Tennis

The Cincinnati Open, a beloved tennis tournament, has returned to its home at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, bringing with it a host of upgrades and perks for players.One of the most notable improvements is the new warm-up and training area adjacent to the practice courts, providing players with a dedicated space to prepare for matches. Additionally, players have access to a nearby 18-hole golf course, reserved exclusively for their use throughout the week.Another highly appreciated perk is the fleet of 200 Cadillac Escalades provided to each player, courtesy of the tournament's official partner. This allows players to explore the city and its amenities at their convenience."I love the Midwest feel," said Jessica Pegula, the No. 6 seed. "I love being able to drive places and have my own car."The Cincinnati Open is not the first tournament to offer vehicles to players, as it has become a common practice in sprawling North American cities. However, it is a welcome change of pace for players who spend much of their time on tour being shuttled around."It's just nice to not have to Uber," said Coco Gauff, the No. 2 seed. "I really appreciate the tournament doing that."While the perks are appreciated, some players have raised concerns about the driving habits of their fellow competitors. Ben Shelton took to social media to call out a "disgrace" of a parking job at the players' hotel lot."You just should not have a license," Shelton said in a video. "You shouldn't be able to drive."Despite the occasional parking mishap, players are generally enjoying the freedom and convenience of having their own vehicles in Cincinnati."Cincinnati is great, but you need to drive to do things here!" said Gauff. "So it is nice, I really appreciate it and I think the players appreciate it too."

Zeeshan Ali, the former coach of the Indian Davis Cup team, has announced his resignation from the position. Ali, who had been at the helm of the team since 2013, made the announcement on Wednesday, August 14, 2024, a month before India's next Davis Cup assignment against Sweden in Stockholm."I have resigned as the coach of the Davis Cup team," Ali told PTI.Ali, 54, replaced Nandan Bal as coach of the team ahead of the tie against South Korea in New Delhi. Under his guidance, India achieved notable success, including a historic victory over Pakistan in Islamabad earlier this year."I've been coach of the Davis Cup team for 11 years now," Ali said. "To top it all, I was also the captain of the Davis Cup, the historic tie that we played against Pakistan in Pakistan earlier on this year. I don't think there is any such person from any country who has had the privilege and honor of doing all these three things."Ali expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve as coach and captain of the team. He highlighted the unique experience of having held all three roles, from player to coach to captain."Having done all these three things, I felt that I have already achieved whatever there was to achieve as far as Davis Cup was concerned," Ali said. "And frankly speaking, I have been thinking about this for quite some time now."India will face Sweden on hard indoor court in Stockholm from September 14-15. The team will be led by captain Rohit Rajpal and will feature top players such as Yuki Bhambri, Ramkumar Ramanathan, and Rohan Bopanna.

Aryna Sabalenka, the two-time Australian Open champion, has adopted a philosophy of forgetting her losses and focusing on the present. She believes that every tournament is a new opportunity to improve and that a short memory helps her stay motivated and work hard.Sabalenka, who has reached the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters three times, is hoping to improve her record at the tournament this year. She is coming back from a shoulder injury that forced her to skip Wimbledon."Every loss is extra motivation to work hard and improve things," Sabalenka said. "If you're fighting every point and giving all you have in practice and matches, you'll have your opportunities. You just have to use them."Sabalenka's tennis provides a welcome contrast to her personal life, which has been marked by tragedy. She lost her father and a former boyfriend in recent years."I'm trying to figure out what I need to do to get to the finals," Sabalenka said. "But I don't want to focus on that. I want to take things step by step and try to bring my best tennis every time I'm on the court."In other women's action, Daria Kastkina, Marta Kostyuk, Karolina Pliskova, Varvara Gracheva, and Lulu Sun all advanced to the second round.In men's play, Ben Shelton defeated Reilly Opelka in a battle of serves. Shelton said he trained for the match by facing big serves from his father, former ATP player Bryan Shelton."It's hard to replicate the angle of Reilly's serve and how high it bounces," Shelton said. "I've never seen a ball (from Opelka) come at me like that. Some of the serves he hits defy physics."Alex Michelsen, Zhang Zhizhen, and Frances Tiafoe also advanced to the second round.

