Tennis

India's doubles players made a strong start at the U.S. Open, with Davis Cupper N Sriram Balaji and Yuki Bhambri advancing to the men's doubles second round with their respective partners.Balaji, who has been in impressive form lately, and his Argentine partner Guido Andreozzi overcame a one-set deficit to defeat New Zealand's Marcus Daniell and Mexico's Miguel Reyes-Varela 5-7 6-1 7-6 (12-6) in a close contest that lasted two hours and 36 minutes. Balaji had also impressed at the French Open, where he and Reyes-Varela had stretched Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden in a gruelling contest on red clay. A good run at the U.S. Open before the Davis Cup tie against Sweden will be ideal preparation for Balaji, who will enter the rubber as the country's main doubles player.Bhambri, who has opted out of the tie, and his French partner Albano Olivetti also advanced with a 6-3 6-4 win over local wildcards Ryan Seggerman and Patrik Trhac. They will now take on the American-Dutch combination of Austin Krajicek and Jean-Julien Rojer in the second round.Second seeds Bopanna and Ebden will open their campaign on Thursday (August 29, 2024). The experienced Indian duo will be aiming to make a deep run in the tournament, having reached the semifinals at the Australian Open earlier this year.India's doubles players will be hoping to continue their strong start at the U.S. Open and make a mark on the Grand Slam stage. With Balaji and Bhambri in good form, and Bopanna and Ebden always a threat, India has a chance to make a deep run in the men's doubles competition.

Anirudh Chandrasekar and David Hernandez of Spain emerged victorious in the doubles pre-quarterfinals of the €74,825 Challenger tennis tournament in Manacor, Spain. The duo overcame the challenge of Joan Nadal Vives and Abdullah Shelbayh in a thrilling encounter that went down to the wire.The match commenced with both teams trading blows, showcasing their impressive skills and determination. The first set was a closely contested affair, with neither team able to gain a significant advantage. The set eventually reached a tiebreaker, where Chandrasekar and Hernandez displayed their resilience and composure to secure the win by a narrow margin of 7-6(6).The second set followed a similar pattern, with both teams matching each other shot for shot. However, this time it was Vives and Shelbayh who managed to edge out their opponents in the tiebreaker, leveling the match at one set apiece.The third set proved to be the most intense and decisive. The teams traded breaks early on, but Chandrasekar and Hernandez managed to gain a crucial break in the eighth game. With the momentum on their side, they held their serve in the following game to take a 10-8 lead in the super tiebreaker.Despite a valiant effort from Vives and Shelbayh, Chandrasekar and Hernandez held their nerve and sealed the victory, advancing to the quarterfinals of the tournament. Their impressive performance showcased their ability to adapt to different playing styles and overcome adversity.In other results from the tournament, S. Mukund of India secured a comfortable victory in the first round of the singles competition, while the doubles team of Sai Karteek Reddy and Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul of Thailand also advanced to the pre-quarterfinals.

Taylor Townsend, the 28-year-old American tennis star, is enjoying a career-best season, reaching new heights in both singles and doubles. Despite her grueling schedule, Townsend remains determined to continue improving and is embracing her authentic self on and off the court.After a successful three-week stretch that included a doubles title in Washington, D.C., and a quarterfinal appearance at the National Bank Open in Toronto, Townsend is now competing in Cincinnati. Her relentless work ethic and unwavering belief in her abilities have been key to her recent success.Townsend's journey to the top has not been without its challenges. As a mother of a three-year-old son, she has had to balance her tennis career with her family life. However, she credits her son, A.J., as her biggest fan and a source of motivation.On the court, Townsend has been bridging the gap between her practice and match persona, resulting in more consistent performances. She attributes her success to her commitment to authenticity and her belief that she is a "warrior" built for this sport.Townsend's unique personality and casual swagger have made her a fan favorite. She is unapologetically herself, both on and off the court, and her genuine nature resonates with fans.Despite her success, Townsend remains grounded and focused on her goals. She is not chasing social media likes or trying to fit into a mold. Instead, she is embracing her individuality and using it as a source of strength.Townsend's next vacation will not come until October, when she will be a bridesmaid in a wedding. However, she is determined to make the most of her time off and relax before returning to the grind.In the meantime, Townsend is a force to be reckoned with on the tennis court. Her warrior spirit and unwavering determination make her a formidable opponent and an inspiration to fans around the world.

Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz's Olympic dream came to an abrupt end on Wednesday as they were defeated by American duo Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram in the men's doubles quarterfinals. The Spanish pair, dubbed "Nadalcaraz," had captivated the crowds in Paris with their impressive performances in their first two matches. However, they were unable to overcome the doubles specialists Krajicek and Ram, who progressed to the semi-finals with a 6-2, 6-4 victory.Nadal, a 14-time French Open champion, was broken in the opening game of the match on Court Philippe Chatrier. Alcaraz also lost his serve, allowing the US pair to take the first set. The Spaniards suffered another costly break in the seventh game of the second set, which proved decisive. Despite battling valiantly in the 10th game, they failed to convert three break points, and Krajicek and Ram sealed the victory on their second match point.Nadal's defeat in the doubles competition follows his painful loss to Novak Djokovic in the singles competition. The 38-year-old, who has been plagued by injuries in recent years, has hinted that he may make a decision on his future after the Olympics. Alcaraz, on the other hand, remains in contention for a medal in the men's singles competition, where he will face US ninth seed Tommy Paul in the quarter-finals.The defeat of Nadal and Alcaraz marks the end of a memorable Olympic campaign for the Spanish duo. They have showcased their exceptional talent and determination throughout the tournament, but they were ultimately unable to overcome the experience and skill of Krajicek and Ram.

Niki Poonacha and Hans Verdugo, a formidable doubles duo, showcased their prowess at the $82,000 Challenger tennis tournament in Lexington, Kentucky. The pair displayed exceptional teamwork and strategic play, ultimately defeating Govind Nanda and Cooper Williams in the doubles pre-quarterfinals with a convincing 6-3, 6-4 victory.In the first set, Poonacha and Verdugo established their dominance early on, breaking their opponents' serve in the second game. They maintained their momentum, holding their own serves comfortably and capitalizing on Nanda and Williams' unforced errors. The set concluded with Poonacha and Verdugo securing a 6-3 advantage.The second set proved to be a more competitive affair, with both teams trading breaks of serve. However, Poonacha and Verdugo's resilience and determination shone through. They broke Nanda and Williams' serve in the crucial ninth game, putting them on the brink of victory. With unwavering focus, they held their own serve in the following game, sealing the set 6-4 and securing their place in the next round.In other matches, S. Mukund of India registered a hard-fought victory over Chung Yun Seong of South Korea in the first round of the $25,000 ITF men's tournament in Taipei. Mukund's consistent groundstrokes and aggressive net play proved too much for his opponent, who retired in the second set with the score standing at 6-1, 2-1.Meanwhile, in the doubles pre-quarterfinals of the same tournament, the Indian duo of Sai Karteek Reddy and Wishaya Trongcharoenchaikul of Thailand displayed their chemistry and coordination. They cruised to a 6-1, 6-3 victory over Takuya Kumasaka and Taiyo Yamanaka of Japan, showcasing their ability to control the pace of the game and execute well-timed volleys.

Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal, the formidable Spanish duo, have stormed into the quarterfinals of the men's doubles event at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. Their impressive victory over Tallon Griekspoor and Wesley Koolhof, 6-4, 6-7 (2), 10-2, has set the stage for a potential medal-winning performance.The highly anticipated pairing of Alcaraz, the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, and Nadal, a 22-time Grand Slam winner, has lived up to expectations. Their chemistry on the court has been evident, with Alcaraz's youthful exuberance complementing Nadal's experience and tactical brilliance.In their second-round encounter, the Spaniards faced a stern test against Griekspoor and Koolhof, a former Wimbledon champion. The first set was a tight affair, with both teams holding serve until Alcaraz and Nadal broke through in the tenth game.The second set was a different story, as both teams traded breaks and held serve with ease. The set eventually went to a tiebreak, where Griekspoor and Koolhof dominated, winning 7-2.Undeterred, Alcaraz and Nadal regrouped and dominated the deciding 10-point tiebreaker. They raced to an 8-1 lead, with Alcaraz's powerful forehand proving too much for their opponents.Their victory sets up a mouthwatering quarterfinal clash against No. 4 seeds Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram, who have both won men's doubles major titles in recent years. The Spaniards will need to be at their best to overcome this formidable challenge and continue their quest for an Olympic medal.

