Tennis

Coco Gauff's title defense at the Cincinnati Open came to an abrupt end in the second round, as she was upset by Yulia Putintseva in three sets, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. The defeat marks a disappointing setback for Gauff, who was hoping to build momentum heading into her US Open title defense.A year ago, Gauff made a breakthrough at the Cincinnati Open, defeating world No. 1 Iga Swiatek in the semifinals and capturing her biggest title to date. That victory propelled her to even greater heights, as she went on to win the 2023 US Open.However, Gauff has struggled to find her form in the lead-up to this year's Cincinnati Open. She is now 1-2 across the North American hard-court swing, with her lone victory coming in Toronto over Wang Yafan.Putintseva, who had a 0-3 head-to-head record against Gauff going into their clash, played with determination and resilience. She broke Gauff's serve in the first set and held on to win 6-4. Gauff responded strongly in the second set, breaking Putintseva's serve twice to level the match.But Putintseva regained her composure in the third set, breaking Gauff's serve early and holding on to her own serve throughout the set. She eventually sealed the victory with a forehand winner, sending Gauff packing.Putintseva will now face Washington DC champion Paula Badosa in the round of 16. Badosa, who toppled No. 13 seed Anna Kalinskaya 6-3, 6-2 earlier in the day, will be a tough opponent for Putintseva.Gauff's defeat is a reminder that even the best players can experience setbacks. She will now have to regroup and refocus her efforts on the US Open, where she will be aiming to defend her title.

Frances Tiafoe's resurgence has been a welcome sight for tennis fans. After a disappointing start to the 2024 season, the American has rediscovered his form, winning eight of his last 12 matches.Tiafoe's most impressive victory came against Lorenzo Musetti in the Cincinnati Open, where he cruised to a 6-3, 6-2 win. This followed a hard-fought 6-4, 7-6 (3) triumph over Andrey Rublev in Washington, D.C. and a competitive five-set loss to eventual Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz.Tiafoe's recent performances have showcased his return to Top 10 form. His ability to hit his spots on serve and finish points at the net has made him a formidable opponent.In the Cincinnati Open round of 16, Tiafoe will face Jiri Lehecka, who is coming off a surprising victory over Daniil Medvedev. However, Lehecka's recent form has been inconsistent, and he has struggled with a back injury.Lehecka's serve is his biggest weapon, but he has been struggling to find consistency. Against Medvedev, he made only 62.7% of his first serves, well below his season average of 63.9%.Tiafoe's ability to return serve effectively and engage in longer rallies should give him an advantage over Lehecka. The American is in good form and has a strong track record on North American hard courts.Based on these factors, Tiafoe is the favorite to win this match. His recent performances have shown that he is back to his best, while Lehecka is still finding his feet after an injury layoff.

Yoshihito Nishioka's Cincinnati Open campaign ended in disappointment as he squandered a one-set lead against Hubert Hurkacz, succumbing to a 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1 defeat. The Japanese star's frustration boiled over in the final set, resulting in multiple penalties for ball abuse, including a game penalty.Nishioka, known affectionately as "Yoshi," had been aiming to break a 10-match losing streak against Top 10 opponents. He appeared poised to do so when he held a 4-1 lead in the second-set tiebreaker. However, Hurkacz rallied to win the tiebreaker and seize control of the match."Until the middle of the second set, he looked a little bit tired," Hurkacz said after the match. "He was having some problems with his back. He wasn't playing his best tennis, and I could see that, so I maybe had a chance to win today."Nishioka's frustration reached its peak in the third set when he fell behind a break. He hit multiple balls into the stands, incurring a point penalty. Another instance of ball abuse triggered a game penalty, giving Hurkacz a double-break advantage."I was already frustrated before the tiebreak," Nishioka explained. "In the third set when he broke me, and I felt like everything went to him and nothing to me. I played ok, but everything went to him, so that's where the frustration was coming from."Nishioka apologized for his behavior, expressing his hope to learn from his experience at the Lindner Family Tennis Center and perform better at the upcoming US Open."I had a lot of support here and in the U.S. as well, and in my home country," Nishioka said. "I had a good result here, beating [Miomir] Kecmanovic, who is a great player. I had good play against Hubi in our first meeting, but in the third set, I tanked a little bit.""I'm very sorry to my fans: I showed my best tennis until the second set when I couldn't. Hopefully, there'll be some luck to me at the US Open. I think my feel in tennis is better and better each day. I have to take care of my body a little bit and get ready for the US Open. I think I can play good tennis there."

