Tennis

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.

Aryna Sabalenka's remarkable 2024 season continues as she storms into her second consecutive US Open final, defeating Emma Navarro in a thrilling three-set battle. The world No. 2, who has already claimed the Australian Open title this year, is now just one step away from completing a hard-court Grand Slam sweep.Sabalenka's victory over Navarro was hard-fought, as the American teenager pushed her to the limit in a match that lasted over 90 minutes. The Belarusian started strongly, taking the first set 6-3, but Navarro fought back to win the second set in a tiebreaker.Undeterred, Sabalenka regained her composure in the third set and forced another tiebreaker. She eventually prevailed 7-6 (2), securing her place in the final.Navarro, who was playing in her first Grand Slam semifinal, gave a spirited performance and showed why she is one of the most promising young players in the world. She saved two break points in the seventh game of the second set and went on to win three straight games, bringing the Ashe crowd to their feet.However, Sabalenka's experience and resilience proved too much for Navarro in the end. The Belarusian hit 25 winners and converted four of her eight break point opportunities.Sabalenka will now face either Jessica Pegula or Karolina Muchova in the final. She has a 1-0 record against Pegula this year, but Muchova defeated her in the semifinals of the 2023 Roland Garros.Regardless of who she faces, Sabalenka will be the favorite to win her first US Open title and third Grand Slam overall. She is in the form of her life and has shown that she has the mental toughness to overcome any challenge.

Sabalenka and Navarro: A Clash of Styles and ExpectationsIn the highly anticipated US Open semifinal, Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 6, will face Emma Navarro, the unseeded American. While Sabalenka holds the advantage in experience, ranking, and power, Navarro possesses a unique blend of consistency, counterpunching ability, and emotional control that could pose a significant challenge.Sabalenka, known for her explosive groundstrokes and aggressive play, has been in impressive form this season, winning the Cincinnati Open and reaching the semifinals or better in three consecutive US Opens. However, she may face pressure to perform as the favorite, which could potentially lead to nerves.Navarro, on the other hand, has established herself as a Grand Slam threat, reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year. Her ability to remain composed under pressure and her consistent baseline play could make her a formidable opponent for Sabalenka.The surface at the US Open, which is known for its fast pace, should favor Sabalenka's power game. However, Navarro's ability to counterpunch and her tactical intelligence could neutralize Sabalenka's aggression.Pegula and Muchova: A Battle of Consistency and ShotmakingIn the other semifinal, Jessica Pegula, the world No. 8, will take on Karolina Muchova, the former world No. 19. Pegula has been in excellent form this season, reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and Wimbledon, and winning the Washington Open.Muchova, who has made a remarkable comeback after an injury-plagued start to the season, is known for her smooth-hitting style and varied shotmaking. She has defeated Naomi Osaka in this tournament, demonstrating her ability to challenge top players.Pegula's rock-solid consistency and ability to grind out points could prove to be a challenge for Muchova. However, Muchova's creativity and ability to hit winners from all over the court could keep Pegula on her toes.

Taylor Fritz, the 26-year-old American tennis star, is making waves at the US Open, not only for his impressive on-court performance but also for his strategic partnership moves.Fritz's breakthrough first major semifinal appearance, after defeating Alexander Zverev, has catapulted him into the spotlight. This success has attracted the attention of brands eager to capitalize on the marketing momentum surrounding an American player during and after an Olympic year.Fritz has carefully curated his partnerships, aligning himself with brands that resonate with his personal values and lifestyle. His recent collaborations include Tiffany & Co., BOSS, Chipotle, Maestro Dobel Tequila, and Heineken.Fritz's signature spicy cocktail, the "Fritzy Spicy Margarita," has become a hit among US Open fans. He has also partnered with Heineken for a limited-edition non-alcoholic beer, L0VE.L0VE."I try to be really specific about what deals I take," Fritz said. "I work with partners where either I personally believe in their mission or I enjoy what I'm endorsing."Fritz's on-court success has been equally impressive. He became the first American since 2003 to reach the round of 16 at all four majors last week. Now, he faces countryman Frances Tiafoe in the semifinals, with a chance to make history as the first American man to play for a Grand Slam title since Andy Roddick in 2009.Fritz's journey to the semifinals has been marked by resilience and determination. After losing his previous four Grand Slam quarterfinals, he has finally broken through the barrier."The quarterfinals didn't feel like this big thing to me like it has been in the past," Fritz said. "It just felt like another tournament."Fritz's success is a testament to his hard work, talent, and strategic partnerships. As he continues his pursuit of a Grand Slam title, he is poised to become a global icon both on and off the court.

