Tennis

Rybakina downs Osaka in US Open 2026; set to meet Zheng in quarterfinal

Elena Rybakina overpowered Naomi Osaka at the U.S. Open and is a win away from the No. 1 ranking in women's tennis. She just has to beat Zheng Qinwen, which won't be easy. Even when Zheng goes down - way, way down - she refuses to stay there. Rybakina advanced to the quarterfinals Monday with a 6-1, 6-4 victory over Osaka in a matchup of power-hitting Grand Slam champions. The No. 2-seeded Rybakina is guaranteed to replace Aryna Sabalenka atop the WTA rankings if she reaches the semifinals in Flushing Meadows. "Of course I want it, I don't know anyone who wouldn't wish this, but definitely that's one of my goals," Rybakina said. "I try to approach the same way, try to do everything I can, fight until the end my next match and let's see what's going to happen." Trying to stop her will be Zheng, who made a daring escape from a 5-0 deficit for the second straight match. The 2024 Olympic gold medalist from China beat No. 8 seed Iga Swiatek 7-5, 6-3 to become the first qualifier to reac

US Open 2026: Defending champions Sabalenka, Alcaraz reach quarterfinals

Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Carlos Alcaraz are back to the quarterfinals at the US Open, and they made it look easy. The top-ranked Sabalenka solved some early struggles holding serve and overpowered Taylor Townsend 6-4 6-3 on Sunday. Alcaraz also advanced in straight sets, beating Tommy Paul 6-4 6-3 6-4 in the second match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. "I'm happy with that performance," Alcaraz said. "I played my game. I tried to play my style. Tommy's such a talented player. His shots are pretty dangerous and it's sometimes pretty difficult to control the ball when it comes to you, so I just tried to be ready." Townsend broke Sabalenka three times in her first four service games as she looked to spring the upset. Sabalenka found a groove, regained her confidence and did not lose another point after falling behind 3-1 in the second set. "I love matches like that because it was really challenging," Sabalenka said. "Going through tough challenges and overcoming those challen

Nick Kyrgios accepts one-month suspension following positive cocaine test

Nick Kyrgios accepted a one-month suspension from the International Tennis Integrity Association for testing positive for cocaine at a tournament in Spain in June, the organization announced Thursday. The 31-year-old from Australia had been provisionally suspended since Aug. 4, which was revealed just over two weeks later. The ITIA in its announcement said Kyrgios told investigators that he socially used cocaine during a night out before he was due to play in Mallorca, and after consulting with an expert from the World Anti-Doping Association, accepted that it was outside of competition. WADA's default three-month ban can be reduced to one by completing a treatment program. The ITIA said Kyrgios' suspension is over Thursday pending the completing of that program. Kyrgios' prize money and rankings points from the Mallorca event are forfeited. He lost his only match to countryman Adam Walton. A finalist at Wimbledon in 2022 when he lost to Novak Djokovic, Kyrgios has played only fou

Three-year Slam drought raises questions for Djokovic after US Open loss

Novak Djokovic waved goodbye, made a heart shape with his hands and blew kisses to the crowd as he walked off the court inside Arthur Ashe Stadium to a standing ovation. Among those applauding in return were Djokovic's 11-year-old son Stefan, while his 8-year-old daughter Tara covered her eyes and loaded her floppy-eared stuffed animal into a bag that went around her shoulder. Back down on the court, Djokovic had his two black bags - one containing his rackets and the other more equipment - hanging from his shoulders. After his first-round loss to Mariano Navone at the U.S. Open on Sunday night, it remains to be seen whether the 39-year-old Djokovic will ever bring those bags out on a court again for a professional match. The 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 loss marked Djokovic's earliest Grand Slam exit in two decades - dating back to the 2006 Australian Open - and the first time ever that he lost his opener at the U.S. Open. The holder of a men's record 24 Grand Slam singles titles,

