ERIN, Wis. >> Mao Saigo posted a 6-under 66 to lead the U.S. Women’s Open after the second round’s Friday morning groupings at Erin Hills as she looks to win her second major of the year.

Saigo’s two-day total of 8-under 136 gives her a three-stroke advantage over Nelly Korda, the world’s top-ranked player.

Korda moved into second place by posting a 67. This was the best U.S. Women’s Open round ever for Korda, who has never finished higher than a tie for eighth in this event.

Saigo earned her first LPGA Tour title just over a month ago in the year’s first major, as she sank a birdie putt to win a five-way playoff in the Chevron Championship at The Club at Carlton Woods in The Woodlands, Texas.

Taylor shares the lead at Memorial >> Nick Taylor brought his best golf on a day that required no less at the Memorial. He putted for birdie on all but one hole, somehow kept bogeys off his card and had a 4-under 68 that gave him a share of the lead with Ben Griffin.

Taylor faced the worst of the weather, a rain that wouldn’t quit, and the Canadian leaned on his college days as a Washington Huskie. He doesn’t like these conditions, but he’s knows them.

Griffin caught a slight break in the afternoon when the rain relented and Muirfield Village was soft. He had 16 pars, a birdie and a bogey for a 72 that put him at 7-under 137 with Taylor.

Akshay Bhatia (69) was two shots behind, followed by defending champion Scottie Scheffler. The world’s No. 1 player always seems to be lurking, and his 70 was probably as high as he could have shot the way he was hitting the ball in the rain.

Pro basketball

Zion sued by a woman alleging sexual violence >> Zion Williamson is being sued by a woman describing herself as a former dating partner and who alleges the New Orleans Pelicans star committed repeated sexual violence against her.

The civil lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court on Thursday night, identifies the plaintiff as “Jane Doe.” She claims she began dating Williamson in 2018, when he played at Duke, and alleges that he engaged in abusive behavior toward her in California, Louisiana and Texas from 2020 until their relationship ended in 2023.

Williamson’s New Orleans-based attorney, Michael Balascio, called the claims in the lawsuit “categorically false and reckless,” and accused the plaintiff of extortion, which he said has been reported to law enforcement.

The lawsuit alleges that the first instance of sexual violence occurred in a home Williamson had rented in Beverly Hills.

Bueckers to miss at least 2 games >> Dallas Wings rookie Paige Bueckers will miss at least two games after being placed under the WNBA’s concussion protocol.

The Wings said that Bueckers, the No. 1 overall pick in this year’s draft out of UConn, was put in concussion protocol after their 97-92 loss at Chicago on Thursday night. The team didn’t provide any specific details on what led to that move. She had 15 points, eight assists and five rebounds in the game.

Tennis

Swiatek, Sabalenka reach fourth round >> Defending champion Iga Swiatek joined No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round of the French Open and neither player has dropped a set.

Sabalenka, a three-time Grand Slam winner who has only once reached the semifinals at Roland Garros, beat Olga Danilovic 6-2, 6-3 on Court Philippe-Chatrier, where the hot weather contrasted with previous days.

Swiatek, who has won four of her five major titles at Roland Garros, defeated Jaqueline Cristian 6-2, 7-5 on Court Suzanne-Lenglen to extend her French Open winning streak to 23 matches. A second set lasting 1 hour, 16 minutes, tested the Pole, who yelled in relief after winning on her second match point. Swiatek had 20 winners and 21 unforced errors.

Defending men’s champion Carlos Alcaraz labored to a 6-1, 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 win against Damir Dzumhur, meaning the four-time major winner has dropped two sets so far.