1 hr. ago
The Athletic has live coverage of the 2026 U.S. Open women's semifinals
NEW YORK — Elena Rybakina will take over the No.1 ranking come Monday no matter how she performs at this U.S. Open.
But the 27-year-old who plays for Kazakhstan has been mighty clear for all 36-odd hours she's occupied tennis's top spot: the number next to her name is a nice achievement.
What she really cares about is collecting ******* les.
Rybakina will have a chance to win her second Grand Slam ******* le of the year and back up that ranking coup after coming back to beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 Thursday in the U.S. Open semifinal.
#rybakina #Monday
NEW YORK — Elena Rybakina will take over the No.1 ranking come Monday no matter how she performs at this U.S. Open.
But the 27-year-old who plays for Kazakhstan has been mighty clear for all 36-odd hours she's occupied tennis's top spot: the number next to her name is a nice achievement.
What she really cares about is collecting ******* les.
Rybakina will have a chance to win her second Grand Slam ******* le of the year and back up that ranking coup after coming back to beat Coco Gauff 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 Thursday in the U.S. Open semifinal.
#rybakina #Monday
4 hours ago
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka stayed on course for a third consecutive US Open crown on Thursday, storming into the final with a straight sets demolition of American third seed Jessica Pegula.
Sabalenka – who beat Pegula en route to US Open wins in 2024 and 2025 – punched her ticket to Saturday's final with a 7-5, 6-2 win on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
The 28-year-old Belarusian, bidding to join Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only women to win three straight US Open ****** les, swatted aside Pegula with a dominant service game and a fearsome array of powerful groundstrokes.
Sabalenka will face the winner of Thursday's other semi-final between second seed Elena Rybakina or fourth seed Coco Gauff -- who beat Sabalenka in the 2023 final.
On the evidence of her semi-final win, Sabalenka will head into the final bristling with confidence after producing her best performance of the tournament to snuff out Pegula's dream of a first ever Grand Slam ****** le.
#seed #Third #beat #aryna
Sabalenka – who beat Pegula en route to US Open wins in 2024 and 2025 – punched her ticket to Saturday's final with a 7-5, 6-2 win on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court.
The 28-year-old Belarusian, bidding to join Chris Evert and Serena Williams as the only women to win three straight US Open ****** les, swatted aside Pegula with a dominant service game and a fearsome array of powerful groundstrokes.
Sabalenka will face the winner of Thursday's other semi-final between second seed Elena Rybakina or fourth seed Coco Gauff -- who beat Sabalenka in the 2023 final.
On the evidence of her semi-final win, Sabalenka will head into the final bristling with confidence after producing her best performance of the tournament to snuff out Pegula's dream of a first ever Grand Slam ****** le.
#seed #Third #beat #aryna
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4 hours ago
Current WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka did not need any more incentive to play well in the 2026 US Open semifinals. She is losing her ranking next week to Elena Rybakina and chasing a three-peat at this year's US Open.
Jessica Pegula seemed a bit off her game, despite going toe-to-toe with Sabalenka in the first set. Her demeanor was a bit flat, perhaps this was her game face. Little separated the two in the first set, but Sabalenka the excellent front runner ran away with it in the second set.
MORE: Robin Montgomery, Ashlyn Krueger, former US Open girls doubles champions, advance to 2026 women's final
Some social media tennis fans speculated that Pegula was under the weather.
It was not what fans are used to seeing in her demeanor.
#demeanor #current #aryna
Jessica Pegula seemed a bit off her game, despite going toe-to-toe with Sabalenka in the first set. Her demeanor was a bit flat, perhaps this was her game face. Little separated the two in the first set, but Sabalenka the excellent front runner ran away with it in the second set.
MORE: Robin Montgomery, Ashlyn Krueger, former US Open girls doubles champions, advance to 2026 women's final
Some social media tennis fans speculated that Pegula was under the weather.
It was not what fans are used to seeing in her demeanor.
#demeanor #current #aryna
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6 hours ago
The WTA Tour has enjoyed an incredible year on the court, laden with entertainment and drama.
And, as we approach the last Grand Slam final of the season, we have the perfect conclusion in the offing.
Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff, the top four seeds, will compete for the US Open ******* le, which was the outcome of arguably one of the most thrilling quarter-final lineups in major history.
However, despite all the positivity surrounding the women's game, a daunting update has just emerged which threatens the long-term security of the sport.
