Tennis

The United States' hopes of winning the Billie Jean King Cup Finals were dashed in the opening round as Slovakia pulled off a stunning upset in a thrilling doubles match that ended close to 1 a.m. Friday.Viktoria Hruncakova and Tereza Mihalikova sealed the victory for Slovakia in Malaga, Spain, with a hard-fought 6-3, 3-6, [10-8] win over Ashlyn Krueger and Taylor Townsend. The American duo fought valiantly, saving six match points before the Slovaks finally clinched the win on their seventh attempt.The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the Slovaks racing out to a 9-2 lead in the match tiebreak. However, Krueger and Townsend refused to give up, battling back to close the gap. In the end, it was Mihalikova who put away an overhead off Krueger's short return to secure the victory."It was not the first time that we went on the deciding doubles together. We wanted to win so, so much," Hruncakova said after the match. "We gave everything we have. I just have no words right now."The day had started promisingly for the United States, with Townsend securing a 6-3, 7-5 victory over Renata Jamrichova. However, Danielle Collins was unable to follow suit, falling to Rebecca Sramkova 6-2, 7-5. Sramkova's impressive performance, which included a 20 winners to 16 unforced errors ratio, proved too much for Collins.Townsend, who recently finished runner-up in doubles at the WTA Finals with Katerina Siniakova, was unable to inspire her team to victory. The United States, who last won the Billie Jean King Cup in 2017, will now have to wait another year for a chance to reclaim the trophy.

Coco Gauff's stunning upset over Iga Swiatek at the 2024 WTA Finals has sent shockwaves through the tennis world. The American teenager, who had lost 11 consecutive matches to the former world No. 1, defied the odds to triumph 6-3, 6-4 and secure a spot in the semifinals.Gauff's victory was not only a personal triumph but also a significant moment for the sport. It marked the first time she had defeated Swiatek, who has dominated women's tennis in recent years. The win also guaranteed that Aryna Sabalenka will end the season as world No. 1.The match was a tale of two sets. Gauff dominated the first, breaking Swiatek's serve twice to take it 6-3. The second set was more competitive, with Swiatek twice taking the lead. However, Gauff showed resilience and determination to break back both times. She eventually sealed the victory with a powerful forehand swing volley that flew long.Gauff's performance was particularly impressive given her struggles with her serve in recent months. She committed nine double faults in the match, but she was able to overcome this weakness with her aggressive groundstrokes and relentless pressure on Swiatek.The win is a major boost for Gauff, who has had a mixed season since her breakout 2023 campaign. She reached the semifinals of the Australian Open and Roland Garros but struggled with her serve and forehand throughout the summer. However, she has shown signs of improvement in recent weeks, winning the China Open and now reaching the semifinals of the WTA Finals.Gauff's victory is a reminder that anything is possible in sports. Despite her previous struggles against Swiatek, she never gave up and ultimately triumphed. Her performance is an inspiration to young athletes everywhere and a testament to the power of hard work and determination.

Ugo Humbert's stunning victory over Carlos Alcaraz at the Rolex Paris Masters sent shockwaves through the tennis world. The French No. 15 seed rallied from a set down to defeat the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion 6-1, 3-6, 7-5 in a thrilling encounter that lasted over two hours.Humbert, who had lost to Alcaraz twice in 2022, started the match with a bang, dominating the first set with his aggressive baseline play. Alcaraz, who had been in scintillating form since winning the US Open, struggled to find his rhythm and won just one game in the opening set.However, the Spaniard showed his resilience in the second set, breaking Humbert's serve twice to level the match. The third set was a tense affair, with both players trading breaks. Humbert eventually broke Alcaraz's serve in the 12th game to seal the victory and send the home crowd into raptures.The win was a major upset, as Alcaraz had been the heavy favorite coming into the match. It was also a significant victory for Humbert, who had been struggling for form in recent months. The Frenchman will now face Jordan Thompson in the quarterfinals, who upset No. 7 seed Casper Ruud in the previous round.Alcaraz's defeat was a setback in his bid to finish the season as world No. 1. However, the Spaniard remains in contention for the year-end top spot and will be looking to bounce back at the ATP Finals in Turin next week.