Martina Navratilova and Julia Lemigova Welcome Two New Additions to Their FamilyTennis legend Martina Navratilova and her wife, Julia Lemigova, have embarked on a new chapter in their lives as they have adopted two young boys. The couple announced the heartwarming news on Wednesday, expressing their immense joy and anticipation for the challenges and rewards that lie ahead.Navratilova, 67, and Lemigova, 52, have long expressed their desire to expand their family. In Season 5 of "Real Housewives of Miami," Lemigova shared her excitement about the prospect of adoption. However, they temporarily put their plans on hold as Navratilova underwent treatment for cancer.In 2023, Navratilova was diagnosed with Stage 1 throat cancer and early-stage breast cancer. After a rigorous course of treatment, she received the "all clear" from doctors in June of that year. With her health now stable, the couple decided to pursue their dream of becoming parents."We are over the moon," Navratilova said in a statement. "We recognize the challenges and the rewards for everybody."The adoption process has been a transformative experience for both Navratilova and Lemigova. They have embraced the opportunity to provide a loving and supportive home for two young boys who deserve a chance to thrive.The couple's decision to adopt has been met with an outpouring of support from fans, friends, and the LGBTQ+ community. Their story serves as an inspiration to others who may be considering adoption or who are facing challenges in their own lives.As they embark on this new journey as parents, Navratilova and Lemigova are committed to creating a nurturing and fulfilling environment for their sons. They are confident that their love and support will help the boys reach their full potential and live happy and fulfilling lives.

Tennis Stars Share the Impact of Parental Guidance on Their CareersIn a heartwarming video, tennis stars Felix Auger-Aliassime, Ons Jabeur, Daniil Medvedev, Naomi Osaka, and Jessica Pegula joined young reporters at the National Bank Open to discuss the profound influence their parents have had on their tennis journeys and personal development.The players emphasized the unwavering support they received from their parents, who encouraged them to pursue their dreams and provided them with the resources to succeed. Jabeur recalled how her parents took her to every tournament in Tunisia, instilling in her a belief in her abilities.However, the stars also acknowledged that parental advice was not always perfect. Pegula shared that her parents, who did not play tennis, sometimes offered guidance that did not resonate with her. She learned the importance of finding her own path and making decisions that aligned with her goals.Milos Raonic, the Olympic mixed doubles bronze medalist, highlighted the unique role his parents played in his life. While they refrained from giving tennis advice, they provided him with unconditional love and support, allowing him to focus on his game without the pressure of external expectations.The players emphasized the importance of having fun and striving for excellence, mantras that their parents instilled in them. These values have served them well throughout their careers, reminding them to enjoy the game and give their best effort.The video resonated deeply with fans online, who praised its heartwarming message and invaluable insights for parents of young athletes. It serves as a reminder that even the most successful individuals remember their roots and the people who have shaped their lives.

Fifth-seeded Indian tennis star Ankita Raina displayed resilience and determination in her pre-quarterfinal match at the $40,000 ITF women's tennis tournament in Ourense, Spain. Facing Maria Vaquero of Spain, Raina fought back from a set down to secure a hard-fought 6-1, 3-6, 6-2 victory.Raina started the match with a dominant performance, taking the first set with ease at 6-1. However, Vaquero responded strongly in the second set, leveling the match with a 6-3 win. Undeterred, Raina regained her composure in the decisive third set. She broke Vaquero's serve twice and held her own service games comfortably to seal the victory.With this win, Raina advances to the quarterfinals, where she will face top seed Valentina Ryser of Switzerland. Ryser, ranked 150th in the world, will pose a significant challenge for Raina. However, the Indian star has shown great form throughout the tournament and will be confident of putting up a strong fight.In other matches involving Indian players, Sriram Balaji and Fernando Romboli of Brazil received a walkover in the pre-quarterfinals of the $164,000 Challenger in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Meanwhile, Anirudh Chandrasekar and Niki Poonacha bowed out of the $133,250 Challenger in Cary, USA, losing 4-6, 7-6(9), [10-8] to Federico Gomez of Argentina and Petros Tsitsipas of Greece.Jeevan Nedunchezhiyan and Vijay Sundar Prashanth advanced to the quarterfinals of the $74,825 Challenger in Grodzisk Mazowiecki, Poland, with a 6-4, 6-2 victory over Benjamin Bonzi and Harold Mayot of France.In the $25,000 ITF men's tournament in Muttenz, Switzerland, Sddhant Bantha and Eric Vanshelboim of Ukraine defeated Nicolas Kuepfer of Switzerland and Patrick Zahraj of Germany 7-6(5), 6-2. Alexander Merino of Peru and Christoph Negritu of Germany also progressed to the quarterfinals with a 6-2, 6-0 win over Axel Cabrera of Mexico and Chinmaya Dev Chauhan.In the $15,000 ITF men's tournament in Bielsko Biala, Poland, Aryan Lakshmanan and Przemyslaw Michocki of Poland reached the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Jakub Jedrzejczak and Pawel Juszczak of Poland.In the $15,000 ITF women's tournament in Xiamen, China, Riya Bhatia and Michika Ozeki of Japan advanced to the quarterfinals with a 2-6, 6-2, [10-8] win over Ren Ke and Zou Ruirui of China.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked women's tennis player, sought solace in the tranquility of Mason, Ohio, to regain her equilibrium after a whirlwind European tour marked by both triumphs and setbacks.Swiatek's recent victories in Madrid, Rome, and Paris were followed by a disappointing early exit at Wimbledon and a missed opportunity for Olympic gold. However, she quickly rebounded with a bronze medal for Poland.Mason, a peaceful exurb, provided the ideal setting for Swiatek to focus on her game and eliminate distractions. "I felt I needed to reset and improve my technique," she said. "This is the perfect place to do it."In her opening match at the Cincinnati Open, Swiatek dominated Varvara Gracheva in the first set, winning 6-0. Her serve was untouchable, and her forehand was precise. However, the match took an unexpected turn as Swiatek faltered in the second set, losing 10-8 in a tiebreaker."I backed out," Swiatek admitted. "I started playing less intensely."In the third set, Swiatek regained her composure with the help of her coaching team. She broke Gracheva's serve at 2-2 and went on to win 6-2."I'm happy I could be more proactive again," Swiatek said. "I knew I had my game to win."Swiatek's performance showcased her exceptional skills on hard courts, but also revealed her vulnerability to nerves and errors under pressure.Despite the challenges, Swiatek remains optimistic. "I'm still happy with my performance," she said. "The transition from clay to hard courts is difficult."Swiatek will face Marta Kostyuk in the third round, seeking to continue her progress in Mason and prepare for the upcoming US Open.

