Tennis

Former champions Roger Federer and Maria Sharapova graced the hallowed grounds of Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open, making their stylish returns to the iconic venue. The legendary duo, who have etched their names in tennis history, enjoyed a packed schedule of activities during their visit to the final Grand Slam of the year.Federer, a five-time US Open champion, shared glimpses of his busy trip on Instagram, showcasing promotional shoots and a delectable slice of New York pizza. The 20-time major winner also made headlines with his comments on the controversial Jannik Sinner doping case, expressing concerns about potential inconsistencies in the handling of the situation.Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champion, attended the US Open's Champions of Equality event, honoring producer and screenwriter Shonda Rhimes. Her appearance quickly became a viral sensation when cameras captured her in a stadium suite, her expression conveying a mix of amusement and distress."I look like I just missed a second serve return on break point and saw my coach's reaction," Sharapova joked on social media, poking fun at her own facial expression.Federer and Sharapova's presence at the US Open served as a reminder of their enduring legacy in the sport. Their visits not only added star power to the tournament but also highlighted the enduring appeal of tennis legends.

Jannik Sinner, the reigning Australian Open champion, continued his impressive run at the 2024 US Open, defeating Jack Draper in straight sets to advance to his first final at Flushing Meadows.Sinner, who has a perfect 13-0 record on hard-court majors this year, overcame a resilient Draper, 7-5, 7-6 (3), 6-2, in a match that lasted three hours and three minutes. The Italian has now reached the final of two Grand Slams in 2024, having won the Australian Open earlier this year.Despite being the more experienced player, Sinner faced a tough challenge from Draper, who was playing in his biggest match at the US Open. The Brit had lost only 26 games in his first four matches and had upset No. 10 seed Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals.The first set was closely contested, with both players exchanging breaks. Sinner eventually broke Draper's serve at 5-5 and served out the set in 56 minutes. The second set was equally tight, with Draper saving three break points before Sinner forced a tiebreaker. The Italian took control of the tiebreaker and won it 7-3.Draper's physical condition deteriorated in the third set, as he appeared to suffer from heat illness. Despite his discomfort, he continued to fight and kept the set on serve until the sixth game. Sinner eventually broke Draper's serve and served out the match to reach the final.Sinner will now face either No. 12 seed Taylor Fritz or No. 20 seed Frances Tiafoe in the final. It will be the first time an American has reached the championship match at a Grand Slam since Andy Roddick at the 2009 Wimbledon.

Lyudmyla Kichenok and Jelena Ostapenko's plans for a wedding this week were put on hold as they triumphed in the US Open women's doubles championship. The duo defeated Kristina Mladenovic and Zhang Shuai 6-4, 6-3, claiming their first Grand Slam title together.Kichenok and Ostapenko, seeded seventh, had an impressive run at Flushing Meadows, not dropping a single set throughout the tournament. Their victory earned them a prize of $750,000.Ostapenko, a Latvian who won the 2017 French Open in singles, expressed her joy during the trophy ceremony, saying, "I think it's a good excuse to postpone it a bit."Kichenok, who hails from Ukraine, dedicated the victory to her home country, which is currently engaged in a conflict. "They are fighting really hard for our freedom right now and I just hope I can give them some encouragement," she said.The match began with Kichenok and Ostapenko taking an early lead of 4-1. Mladenovic and Zhang fought back to tie it at 4-all, but Ostapenko and Kichenok regained the lead and won the first set when Zhang double-faulted.In the second set, Kichenok and Ostapenko fell behind 2-0 but surged back as Arthur Ashe Stadium filled up with fans anticipating the men's semifinal between Jannik Sinner and Jack Draper.Mladenovic and Zhang fought off three match points before the champions sealed the victory on their next chance. Mladenovic, who has won six Grand Slam doubles titles, fell to 0-3 in the US Open final.Zhang, who won the 2021 US Open doubles title with Sam Stosur, expressed her disappointment but remained optimistic. "For me the biggest motivation is I wanted to put our name on this trophy," she said. "But we will fight next time."As for Kichenok's wedding, she said, "No plan yet. Maybe Las Vegas or in Europe somewhere."

Emma Navarro, the rising star of tennis, has made an impressive run to the semifinals of the US Open, showcasing her poise, athleticism, and unwavering determination. Despite falling short against Aryna Sabalenka in the semis, Navarro's journey has been a testament to her hard work and dedication.Navarro's path to the semifinals was not without its challenges. She faced and defeated formidable opponents, including Marta Kostyuk, Coco Gauff, and Paula Badosa. Her fighting spirit and resilience were evident throughout the tournament, as she pushed herself to the limit in every match.Navarro's success is not solely due to her physical abilities. She has a deep understanding of the game and a methodical approach to her development. Rather than rushing into the professional ranks, she chose to return to college for another year, gaining valuable experience and building confidence.Her "process" involves playing as many matches as possible, believing that every match is an opportunity for growth. This approach has paid dividends, as she has accumulated more hard-court wins than top-ranked Iga Swiatek this year.Navarro's journey has also taught her the importance of toughness, not only in terms of physical strength but also in terms of mental resilience. She has learned to push through doubt and adversity, remaining unfazed by setbacks.Despite her success, Navarro remains humble and focused on her development. She recognizes that she is still on a journey and that there is much more to learn. Her goal is to continue improving and to eventually reach the pinnacle of the sport.Navarro's performance at the US Open has put her on the radar as a player to watch in the coming years. While she may not have sought the limelight, she embraces the attention as an opportunity to inspire others.