Lorenzo Musetti, the 22-year-old Italian sensation, pulled off a stunning upset on Friday, defeating world number three Alexander Zverev in the Vienna Open quarterfinals. Musetti's 2-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 victory marked a significant milestone in his career and sent shockwaves through the tennis world.Musetti, who won an Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo and reached the Wimbledon semifinals earlier this year, struggled initially against Zverev's powerful serve and aggressive baseline play. However, he remained composed and gradually found his rhythm, exploiting Zverev's unforced errors and dictating the pace with his precise groundstrokes."It didn't start how we planned," Musetti admitted. "I was struggling to find the right balance with my forehand and the variation of my backhand."But Musetti's resilience shone through as he fought back from a set down to force a tiebreak in the second set. He then seized control of the match, breaking Zverev's serve in the third set and holding on for a memorable victory."It's a pretty big win because Sascha really loves to play here, on this court, in these conditions," Musetti said. "But, after the first round, I was feeling in good shape and today I showed that."Musetti's triumph sets up a semifinal clash with world number 18 Jack Draper, who defeated Tomas Machac of the Czech Republic in three sets. Draper, who is enjoying a breakout season, will pose a formidable challenge for Musetti, but the Italian is confident in his abilities."I thought the first set was really physical," Draper said. "It's always tough playing Tomas, he's so solid off the ground."In other quarterfinal action, Australian second seed Alex de Minaur rallied from a set down to defeat Czech teenager Jakub Mensik. De Minaur will face Karen Khachanov of Russia in the semifinals, who cruised past Italy's Matteo Berrettini in straight sets.The Vienna Open semifinals promise to deliver thrilling tennis as the top players battle for a place in the final. Musetti's upset victory over Zverev has injected excitement into the tournament and has further cemented his status as one of the rising stars of the sport.

Emma Navarro, the No. 13 seed, stunned defending champion Coco Gauff, the No. 3 seed, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3, in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open. This marks Navarro's second consecutive major victory over Gauff, having previously defeated her at Wimbledon.Gauff, who had won her last 10 matches at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, struggled with her serve throughout the match, hitting 19 double faults. Navarro, on the other hand, played with composure and determination, capitalizing on Gauff's errors.In the first set, Navarro broke Gauff's serve in the opening game and held her own serve to take an early lead. Gauff saved a set point in the eighth game, but Navarro served out the set at love.Gauff fought back in the second set, breaking Navarro's serve in the seventh game and winning the next three games to force a deciding set. However, Navarro regained her composure in the third set, breaking Gauff's serve twice to take a 4-3 lead. Gauff continued to struggle with her serve, hitting two more double faults in the eighth game, which gave Navarro the opportunity to serve for the match.Navarro held her nerve and closed out the match with a strong return, advancing to the quarterfinals where she will face former world No. 2 Paula Badosa.Navarro's victory is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She has enjoyed a breakthrough season in 2024, winning her first WTA title in Hobart and reaching her first WTA 1000 semifinal at the National Bank Open. Her victory over Gauff is a major upset and a sign that she is a rising star in the tennis world.

In a stunning upset that sent shockwaves through the tennis world, 74th-ranked Botic van de Zandschulp stunned four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz in the second round of the US Open, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4.Alcaraz, the 21-year-old Spanish sensation, was aiming to become only the third player in the Open Era to win Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open in the same season. However, his hopes were dashed by a relentless van de Zandschulp, who played with unwavering composure and precision.Alcaraz, who had not lost a set in his previous two matches at the US Open, struggled to find his rhythm against the Dutchman's powerful serve and aggressive groundstrokes. The Spaniard committed a staggering 28 unforced errors, a testament to the pressure van de Zandschulp applied throughout the match.Van de Zandschulp, who had not advanced past the second round of a Grand Slam tournament in over two years, played with the confidence of a seasoned veteran. He broke Alcaraz's serve five times and saved all three break points he faced.The victory marks a remarkable achievement for van de Zandschulp, who has been steadily improving his game over the past year. It also raises questions about Alcaraz's form, who has not looked his best since winning the Madrid Open in May.Despite the setback, Alcaraz remains one of the most promising players in the world. He has already achieved more than most players his age, and he will undoubtedly bounce back from this disappointment.However, for now, the spotlight belongs to van de Zandschulp, who has proven that anything is possible in tennis. The Dutchman will face 12th-seeded Pablo Carreno Busta in the third round, where he will look to continue his dream run at the US Open.

