ll roll with the next game and focus on that opponent.”

No, there’s no reason for Daniels to add to the noise.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Jarrett Bell on X @JarrettBell.

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Italy’s Federica Brignone won the super-G race at Cortina on Sunday, her first World Cup win at the Italian course extending her overall lead, while Lindsey Vonn gave the crowd a scare when crashing out on the third sector but emerged unharmed.

Vonn, four-times overall World Cup champion with 82 wins, retired in 2019 after suffering several injuries but the American announced her comeback in November.

The 40-year-old had her best finish since her return last weekend, coming fourth in a Super-G race in St Anton but at Cortina fellow competitors and fans held their breath when Vonn crashed after leaning into a bend.

The American was quickly back on her feet, but it was a disappointing end when she had looked set to post a decent time, going fourth fastest in the second sector, having finished 20th in Saturday’s downhill event.

‘I’m not so happy. I know my skiing is good and I can be fast,’ Vonn told Italian broadcaster Rai Sport.

‘My ambitions were different for this weekend.’

Brignone’s 31st World Cup win never looked in doubt, with the Italian, the seventh skiier out the gate, setting a time of one minute 21.64 seconds, and she celebrated wildly at the finish despite so many of her rivals having still to race.

‘Today I really attacked, I felt fast, at one point I felt a bit long but I still had a good feeling and I was aware that I had done a good race,’ Brignone said.

‘Let’s hope this is the right time.’

The time indeed had finally come for the 34-year-old to triumph at Cortina, with Switzerland’s Lara Gut-Behrami was 0.58 seconds behind in second, with another Swiss, Corinne Suter, taking third place on the Olympia delle Tofane course.

Brignone has been in scintillating form this season. Her first-ever podium at Cortina on Saturday, with third place in the downhill, had given her top spot in the overall standings.

The Italian is now second in the super-G standings behind Gut-Behrami, renewing last season’s rivalry where the Swiss skiier won the overall title, along with taking the super-G and giant slalom globes, with Brignone runner-up in all three.

DETROIT – Surprise, surprise.

The amazing rookie year of Jayden Daniels rolls on. And the star quarterback of the Washington Commanders has plenty of help.

And now it’s on to the NFC championship game.

Daniels was virtually flawless in sparking the Commanders to a stunning upset of the top-seeded Detroit Lions, 45-31, in an NFC divisional playoff shootout at Ford Field on Saturday night.

In a season’s worth of statements, Daniels delivered another one in passing for 299yards and two touchdowns, rushing for 52 yards and committing zero turnovers. He completed 22 of 31 passes and posted a 122.9 passer rating.

All things Commanders: Latest Washington Commanders news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

He was cool, collected, efficient. As advertised…and demonstrated for months.

Washington (14-5) will meet the winner of the other NFC divisional playoff on Sunday, when the Philadelphia Eagles host the Los Angeles Rams.

The other quarterback?

Well, Jared Goff had himself a night. In the worst way.

Goff committed four turnovers – including three in the first half (two interceptions and a fumble) that set the course for the shocker that ends a Super Bowl vision for the Lions (15-3), who suddenly have another embarrassing playoff defeat to layer on the heartbreaking loss las year in the NFC title game at San Francisco.

This one will be best remembered for a wild second quarter. The Commanders ignited for four touchdowns. Momentum snatched. The teams combined for 42 points. Most ever in a quarter in NFL playoff history.

And there would have been even more points if Goff wasn’t intercepted in the end zone by Mike Sainristil in the final minute before halftime. It appeared the pass intended for Jameson Williams was late and a bit short. Williams, running a post pattern, gained a step on the defender. But as the ball arrived, Sainristil was in better position to grab the pass.

It figures. It was that type of half – and ultimately, game – for Goff. Late in the first quarter, with Detroit driving inside Washington’s 20, Goff fumbled as Dorance Armstrong barreled around the corner an delivered a crushing hit. Fumble. Frankie Luvu recovered. Blown opportunity.

Meanwhile, the Lions defense developed a disturbing pattern of its own in the first half: Big plays. Dyami Brown hauled in a 42-yard dime from Daniels to set up Washington’s first touchdown, an 8-yard Brian Robinson Jr. run.

