Tennis

Aryna Sabalenka, the world's second-ranked tennis player, has announced a new partnership with Oakberry, a leading açaí brand. The collaboration has resulted in the creation of "The Power Serve Bowl by Sabalenka," her signature açaí bowl.Sabalenka, known for her powerful serve and aggressive style of play, has long been a fan of açaí bowls. She believes they provide a healthy and nutritious snack or post-match recovery meal. Her signature bowl includes blueberry, whey protein, peanut butter, chia pudding, cacao nibs, and Oakberry açaí."I love açaí, it's a healthy snack and you can fill it with anything: carbs, protein, whatever you want," Sabalenka said. "So it's actually like a real meal, and it's a good snack after the match for recovery as well."To celebrate the partnership, Oakberry is offering a 30% discount on the Power Serve Bowl during each of Sabalenka's matches at the US Open when ordering through the company's new OAKBERRY app."Aryna is the perfect champion for Oakberry, as someone who aligns herself with our core values in health and nutrition," said Bruno Cardinali, Oakberry's global head of marketing. "We're delighted to introduce the 'Power Serve Bowl by Sabalenka' exclusively to tennis fans and our Oakberry followers in New York."Sabalenka is excited about the partnership and believes it will help her fuel her body for the upcoming US Open and beyond. "I'm very excited to have the opportunity to create my first signature açaí bowl with my favorite chosen ingredients that I rely on to fuel my body all year round," she said.

Cincinnati Open: Sinner and Sabalenka Reign Supreme on Lightning-Fast CourtsThe Cincinnati Open, an ATP and WTA 1000 event, has showcased the defining feature of this year's tennis season: speed. With a court surface rated 42, significantly faster than most other tournaments, the event has provided a glimpse into what to expect at the upcoming US Open.Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, two of the most aggressive hitters on tour, have seized the spotlight in Cincinnati. After mid-season setbacks, they have regained their early-season momentum and emerged as potential favorites for the US Open.In the semifinals, Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev in a grueling three-set battle, while Sabalenka stunned world No. 1 Iga Swiatek with a dominant performance. In the finals, Sinner and Sabalenka continued their impressive form, showcasing their lethal power and first-strike capabilities.Sabalenka overpowered Jessica Pegula in straight sets, while Sinner overcame a spirited challenge from Frances Tiafoe in a tense first set before cruising to victory in the second. Both players emphasized the importance of adjusting to the fast surface, controlling their serves, and staying low to handle the ball's trajectory.Sinner and Sabalenka's triumph in Cincinnati has propelled them to the forefront of the tennis world. They have demonstrated their ability to thrive on fast courts and respond to pressure with exceptional shot-making.As the tennis season approaches its climax, the question remains: Will the summer of Djokovic, Alcaraz, Swiatek, and others end with Sinner and Sabalenka as the dominant forces? Their performances in Cincinnati suggest that they are ready to challenge for the biggest titles and close the season as they started it.

Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time Australian Open champion, has teamed up with Maestro Dobel Tequila to create a signature cocktail called the "Marg-Aryna." The tropical soda-infused margarita is a testament to Sabalenka's love for Olipop, a prebiotic soda.Sabalenka's partnership with Maestro Dobel Tequila began in Cincinnati last year. Since then, the tequila maker has become a prominent presence at tennis events, including the Miami Open, BNP Paribas Open, and Cincinnati Open. Dobel will also return to the US Open as the tournament's Official Tequila, offering a new hospitality experience at the Dobel Tequila Club.The "Marg-Aryna" is not the only player-inspired cocktail on the menu at the US Open. Taylor Fritz, another Maestro Dobel Tequila partner, has also created his own signature spicy margarita. Both cocktails reflect the growing popularity of premium tequilas in the US, particularly in the paloma and margarita varieties.Dobel Tequila's partnership with Sabalenka and Fritz is part of a broader strategy to capitalize on the increasing interest in tennis among younger audiences. The tequila maker has also partnered with several top tournaments in the US, including ATP and WTA 1000 events."With consumer interest in tennis also expanding in recent years, particularly among a younger multicultural audience, it was the perfect match for Maestro Dobel to become the 'Official Tequila' of the US Open last year," said Lander Otegui, SVP Marketing at Proximo Spirits.Dobel Tequila's presence at the US Open will include the return of the fan-favorite "Ace Paloma," crafted with Dobel Diamante Cristalino, grapefruit soda, and fresh lime. The tequila maker will also offer a new souvenir cup created by Mexican industrial designer Ricardo Casas.