Andrea Vavassori and Sara Errani etched their names in tennis history by capturing the US Open mixed doubles title on Thursday, a triumph that capped a remarkable year for Italian tennis. The No. 3 seeds overcame the spirited challenge of unseeded Americans Donald Young and Taylor Townsend in straight sets, 7-6 (0), 7-5, in a thrilling encounter that lasted an hour and 30 minutes.For Errani, a five-time women's doubles champion, this victory marked her maiden mixed doubles Grand Slam title. Vavassori, on the other hand, celebrated his first-ever Grand Slam triumph. The victory was a testament to the Italians' exceptional doubles prowess, having previously reached the finals of the Australian Open and Roland Garros in 2024."It's a dream come true for me," Vavassori exclaimed during the trophy ceremony. "Being with Sara, an amazing person and player, is an honor. I've always admired her career, and it's been incredible to play alongside her at Wimbledon and the Olympics this year."Errani echoed Vavassori's sentiments, expressing her pride in Italy's recent tennis achievements. "It's an incredible year for me and for Italy," she said. "Jannik (Sinner) winning the Australian Open, Jasmine (Paolini) reaching the finals at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, Simone (Bolelli) and Andrea (Vavassori) in the Australian and French Open doubles finals, and Jasmine and I winning Olympic gold in Paris. It's a special moment for our country."While the Italians celebrated their triumph, the Americans were left to reflect on a bittersweet ending. Young, who announced his retirement from professional tennis after the match, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to compete at the US Open one last time. "I can't think of a better place to go out," he said. "I've watched matches here as a kid and played with someone I've known my whole life."Townsend, a close friend of Young, acknowledged the significance of their journey together. "Standing here today with Donald means the world to me," she said. "He's been in my life forever. I don't know if I'd be here today if it wasn't for him and his family."Despite falling short of the title, Townsend emphasized the importance of representation for young athletes of color. "This isn't the trophy that we wanted," she said. "But at the end of the day, I'm the only Black woman left in the tournament. I hope that Donald and I standing here today, Frances (Tiafoe) in the semifinals, and Coco (Gauff) being the defending champion, shows people that look like us that it's possible."

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.

Jessica Pegula's historic US Open quarterfinal victory over Iga Swiatek resonated deeply with the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. As a board member of the Asian American Pacific Islander Tennis Association (AAPITA), Pegula embodies the organization's mission to empower and inspire AAPI tennis players.Pegula's triumph was a testament to her unwavering determination and the support of her family, who instilled in her a belief that barriers could be overcome. Her journey serves as an inspiration to countless young AAPI athletes, demonstrating that representation and heritage matter.The US Open embraced the AAPI community throughout Wednesday's matches. Three of the four matches featured AAPI connections, with notable figures participating in the coin toss. A discussion on diversity, "AAPI Trailblazers Changing the Game," highlighted the contributions of AAPI pioneers in tennis.AAPITA's visibility was further enhanced by events during US Open Fan Week. A lion dance marked the opening of the festivities, and a community event showcased the growing AAPI presence in tennis.Pegula's victory and the AAPI-themed events at the US Open underscore the importance of representation and inclusion in sports. By breaking barriers and inspiring future generations, Pegula and AAPITA are paving the way for a more diverse and equitable tennis landscape.

Davis Cup: India's Young Guns Ready to Shine in SwedenAs the Davis Cup World Group tie against Sweden approaches, India's young tennis stars, Siddharth Vishwakarma and Aryan Shah, are gearing up for a memorable encounter.Siddharth, the reigning national champion, is known for his powerful serve and aggressive strokes. Aryan, on the other hand, has made a name for himself on the junior circuit and is eager to prove his mettle at the senior level.Under the guidance of coach Ashutosh Singh, the duo has been training diligently at the DLTA in New Delhi. They are determined to make the most of the opportunity to represent India on the international stage."We have been working hard and are confident of putting up a strong performance," said Siddharth. "We know Sweden is a tough team, but we are ready for the challenge."Aryan echoed his teammate's sentiments, saying, "It's an honor to be part of the Davis Cup team. I'm excited to play my part and contribute to India's success."Coach Ashutosh is optimistic about the team's chances. "Siddharth and Aryan are both talented players with a bright future," he said. "They have the potential to make a significant impact in this tie."The Indian team will leave for Stockholm on Saturday to acclimatize to the indoor hard courts where the tie will be played. They will face a Swedish team that is without its top player, Sumit Nagal.Despite the absence of Nagal, Sweden remains a formidable opponent. Their No. 1 player, Elias Ymer, is ranked 225th in the world, while their second singles player, Adam Heinonen, is ranked 757th.However, India has a strong doubles team in Ramkumar Ramanathan and Sriram Balaji, who are ranked 67th and 126th respectively.The Davis Cup tie against Sweden is a crucial opportunity for India's young tennis stars to showcase their talent and gain valuable experience. With their determination and hard work, they are poised to make a memorable contribution to Indian tennis history.