Tennis

Emma Navarro, the 13th-seeded American tennis player, has shed light on her controversial exchange with Zheng Qinwen at the Summer Olympic Games in Paris. During the match, Navarro reportedly told Zheng, "I don't know how you have a lot of fans."Speaking after reaching the semifinals of the US Open, Navarro explained that her remarks were not a spur-of-the-moment outburst. She felt that Zheng had disrespected her and the sport throughout the match."I felt that way the whole match," Navarro said. "Even if I had won, I probably would have said the same thing."Navarro and Zheng have a history from their days on the junior circuit, where they played three times at big events. Navarro believes that Zheng's behavior on the court has been disrespectful."I don't want to go super into the weeds with it," Navarro said. "But I think during that match and, you know, on the practice court and the last few times I've played her…I felt just a little bit disrespected by her.""I don't want to, like I said, go too into detail with it. But yeah, I think she didn't necessarily treat me or the sport with respect. That's why I said what I said after the match."Navarro and Zheng could face off in the US Open semifinals on Thursday if Zheng defeats No. 2 seed Aryna Sabalenka in their quarterfinal. At the time of the Olympic incident, Zheng said she would not take Navarro's words personally and expressed a desire to speak privately about their apparent issues. However, Navarro confirmed that they have not spoken since the Olympics."You know, maybe it's just one person's opinion," Navarro said. "Yeah, it wasn't an emotional outburst. It was just kind of matter of factually how I felt."Zheng leads their tour-level head-to-head 2-0, though both of those meetings were on clay.

The US Open quarterfinals will witness a captivating clash between Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner, the only two Grand Slam champions remaining in the field. Despite their contrasting styles, both players possess exceptional skills and a burning desire to lift the trophy.Medvedev, the 2021 US Open champion, has been in impressive form, losing just four games in his victory over Nuno Borges. His unorthodox style, characterized by deep returns and defensive prowess, has proven effective against many opponents. However, his recent loss to Sinner in the Australian Open final serves as a reminder of the Italian's capabilities.Sinner, on the other hand, has showcased his exceptional ball-striking ability and physicality throughout the tournament. His precise shots and ability to control the baseline have earned him a reputation as one of the cleanest hitters in the ATP. Despite his relative inexperience at the US Open, Sinner's determination and ability to step up in key moments make him a formidable opponent.Statistically, the two players are closely matched. Medvedev leads in break point conversions and second-serve return points, while Sinner excels in overall return points. However, the intangibles may play a crucial role in this matchup.Medvedev's experience on Arthur Ashe Stadium, where he has reached three finals, could give him an edge. The crowd's support, which has turned in his favor in recent years, could provide him with an emotional boost. In contrast, Sinner is relatively new to the US Open's grand stage and may face some pressure to perform.Additionally, Sinner has been dealing with a doping controversy that has raised questions about his exoneration. While he has denied any wrongdoing, the mental toll of the allegations could potentially affect his performance.Based on their current form and the intangibles involved, Medvedev appears to have a slight advantage. His experience, unorthodox style, and crowd support could prove decisive against Sinner's precision and baseline dominance. However, Sinner's determination and ability to surprise his opponents should not be underestimated. This quarterfinal promises to be a thrilling battle between two of the most talented players in the world.

The US Open quarterfinals on Tuesday feature tantalizing matchups as Alexander Zverev, Grigor Dimitrov, Taylor Fritz, and Frances Tiafoe vie for a spot in the semifinals.Zverev, the fourth seed, faces Fritz, the 12th seed, in a rematch of their Wimbledon clash. Zverev, a two-time US Open finalist, seeks his third semifinal appearance in New York. Fritz, who defeated Zverev at Wimbledon, aims to reach his first Slam semifinal.Dimitrov, the ninth seed, takes on Tiafoe, the 20th seed. Dimitrov, a former world number three, seeks his second US Open semifinal after reaching the last four in 2019. Tiafoe, a crowd favorite, is in the quarterfinals for the third consecutive year and hopes to repeat his 2022 semifinal run.In the women's draw, world number two Aryna Sabalenka faces Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen. Sabalenka, the 2023 Australian Open runner-up, seeks her fourth consecutive US Open quarterfinal. Zheng, who defeated defending champion Coco Gauff, aims to avenge her Australian Open final loss to Sabalenka.Paula Badosa, the 26th seed, takes on Emma Navarro, the 13th seed. Badosa, a New York native, is in her first US Open quarterfinal. Navarro, who knocked out Gauff, seeks her first Slam semifinal.