Aryna Sabalenka's dominance on hard courts continued in Cincinnati as she defeated world No. 1 Iga Swiatek 6-3, 6-3 to reach her first final on the surface since her Australian Open triumph in January.Sabalenka's victory snapped a three-match losing streak against Swiatek and marked her first championship match at the Lindner Family Tennis Center after three previous semifinal appearances.The opening set saw both players struggle initially, exchanging early breaks. However, Sabalenka's rhythm gradually improved, while Swiatek continued to misfire. The Belarusian capitalized on her opponent's errors, breaking for 4-2 and consolidating to create a gap on the scoreboard. A powerful serve +1 finish on the backhand side sealed the set for Sabalenka.In the second set, Sabalenka continued to overpower Swiatek, generating her third break of the day. She saved a break point to consolidate for 3-1 and soon had a double break in hand, her deep returns causing timing issues for the Pole.Despite a brief delay due to mist and line wiping, Sabalenka held with her 18th winner. However, Swiatek showed her resilience, saving seven match points in a marathon game to reach 2-5.Tension mounted as Sabalenka attempted to serve it out. She recovered from a 15-40 deficit but failed to convert two more match points. Her first double fault of the contest handed Swiatek a break back.The four-time major winner had a chance to force Sabalenka to serve for it again but watched a match-ending return winner fly by. Sabalenka improved to 4-8 in their series, avenging earlier defeats in Madrid and Rome.With her victory, Sabalenka is set to return to No. 2 in the rankings next week. She will face the winner of Toronto champion Jessica Pegula and Washington, D.C. titlist Paula Badosa in the final.

Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time Australian Open champion, has adopted a philosophy of forgetting her losses and focusing on the present. She believes that every tournament is a new opportunity to improve and that a short memory helps her stay motivated and work hard.Sabalenka, who has reached the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters three times, is hoping to improve her record at the tournament this year. She is coming back from a shoulder injury that forced her to skip Wimbledon."Every loss is extra motivation to work hard and improve things," Sabalenka said. "If you're fighting every point and giving all you have in practice and matches, you'll have your opportunities. You just have to use them."Sabalenka's tennis provides a welcome contrast to her personal life, which has been marked by tragedy. She lost her father and a former boyfriend in recent years."I'm trying to figure out what I need to do to get to the finals," Sabalenka said. "But I don't want to focus on that. I want to take things step by step and try to bring my best tennis every time I'm on the court."In other women's action, Daria Kastkina, Marta Kostyuk, Karolina Pliskova, Varvara Gracheva, and Lulu Sun all advanced to the second round.In men's play, Ben Shelton defeated Reilly Opelka in a battle of serves. Shelton said he trained for the match by facing big serves from his father, former ATP player Bryan Shelton."It's hard to replicate the angle of Reilly's serve and how high it bounces," Shelton said. "I've never seen a ball (from Opelka) come at me like that. Some of the serves he hits defy physics."Alex Michelsen, Zhang Zhizhen, and Frances Tiafoe also advanced to the second round.

Amanda Anisimova's remarkable resurgence continued on Saturday as she stunned world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka 6-4, 6-2 in the quarterfinals of the National Bank Open in Toronto. The victory marks Anisimova's first WTA 1000-level semifinal appearance and her first Top 10 win since 2022.Anisimova, who took a break from the tour in 2023 to prioritize her mental health, displayed impressive resilience and determination throughout the match. She saved all five break points she faced in the first set and broke Sabalenka's serve twice to take the set 6-4.The second set was equally impressive for Anisimova. After losing her serve early, she responded with five consecutive game wins to seal the victory. Her aggressive play and consistent groundstrokes proved too much for Sabalenka, who was visibly frustrated throughout the match.Anisimova's victory is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She has now defeated Sabalenka five times in their seven career meetings, including their last encounter at the Australian Open earlier this year."I'm just really happy to be out here," Anisimova said after the match. "I've had a lot of matches in the last couple of weeks, and it's honestly been so nice just being able to play day after day."Anisimova's performance in Toronto has significantly boosted her ranking. She entered the tournament ranked No. 132 but is projected to return to the Top 70 regardless of her result in the semifinals.In the semifinals, Anisimova will face fellow American Emma Navarro, who also reached her first WTA 1000 semifinal with a victory over Taylor Townsend. An American is guaranteed to reach the final in Canada for the second consecutive year.

