Tennis

Serena Williams, the legendary tennis icon, made a grand return to the 2024 US Open, captivating the crowd with a nostalgic nod to her iconic 2004 denim ensemble. This marked her first appearance at a Grand Slam tournament since her official retirement two years prior.Williams' presence at the US Open, where she has triumphed six times, was a testament to her enduring legacy in the sport. Her return was met with thunderous applause and admiration from fans and fellow players alike.The 23-time Grand Slam champion's denim outfit was a deliberate homage to the 20th anniversary of her original Nike kit, which became an instant classic. Williams' love for the ensemble was evident in her interview with Vogue, where she described it as one of her all-time favorites."I wanted more pizzazz," Williams said of her decision to switch to Nike from Puma. "I loved what Andre [Agassi] wore when he wore the jean shorts. I wanted to wear a jean skirt!"The custom-designed jean skirt, made from a lightweight fabric to ensure optimal performance, was a testament to Williams' attention to detail and her desire to push the boundaries of tennis fashion.Beyond her on-court appearances, Williams also took time to connect with former pros, including current world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Her presence at the US Open served as a reminder of her enduring influence on the sport and her continued passion for tennis.Williams' return to the US Open was not only a celebration of her past achievements but also a glimpse into her future. Her love for the game and her desire to inspire the next generation of players were evident in every interaction.As the US Open draws to a close, fans can only hope that Williams' denim reference will spark a revival of the trend in 2025. Her iconic style and unwavering spirit continue to inspire and captivate the tennis world.

Coco Gauff and Emma Navarro: A Rematch with StakesCoco Gauff and Emma Navarro, two rising American tennis stars, will face off in a highly anticipated fourth-round clash at the US Open. Their previous encounters have been a tale of two matches, with Gauff winning on hard courts in Auckland and Navarro triumphing on grass at Wimbledon.For Gauff, this match is a chance to avenge her Wimbledon loss. She acknowledges that Navarro has improved significantly since their last meeting and expects a tough battle. "I need to bring it and mentally be there from the beginning to the end," Gauff said.Navarro, on the other hand, is excited to showcase her skills on a grand stage like Arthur Ashe Stadium. "It's an experience that is something I could have never even dreamed of," she said.Despite their friendship, both players will put their bond aside for the duration of the match. Navarro's aggressive baseline play and anticipation of Gauff's shots proved effective at Wimbledon. Gauff, however, has been in solid form at the Open and will be motivated to avoid a second straight loss to a fellow American.Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud: A Clash of Power and PrecisionTop 15 players Taylor Fritz and Casper Ruud will engage in a classic baseline battle in the fourth round. Fritz's powerful serve and strong groundstrokes will face off against Ruud's spinny forehand and consistent play.Fritz has been in impressive form, while Ruud has shown some vulnerability in his previous matches. However, Ruud's slightly higher ranking and experience may give him an edge. Fritz's home-crowd support and determination to succeed at the Open could be the deciding factors.Frances Tiafoe and Alexei Popyrin: A Battle of Friends and EntertainersAmerican Frances Tiafoe and Australian Alexei Popyrin will finally face off in a match that has been long anticipated. Despite their friendship, both players are known for their dynamic shot-making and entertaining celebrations.Popyrin's aggressive style could give him an early advantage, but Tiafoe's ability to rally the crowd and turn the match into a running battle could ultimately lead to his victory.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, a veteran of the US Open, has been reflecting on her journey at the tournament over the past decade. Despite reaching the quarterfinals in 2011, she has struggled to replicate that success in recent years. However, she believes she is now on the right track to rediscover her form.Pavlyuchenkova admits that she put too much pressure on herself in her younger years, but she has since adopted a more relaxed approach. She is now focused on enjoying the process and fighting for every point. This shift in mindset has helped her achieve more consistent results, particularly at the Australian Open.Despite her success on hard courts, Pavlyuchenkova acknowledges that she has not always been as consistent as she would like. She has recently made significant changes to her team, including hiring a biomechanical coach to optimize her serve and groundstrokes. This decision has paid off, as she reached the quarterfinals at the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati and is now enjoying her best Grand Slam result of 2024 at the US Open.Pavlyuchenkova's team has expanded since the clay-court swing, but she remains grateful for the support of her partner, Mathias, who has been a constant source of encouragement. She also values the perspective of her hitting partner, Yannick Mertens, who is not from a tennis background.Ahead of her night-session clash with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek, Pavlyuchenkova is determined to improve on her previous performance against the Polish star. She is aware of the challenge she faces, but she is confident that she can put up a better fight.Pavlyuchenkova embraces the hectic atmosphere of New York City, which she believes adds to the excitement of the tournament. She is determined to channel the energy of the crowd and put on a performance that will remind fans of her potential.

