Tennis

The 2024 US Open is poised to witness an enthralling women's singles competition, with several top players vying for the coveted title. Iga Świątek, the world number one, enters the tournament as the overwhelming favorite. Her dominance on clay courts has been undeniable, and she has proven her versatility on hard courts as well. However, her recent setbacks at Wimbledon and the Olympics have raised questions about her vulnerability.Coco Gauff, the defending champion, will be eager to replicate her success from last year. Despite a rollercoaster season, she remains a formidable opponent. Her familiarity with the US Open courts and the home crowd's support could give her the edge she needs to defend her title.Aryna Sabalenka, known for her powerful serve and decisive game, has had a year of ups and downs. After a strong start, she was sidelined by a shoulder injury. Her recent resurgence at the Cincinnati Open has signaled her return to form. With 15 career titles to her name, Sabalenka is a serious contender for the US Open crown.Jessica Pegula, a consistent performer on the WTA Tour, has established herself as a top-three player. Her versatility and ability to perform under pressure make her a strong contender. With six singles titles and seven doubles titles to her name, Pegula is a player who can never be underestimated.Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, has continued to impress with her powerful baseline game and strong serve. Her titles at Indian Wells and the Italian Open this year demonstrate her ability to compete at the highest level on hard courts. Her aggressive style of play is well-suited to the fast conditions at the US Open.As the tournament approaches, these top contenders will be closely watched. Świątek's dominance, Gauff's resilience, Sabalenka's resurgence, Pegula's consistency, and Rybakina's power will all be on display. The 2024 US Open women's singles competition promises to be one of the most exciting in recent memory.

Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas Triumph in Inaugural Mixed Madness Event at US Open Fan WeekThe 2024 US Open Fan Week kicked off with a bang as Paula Badosa and Stefanos Tsitsipas emerged victorious in the inaugural Mixed Madness event. The tournament, held on Tuesday, featured a star-studded field of teams competing for a $250,000 prize.Badosa and Tsitsipas, who have been in a whirlwind romance, reunited on the court for the first time since their brief breakup earlier this year. The duo showcased their chemistry and skill, defeating Coco Gauff and Ben Shelton in the semifinals and Amanda Anisimova and Taylor Fritz in the final.Badosa, who recently reached the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open, took to social media to celebrate their victory, calling it the "best date night ever." The four-team mixed doubles event also featured appearances from tennis legends Billie Jean King and Andre Agassi, adding to the star power of the occasion.The Mixed Madness event proved to be a thrilling spectacle, showcasing the excitement and camaraderie of the tennis community. Badosa and Tsitsipas' triumph marked a memorable moment in the lead-up to the US Open, which is set to begin on Monday.

US Open Women's Draw: Tracy Austin Predicts an Open FieldAs the US Open, the final Grand Slam of the year, approaches, tennis legend Tracy Austin believes the women's draw is wide open for the taking."The women's draw is unpredictable," Austin said in a recent interview. "There are several players who have been playing well this summer and could make a deep run."One player Austin is keeping an eye on is Paula Badosa, the former world No. 2. "She's playing so well right now," Austin said. "I think she's definitely in the mix."Another player to watch is Amanda Anisimova, who has worked her way back into the Top 40 after taking time off the tour. "She's beaten some top players recently," Austin said. "She's got a big serve and powerful groundstrokes. She's someone no one wants to see in their draw."American Danielle Collins, who has never been past the fourth round at Flushing Meadows, is also a contender, according to Austin. "She's the type of player who can use this moment," Austin said. "She's riding on emotion right now. If she can get a couple of matches under her belt and get the crowd behind her, she could go deep."When it comes to overall predictions, Austin has her eyes on Aryna Sabalenka. "She's a big hitter with a lot of power," Austin said. "She's capable of winning a Grand Slam."

