Tennis

Jasmine Paolini's dominance over Bianca Andreescu continued at the 2024 US Open, as the Italian secured a hard-fought 6-7 (5), 6-2, 6-4 victory in a thrilling encounter that captivated the crowd at Louis Armstrong Stadium.The match, which kicked off Day 2's night session, marked the third consecutive meeting between the two players at a major tournament. Paolini had previously triumphed over Andreescu at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, reaching the final in both events.Andreescu, a former world No. 4, has been striving to regain her top form since her US Open triumph in 2019. Despite physical and mental challenges, she impressed on grass earlier this season, reaching the final of the Libema Open.The opening set was a tight affair, with both players trading breaks early on. Andreescu surged ahead 5-3, but Paolini displayed her resilience, saving four set points to level at 5-5. The set eventually went into a Sudden Death, where Andreescu prevailed with a forehand error from Paolini.In the second set, Paolini seized control, breaking Andreescu's serve three times to take a commanding 5-0 lead. Andreescu managed to break back once, but Paolini ultimately forced a decider.The final set featured high-quality tennis from both players. Andreescu threatened to take the lead with break points, but Paolini held firm. However, Andreescu showed signs of physical distress and required a visit from the trainer.Despite her hindered movement, Andreescu fought back to level the set at 4-4. However, Paolini's audacious mix of offense and defense proved too much for the Canadian, as she engineered two break points and converted one to serve for the match.With the match on her racquet, Paolini faced double match point but saved one with remarkable defense. Andreescu made no mistake the second time, but Paolini broke straight back to find herself serving for the match once again.With the crowd on their feet, Paolini converted her second match point with a well-struck forehand, forcing an Andreescu error. The Italian advanced to the second round, where she will face former world No. 1 Karolina Pliskova.

India's top tennis player, Sumit Nagal, suffered a disappointing exit from the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the season, after a straight-set defeat to Dutch player Tallon Griekspoor in the opening round.Nagal struggled with his first serve throughout the match, winning only 61% of those points. In contrast, Griekspoor dominated with his first serve, winning an impressive 87% of his points. The Dutchman also converted six of his 11 break chances, while Nagal managed to break his opponent twice.The match lasted for two hours and 20 minutes, with Nagal finding his rhythm late in the game. However, he made several unforced errors, which allowed Griekspoor to secure easy winners. Light rain briefly interrupted play in the second set, but Nagal resumed with determination.Despite his defeat in the singles, Nagal remains in the US Open as he is also competing in the men's doubles. He had a promising start to the season, qualifying for the Australian Open main draw and improving his ranking to secure his place in all four Grand Slams.While he won a main draw round in Melbourne, Nagal faced early exits in the subsequent Majors. Nevertheless, his participation in all Grand Slams of the 2024 season has significantly boosted his career. Prajnesh Gunneswaran was the last Indian to play in all Grand Slam singles main draws in 2019.In the men's doubles, India will be represented by Rohan Bopanna, Yuki Bhambri, N Sriram Balaji, and Nagal, who will partner with different players.

The US Open witnessed an emotional opening day as two beloved players bid farewell to Grand Slam tennis. Dominic Thiem's retirement announcement set the tone, and the tears continued to flow as Argentina's Diego Schwartzman played his final major match.Facing Gael Monfils on Grandstand, Schwartzman rallied the crowd by taking the opening set in a tiebreak. However, Monfils' experience and power proved too much, as he closed out the match 6-7 (2), 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.Schwartzman, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 8 in 2020, announced his retirement in May. Exhausted by travel and a decline in form, the 32-year-old plans to end his career on home soil in Buenos Aires next year.After the match, Monfils graciously allowed Schwartzman to savor the moment with the fans. Tournament organizers unveiled a touching tribute video, prompting Schwartzman to break down in tears."It's difficult to speak, I'm a guy who cries a lot," Schwartzman said through sobs. "I'm not supposed to cry now, I have to be strong."Despite the emotional farewell, Schwartzman expressed gratitude for his journey at the US Open. "It has been great. Many years, time passes very, very quickly... I am very happy with how things have gone for me here and also with how the public has treated me over all these years."Schwartzman also shared his excitement for the future. He plans to marry his girlfriend next year and has several business ventures in the works. However, he remains uncertain about a coaching career.Meanwhile, Monfils advanced to the second round, where he will face No. 8 seed Casper Ruud. The US Open continues to provide a stage for both emotional farewells and thrilling tennis.

Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning US Open champion, is poised to make history as he embarks on his title defense at Flushing Meadows. Despite being seeded third, the 21-year-old Spaniard is confident in his abilities on the hard courts of New York.Alcaraz's love for the US Open is evident in his words: "Playing here in New York suits very well to my game, my personality. The people here are passionate about tennis, they have a lot of energy that they bring to the matches, to the court, and I love it."With two Wimbledon and one Roland Garros titles under his belt, Alcaraz is aiming to become just the seventh man to capture three Slams in the same calendar season. His idol, Rafael Nadal, achieved this feat in 2010.Alcaraz's rise to stardom has been meteoric. He has gone from being an up-and-comer to a global superstar in the blink of an eye. Now, he is one of the players setting the standard in men's tennis.Despite his success, Alcaraz remains humble and focused on his game. He believes that his joy and aggression on the court are qualities that young players can learn from.Alcaraz's equipment of choice is the Babolat Pure Aero 98 racquet, which he has used throughout his career. He values the power and control it provides.As he prepares for his US Open title defense, Alcaraz is determined to make history. He is confident in his abilities and eager to prove that he is one of the greatest players of his generation.

Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champion, made a triumphant return to the tournament on Monday, cruising to a 6-2, 6-0 victory over Varvara Gracheva in the first round. The 18-year-old American, seeded third, fired 10 aces and needed just 66 minutes to dispatch her 66th-ranked opponent.Gauff's victory marked a strong start to her title defense, despite a challenging season that saw her fall in the third round at Toronto and crash out of her first match as the defending champion in Cincinnati. "It is definitely a lot of pressure this tournament but I'm just enjoying it," said Gauff, who is seeded behind world number one Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka. "Last year was incredible, so I'm just bringing those vibes and whatever happens, happens."Meanwhile, four-time champion Novak Djokovic, seeded second behind world number one Jannik Sinner, is vying to become the first man to repeat in New York since Roger Federer won five straight US Opens from 2004-2008. "Hopefully that changes this year," said Djokovic, who highlighted an otherwise disappointing season with an emotional gold medal at the Paris Olympics.Djokovic, who has been hindered by a knee injury in 2024, is facing the prospect of a year without a Grand Slam title for the first time since 2017. The 37-year-old, whose 24 Grand Slam titles are tied with Aussie legend Margaret Court for most all-time, says he still gets pumped up for the "pillars of our sport."In other first-round action, American Ben Shelton upset 2020 champion Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. Thiem's defeat marked an end to his Grand Slam career, as the Austrian announced he would retire at the end of 2024 after several injury-plagued seasons.Fourth-seeded Alexander Zverev of Germany needed four sets to get past lucky loser Maximilian Marter 6-2, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-2. Sixth-seeded Andrey Rublev beat Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5 and eighth-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway advanced with a 7-6 (7/2), 6-2, 6-2 win over China's Bu Yunchaokete.Wimbledon women's champion Barbora Krejcikova, seeded eighth, eased into the second round with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 victory over Spanish qualifier Marina Bassols Ribera. Olympic women's singles gold medallist Zheng Qinwen of China, seeded seventh, rallied from a set down to beat Amanda Anisimova 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Dominic Thiem's illustrious tennis career came to an end on the same court where he achieved his greatest triumph four years ago. The 30-year-old Austrian bowed out in straight sets to rising American star Ben Shelton in the first round of the US Open, marking the final Grand Slam match of his distinguished career.Thiem's departure from the sport leaves a void in the tennis landscape. He was one of the few players to challenge the dominance of the "Big Three" of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic, reaching three other major finals and compiling an impressive 16-19 record against them.Thiem's success was built on a relentless work ethic and a punishing forehand. However, a wrist injury in 2021 derailed his momentum, and he has struggled to regain his former form. Despite the setback, Thiem expressed gratitude for his accomplishments."I'm really happy with the career I had before," he said. "I never expected that it's gonna be that successful, so I don't really have any regrets, and I'm good with that."Thiem's retirement marks the end of an era in tennis. He was a fierce competitor and a fan favorite, known for his unwavering determination and infectious enthusiasm. While he may no longer be on the court, his legacy will continue to inspire future generations of players.