Zheng Qinwen, the reigning Olympic champion, narrowly escaped an upset at the 2024 US Open, overcoming a spirited challenge from Amanda Anisimova in a three-set thriller.Anisimova, a former Roland Garros semifinalist, started the match on fire, racing to a 5-1 lead in the first set. However, Zheng, who stunned Iga Swiatek at the Olympics, fought back to break Anisimova twice and save three set points. Anisimova eventually clinched the set with a forehand winner.In the second set, Zheng gained momentum, forcing Anisimova into errors. Despite a marathon seventh game, Anisimova held on and threatened to break in the following game. However, Zheng saved two set points and leveled the match with a strong first serve.After a medical timeout for Anisimova, Zheng seized control in the final set, breaking Anisimova twice to open up a double-break lead. Anisimova reclaimed one break but Zheng's slice backhand gave her a second break. Zheng served out the match with an ace, advancing to the second round in two hours and 20 minutes.Zheng's victory highlights her versatility on different surfaces, having reached the Australian Open final earlier this year. Anisimova, despite her impressive form in recent months, was unable to maintain her early dominance.In the next round, Zheng will face Erika Andreeva, who defeated Yuan Yue in a second-set tiebreaker.

Iga Swiatek's remarkable 21-match winning streak came to an abrupt end at Wimbledon on Saturday, as the world number one suffered a shock third-round defeat to Yulia Putintseva. The top seed's hopes of a first Wimbledon title were dashed in a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 loss to the Russian-born Kazakh.Swiatek's struggles at the All England Club continued, as she has never progressed beyond the quarter-finals in her previous appearances. The 21-year-old admitted that the strain of her recent French Open triumph, where she claimed her fourth title at Roland Garros, had taken its toll."For sure, I felt like my energy level went down little bit in the second set. I couldn't really get back up," Swiatek said. "My tank of really pushing myself to the limits became suddenly empty. I was kind of surprised. But I know what I did wrong after Roland Garros. I didn't really rest properly."Swiatek's defeat was a major upset, as she had been the overwhelming favorite to win the tournament. However, Putintseva played with determination and resilience, taking advantage of Swiatek's fatigue and errors.The Kazakh player, who had previously lost to Swiatek in straight sets at Indian Wells earlier this year, was delighted with her victory. "I totally let her come back to the game in the second set. I shouldn't have done that," Swiatek said. "I made some mistakes, as well. But for sure, she used her chance."Swiatek's loss raises questions about her ability to maintain her dominance on different surfaces. The Polish star has been unstoppable on clay, but she has struggled to replicate that form on grass and hard courts."I was playing fearless," Putintseva said. "I have nothing to lose, just go for it. She didn't lose it. I took it."Swiatek's defeat is a reminder that even the best players can be vulnerable when they are not at their peak. The world number one will now have to regroup and prepare for the upcoming hard-court season, where she will be looking to defend her US Open title.

Naomi Osaka's Wimbledon campaign came to an abrupt end on Wednesday as she was comprehensively defeated by American qualifier Emma Navarro in the second round. The Japanese superstar, who was playing her first Wimbledon since 2019, was outplayed by the 17th-ranked Navarro, losing 6-4, 6-1 in just under an hour.The match started evenly, with both players holding serve until 3-3 in the first set. However, Navarro then broke Osaka's serve to love and went on to take the first set. The second set was even more one-sided, as Navarro broke Osaka twice to race into a 4-0 lead. Osaka managed to hold serve in the fifth game, but Navarro broke again in the sixth game to seal the match.Osaka's defeat was a major upset, as she is a four-time Grand Slam champion and was seeded 11th at Wimbledon. However, she has struggled for form since returning to the tour in January after giving birth to her daughter Shai last year. Her win over Diane Parry in the first round was her first at Wimbledon since 2018.Navarro, on the other hand, is enjoying a breakout season. The 20-year-old American reached the fourth round of the Australian Open earlier this year and has now reached the third round of Wimbledon for the first time. She will face Heather Watson of Great Britain in the next round.Osaka's defeat is a reminder that she is still finding her feet after her return from maternity leave. However, she has shown glimpses of her old form in recent weeks and will be hoping to build on her performance at Wimbledon in the upcoming tournaments.