Tennis

Emma Navarro, the 23-year-old American tennis sensation, has defied expectations and surged into the fourth round of the French Open, marking her first Grand Slam appearance at this stage. Despite her unassuming stature and lack of a signature weapon, Navarro has proven to be a formidable force on the court.Navarro's success stems from her unconventional approach. She charges forward on opponents' second serves, taking the ball on the rise, a risky tactic that has paid off handsomely. Her backhand drop shot, executed with precision and height, keeps opponents guessing and forces them to scramble.Moreover, Navarro's excellent timing allows her to counterpunch even the hardest hitters, sending their pace back across the net with precision. Her athleticism is also a key factor, as she covers the court with ease and executes difficult shots with aplomb.Navarro's mindset has shifted since turning pro. She now embraces the aggressive approach, striking first and dictating the pace of play. This newfound confidence has been evident in her composed performance in tiebreakers, where she has remained calm under pressure.Next up for Navarro is a clash with second seed Aryna Sabalenka, a player she has already defeated this season. Navarro's ability to handle Sabalenka's power and create her own opportunities will be crucial in determining the outcome of this highly anticipated matchup.

Ben Shelton, the rising American tennis star, has embraced the unique atmosphere of Roland Garros, where he recently triumphed over Frenchman Hugo Gaston in the first round. Despite the partisan crowd cheering for Gaston, Shelton relished the experience, describing it as "pretty special."Shelton's love for clay courts and European tennis culture is a departure from the traditional American aversion to the surface. He believes in adapting to the nuances of clay rather than resisting it. This mindset has led to solid results on clay, including a title in Houston and a 3-3 record on traditional red clay.Shelton's success on clay is not solely attributed to his physical attributes but also to his positive attitude. He thrives on the energy and atmosphere of clay-court events, even when the crowd is against him. This resilience stems from his experience playing in front of boisterous and hostile fans during his collegiate career at the University of Florida.Shelton's journey on clay is a testament to the changing attitudes of American players towards the surface. Inspired by the success of Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Sebi Korda, younger players like Shelton are embracing the challenges and rewards of clay-court tennis.

American tennis stars Coco Gauff and Danielle Collins made impressive starts to their Roland Garros campaigns on Monday, securing straight-sets victories in the first round.Gauff, the No. 3 seed and last year's runner-up, dominated qualifier Julia Avdeeva 6-1, 6-3 in just 53 minutes. The 20-year-old showcased improved serve consistency, hitting only four double faults and winning 86% of points behind her first serve."I just had to play solid today," Gauff said. "I think my serve is getting better match by match, and I'm pretty confident now with it."Gauff will face dangerous qualifier Tamara Zidansek in the second round, a player she acknowledges as a "fighter" with strong ball tolerance.Meanwhile, Collins, the No. 11 seed, defeated countrywoman Caroline Dolehide 6-3, 6-4 in 85 minutes. The 30-year-old, who has announced her retirement from the tour in 2024, has been in excellent form since winning the Miami Open in March.Collins struck 27 winners and broke serve three times against Dolehide. She will now face Olga Danilovic in the second round, a rematch of their third-set tiebreaker at the Mutua Madrid Open last month.Collins' best result at Roland Garros is a quarterfinal run in 2020, where she defeated former champion Garbiñe Muguruza and then-No. 30 seed Ons Jabeur.

Danielle Collins and Madison Keys, two American tennis stars, will face off in the final of the Internationaux de Strasbourg on Saturday. Their friendship, which began nearly two decades ago, has stood the test of time.Collins and Keys first met as 10-year-olds at the Evert Tennis Academy in Florida. Despite living on opposite ends of the state, they became pen pals, exchanging letters that fostered a bond that continues to this day."Our moms are both from Iowa, so they bonded over that at the junior tournaments," Collins revealed. "I've known Maddie a long time, and [she's] a good friend. I'm excited to play her here and have some fun tomorrow."The two have played twice before as professionals, each winning once. However, their last encounter was four years ago. This match holds significance for both players: Keys will be playing in her first red clay final since 2016, while Collins is seeking her third title in the last two months.Neither player has lost a set in the tournament so far. A victory for either would make them the first American champion at Strasbourg since Jennifer Capriati in 1999.

American tennis players are rediscovering the joys of playing on red clay, as evidenced by the recent success of Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz at the Rome Masters. Paul, who grew up playing on green clay, has been particularly impressive, reaching the semifinals of the tournament. He credits his success to a long training block on clay, which allowed him to develop his game and become more comfortable on the surface.Fritz, who defeated Paul in the junior final of the Roland Garros championships in 2015, has also found renewed success on clay this year. He has played four consecutive tournaments on the surface, including three Masters 1000 events, and has upset several top players. Fritz believes that playing on clay is essential for his development as a player, as it allows him to use elements of his game that may not be as effective on hard courts.The success of Paul and Fritz is a welcome sign for American tennis, which has struggled to produce top players on clay in recent years. The last American to win the French Open was Andre Agassi in 1999. However, the current generation of American players seems to be more open to playing on clay, and they are beginning to see the benefits of doing so.If Paul and Fritz can continue their success on clay, they could help to usher in a new era of American dominance on the surface. They are both young and talented players, and they have the potential to be among the best in the world.