Then it was a 59-yard score from Terry McLaurin, off a simple screen. A juke here, broken tackle there and a balancing act on the sideline, put Washington back on top, 17-14, with the Zane Gonzalez conversion.

That lead expanded in a flash. Goff’s throw to Tim Patrick in the left seam was too high – but perfect for Quan Martin, positioned behind the receiver. The Commanders safety ran it back 41 yards.

The 10-point cushion, 24-14, turned out to be too much for Detroit.

After Williams raced for a 61-yard touchdown on an end around to cut the margin to three points, Washington came back with a quick, 70-yard TD drive that was sparked by Daniels’ 38-yard completion.

Usually, the high-scoring Lions forced opponents to play catch-up.

This time, the shoe was on the other foot. And the Lions just couldn’t keep up.

Some teams embrace the ‘us versus everybody’ mentality as a battle cry.

The Houston Texans took it as a chance to cry the traditional way following their 23-14 AFC divisional-round loss to the Kansas City Chiefs after a few questionable calls did not go their way.

‘We knew coming into this game, it was us versus everybody. When I say everybody, it’s everybody, all of – everybody, whatever, the naysayers, the doubt, everybody we had to go against today,’ Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans said with a laugh. ‘With that, knowing, going into this game what we were up against, we can’t make the mistakes that we made. We had a lot of self-inflicted mistakes that happened.

‘We can’t make the mistakes that we made.’

The calls against the Texans came early and often. Texans cornerback Kris Boyd committed an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty on the first play of the game, a 63-yard return that was recovered by the Chiefs and allowed Kansas City to take its first offensive snap of the game from the red zone.

All things Chiefs: Latest Kansas City Chiefs news, schedule, roster, stats, injury updates and more.

On the Chiefs’ second drive of the game, defensive end Will Anderson Jr. was whistled for a roughing the passer infraction for making helmet-to-helmet contact with Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes.

ESPN rules analyst Russell Yurk said on the game broadcast ‘it looked like he came up high’ but made first contact with Mahomes’ chest.

‘I had forcible contact to the facemask area and so I went with roughing the passer on that play,’ referee Clay Martin said via a post-game pool report with a member of the Pro Football Writers’ Association.

Anderson Jr. did not agree.

‘We knew it was going to be us against the refs going into this game,’ Anderson said.

Before halftime, a holding penalty on Shaq Mason negated a 12-yard scramble by quarterback C.J. Stroud that would have resulted in a fourth-and-short situation. The Texans kicked a field goal instead. Tight end Dalton Schultz was whistled for offensive pass interference in the third quarter.

But the most consequential penalty of the third came on a first-down run by Mahomes, who appeared to invoke contact by sliding at the last possible moment. Two Houston defenders – defensive tackle Folorunso Fatukasi and linebacker Henry To’oTo’o – converged and To’oTo’o picked up an unnecessary roughness penalty.

Asked about it looking as though Fatukasi and To’oTo’o collided with each other instead of with Mahomes, Martin said, ‘So, (Mahomes) slid, obviously, and when he slides, he is considered defenseless. The onus is on the defender. I had forcible contact there to the hairline, to the helmet.’

‘I’ve mentioned it before, about the late slides,’ Ryans said. ‘Some things are just unfortunate. Things are out of our control. But, didn’t go our way today.’

Overall, the Texans were called for eight penalties that totaled 82 yards. Kicker Ka’imi Fairbairn missed an extra point and missed two field goals (one was blocked). Ryans said they still have things to clean up on their end.

‘Whether it’s special teams, not converting our kicks, or defensively, not being where we’re supposed to be in coverage,’ Ryans said. ‘Or offensively, not protecting our quarterback and keeping him clean. You marry that on top of everything else we had to deal with, it’s going to be a really tough, uphill battle.’

Houston was without wide receivers Stefon Diggs and Tank Dell after each suffered season-ending injuries during the regular season. Ryans didn’t want to make excuses for the personnel losses. They happen to everyone, he said, and his team made the most out of what they had.

‘I’m walking out of here discouraged. This one hurts,’ Ryans said. ‘Because I know we’re a better football team than what we showed today, no matter who we’re playing against.’