India's Yuki Bhambri and Albano Olivetti have made history at the US Open, advancing to the men's doubles third round with a hard-fought victory over 15th seeds Austin Krajicek and Jean-Julien Roger. The Indo-French pair overcame the USA-Dutch team 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a thrilling encounter that lasted two hours and five minutes.This marks only the second time Bhambri has reached the third round of a Grand Slam, having achieved the same feat at the Australian Open in 2014. The victory is a testament to the duo's determination and skill, as they battled through a challenging match to secure their place in the next round.Meanwhile, second seeds Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden also progressed to the third round with a comfortable 6-2, 6-4 win over Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena and Federico Coria from Argentina. Bopanna's success extended to the mixed doubles, where he and Indonesian partner Aldila Sutjiadi defeated Germany's Tim Puetz and Dutch player Demi Schuurs 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) in the opening round.However, N Sriram Balaji and his Argentine partner Guido Andreozzi's US Open journey came to an end in the second round. The Indo-Argentine pair lost 6-7 (4), 4-6 to Michael Venus of New Zealand and Neal Skupski of Great Britain. Despite a valiant effort, Balaji and Andreozzi were unable to capitalize on their lone opportunity for a service break, while their opponents converted one of their seven break points.Reflecting on his campaign, Balaji expressed his satisfaction with his performance and highlighted the importance of consistency and improvement. "The first step is to consistently play at this level. It's starting from here. Now the next step is to get my ranking higher slowly," he said. "Game wise I'm feeling confident and moving in the right direction."

Donna Vekic, the Croatian tennis star, has made waves at the US Open not only with her impressive performances but also with her bold new hairstyle. The Olympic silver medalist recently debuted bangs, a daring move that has sparked a buzz among fans and media alike.During a press conference, Vekic couldn't resist sharing her excitement about her new look. "Nobody is going to ask me about my bangs? I just cut them," she exclaimed, interrupting a question about tournament traffic.Vekic's decision to cut bangs stems from a long-held desire to experiment with her appearance. "I've always wanted to cut my bangs, but a friend pushed me to do it," she said with a laugh.Beyond her new hairstyle, Vekic has been making headlines with her strong play at the US Open. Coming off a career-revitalizing season, she has already reached the second week of the tournament, her best result in New York since 2019."I didn't come to New York thinking I was going to win the US Open," Vekic admitted. "But once you get through the first couple of rounds, everything is possible."The 24th seed believes that every player has a chance to win a Grand Slam, emphasizing the importance of feeling confident and playing well on the day. "It's the toughest thing ever in tennis, but I do believe I have a chance," she said.Despite her success on grass, Vekic has struggled with the quickening court conditions at the US Open. However, she has gradually adjusted to the surface, citing her improved serving as a key factor in her recent victories."If I'm serving well, it helps me get some free points," she said.In the next round, Vekic faces a rematch of the Olympic final against No. 7 seed Zheng Qinwen. The Croatian star is determined to continue her impressive run and match her best US Open result.