Wawrinka's Grand Slam career ends at US Open after defeat by Berrettini

Stan Wawrinka's Grand Slam career ended Monday when the 2016 U.S. Open champion lost 7-6 (4), 7-6 (3), 6-0 to Matteo Berrettini. Wawrinka won the last of his three major titles in Flushing Meadows when he beat Novak Djokovic in the final 10 years ago. At 41, he was given a wild card into the event in what he has said will be his final season before retiring. "I'm going to miss it for sure. I'm going to miss it big time. I love the game," Wawrinka said before he was honored on the court by U.S. Tennis Association officials. The match appeared remarkably similar to the meeting between the same players at Wimbledon, when Berrettini won a four-setter, with each going to a tiebreaker. But after Wawrinka had his serve broken to start the third set - despite winning a key point when video review was used - Berrettini quickly pulled away. Wawrinka made his 18th U.S. Open appearance. He initially thought he wouldn't get a goodbye to the tournament when the USTA gave its final men's singles

Linda Noskova returns to Grand Slam action at US Open after Wimbledon win

Linda Noskova's life changed earlier this summer in ways she could not possibly imagine. The 21-year-old from the Czech Republic won Wimbledon, the youngest champion there in a decade and a half, for her first Grand Slam title. She met Czech president Petr Pavel and was celebrated by thousands in her hometown of Vsetin. "A lot of congratulations from people that weren't really expected," she said. Back at a major for the first time at the U.S. Open, Noskova understands the gravity of what she has accomplished but insists it has not changed how she approaches tennis, with her eyes on more prizes ahead. "It has always been very important to focus on each match like nothing ever happened before: no success or no failure," Noskova said. "Whatever happened happened, and this is a brand-new tournament. I just have to start all over." It's not totally starting over. She will always have that Wimbledon run on her resume, and she has improved from 12th to a career-best sixth in the WTA wor

Stefanos Tsitsipas says Kyrgios' cocaine ban was widely expected by many

Stefanos Tsitsipas was not surprised that Nick Kyrgios was suspended from tennis for drugs. "Pretty much expected, to be honest," Tsitsipas said. "I am surprised it came so late, though." Kyrgios was banned earlier this month after he revealed he tested positive for cocaine in June when he was in Spain to play at an event. The Australian could be suspended for four years, though a lighter punishment is expected. Tsitsipas was asked about Kyrgios on Monday after upsetting No. 10-seeded Arthur Fils in the first round of the U.S. Open. "I mean, to be entirely honest with you, I knew about this before the announcement. Myself, I knew about it," Tsitsipas said. "So what can I tell you? I will just tell you the truth. I knew about all of this before any announcement was made, and when I saw it on social media, I was, like, Here we go.' I kind of expected it, to be honest." Tsitsipas and Kyrgios played a fiery match at Wimbledon in 2022, when Kyrgios reached his only Grand Slam final. .

Alcaraz victorious on US Open return; Sabalenka also wins her opening match

Carlos Alcaraz returned to the U.S. Open and looked healthy enough for a run at a repeat. Alcaraz beat Roman Safiullin 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 on Monday, showing no problems with the right wrist injury that had sidelined the 23-year-old Spaniard since April. Following fellow two-time U.S. Open champion Aryna Sabalenka onto Arthur Ashe Stadium, the No. 2-seeded Alcaraz appeared more comfortable as the match went on and delivered the all-around game that has made him a fan favorite in New York. He held his hand to his ear to encourage louder cheers and pumped his fist after a pretty volley winner in the final game of the match. "I'm just really happy that I was able to compete again," Alcaraz said. "I think the level of tennis is going to be better for sure. I'm just really happy with the level that I played my first match." If the seven-time Grand Slam champion stays healthy, he may quickly become a huge favorite with top-ranked Jannik Sinner sidelined by a knee injury and No. 4 Novak Djokovi

Djokovic crashes out in US Open first round, 25th Grand Slam wait continues

The defeat marked Djokovic's earliest exit from a Grand Slam since the 2006 Australian Open