Gael Monfils' impressive victory over Alexei Popyrin in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters has set the stage for a highly anticipated second-round clash against world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz.Monfils, a 37-year-old Frenchman, showcased his experience and court craft in a 7-5, 6-3 triumph over Popyrin, who was visibly fatigued after his recent triumph at the Montreal Masters. Monfils praised the conditions in Cincinnati, noting that the faster court suits his aging body.However, Monfils acknowledged the formidable challenge that awaits him in Alcaraz, who hasn't played a hard-court match since March. Despite this, Monfils believes that Alcaraz's "complete" game can thrive on any surface."He's a complete athlete, in terms of speed, endurance, power," Monfils said. "And then his tennis, of course, is quite complete, too. Backhand, forehand, it's quite hard to see where you can (hit). He improved a lot on the return, he's serving big. He's just a really complete player."Monfils compared Alcaraz to the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, stating that he sees him as a future legend. The Frenchman also expressed his admiration for the younger generation of stars, including Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner."For me, it's always cool to play such a big star like Carlos or Jannik—or of course, in my day it was Novak, Rafa, Roger," Monfils said. "But to play those youngsters, it's always a pleasure."Monfils and Alcaraz will face off on Thursday in their second meeting of the year. Alcaraz holds a 2-0 head-to-head advantage, having defeated Monfils in the third round of the Miami Open earlier this year.

Coco Gauff's recent form has raised questions about her chances of defending her US Open title. After winning her maiden Grand Slam last year, Gauff has struggled for consistency in 2024, losing four of her last 10 matches. However, despite these setbacks, Gauff's overall statistics suggest she is still a formidable opponent.In 2023, Gauff had a winning percentage of 76.1%, a hold percentage of 73.4%, and a break percentage of 41.2%. In 2024, her winning percentage has dropped slightly to 74.5%, but her hold percentage remains high at 72.0% and her break percentage has improved to 46.2%. These numbers indicate that Gauff is still playing at a high level.One area of concern for Gauff is her forehand, which has been a weakness throughout her career. She has shown signs of improvement in this area, but she still tends to make unforced errors from that side of the court. Her serving has also been inconsistent, with her double-fault percentage increasing from 5.1% in 2023 to 8.5% in 2024.Despite these concerns, Gauff has a history of performing well at the US Open. She has reached the semifinals of the Australian Open this year and has a strong record against top players. Additionally, the absence of Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina from the tournament due to injuries or poor form makes Gauff's chances of winning even more promising.Overall, while Gauff's recent form has been inconsistent, her overall statistics and past performance at the US Open suggest that she is still a contender for the title. Her odds of +650 at FanDuel Sportsbook represent a good value for bettors who believe she can overcome her weaknesses and defend her championship.