Jakub Mensik Poised to Upset Nuno Borges at US OpenSaturday's third-round action at the US Open presents a compelling matchup between rising star Jakub Mensik and seasoned veteran Nuno Borges. Despite Borges' impressive recent form, Mensik emerges as a potential upset candidate due to his exceptional talent and favorable odds.Mensik, an 18-year-old Czech, has demonstrated remarkable resilience and skill throughout the tournament. While he may experience some fatigue from his grueling second-round victory, his youth and aggressive baseline play could prove advantageous against Borges.Borges, ranked 34th in the world, has enjoyed a meteoric rise on the ATP Tour. However, his serve remains a potential weakness, and Mensik's powerful groundstrokes and exceptional drop shots could exploit this vulnerability.Statistically, Mensik holds a slight edge over Borges in terms of hold percentage, both overall and at the Challenger level. This suggests that Mensik possesses the potential to dominate the serve and dictate the pace of the match.While Borges' experience and recent success cannot be discounted, Mensik's talent and favorable odds make him an intriguing underdog. The oddsmakers' implied probability of 38.46% for Mensik's victory seems conservative, as his chances are closer to 50%.

Daniil Medvedev, Jack Draper, and Iga Swiatek Advance at the US OpenDaniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1, has defied expectations by reaching the third round of the US Open despite recent struggles. Despite concerns about his serve, Medvedev has dropped only one set in two matches, showcasing his exceptional defensive skills. His next opponent, Flavio Cobolli, is a rising star known for his explosive tennis. Cobolli has impressed this summer, reaching the Citi Open final and defeating top players like Felix Auger Aliassime and Tommy Paul. Medvedev's serve remains a question mark, but his ability to disrupt opponents' rhythm could prove decisive.Jack Draper, the 25th seed, faces a tough challenge in Botic Van de Zandschulp, who stunned Carlos Alcaraz in the second round. Van de Zandschulp's aggressive style and familiarity with the US Open courts make him a formidable opponent. However, Draper's powerful serve and left-handed advantage could give him an edge.In the women's draw, Iga Swiatek, the world No. 1, will face Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a rematch of their lopsided encounter in Rome last year. Pavlyuchenkova, a former Roland Garros finalist, has shown signs of improvement recently, reaching the quarterfinals in Cincinnati. Her ability to hit with pace from both wings could pose a threat to Swiatek, who has occasionally struggled on her forehand side.

Daniil Medvedev, the former world No. 1, is known for his on-court performances and his equally entertaining off-court commentary. His matches are a spectacle, featuring not only his exceptional tennis but also his witty and often sarcastic remarks.Medvedev's unique personality first gained attention in 2019 when he famously told a hostile crowd at the US Open, "I want all of you to know when you sleep tonight, I won because of you." This sarcastic line, coupled with his animated gestures, became a defining moment in his career.Over the years, Medvedev has continued to entertain fans with his humorous antics. He has equated the atmosphere at the US Open to an Italian restaurant, joked about the slowness of the BNP Paribas Open's hard courts, and complained about the extreme heat conditions at last year's US Open.Medvedev's humor is not just for show. It serves as a coping mechanism for his inner tension and a way to air his grievances. He believes that a bit of sarcasm and humor can diffuse tense situations and make headlines.However, Medvedev is not immune to criticism. He has been accused of being too sarcastic and disrespectful. But he remains unapologetic, stating that he enjoys the spotlight and has no problem speaking his mind.Medvedev's off-court antics have made him a fan favorite. He has embraced his memeability and recognizes that his memorable moments on the microphone will be part of his legacy.Despite his efforts to be more "Calma" in 2024, Medvedev admits that he still has moments of frustration and humor. He believes that entertainment will always be a part of his game.

Coco Gauff's US Open title defense faced its first significant challenge against former world No. 3 Elina Svitolina. Despite dropping the opening set, Gauff rallied to secure a hard-fought 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory, extending her Flushing Meadows win streak to 10 matches.Svitolina, a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist, posed a formidable threat, pressuring Gauff's forehand and breaking her serve in the first set. However, Gauff's resilience shone through as she saved a break point in the second set and seized the initiative with a forehand winner.The American's momentum carried into the decider, where she broke Svitolina's serve twice to establish a 2-0 lead. Svitolina fought back, but Gauff's determination proved too strong. Despite double faulting on her first two match points, Gauff remained composed and sealed the victory with a forehand winner.Gauff's victory sets up an intriguing third-round clash against either Emma Navarro or Marta Kostyuk, both of whom have previously challenged her. The 20-year-old American will be aiming to continue her impressive run and reach the second week of the US Open once again.