Comme ci, comme ça

The GIST: Bolstered by renewed rivalries, but marred by gut-wrenching injuries, the Roland-Garros semifinals are nearly set, and there’s guaranteed to be a new champion in men’s singles. Serve’s up.

Men’s: World No. 1 Novak Djokovic withdrew from the French Open yesterday after tearing his meniscus in a brutal five-set fourth-round win. Not only will the forfeit cost the Joker his No. 1 world ranking as of next week, but this will also be the first French Open quarter-final (QF) without the Big Three — Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer — since 2004.

• Djokovic’s would-be QF opponent, No. 7 Casper Ruud, advanced straight to Friday’s semis, where he’ll meet the winner of today’s 2:15 p.m. ET match between No. 4 Alexander Zverev and unexpected clay lover No. 11 Alex De Minaur.

• Meanwhile, the other Friday semi is already confirmed: a heavyweight battle between No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz vs. No. 2 Jannik Sinner, who will ascend to No. 1 following Djokovic’s withdrawal and his Australian Open win earlier this year. The kids are indeed alright.

Women’s: American phenom No. 3 Coco Gauff is through to her third straight Grand Slam semis after a comeback victory over No. 8 Ons Jabeur in yesterday’s QFs. Her opponent? Defending Roland-Garros champion and world No. 1 Iga Świątek, who’s dropped only one set all tourney.

• Gauff and Świątek have met 11 times, with Świątek winning 10 of those matches, including their most recent showdown at the Italian Open last month. Will Coco pull off the upset or will Świątek keep on rolling?

• But before two of the game’s best meet in the semis tomorrow, there are two spicy QFs happening this morning, highlighted by dominant No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka vs. 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva at 9:30 a.m. ET. Love to see it.

The GIST: Nearly two hundred days after the Montreal Alouettes hoisted the Grey Cup in Hamilton last November, a new CFL season kicks off with the defending champs visiting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers tomorrow at 8:30 p.m. ET.

• And with the Jonas Brothers headlining this year’s Grey Cup halftime show, this season’s already, ahem, burnin’ up.

How it works: Running from June to October, the league’s nine teams (split into East and West Divisions) will play 18 regular-season games over a 21-week window, before six teams advance to the single-elimination playoffs.

The favorites: The West’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers are a frontrunner to win it all. But after appearing in the last four Grey Cups and taking home only the 2019 and 2021 editions (the 2020 season was canceled due to COVID-19), quarterback (QB) Zach Collaros will be singing S.O.S. as he tries to get the job done this time around.

• Over in the East, the Toronto Argonauts, led by 2023 Most Outstanding Player, Chad Kelly, are hoping to repeat their 2022 magic. Let’s go, eh?

When the NBA Finals tip off tomorrow night, PROLINE+ will be celebrating more than just basketball — they’ll be celebrating female fans at their IRL Get in the Game event in Toronto.

• PROLINE+ is the official partner of the NBA in Canada, and they want to make sure the sports betting space is inclusive for all fans.

• So, they’re gathering 100+ guests for a fireside chat to explore the intersection of sports betting and culture from a female perspective. More of this, please.

Stay tuned to The GIST’s Instagram for behind the scenes coverage, including The GIST’s very own Jamie McCormick speaking on the panel.

A must-add to your summer bucket list? Witnessing history. The LPGA’s only Canadian stop, the CPKC Women’s Open is one of the tour’s most thrilling events — and this year the action’s taking place in Calgary. Time to get closer to the game.

• Whether you’re a massive golf fan or new to the sport, there’s no thrill like watching world-class athletes do their thing from just a few feet away.

• Buy your tickets now to see the LPGA’s best, like world No. 1 Nelly Korda, tee off from July 23rd to 28th.