Tennis

Naomi Osaka and coach Wim Fissette have parted ways for the second time, the former world No. 1 announced on social media. The split comes after a four-year partnership that yielded two Grand Slam titles for Osaka.Osaka hired Fissette ahead of the 2020 season, and they won the US Open that year and the Australian Open in 2021. However, they split in the summer of 2022, with Osaka citing a need for a change.They reunited last year as Osaka returned to tennis after the birth of her daughter. However, Osaka's results have been disappointing since her comeback, with the Japanese star failing to reach the second round of any Grand Slam tournament this year.Osaka's announcement came amid reports that she has been training with Patrick Mouratoglou, the former coach of Serena Williams. Mouratoglou has a reputation for working with top players, and his addition to Osaka's team could signal a renewed push for Grand Slam glory.Osaka's split with Fissette is the latest in a series of coaching changes for the Japanese star. She has previously been coached by her father, Leonard Francis, and Sascha Baijin, with whom she won two Grand Slam titles.It remains to be seen who will replace Fissette as Osaka's coach. However, the Japanese star will be hoping that a new partnership can help her rediscover her best form and challenge for more Grand Slam titles.

Jannik Sinner's triumph at the US Open has cemented his status as a rising star in the tennis world. The Italian prodigy has achieved remarkable feats in his young career, showcasing his exceptional talent and unwavering determination.Sinner's victory in New York marks his second Grand Slam title, following his triumph at the Australian Open earlier this year. This achievement places him among an elite group of active players with multiple Grand Slam titles, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, and Stan Wawrinka.Sinner has also become the first Italian tennis player, male or female, to win two different Grand Slams. His Australian Open and US Open titles set him apart from Nicola Pietrangeli, the only other Italian with multiple majors, who won both of his at Roland Garros.Sinner's consistency in finals is equally impressive. He has a perfect 6-0 record in finals this year, lifting trophies at the Australian Open, Rotterdam, Miami, Halle, Cincinnati, and now the US Open. His dominance in these high-stakes matches highlights his ability to perform under pressure.Furthermore, Sinner has won his last 14 sets in a row in finals, showcasing his unwavering focus and determination. His last five finals have been won in straight sets, demonstrating his ability to close out matches with authority.Sinner's success extends beyond finals. He has won his last 11 matches in a row, his last 13 matches against Americans, his last 14 matches at hard-court Grand Slams, and his last 17 matches in the United States. These impressive streaks underscore his versatility and adaptability on different surfaces and against various opponents.By reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open, Sinner became the first player born in the 2000s to complete his career set of Grand Slam semifinals. He is also the first man born since 1990 to reach the semifinals of all four majors, a testament to his exceptional consistency.Sinner's victory at the US Open has also boosted his career prize money to over $25 million. With the $3.6-million champion's cheque, he has surged to the top of the prize money rankings.Sinner's triumph, along with Carlos Alcaraz's victories at the US Open and French Open, marks a significant shift in the tennis landscape. This is the first year since 1993 that all four majors have been won by men aged 23 or under, indicating a changing of the guard in the sport.Sinner's dominance has also extended his lead at the top of the ATP rankings. He now leads Alexander Zverev by over 4,000 points, a significant margin that reflects his consistent performances throughout the year.

Aryna Sabalenka's dominance on hard courts reached new heights at the 2024 US Open, where she captured her first title at Flushing Meadows and cemented her status as one of the most formidable players in women's tennis.Sabalenka's triumph marked her third Grand Slam title, joining an elite group of active players with three or more major victories. She now stands alongside Venus Williams, Iga Swiatek, and Naomi Osaka in this exclusive club.Her victory was particularly impressive considering she became only the second woman in the past eight years to win multiple majors in a single season. Swiatek also achieved this feat in 2022, while Angelique Kerber was the last to do so in 2016.Sabalenka's dominance extended beyond her Grand Slam success. She has won her last 12 matches in a row and 24 of the last 25 sets she has played. Her only set loss since the start of the Cincinnati tournament came against Ekaterina Alexandrova in the third round of the US Open.Her hard-court prowess is undeniable. Since the start of 2023, Sabalenka has compiled a remarkable 27-1 record at hard-court majors. Her only defeat came in the final of last year's US Open against Coco Gauff.Sabalenka's consistency is evident in her set record at hard-court majors. She has lost just five sets in her last 55 matches, demonstrating her ability to maintain her high level of play throughout tournaments.In the lead-up to the US Open final, Sabalenka showcased her resilience and determination. She improved to 9-1 in Grand Slam quarterfinals with a dominant victory over Zheng Qinwen. Her only quarterfinal loss came at Roland Garros this year, where she squandered a significant lead against Mirra Andreeva.Sabalenka's semifinal win against Emma Navarro secured her spot in the WTA Finals in Riyadh in November. She became the second player to qualify for the prestigious event, joining world No. 1 Swiatek.With her US Open victory, Sabalenka earned a substantial $3.6 million prize money, pushing her career earnings past $25 million. She also narrowed the points gap between herself and Swiatek at the top of the WTA rankings.Sabalenka's triumph at the US Open is a testament to her exceptional power game and unwavering determination. She has established herself as a force to be reckoned with in women's tennis and will undoubtedly continue to challenge for major titles in the years to come.