Daniil Medvedev, the enigmatic Russian tennis star, has acknowledged his struggles in adapting his exceptional singles prowess to the complexities of doubles at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.Medvedev, known for his self-deprecating humor, quipped, "Sometimes I can play doubles well, but in principle four people on the court disturbs me." After partnering with compatriot Mirra Andreeva in a 6-3, 6-2 defeat to Italians Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori, Medvedev admitted to making uncharacteristic mistakes. "I make mistakes on those balls that I never make mistakes on in singles, although the court is smaller."The 2021 US Open champion expressed disappointment in his inability to showcase his versatility. "I wanted to prove to myself that I can. But I couldn't. It always hurts, but it happens. That's life."Competing as an Individual Neutral Athlete, Medvedev is making his second Olympic appearance. In Tokyo 2020, he reached the quarterfinals in men's singles. The No. 4 seed remains in contention in singles after a comfortable victory over Rinky Hijikata.However, doubles proved to be a different challenge, even alongside Andreeva, who recently reached the semifinals of Roland Garros. Fans captured Medvedev's occasional awkward moments on the court against Errani, known for her slow serve.Despite his doubles setback, Medvedev will continue his Olympic journey in the singles second round against Austria's Sebastian Ofner. The Russian star will be eager to prove his mettle in the more familiar territory of singles competition.

Rohan Bopanna, India's veteran doubles specialist, bid farewell to his illustrious international career with a first-round exit at the Paris Olympics. Partnering with N Sriram Balaji, Bopanna succumbed to the French duo of Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Gael Monfils in a thrilling encounter.Despite the disappointing result, Bopanna expressed contentment with his 22-year-long journey representing India. He acknowledged that an Olympic medal had eluded Indian tennis since Leander Paes' historic bronze in 1996, but he remained proud of his contributions."This will definitely go down as my last event for the country," Bopanna declared, ruling out any participation in the 2026 Asian Games. He had previously announced his retirement from the Davis Cup.Reflecting on his career highlights, Bopanna singled out his fifth-rubber victory against Ricardo Mello in the 2010 Davis Cup tie against Brazil as his most memorable moment. He also cherished his Grand Slam doubles triumph and his rise to world No. 1.Bopanna expressed gratitude to his wife, Supriya, for her unwavering support throughout his journey. He hinted at a potential future involvement in the administration of the All India Tennis Association (AITA).Regarding Sunday's match, Bopanna acknowledged the impact of Monfils' presence on the court. "He told me it was the best doubles match he's played," Bopanna said. "He was hitting the ball extremely heavy."Despite the loss, Bopanna praised Balaji's performance, noting that he played "extremely well" despite some crucial lapses.The Indian duo faced a passionate crowd supporting the French players, but Bopanna commended their respectful behavior during the match. "I don't think I've played in this kind of atmosphere even in Davis Cup in India," he remarked.

Andy Murray's illustrious tennis career received a dramatic extension at the Paris Olympics, as he and British partner Dan Evans defied the odds to secure a thrilling first-round doubles victory. Facing the Japanese duo of Taro Daniel and Kei Nishikori, Murray and Evans found themselves trailing 9-4 in the decisive tiebreaker. However, they displayed remarkable resilience, saving five match points to emerge victorious with a 2-6, 7-6 (5), 11-9 triumph.The victory was met with an outpouring of emotion from Murray, who had previously announced that the Summer Games would mark the end of his competitive career. The 37-year-old had withdrawn from the singles bracket, leaving doubles as his sole Olympic pursuit.The British pair received unwavering support from the crowd inside Court Suzanne Lenglen, with British flags and Scottish kilts adorning the stands. Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion and two-time Olympic singles gold medalist, has been a beacon of British tennis for over a decade. His Wimbledon triumph in 2013 made him the first British man to win the prestigious title in 77 years.Despite battling a series of injuries in recent years, including a hip replacement in 2019 and a recent surgery to remove a cyst from his spine, Murray's determination remains unwavering. His performance in Paris showcased his unwavering spirit and the enduring legacy he has left on the sport.