Novak Djokovic and Coco Gauff, the reigning US Open champions, will begin their title defenses on Monday, with Djokovic aiming to add to his record-breaking Grand Slam tally and Gauff seeking to regain her winning form.Djokovic, seeded second behind world number one Jannik Sinner, is determined to become the first man to repeat as US Open champion since Roger Federer's five-year reign from 2004-2008. Despite an injury-plagued year, the 37-year-old Serbian remains motivated by the "pillars of our sport" and is eager to perform under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium.Gauff, who has struggled for consistency since her maiden Grand Slam victory last year, will face Varvara Gracheva of France in the afternoon session. The American teenager is hoping to rediscover her winning ways and challenge for another major title.Other notable matches on Monday include:* Dominic Thiem, the 2020 US Open champion, faces Ben Shelton, who is aiming to build on his impressive semi-final run last year.* Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe, two of the top American men, will also be in action, hoping to end the US Open title drought for their country.* Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion, takes on Priscilla Hon, while Wimbledon winner Barbora Krejcikova faces Marina Bassols Ribera.In early action, Donna Vekic of Croatia advanced to the second round, while Maria Sakkari of Greece retired with an apparent shoulder injury.

The U.S. Open: A Legacy of Tennis ExcellenceThe U.S. Open, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments in tennis, has a rich history dating back to 1881. Originally known as the U.S. National Championships, the tournament was initially held at the Newport Casino in Rhode Island. In 1978, it moved to its current home at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York.Over the years, the U.S. Open has witnessed some of the greatest moments in tennis history. In 1968, Arthur Ashe became the first African American man to win a Grand Slam singles title, breaking down racial barriers in the sport. In 1973, Billie Jean King led the "Battle of the Sexes" match against Bobby Riggs, which helped pave the way for women's tennis.The U.S. Open is known for its unique atmosphere and passionate fans. The tournament features three main show courts: Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium, and Grandstand Stadium. Arthur Ashe Stadium, the largest tennis stadium in the world, can accommodate over 23,000 spectators.The U.S. Open has also been a platform for technological advancements in tennis. In 2006, it became the first Grand Slam tournament to use the Hawk-Eye line-calling system, which uses cameras to determine whether a ball is in or out. In 2018, the tournament introduced the "Shot Clock," which gives players a limited amount of time to serve and return shots.Beyond its on-court action, the U.S. Open is also a major cultural event. The tournament attracts celebrities, politicians, and fans from around the world. It features a variety of food and beverage options, as well as live music and entertainment.The U.S. Open continues to be a symbol of tennis excellence and innovation. It is a tournament that has shaped the history of the sport and continues to inspire future generations of players and fans.

Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic is poised to make history at the upcoming US Open, aiming to become the first man in 16 years to successfully defend his title. The 37-year-old, riding high on his Olympic triumph in Paris, is chasing a raft of records at Flushing Meadows.Djokovic, seeded second, can join Jimmy Connors, Pete Sampras, and Roger Federer as the oldest Open era winners of the championship. With a 25th Grand Slam title, he would claim the outright record for most ever, a mark he currently shares with Australian great Margaret Court. He would also become the first man to repeat in New York since Federer won five straight US Opens from 2004-2008."I didn't know about that," Djokovic said. "I knew it was probably the case for five, 10 years, but I didn't know it was that long. Hopefully that changes this year. That's the goal."A victory would see Djokovic extend his streak of years with at least one Grand Slam title to seven. From 2011-23, he was shut out at the majors just once, in 2017. So far in 2024, the majors have gone to a new generation. Spain's Carlos Alcaraz is chasing a third straight Grand Slam after triumphs at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Italian Jannik Sinner won the Australian Open on his way to supplanting Djokovic atop the world rankings.With Federer retired and Rafael Nadal battling injuries, Djokovic said his budding rivalries with the likes of Alcaraz and Sinner keep him motivated. "These kind of rivalries that I have with Jannik and Carlos are the kind of matchups that still bring that joy of competition to me and inspire me to really push myself to perfect the game," Djokovic said."People ask me 'now that you have basically won everything with the golden medal, what else is there to win?' I still feel the drive. I still have the competitive spirit. I still want to make more history and enjoy myself on the tour."Djokovic called the medal ceremony after his Paris Games triumph "probably the most intense emotions I have ever had on a tennis court". "I think the moment of when I achieved it, how I achieved it, after years of trying, the journey... makes it even more unique."However, he doesn't envision any let-down as he tries to close out the season with yet another Grand Slam title. "Grand Slams are the pillars of our sport," Djokovic said. "They are the most important historical tennis events that we have. So if you don't get pumped and inspired to play your best tennis at Grand Slams, it's hard to do that anywhere else."