Taylor Fritz's historic run at the US Open has reached the final hurdle, but he faces an insurmountable challenge in world No. 1 Jannik Sinner. Fritz, the last American man standing, aims to end a 21-year drought since Andy Roddick's 2003 triumph. However, Sinner's dominance on hard courts and superior all-around game make him a formidable opponent.Fritz's path to the final has been marked by resilience and determination. He overcame a two-set deficit against Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals, showcasing his fighting spirit. However, Sinner presents a different level of challenge. The Italian has a higher hold percentage, is a better returner, and possesses superior groundstrokes and movement.Sinner's recent form on hard courts is impeccable. He boasts a 38-2 record in 2024, including a victory over Fritz in Indian Wells last year. His ability to control the pace of the game and dictate rallies from both wings makes him a formidable opponent for Fritz's serve-and-volley style.While the home crowd will undoubtedly rally behind Fritz, Sinner's experience in handling hostile environments, as evidenced in his match against Tommy Paul, suggests that he will not be fazed by the atmosphere.Fritz's best chance of success lies in playing aggressively and taking risks. He must serve consistently and effectively, while also finding ways to break down Sinner's defense. However, Sinner's superior court coverage and ability to neutralize Fritz's power make it difficult to envision the American winning more than a set or two.The story of an American breaking through at a major on home soil is compelling, but the odds are stacked against Fritz. Sinner's dominance on hard courts and all-around superiority make him the clear favorite. While Fritz deserves credit for his remarkable run, Sinner is simply a better player at this stage.

Aryna Sabalenka's Grand Slam triumphs have been marked by unique gestures from her team, and the 2024 US Open was no exception. Fitness coach Jason Stacy paid homage to Sabalenka's "Tiger" nickname by sporting a giant head tattoo of a tiger.Sabalenka, who defeated Jessica Pegula to claim her third Grand Slam title, joked about the tattoo, saying, "It's permanent." She later revealed that her entire team, including coach Anton Dubrov, had similar temporary tattoos.This gesture was a departure from Sabalenka's 2024 Australian Open ritual of signing Stacy's bald head. The world No. 2 is already brainstorming new ideas for their next Grand Slam adventure in Melbourne."Just always come up with something new," she said. "It was signature, and now it's, like, tiger tattoo. I'm really curious what's going to be next, Jason."Sabalenka's team has been instrumental in her rise to the top, having worked together since 2020. They have formed a close bond, which is evident in their social media interactions."The best advice I would give is to surround yourself with the right people," Sabalenka said. "People you can trust, people you can talk to about anything. It's so important to have someone you can talk through whatever's going on."With the Asian Swing and WTA Finals approaching, Team Tiger aims to end the 2024 season on a high note. They have compiled a 12-match win streak through title runs in Cincinnati and Flushing Meadows.