Veteran Indian tennis star Rohan Bopanna and his Indonesian partner Aldila Sutjiadi have advanced to the semifinals of the US Open mixed doubles with a hard-fought victory over Australian Matthew Ebden and Barbora Krejcikova of the Czech Republic.The eighth-seeded Indian-Indonesian pair displayed resilience and determination in a thrilling quarterfinal match that lasted one hour and 33 minutes. After dropping the second set, Bopanna and Sutjiadi rallied back to secure a 7-6(4) 2-6 10-7 victory.Bopanna, 44, has been a formidable force in mixed doubles, having won the French Open title in 2017 with Gabriela Dabrowski. His experience and Sutjiadi's powerful serve proved to be a potent combination against the fourth-seeded Ebden and Krejcikova.In the first set, the match was evenly poised, with both teams trading breaks. However, Bopanna and Sutjiadi seized the initiative in the tiebreaker, winning it 7-4. The second set saw a resurgence from Ebden and Krejcikova, who broke Bopanna's serve twice to level the match.Undeterred, Bopanna and Sutjiadi regrouped in the decisive super tiebreaker. They played with renewed vigor, forcing errors from their opponents and capitalizing on their own opportunities. In the end, they emerged victorious with a 10-7 scoreline.Bopanna and Sutjiadi will now face American pair Donald Young and Taylor Townsend in the semifinals. The Indian veteran will be aiming to add another Grand Slam title to his impressive resume, while Sutjiadi will be looking to make history as the first Indonesian to reach a Grand Slam mixed doubles final.

Paula Badosa, the 2021 Indian Wells champion, is poised to continue her impressive run at the US Open. After a dominant victory over Emma Navarro in Rome earlier this year, Badosa is favored to advance to the semifinals in their quarterfinal clash on Tuesday.Badosa's recent form on North American hard courts has been exceptional. She captured the title in Washington D.C. and has won 14 of her last 16 matches. Her hold percentage on hard courts over the past 52 weeks stands at an impressive 75.3%, significantly higher than Navarro's 68.3%.Navarro, on the other hand, may be facing a letdown after her thrilling victory over Coco Gauff in the previous round. The American crowd's overwhelming support for Gauff could have taken an emotional toll on Navarro, who had to maintain her composure in a hostile environment.Furthermore, Navarro's serve has shown signs of vulnerability, especially against Gauff. Badosa, known for her relentless return game, is likely to capitalize on any weaknesses in Navarro's service.Despite Navarro's impressive performance in the tournament so far, Badosa's current form and statistical advantages make her the more likely winner. The oddsmakers' pricing of Badosa as a slight underdog appears to be a miscalculation, given her recent dominance.

World No. 1 Jannik Sinner overcame a slow start to defeat Tommy Paul 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5), 6-1 in the fourth round of the 2024 US Open on Monday evening. The victory sets up an intriguing quarterfinal clash with 2021 champion Daniil Medvedev.Sinner, who won his first Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier this year, trailed Paul by a quick double break in the opening set. However, the Italian regrouped and won four straight games to take the momentum. He ultimately advanced into his second quarterfinal in Flushing Meadows after two hours and X minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium.Paul, seeded 14th, proved to be a major challenge for Sinner. The American had reached the second week of the US Open for the second consecutive year and had posted impressive results at other major tournaments, including quarterfinal finishes at Wimbledon and the Summer Olympic Games.In the second set, Sinner and Paul traded holds of serve to reach another tiebreaker. Paul brought the crowd to its feet when he edged ahead by a mini-break, but Sinner broke back and benefitted from a pair of return misses from Paul to claim the second set in just over two hours.Sinner parlayed that advantage into a commanding 3-0 lead in the third set. Paul fought back, but Sinner remained focused and closed out the match in straight sets."I'm really happy with the way I played today," Sinner said. "Tommy is a great player, and he made me work for it. But I'm glad I was able to come through in the end."Medvedev, who lost to Sinner in the Australian Open final but won their most recent meeting at Wimbledon, will be a formidable opponent in the quarterfinals."I will try to think more about Wimbledon than Australian Open," Medvedev joked. "But against Jannik...I feel like in a way we know our game, what we will try to bring on the table."Hopefully we can have a great match. I know if I want to beat him, I need to be at my best, which I managed to do couple of times. It's going to be a great match."