Jack Draper and Jannik Sinner, two close friends who have been competing on the tennis circuit since their junior days, will face off in the US Open final on Friday. The match will be a clash of two rising stars, both looking to claim their first Grand Slam title.Draper, a 20-year-old from the United Kingdom, has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, defeating some of the top players in the world, including sixth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and third seed Carlos Alcaraz. Sinner, a 21-year-old from Italy, has also been playing well, reaching the final without dropping a set.The two players have a long history together, having played doubles together at the Omnium Banque Nationale in Montréal earlier this summer. Draper has spoken highly of Sinner's support throughout his career, saying that he is "someone I'm definitely close to."Sinner, for his part, has said that he and Draper have a "great friendship" and that they "text each other when we have good or bad times."Despite their friendship, both players are determined to win the US Open final. Draper said that he is "excited" to play Sinner in the final and that he is "going to go out there and try to win."Sinner said that he is "looking forward" to the match and that he is "going to try to play my best tennis."The US Open final is sure to be a close and exciting match between two of the most promising young players in the world.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner has etched his name in tennis history by becoming the first man born in the 2000s to reach the semifinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments. The Italian's 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory over Daniil Medvedev at the US Open marked a significant milestone in his career.Sinner, who was born in 2001, has now joined an elite group of players who have reached the semifinals of all four majors. The last man to achieve this feat was Roger Federer in 2010.The Italian's victory over Medvedev was a testament to his resilience and determination. After dropping the second set, Sinner regrouped and dominated the third and fourth sets, showcasing his all-court prowess.Sinner's success is a testament to his hard work and dedication. The 21-year-old has been touted as a future star of the sport since his junior days, and he is now living up to the hype.With his victory at the US Open, Sinner has set himself up for a potential Grand Slam title. He will face Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals, a match that promises to be a thrilling battle between two of the most promising young players in the world.

Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper have made history at the US Open, becoming the first Americans and British players, respectively, to reach the semi-finals in years. Pegula, ranked 8th in the world, stunned world number one Iga Swiatek 6-2, 6-4, while Draper, seeded 25th, defeated 10th-ranked Alex de Minaur 6-3, 7-5, 6-2.Pegula's victory marks her first Grand Slam semi-final appearance after falling in six previous quarter-finals. She will face Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic in the next round, with a potential all-American final looming if Emma Navarro upsets Aryna Sabalenka in the other semi-final.Draper, meanwhile, has become the first British man to reach the US Open semi-finals since Andy Murray won the title in 2012. He will face either world number one Jannik Sinner or 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev for a place in the championship match.Pegula's success continues her impressive summer on US hard courts, where she has won 14 of 15 matches. "Finally I can say I'm a semi-finalist," she said after her victory over Swiatek. "I lost so many of these damn things."Draper's victory came despite a medical timeout early in the second set to have his right thigh bandaged. "It's amazing," he said. "My first time on Arthur Ashe Stadium, it means the world to me."The US Open semi-finals promise to be thrilling, with the possibility of an all-American sweep in both the men's and women's tournaments. Home fans will be hoping for a repeat of Andy Roddick's 2003 victory in the men's singles, while Serena Williams, Sloane Stephens, and Coco Gauff have all triumphed in the women's tournament in recent years.

Taylor Fritz has made history by becoming the fourth active American man to reach a Grand Slam semifinal after defeating Alexander Zverev in a thrilling five-set battle at the US Open. The 26-year-old American triumphed 7-6 (2), 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) to secure his spot in the last four.Fritz's previous best results at Grand Slams were four quarterfinal finishes, including Wimbledon in 2022, the US Open in 2023, and the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year. His victory over Zverev marks a significant milestone in his career and places him among the elite players in the world.The American's success is a testament to his hard work and dedication. He has consistently improved his game over the past few years, and his victory at the US Open is a culmination of his efforts. Fritz's powerful serve and aggressive baseline play proved too much for Zverev to handle.Fritz's victory is also a positive sign for American tennis. He joins Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, and Ben Shelton as the only active American men to reach a major semifinal. Tiafoe will play Grigor Dimitrov in the night-time quarterfinal tonight, and if he wins, he'll become the only active American man to reach more than one Grand Slam semifinal in his career.Fritz's success is a reminder that American tennis is on the rise. With a new generation of talented players emerging, the future looks bright for the sport in the United States.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked tennis player, is drawing inspiration from the popular television show "Ted Lasso" as she navigates the US Open. Swiatek, a five-time Grand Slam champion, is known for her positive attitude and relentless work ethic, traits that she believes align with the show's message of positivity and perseverance.During her on-court interview after her victory over Liudmila Samsonova, Swiatek expressed her admiration for the show's star, Jason Sudeikis, who was spotted in the crowd. "I tried to avoid looking at the screens, but I saw him tonight," Swiatek said. "I wanted to stay focused, and I hope he appreciates my mentality because this is what Ted Lasso is all about."Swiatek's love for "Ted Lasso" extends beyond its feel-good message. She also appreciates the show's emphasis on teamwork, even though tennis is an individual sport. "It's a little bit as well with my team, but we're alone on the court," Swiatek said. "I hope he enjoys, and that he's not working right now on a new series or something."Swiatek's positive mindset has been evident throughout her US Open campaign. She has yet to drop a set, dispatching Kamila Rakhimova, Ena Shibahara, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and Samsonova with ease. Her next challenge will be against No. 6 seed Jessica Pegula, who she has defeated in their previous meeting at the 2022 US Open."Against Jessie, it's never easy," Swiatek said. "It's going to be, for sure, a tough one, because she plays really flat ball with no spin. You have to really work low on your legs."Swiatek's determination and positive attitude are a testament to her belief in the power of hard work and perseverance. As she continues her quest for a second US Open title, she will undoubtedly draw inspiration from the lessons she has learned from "Ted Lasso."