Aryna Sabalenka, the world number two, has triumphed at the US Open, claiming her third Grand Slam title with a thrilling 7-5, 7-5 victory over Jessica Pegula in a rollercoaster final on Saturday, September 7, 2024.Sabalenka's victory marks a significant milestone in her career, adding the prestigious US Open crown to her back-to-back Australian Open triumphs. The Belarusian star displayed her trademark power and aggression throughout the tournament, overcoming a spirited challenge from Pegula, the American crowd favorite.The final was a captivating affair, with both players showcasing their resilience and determination. Sabalenka broke Pegula's serve early in the first set, but the American fought back to level the score at 4-4. However, Sabalenka's powerful groundstrokes proved too much for Pegula, as she broke serve again to take the first set 7-5.The second set followed a similar pattern, with both players trading breaks. Sabalenka's serve was particularly impressive, as she fired down 10 aces during the match. With the score poised at 5-5, Sabalenka seized the crucial break and held her nerve to serve out the match, securing her third Grand Slam title.Pegula, who was playing in her first Grand Slam final, gave a valiant effort but ultimately fell short against Sabalenka's superior firepower. The American's performance was nonetheless a testament to her talent and determination, and she will undoubtedly be a force to be reckoned with in future Grand Slams.Sabalenka's victory at the US Open is a testament to her hard work and dedication. The Belarusian has overcome numerous challenges in her career, including injuries and mental health struggles. Her triumph is a reminder that anything is possible with perseverance and belief.

Jessica Pegula, the unheralded American, stands on the cusp of history as she faces Aryna Sabalenka in the US Open final. Despite being a significant underdog, Pegula has impressed throughout the tournament, showcasing her exceptional form and resilience.Pegula's journey to the final has been marked by a series of impressive victories, including a triumph over world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Her ability to blend power and precision has allowed her to dominate opponents and create opportunities for winners.While Sabalenka is the clear favorite, Pegula's recent performances suggest that she is capable of causing an upset. In their previous encounter in the Cincinnati final, Pegula pushed Sabalenka to the limit, losing in a competitive three-set match.Pegula's mental fortitude is another key factor in her favor. She has shown a remarkable ability to handle the pressure of big matches, as evidenced by her victory over Emma Navarro in the semifinals. Sabalenka, on the other hand, has struggled with nerves in the past, particularly in Grand Slam finals.Furthermore, Pegula's lack of expectations could work to her advantage. She has consistently played her best tennis when the pressure is off, as seen in her victory over Swiatek. This mindset could allow her to approach the final with a sense of freedom and confidence.While Sabalenka remains the favorite, Pegula's impressive form, mental strength, and favorable circumstances make her a legitimate contender for the US Open title. Her ability to push Sabalenka to the limit in their previous encounter suggests that she has the potential to pull off an upset and claim her maiden Grand Slam victory.

Jannik Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion, continued his impressive run at the 2024 US Open, defeating Jack Draper in straight sets to advance to his first final at Flushing Meadows.Sinner, who has a perfect 13-0 record on hard-court majors this year, overcame a resilient Draper, 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-2, in a match that lasted three hours and three minutes. The Italian has now reached the final of two Grand Slams in 2024, having won the Australian Open earlier this year.Despite being the more experienced player, Sinner faced a tough challenge from Draper, who was playing in his biggest match at the US Open. The Brit had lost only 26 games in his first four matches and had upset No. 10 seed Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals.The first set was closely contested, with both players exchanging breaks. Sinner eventually broke Draper's serve at 5-5 and served out the set in 56 minutes. The second set was equally tight, with Draper saving three break points before Sinner forced a tiebreaker. The Italian took control of the tiebreaker and won it 7-3.Draper's physical condition deteriorated in the third set, as he appeared to suffer from heat illness. Despite his discomfort, he continued to fight and kept the set on serve until the sixth game. Sinner eventually broke Draper's serve and served out the match to reach the final.Sinner will now face either No. 12 seed Taylor Fritz or No. 20 seed Frances Tiafoe in the final. It will be the first time an American has reached the championship match at a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick at the 2009 Wimbledon.

Jessica Pegula's remarkable run at the US Open continued on Thursday as she overcame a slow start to defeat Karolina Muchova 1-6, 6-4, 6-2 and reach her first career Grand Slam singles final.The match began with Muchova dominating, taking the first set 6-1 and racing to a 2-0 lead in the second. However, Pegula refused to give up, digging deep to win the next four games and level the match.The third set was a tense affair, with both players holding serve until Pegula broke through for a 4-2 lead. Muchova fought back to deuce, but Pegula held her nerve and eventually sealed the victory."I was thinking...you're still in this," Pegula said of the turning point in the match. "I was able to just hold into that game and find a way."Pegula's victory is a testament to her resilience and determination. She has now won two consecutive matches from a set down, including a quarterfinal win over Petra Kvitova.In the final on Saturday, Pegula will face Aryna Sabalenka, who defeated her in the Cincinnati final just a few weeks ago. Sabalenka is the No. 2 seed at the US Open and will be a tough opponent, but Pegula will be confident after her impressive run to the final.