Taylor Fritz, the American tennis star, has emerged as a formidable force on clay courts this season, becoming the first U.S. man to reach the quarterfinals or better of all three clay-court Masters 1000 tournaments. Fritz's newfound confidence on the surface stems from a consistent clay-court diet and a commitment to playing the full swing.Fritz's journey to clay-court success began with a runner-up finish at the 2015 junior Roland Garros. However, it wasn't until recent years that he fully embraced the surface. By playing all the clay-court events, Fritz has gained valuable experience and identified the strengths of his game that translate well to clay.Fritz's forehand, in particular, thrives on clay. He relishes the high ball and the opportunity to hit a spinny, heavy forehand with ample time. This shot has been a key weapon in his recent victories.At the Internazionali BNL d'Italia, Fritz has dropped just one set, showcasing his newfound consistency. Despite a marathon tiebreaker against Grigor Dimitrov, Fritz remained composed and saved all 11 break points faced.Fritz's next opponent, Alexander Zverev, poses a significant challenge. Zverev leads their head-to-head 4-3, but Fritz has won two of their last three meetings. The pair have never faced off on clay, adding an intriguing element to their upcoming encounter.Fritz's transformation into "Claylor" is a testament to his dedication and adaptability. By embracing the challenges of clay courts, he has unlocked a new dimension to his game and established himself as a contender on all surfaces.

American tennis star Taylor Fritz has etched his name in the history books with a hard-fought victory over Francisco Cerundolo at the Mutua Madrid Open. Fritz's 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 triumph not only marked his 250th career win but also made him the first American man to reach the semifinals of the Madrid Open since its transition to clay in 2009.Fritz's 250th win places him among an elite group of players born in 1995 or later to achieve this milestone. He joins the likes of Alexander Zverev, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Andrey Rublev, and Karen Khachanov in this exclusive club.Fritz's victory in Madrid is a testament to his remarkable consistency and resilience. He has now reached the semifinals of four Masters 1000 events, including a title win at Indian Wells in 2022. His success on clay is particularly noteworthy, as he has struggled on the surface in the past.Fritz's achievement is also a significant moment for American tennis. Only two American men had previously reached the final four in Madrid when it was held on indoor hard courts. Fritz's semifinal appearance on clay is a testament to the progress made by American players in recent years.As Fritz prepares for his semifinal clash, he will face a formidable opponent in Stefanos Tsitsipas. The Greek star is a two-time Madrid Open champion and will be eager to extend his dominance on the clay. However, Fritz has proven his mettle against top-ranked players and will be confident in his ability to challenge Tsitsipas.Fritz's journey to the semifinals has been marked by determination and unwavering belief. He has overcome adversity and shown the resilience that has become synonymous with his game. As he takes on Tsitsipas, Fritz will be aiming to make history once again and become the first American man to reach the Madrid Open final since 2005.

Taylor Fritz, the American tennis star, has regained his winning form after a disappointing start to the European clay-court season. Following his loss in Monte Carlo, Fritz has triumphed in five of his last six matches, including a dominant victory over Sebastian Baez at the Mutua Madrid Open.Fritz, seeded 12th in Madrid, dispatched Baez, the 18th seed, in straight sets (6-2, 6-3). The American maintained his unblemished head-to-head record against Baez, having won all 10 sets they have played. Fritz's victory was particularly impressive considering Baez's strong performance on red dirt this season, with a 15-4 record prior to their encounter.Fritz's success in Madrid is a testament to his adaptability and willingness to experiment with his game. "I think there's more variety in my game in general," Fritz said after the match. "I was drop-shotting, I was moon-balling, I was doing a bit of everything."Fritz's victory sets up a fourth-round clash with Hubert Hurkacz, the eighth seed and this year's Estoril champion. Hurkacz defeated Daniel Altmaier in straight sets to advance.Meanwhile, Tommy Paul was unable to join Fritz in the next round, falling to Francisco Cerundolo in a three-set battle. Cerundolo, the 21st seed, notched his first Top 30 win of the year, edging out Paul 6-7 (7), 6-4, 6-2.The Madrid Open continues with exciting matches, including a highly anticipated clash between former champion Alexander Zverev and left-hander Denis Shapovalov.

Emma Navarro, the rising star of American tennis, has added a new talent to her repertoire: rapping. The 22-year-old Hobart champion was nominated to her first Billie Jean King Cup squad by captain Lindsay Davenport, and as part of her initiation, she had to write and perform a rookie rap.Navarro's rap performance was met with rave reviews from her fellow players. Coco Gauff declared that she "ate," while Clervie Ngounoue said she "left absolutely no crumbs." Brandon Holt even compared her to Eminem, dubbing her "Eminem-Varro."In her rap, Navarro welcomed opponent Belgium and expressed her excitement for the upcoming match. She also thanked her coaches and peers for their support and acknowledged the uniqueness of her rookie rap.Navarro's rap performance showcased her personality and creativity, adding a touch of fun to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals qualifier. While she may not be pursuing a career in music, her rapping skills have certainly impressed her fellow players and fans alike.On Friday, Navarro is slated to play the second singles rubber against Hanne Vandewinkel. Jessica Pegula will open for the host nation, taking on Sofia Costoulas. The United States is looking to qualify for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals, which will be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from November 8-13.