Brandon Nakashima continued his impressive run at the Cincinnati Open on Tuesday night, defeating fellow American Taylor Fritz in a thrilling three-set battle. The 23-year-old Nakashima, who ousted Tommy Paul in the round of 16, prevailed 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (4) over the 11th-seeded Fritz.The match was a tight affair, with each player breaking serve just once. Nakashima seized the initiative in the decisive tiebreaker, moving ahead 3-2 with a pair of crafty passes that forced Fritz into errors. The former world No. 43 then backed up the mini break with an ace and an unreturnable serve.Nakashima sealed the victory when Fritz's backhand found the net, improving his record to 16-14 in tour-level encounters this season. Fritz, who is heading to the US Open with one win at the past two 1000-level tournaments, will be looking to regain his form before the final Grand Slam of the year.In other first-round action, No. 12 seed Ben Shelton edged Reilly Opelka in a pair of tiebreakers, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (3). Shelton withstood 19 aces from his compatriot and saved all five break points he faced.Frances Tiafoe and Alex Michelsen also advanced to the second round with victories in their respective matches.On the women's side, Ashlyn Krueger pulled off an upset by defeating Olympic silver medalist and No. 16 seed Donna Vekic, 5-7, 7-6 (4), 6-2. Krueger, who also qualified in Toronto last week, had previously defeated four-time major winner Naomi Osaka to book her main-draw spot in Cincinnati.

Jessica Pegula's 2023 season has been a rollercoaster ride, marked by early exits and injuries. However, her recent title defense at the National Bank Open in Toronto has reignited her hopes for a strong finish to the year.Pegula's struggles began early in the season, with disappointing performances at several tournaments. Injuries forced her to withdraw from Indian Wells, Miami, and Roland Garros, further derailing her momentum.Despite these setbacks, Pegula showed signs of improvement on grass, winning her first title in eight months at the ecotrans Ladies Open. However, she entered the US Open swing with low expectations after a busy schedule that included the Summer Olympic Games in Paris.To her surprise, Pegula hit the ground running in Toronto, reaching her second straight final without dropping a set. She became the first woman since Martina Hingis in 2000 to win both the Montréal and Toronto tournaments."It was definitely a tough week mentally," Pegula said of her Olympic exits. "But to be able to come back the next week and just focus on competing almost helped me. I didn't have time to think about how I was really feeling."Pegula's victory in Toronto was an emotional release for her. "I was able to defend a title I've always done well at, in a place that's somewhat close to home," she said. "It was nice to go through that whole week, play some good tennis when I needed to, and come out on top."Now seeded No. 6 in Cincinnati, Pegula faces a tough opening test against either Karolina Muchova or Dayana Yastremska. Despite the demanding schedule, she is determined to keep pushing until the off-season."I missed a lot of the beginning of the year, so I feel mentally pretty good where some other people might feel more run down," Pegula said. "I'm mentally prepared to grind out the end of the year more than I would be the last few years."With her form and fitness on the rise, it remains to be seen how much better Jessica Pegula's year can get.

The 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris left an unforgettable mark on the tennis world, with players experiencing a whirlwind of emotions and creating memories that will last a lifetime.For Iga Swiatek of Poland, the Games were a bittersweet experience. Despite falling short of the gold medal, she secured a historic bronze, becoming the first Polish tennis player to win an Olympic medal. The pressure of the Games was immense, but Swiatek emerged from the experience with valuable lessons and a newfound appreciation for the Olympic spirit.Carlos Alcaraz of Spain, the runner-up in men's singles, cherished his time in Paris, especially the opportunity to play doubles with his childhood hero, Rafael Nadal. Alcaraz described Nadal as a "masterclass" on and off the court, providing invaluable guidance on handling tough moments.Zheng Qinwen of China made history by winning the gold medal in women's singles, overcoming nerves and pressure to secure her country's first Olympic gold in the sport. The experience was life-changing for Zheng, who plans to celebrate with her family after the US Open.Coco Gauff of the United States, despite not winning a medal, embraced the Olympic experience to the fullest. As Team USA's flagbearer alongside Lebron James, Gauff felt honored to represent her country. While the results on the court were disappointing, she gained valuable life lessons and forged lasting connections.Jessica Pegula of the United States used the highs and lows of Paris as motivation to defend her title at the National Bank Open in Toronto. Pegula gained a newfound respect for fellow Olympians, particularly those in track and field, gymnastics, and swimming, who face the immense pressure of performing once every four years.Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine found the Olympic spirit particularly poignant, as she and her fellow tennis players united to represent their countries. The atmosphere in the locker room was different, with players focused on competing for a cause greater than themselves.Jasmine Paolini of Italy, a surprise gold medalist in women's doubles with Sara Errani, admitted to initially being hesitant about playing doubles. However, she found the right partner in Errani, who helped her navigate the format and ultimately achieve a historic victory for Italy.The 2024 Summer Olympic Games in Paris provided a platform for tennis players to showcase their skills, experience the Olympic spirit, and create memories that will inspire them for years to come.

