Tennis

Coco Gauff's recent form has raised questions about her chances of defending her US Open title. After winning her maiden Grand Slam last year, Gauff has struggled for consistency in 2024, losing four of her last 10 matches. However, despite these setbacks, Gauff's overall statistics suggest she is still a formidable opponent.In 2023, Gauff had a winning percentage of 76.1%, a hold percentage of 73.4%, and a break percentage of 41.2%. In 2024, her winning percentage has dropped slightly to 74.5%, but her hold percentage remains high at 72.0% and her break percentage has improved to 46.2%. These numbers indicate that Gauff is still playing at a high level.One area of concern for Gauff is her forehand, which has been a weakness throughout her career. She has shown signs of improvement in this area, but she still tends to make unforced errors from that side of the court. Her serving has also been inconsistent, with her double-fault percentage increasing from 5.1% in 2023 to 8.5% in 2024.Despite these concerns, Gauff has a history of performing well at the US Open. She has reached the semifinals of the Australian Open this year and has a strong record against top players. Additionally, the absence of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina from the tournament due to injuries or poor form makes Gauff's chances of winning even more promising.Overall, while Gauff's recent form has been inconsistent, her overall statistics and past performance at the US Open suggest that she is still a contender for the title. Her odds of +650 at FanDuel Sportsbook represent a good value for bettors who believe she can overcome her weaknesses and defend her championship.

Quentin Halys' Gravity-Defying Forehand Stuns at Swiss Open GstaadWorld No. 192 Quentin Halys showcased his exceptional talent at the EGF Swiss Open Gstaad, delivering one of the most remarkable shots of the year in the quarterfinals. Facing Gustavo Heide, the French qualifier found himself on the ground after being wrong-footed on game point.Undeterred, Halys unleashed an astonishing forehand with only his upper body strength, sending the ball hurtling towards Heide. Despite the Brazilian's valiant effort, he missed the near-winner, leaving Halys to bask in the applause of the crowd.The momentum from this incredible point carried Halys through the first set, as he dispatched Heide 6-1. In the second set, Halys faced a tougher challenge but ultimately prevailed 7-5, securing his place in only his second ATP semifinal (2023 Estoril).Halys' performance in Gstaad is a testament to his resilience and determination. Despite being ranked outside the Top 150, he has proven that he can compete with the best on the ATP Tour. His projected move into the Top 150 is a well-deserved recognition of his hard work and talent.In the semifinals, Halys will face either No. 4 seed Tomás Martín Etcheverry or No. 5 seed Jan-Lennard Struff. A victory would propel him to the biggest final of his career, further cementing his status as a rising star in the tennis world.