US Open 2026 : Pegula, Medvedev and Kostyuk march into R2 with easy wins

Jessica Pegula was one of the first players to compete at the U.S. Open, and she learned last year that starting Sunday provided some nice relief. "It is a little bit weird, but I did kind of enjoy that I could breathe for the next couple of days and everyone else is still freaking out about whether they're going to win their first round," she said. The head start is great - unless it's a head start back to the airport. "We were just talking about it, and I said, it's so nice to play on Sunday when you win. But if you lose it's not nice, because you feel like the tournament didn't even start and you're out of it," No. 11 seed Marta Kostyuk said. Pegula and Kostyuk both won easily and now the get the benefit of any extra day of rest before returning for the second round. Novak Djokovic lost the first set as he began his quest for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title on Sunday night against Mariano Navone. The match was paused during the first set so that the roof above Arthur A

US Open 2026: A record payday, historic chases and stars in the spotlight

The US Open will hand out $108 million in prize money, a 20 per cent increase from last year and the biggest purse in Grand Slam history

Here's why Bopanna slammed India's Asian Games 2026 tennis team selection

Five players, i.e., Manas Dhamne, Vaishnavi Adkar, Sahaja Yamalapalli, Prarthana Thombare and Vaidehee Chaudhari, were affected after the selection process was revised

Gauff and Pegula reach historic all-American Cincinnati final in 56 years

Jessica Pegula beat defending champion Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff defeated Sara Bejlek on Saturday to set up the first all-American women's final at the Cincinnati Open in 56 years. Pegula rallied from down a break in the third set to get past Swiatek, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, for her tour-leading 45th win this year. It was the 300th tour-level victory of Pegula's career, and it snapped Swiatek's 10-match winning streak. Pegula's best finish in Cincinnati came in 2024, when she lost to Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Gauff, the 2023 champion, beat Bejlek, 6-4, 6-1. The 20-year-old Czech upset top seed Aryna Sabalenka and Madison Keys en route to the semis. The last time two American women played in the Cincinnati final was in 1970, when Rosie Casals beat Nancy Richey. "I'm always rooting for American tennis," Pegula said. "I like to play someone that I get along with and have a lot of respect for, like Coco. I didn't realize it was so long since we've had a double American final. The crowd ca

Top ranked Jannik Sinner pulls out of US Open after suffering knee injury

Top-ranked Jannik Sinner withdrew from the U.S. Open on Friday, unable to recover from a right knee injury that has sidelined him since winning the Wimbledon title. Sinner beat Alexander Zverev last month for his second straight title at the All England Club, but then pulled out of the hard-court tournaments in Montreal and Cincinnati that serve as a warmup for the U.S. Open. The 25-year-old Italian wrote Friday that he won't be ready when the main draw begins on Aug. 30. "Even though I have been working hard with my team and my medical staff, we have now had to make the difficult decision that I will not be able to compete at the US Open this year," Sinner wrote in a post on X. "We have been back on court in Monte Carlo over the last couple of days and have realized that I still need more time to recover from my right knee issue. I'm obviously very sad and disappointed, as New York has a special place in my heart. I was very much looking forward to coming back and playing in the .

Gauff, Tiafoe, Nakashima and Pegula reach 2026 Cincinnati Open semifinals

Frances Tiafoe and Brandon Nakashima won quarterfinal matches Friday night to set up one all-American men's semifinal at the Cincinnati Open. Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula also advanced to make it four U.S. players in the semis. "It's insane, I think we're all doing so well," Gauff said. "Hopefully, you know, we can have a double title win. Obviously there are more matches to be played for that to happen. We definitely root for each other." Tiafoe beat Italian Lorenzo Musetti, 7-6 (2), 7-5, and Nakashima beat fellow American Taylor Fritz, 7-6, 4-6, 6-3, marking the first time two Americans have reached the men's semifinals in Cincinnati since Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish in 2010. Nakashima is the first American man to reach the semifinals in Canada and Cincinnati in the same season since Fish in 2011. Nakashima is coached by Tiafoe's former coach, Wayne Ferreira. "It's a guy who knows me pretty well in Wayne," Tiafoe said. "I expect some good serving and all the best from him. Happy