Matteo Berrettini, the 2021 Wimbledon finalist, will face off against Holger Rune at the Cincinnati Open on Wednesday. This intriguing clash of styles promises to be a captivating spectacle.Berrettini, known for his straightforward approach, relies on his powerful serve and forehand to dominate his opponents. His 92% hold percentage over the past year is a testament to his exceptional serving prowess. Rune, on the other hand, is a player of immense variety, often experimenting with different shots and tactics.Despite Rune's versatility, Berrettini's consistency and experience should give him an edge in this matchup. Berrettini's serve is a formidable weapon, and Rune's low break percentage of 17.9% this season suggests he may struggle to break Berrettini's serve consistently.Furthermore, Berrettini's return game is slightly superior to Rune's, and Rune's holding percentage on hard courts is a modest 82.4%. The quicker conditions in Cincinnati may also limit Rune's ability to exploit his variety, as Berrettini prefers shorter points.Rune's recent record against Top 10 opponents is also a concern. Despite Berrettini's current ranking of No. 42, his 2024 performances have been comparable to his form in 2021 and 2022, when he was ranked as high as No. 6.Overall, Berrettini's consistency, experience, and suitability to the Cincinnati conditions make him the favorite in this matchup. A potential third-round meeting with Carlos Alcaraz would be a fascinating test of Berrettini's credentials as a contender for the 2024 US Open title.

Frances Tiafoe, the charismatic American tennis star, made a triumphant return to the Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday, defeating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a thrilling tiebreaker. Tiafoe's victory showcased his resilience and renewed optimism, as he aims to regain his top-10 ranking.Despite a shaky serving performance, Tiafoe's exceptional returning skills proved decisive. He broke Fokina's serve five times, including three crucial breaks in the second set. Tiafoe's ability to stay focused and execute under pressure was evident as he saved three match points and a set point in the tiebreaker.Tiafoe's success in Cincinnati is a testament to his hard work and the positive impact of his new coach, David Witt. Witt's guidance has helped Tiafoe improve his consistency and mental toughness. Tiafoe's renewed confidence was evident in his post-match comments, where he emphasized the importance of enjoying the game and focusing on his own performance.Tiafoe's victory in Cincinnati is a significant step in his journey to regain his top-10 status. After a challenging 18 months, he has rediscovered his form and is poised to make a strong run at the US Open. His infectious energy and crowd-pleasing style make him a fan favorite, and he is sure to put on a show in the coming weeks.

Cincinnati, Ohio, is hosting the latest edition of the combined Cincinnati Open, the last 1000-level tournament before the fourth quarter of the season. This top-tiered event has inspired a travel itinerary from resident reporters, highlighting the city's hidden gems and must-visit attractions.1. Graeter's Ice Cream: Indulge in the sweet treats of Graeter's Ice Cream, a family-run business that has been satisfying Cincinnatians for generations. Try their August flavor of the month, Key Lime Pie, or their classic favorites like Butter Brickle and Black Raspberry Chocolate Chip.2. Shake It Records: Step into the funky world of Shake It Records, a vinyl haven with over 25,000 titles and 15,000 CDs. Browse their extensive collection of DVDs, books, and artist memorabilia for a nostalgic blast from the past.3. Lucky Cat Museum: Instead of traveling to Japan, visit the Lucky Cat Museum in Cincinnati, where over 2,000 figurines await you. Explore the mythical beliefs surrounding these lucky cats, from wealth accumulation to attraction.4. Mushroom House: Marvel at the architectural wonder of the Mushroom House, a one-bedroom home inspired by the Smurfs. This unique structure is a cherished landmark in the Hyde Park neighborhood.5. Skyline Chili 3-Way: Experience the iconic Cincinnati chili at Skyline Chili, a local institution since 1949. Try their Cheese Coneys and 3-Ways for an authentic taste of the city's culinary heritage.6. Cincinnati Union Terminal: Discover the award-winning Cincinnati Union Terminal, home to the Cincinnati Museum Center. Explore science and history exhibits, admire art installations, and attend limited-time events.7. Mita's: Savor the flavors of Latin cuisine at Mita's, a James Beard nominee. Enjoy tapas, family-style plates, and a Spanish wine program in a relaxed and upscale setting.8. Urbana Cafe: Sip on quality coffee at Urbana Cafe, a local favorite with six locations throughout Cincinnati. Choose from a variety of coffee subscriptions, signature blends, and brewing tips.9. Cincinnati Art Museum: Immerse yourself in art at the Cincinnati Art Museum, one of the oldest art institutions in the country. Explore over 73,000 works of art spanning 6,000 years of human history.10. Great American Ball Park: Catch a baseball game at Great American Ball Park, one of Major League Baseball's most fan-friendly stadiums. Cheer on the Cincinnati Reds, enjoy the Family Zone, or host an event in this iconic venue.