Naomi Osaka, the four-time Grand Slam champion and former WTA No. 1, has had a tumultuous year on the tennis circuit. After taking a break to give birth to her daughter, Osaka returned to the sport in January with the goal of regaining her peak form for the US Open.Despite a first-round loss at the Australian Open, Osaka remained optimistic, setting her sights on the US Open. However, her performance has been inconsistent throughout the year, with flashes of brilliance on clay but struggles on hard courts.Osaka's clay-court swing was particularly impressive, earning her the nickname "Clayomi." She reached the fourth round of the Rome Masters and had a match point against Iga Swiatek at Roland Garros. However, her form dipped on grass and hard courts, leading to early exits at Wimbledon and the Olympics.Despite the setbacks, Osaka has shown a remarkable resilience and determination. She has embraced the challenges and pressures of the sport, and has remained steadfast in her pursuit of success.Analysts believe that Osaka has a good chance of making a deep run at the US Open, but her unseeded status could lead to a tough draw. However, her experience and championship pedigree make her a formidable opponent.Osaka's journey this year has been a testament to her mental fortitude and unwavering belief in her abilities. She has faced adversity with grace and determination, and remains a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis.

World number one Jannik Sinner has proven his resilience and determination by capturing the Cincinnati Open title on Monday, despite recent health struggles. The 23-year-old Italian overcame a shaky start and a nagging hip issue to defeat Frances Tiafoe 7-6(4) 6-2 in the final.Sinner's victory at the Masters 1000 event marks his fifth title of the year and his first at the tournament in Ohio. It also serves as a testament to his ability to perform at a high level even when not fully fit.The Italian's triumph in Cincinnati follows his Grand Slam breakthrough at the Australian Open in January. He is now considered one of the favorites for the upcoming U.S. Open, where defending champion Novak Djokovic and world number three Carlos Alcaraz will also be vying for the title.Sinner's victory over Tiafoe was hard-fought, especially in the first set. The American had three break point opportunities but failed to convert any of them. Sinner, on the other hand, seized his chance in the tiebreak, absorbing Tiafoe's powerful serve and forcing an error to take the opener.The second set was more straightforward for Sinner. He broke Tiafoe's serve twice and closed out the match with an unreturnable serve on match point.Tiafoe, who has struggled for consistency this season, will take solace in his gutsy three-set win over Dane Holger Rune in Sunday's semi-final. He will rise to world number 20 and carry the confidence into the upcoming U.S. Open, where he was a semi-finalist in 2022.Sinner's victory in Cincinnati is a reminder that he is a force to be reckoned with in the world of tennis. Despite his recent health issues, he has shown that he has the mental and physical toughness to overcome adversity and emerge victorious.

Tennis Channel's annual lead-in show, "Tennis Channel Live at the US Open," returns on August 26th, providing comprehensive coverage of the prestigious tennis tournament. The show will air most mornings during the two-week competition, offering a blend of news, highlights, expert analysis, and special reports.Former players Paul Annacone, Chanda Rubin, and Prakash Amritraj will join the on-air team, sharing their insights and perspectives on the tournament. Annacone, a former Australian Open doubles champion, has coached legendary players like Pete Sampras and Roger Federer. Rubin, also an Australian Open doubles winner, brings her experience as a top-ranked player. Amritraj, a former NCAA champion, now hosts "Prakash Worldwide" segments for Tennis Channel.Award-winning announcer Steve Weissman will anchor the show, while Jon Wertheim, a renowned tennis author and reporter, will provide in-depth analysis. Streaming service Tennis Channel+ will offer exclusive content, including a daily US Open recap show hosted by Wertheim and episodes of "Road to the US Open" featuring the tournament runs of Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, and Emma Raducanu.Tennis.com, the network's website and app, will provide real-time updates, scores, highlights, and tournament information. Fantasy games "Match Point Predictor" and "Racquet Bracket" will allow fans to engage with the tournament and win prizes.Tennis Channel and its sister network T2, owned by Sinclair, Inc., are dedicated to tennis coverage. They hold exclusive rights to major tournaments like the US Open, Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and Australian Open, as well as ATP World Tour and WTA Tour competitions. Direct-to-consumer streaming service Tennis Channel+ offers additional live matches and on-demand content.

Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz, two of the most dominant forces in tennis, are set to clash once again in a highly anticipated charity exhibition match ahead of the U.S. Open. The event, titled "Stars of the Open," will take place on August 21 during the U.S. Open Fan Week.Djokovic, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, will team up with tennis legend John McEnroe, while Alcaraz, the reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion, will join forces with Andre Agassi. The match promises to be a thrilling spectacle, featuring four players who collectively hold 43 Grand Slam titles.For Djokovic, this exhibition comes after his historic victory in Paris, where he completed the Career Golden Slam by securing his first Olympic gold. With 24 major titles already under his belt, he heads into the U.S. Open aiming to extend his record to 25."Everything I felt in that moment when I won surpassed everything I thought or hoped that it would," Djokovic said after winning the gold medal. "Being on that court with the Serbian flag raising, singing the Serbian anthem, with the gold around my neck, I think nothing can beat that in terms of professional sport. It definitely stands out as the biggest sporting achievement I have had."Alcaraz, despite his young age, has also had an impressive season, capturing both the French Open and Wimbledon titles before taking silver in Paris. This exhibition will allow both players to showcase a lighter side of their game while giving back to the sport.A portion of the proceeds from the ticket sales will benefit the USTA Foundation, contributing to tennis development programs across the United States. The match is part of a broader celebration during the U.S. Open Fan Week, including various entertainment events and opportunities for fans to engage with their favorite players before the tournament.

Marketa Vondrousova and Cam Norrie Withdraw from U.S. Open Due to InjuriesMarketa Vondrousova, the reigning Wimbledon champion, and Cam Norrie have withdrawn from the upcoming U.S. Open due to injuries. Vondrousova, ranked 18th in the world, has been struggling with a hand injury, while Norrie, ranked 47th, is nursing a forearm problem.Vondrousova, a 25-year-old Czech, made history last year by becoming the first woman since 1994 to lose her opening match at Wimbledon a year after winning the title. She has not played since her first-round defeat at the All England Club in July.Vondrousova's withdrawal is a significant blow to the women's draw at the U.S. Open. She was one of the favorites to challenge for the title, having won her first Grand Slam at Wimbledon last year and reached the final of the 2019 French Open. She also won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.Norrie's withdrawal is also a disappointment for the men's draw. The 27-year-old Briton has been in good form this season, reaching the semifinals of Wimbledon and the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.Petra Martic will replace Vondrousova in the women's draw in New York, while Francisco Comesana will take Norrie's spot in the men's bracket. The draw for the U.S. Open will be held next Thursday, with play beginning on August 26.

Ben Shelton's resilience was on full display in Cincinnati as he overcame a match point deficit to reach the round of 16. The left-hander's hard-fought 6-7 (6), 7-6 (7), 6-3 victory over Tomas Martin Etcheverry showcased his determination and ability to perform under pressure.Shelton faced an uphill battle after losing a 6-3 lead in the second-set tiebreaker. However, he summoned his inner strength and delivered a powerful first serve to deny Etcheverry's match point. The Argentine's backhand error handed Shelton the set, setting the stage for a thrilling decider.In the third set, Shelton's persistence paid off as he converted his second break point with a potent inside-out forehand. He then closed out the match with a love hold, securing a hard-earned comeback victory."These are the types of wins that really propel you," Shelton said. "The ones where you are tested, back against the wall and you come through in the big moments. That's what's really important to me about this one."Fellow left-hander Jack Draper also displayed his tenacity in a three-set battle against Stefanos Tsitsipas. Despite Tsitsipas serving for the match, Draper rallied to win the final three games and oust the ninth seed."It's very difficult conditions here in Cincinnati," Draper said. "I think what won me the match today was the way I competed. My determination to win, I think that showed in key moments."Draper's victory marked his second win over Tsitsipas, adding to his 2022 second-round triumph in Montreal. He will now face the winner of the match between Casper Ruud and Felix Auger-Aliassime.In an evening session showdown, second seed Carlos Alcaraz was leading Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-6 (1-3) when rain suspended play for the night. The outcome of their match remains to be determined.