Donald Young, the former tennis prodigy, has found a new lease on his sporting career in pickleball. After a 14-month hiatus from tennis, Young has teamed up with Taylor Townsend to compete in the US Open mixed doubles tournament.Despite being wild-card entrants, Young and Townsend have impressed with their performances, winning their first two matches in straight sets and prevailing in a dramatic 10-8 match tiebreaker in the third round. Their success has been built on Young's newfound skills in pickleball, a sport that emphasizes soft touch and precision.Young's transition to pickleball has been seamless, as evidenced by his victories over top-ranked players like Connor Garnett and Jay Devilliers. He has also teamed up with Devilliers to defeat Tyson McGuffin and Jack Sock, another tennis player who has made the switch to pickleball.While Young's focus is currently on pickleball, he has not ruled out a return to tennis. "We'll get to the end when we get to the end, but we're still playing," he said. "It's great to play here one more time."Young's resurgence in mixed doubles is a testament to his adaptability and resilience. Despite never reaching the Top 10 in singles, he has carved out a successful career in tennis and is now making a name for himself in pickleball.

Caroline Wozniacki, the former world No. 1, has been making a statement on and off the court at the US Open with her personalized Adidas Z.N.E. zip-up hoodie. The hoodie pays tribute to her illustrious career and her journey as a mother.On the right chest, the hoodie features a "#1" to signify her highest ranking, a silhouette of a trophy to commemorate her 2018 Australian Open victory, and the number 30 to represent her singles titles. On her right sleeve, the names of her children, Olivia and James, are emblazoned, a testament to her dual role as a mother and an athlete.Wozniacki, who retired in 2020, returned to action last summer after giving birth to her two children. She has admitted to experiencing "mom guilt" as she balances motherhood with her tennis career."My kids are there every single day, and I really appreciate it. It's the best job in the world, and I love it," Wozniacki said. "But also, I try to make sure that I am still there as a 100% present mom, while I'm also trying to balance being the best tennis player that I possibly can be."Despite the challenges, Wozniacki has reached the fourth round at the US Open for the second consecutive year. She bowed out to No. 22 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia in the fourth round, but her performance has been a testament to her determination and resilience.Wozniacki's personalized hoodie is not just a fashion statement; it is a symbol of her journey as a woman, a mother, and an athlete. It is a reminder that it is possible to pursue both personal and professional goals with passion and dedication.

Jessica Pegula's relentless pursuit of Grand Slam glory has taken a significant leap forward at the US Open. The American star, known for her consistent play but limited mobility, has undergone a transformative shift in her training regimen, resulting in a noticeable improvement in her movement and agility.In her quarterfinal clash against rising star Diana Shnaider, Pegula showcased her newfound explosiveness, darting across the court with ease and neutralizing Shnaider's aggressive style. The 30-year-old's ability to recover from awkward positions and maintain her aggression proved crucial in her 6-4, 6-2 victory.Pegula's focus on agility and footwork has paid dividends, allowing her to stay in rallies and apply pressure on her opponents. She has also added variety to her game, incorporating slices and changing the pace of her shots to keep her adversaries guessing."I'm able to get pulled off the court but still not get behind in the point," Pegula said. "I can get out of the corners and still be aggressive with my shots."Pegula's serve, once a potential vulnerability, has also shown signs of improvement. While she may not possess the power of some of her rivals, she has developed a smart and consistent serve that has helped her navigate challenging situations."I've been serving pretty well," she said. "Even if it's not working, I've been kind of getting myself out of service games by serving smart or serving well in big moments."With her enhanced movement and serve, Pegula is poised to make a deep run at the US Open. However, she remains cautious, acknowledging the challenges that lie ahead."I know you don't want the cliche answer," she said. "but it's just kind of one match at a time, and every day kind of feels different."For Pegula, a perennial Grand Slam quarterfinalist, a different feeling could be just the tonic she needs to break through the barrier and reach the semifinals and beyond.