Alcaraz set to return from wrist injury as he prepares to defend US Open

Carlos Alcaraz is ready to return from injury to defend his U.S. Open title. "Here we go," Alcaraz posted on his social media pages Thursday, with one picture showing him in front of the U.S. Open logo. The seven-time Grand Slam champion has been sidelined since April because of a right wrist injury, forcing him to miss both the French Open and Wimbledon. Alcaraz won his second U.S. Open title last year, beating Jannik Sinner in the final. He then won the Australian Open and his next tournament, part of his 22-3 start to this season. But after winning his first match in the Barcelona Open, Alcaraz withdrew from the tournament because of the injury. He is still ranked No. 2 despite his absence. Photos and videos on social media had shown Alcaraz on the practice court, so it appeared he was on the verge of returning during the hard-court swing preceding the U.S. Open before he withdrew from the Cincinnati Open. That tournament is ongoing, and during a match Wednesday night commentat

Rybakina stops playing during Cincinnati quarterfinal clash against Swiatek

Elena Rybakina stopped playing during the first set of her quarterfinal match against Iga Swiatek at the Cincinnati Open. With the No. 2-ranked Rybakina serving at 1-4, 40-40, she took a medical timeout to have trainers address her left ankle area and retired from the match moments later. "Of course I feel not the greatest," Rybakina said. "It's painful to walk. We'll know more tomorrow when we have the MRI. It's been bothering me for a long period of time but felt like I had it under control." After aggravating the injury during the second set on Thursday, she spent several minutes speaking with trainers before returning to the court. She decided to call it quits after she was unable to put full weight on her leg while attempting a serve. "It was feeling OK before (Thursday's) match," Rybakina said. "Unfortunately one wrong movement and something happened." With top seed Aryna Sabalenka losing Thursday night to Sara Bejlik, the 27-year-old Rybakina could have risen to No. 1 in th

Serena and Venus Williams reunite for Cincinnati Open doubles campaign

The Williams sisters are back on track to playing doubles tennis ahead of the U.S. Open. Serena and Venus Williams are set to take part in the Cincinnati Open, which begins next week. Organizers announced Monday they had received a wild-card entry into the doubles field. They last played a doubles match together at the 2022 U.S. Open. It is their first time teaming up in the hard-court tune-up tournament in Mason, Ohio. The Williams sisters received a wild-card entry to play doubles at Wimbledon, but an injury to Serena prevented that from happening. They have won 14 major titles and three Olympic gold medals in doubles play. Venus Williams, 46, is set to play mixed doubles at the U.S. Open later this month in New York alongside Alexander Bublik. She and her younger sister playing at Cincinnati is the latest step in Serena's comeback at age 44 after losing at Wimbledon in her first singles match in nearly four years.

Jannik Sinner: The only Italian man to win and defend the Wimbledon title

Jannik Sinner's maiden Wimbledon title in 2025 ended Italy's long wait for a men's singles champion, but defending the crown in 2026 cemented his place among the tournament's all-time greats

Prince William and Kate share warm exchange with Wimbledon winner Sinner

Prince William joined his wife Kate and two of their children for the men's final at Wimbledon on Sunday in a star-studded Royal Box that also included actors Dustin Hoffman, Nicole Kidman and Ben Stiller. Kate is the patron of the All England Club and presented the trophy to winner Jannik Sinner after his match against Alexander Zverev. She also handed out the trophy to women's winner Linda Noskova on Saturday, but was not joined by any family members. The couple's two eldest children, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, also attended Sunday's match. All four were on hand to watch Sinner beat Carlos Alcaraz in last year's final as well. After the win over Zverev, the royals had an extended chat with Sinner in a room inside the tournament's main stadium as he clutched the golden trophy. "Fantastic achievement, Kate told Sinner. "It's really inspiring to the children to see tennis at that level." Sinner then asked the young royals how often they play tennis themselves. "Not every