The National Bank Open, a prestigious WTA 1000 tournament, returns to Toronto this week, featuring a star-studded lineup of players. While Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Jasmine Paolini will be absent, the tournament will showcase the talents of Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, and many others vying for the coveted title.The tournament's fast court conditions favor players with powerful serves and baseline play. Aryna Sabalenka, known for her explosive power, is the tournament favorite at +300 odds. Coco Gauff, despite a disappointing Olympic outing, remains a contender at +340.However, there are several players to watch who could challenge the favorites. Leylah Fernandez, the Canadian crowd favorite, has a favorable draw and the potential to make a deep run. Emma Navarro, a rising American star, has a strong all-around game and could surprise at +1600 odds.Navarro's defensive prowess, combined with her baseline power and precision, makes her a potential threat to the top seeds. She has previously defeated Sabalenka and could be poised for a breakthrough performance in Toronto.Other players to keep an eye on include Naomi Osaka, Paula Badosa, and Ons Jabeur. Osaka, a former world number one, will be looking to regain her form after a challenging season. Badosa and Jabeur are both in-form players who could make a run to the latter stages of the tournament.The National Bank Open promises to be an exciting tournament with a wide-open field. While Sabalenka is the favorite, there are several players who could challenge her and make a run for the title.

Aryna Sabalenka, the third-ranked player in the world, defeated her Belarusian rival Victoria Azarenka 6-4, 6-4 in a thrilling quarterfinal clash at the Washington Open. The victory sets up a semifinal showdown with Czech Marie Bouzkova.Sabalenka, who won the Australian Open in January, fired eight aces in the match, while Azarenka, a two-time Australian Open champion, showed no signs of the shoulder injury that forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon."Always tough battles against her," Sabalenka said. "She always brings the best fight she can. I always enjoy playing against her. Just super happy to get through this tough match."Sabalenka, who lost last year's US Open final to Coco Gauff, is looking to regain her form ahead of the upcoming Grand Slam. "I feel like with every set, I play better and better," she said. "Hopefully I can just (keep) building my level and by the US Open, I'll be 100 percent ready."In the other women's semifinal, Spain's Paula Badosa will face American Caroline Dolehide.On the men's side, top seed Andrey Rublev was eliminated by hometown hero Frances Tiafoe 6-4, 7-6 (7/3). Tiafoe will next face US fourth seed Sebastian Korda, who eliminated Australian seventh seed Jordan Thompson 6-4, 6-2.US second seed Ben Shelton advanced to the semifinals after Denis Shapovalov was defaulted for unsportsmanlike conduct. Shelton will face Italian 10th seed Flavio Cobolli in the semifinals.

Two-time Australian Open champion Aryna Sabalenka has withdrawn from Wimbledon 2023 due to an ongoing injury. The Belarusian star had been struggling with a teres major muscle issue, which affects her ability to serve.Sabalenka first experienced discomfort during the Berlin grass-court tune-up, where she retired from her match against Anna Kalinskaya. She had previously won her opening match against Daria Kasatkina.Despite her best efforts to recover, Sabalenka's injury persisted. On Monday, she cut a practice session short and was seen shaking her head and saying "no" to her coach. It became clear that she would not be able to compete at Wimbledon.Sabalenka's withdrawal is a significant blow to the tournament. She was seeded No. 3 and was considered a contender for the title. Her absence opens up the draw, particularly in the top half where she was placed in Coco Gauff's section.The 26-year-old expressed disappointment at having to pull out of Wimbledon. She has only played the tournament twice since 2019, but has reached the semifinals both times."I'm not 100% ready," Sabalenka said on media day. "We're doing everything we can with my team to make sure I'll be able to play my first match here."Sabalenka's injury is a rare one in tennis. She described it as "really specific" and said she was only the second or third player to suffer from it."The most annoying thing is that I can do anything," Sabalenka said. "I can practice, I can hit my groundstrokes. I'm struggling with serving. That's really annoying. You don't feel like you're injured. If you give me some weights, I'm going to go lift some weights. But if you tell me to serve, I'm going to go through pain."Sabalenka said she still had hopes of playing at Wimbledon, but it was clear after Monday's truncated hitting session that her 2023 campaign would not get off the ground.