In a report published by The Telegraph, they have revealed that the WTA Tour is in serious danger of running out of money next year if the current rate of losses continues.
#final #slam #elena
And, as we approach the last Grand Slam final of the season, we have the perfect conclusion in the offing.
Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff, the top four seeds, will compete for the US Open ******* le, which was the outcome of arguably one of the most thrilling quarter-final lineups in major history.
However, despite all the positivity surrounding the women's game, a daunting update has just emerged which threatens the long-term security of the sport.
In a report published by The Telegraph, they have revealed that the WTA Tour is in serious danger of running out of money next year if the current rate of losses continues.
#final #slam #elena
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10 hours ago
All four of the top women's seeds are into the semi-finals of the US Open for the first time since the 1975 edition of the tournament.
All of two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, new world No 1 Elena Rybakina, former finalist Jessica Pegula and 2023 winner Coco Gauff survived three-set thrillers to make the last four, with Kazakhstan's Rybakina usurping Sabalenka at the top of the world rankings as a result.
The men's tournament has stood in sharp contrast: top seed Alexander Zverev has now reached the semi-finals of all four grand slams this year, but many of the other big names crashed out early.
The shocks started in the first round as 23-time grand slam champion and fourth seed Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest exit at a major in 20 years, with third seed and last year's semi-finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime and 2024 runner-up Taylor Fritz falling in the third round.
Carlos Alcaraz made a fine run to the quarter-finals on his return from a nearly five-month injury layoff but lost to Ben Shelton in a deciding set tiebreak, with an American finalist guaranteed as the eighth seed faces Frances Tiafoe. The men's semis are completed by 2022 semi-finalist Karen Khachanov.
#tournament
All of two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka, new world No 1 Elena Rybakina, former finalist Jessica Pegula and 2023 winner Coco Gauff survived three-set thrillers to make the last four, with Kazakhstan's Rybakina usurping Sabalenka at the top of the world rankings as a result.
The men's tournament has stood in sharp contrast: top seed Alexander Zverev has now reached the semi-finals of all four grand slams this year, but many of the other big names crashed out early.
The shocks started in the first round as 23-time grand slam champion and fourth seed Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest exit at a major in 20 years, with third seed and last year's semi-finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime and 2024 runner-up Taylor Fritz falling in the third round.
Carlos Alcaraz made a fine run to the quarter-finals on his return from a nearly five-month injury layoff but lost to Ben Shelton in a deciding set tiebreak, with an American finalist guaranteed as the eighth seed faces Frances Tiafoe. The men's semis are completed by 2022 semi-finalist Karen Khachanov.
#tournament
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2 days ago
Elena Rybakina is one win away from the world number one ranking, but the Kazakh star says her main goal in her US Open quarter-final clash with Zheng Qinwen on Wednesday is to advance toward a third Grand Slam ******* le.
"Number one ranking is, of course, one of the goals," Rybakina says. "But I think the main focus for me is to win the ******* les, and then the ranking will follow up."
Rybakina arrived at Flushing Meadows as one of four women with a chance to supplant Aryna Sabalenka atop the rankings, and the only one with her fate in her own hands. Reaching the semis will send her to the summit for the first time, and she could even get there if she loses -- if Sabalenka, world number three Jessica Pegula and fourth-ranked Coco Gauff all fail to lift the trophy.
Rybakina, who has shown no sign of the foot injury that hindered her US Open preparations, will be out to halt the remarkable run of Zheng -- the Paris Olympics gold medallist who had to come through qualifying thanks to a rankings plunge in the wake of elbow surgery last year.
Gauff, in the quarters for the first time since she won the US Open ******* le in 2023, will take on fifth-seeded French Open champion Mirra Andreeva for a place in the semis while men's top seed Alexander Zverev faces Dutch veteran Botic van de Zandschulp.
#open
"Number one ranking is, of course, one of the goals," Rybakina says. "But I think the main focus for me is to win the ******* les, and then the ranking will follow up."
Rybakina arrived at Flushing Meadows as one of four women with a chance to supplant Aryna Sabalenka atop the rankings, and the only one with her fate in her own hands. Reaching the semis will send her to the summit for the first time, and she could even get there if she loses -- if Sabalenka, world number three Jessica Pegula and fourth-ranked Coco Gauff all fail to lift the trophy.
Rybakina, who has shown no sign of the foot injury that hindered her US Open preparations, will be out to halt the remarkable run of Zheng -- the Paris Olympics gold medallist who had to come through qualifying thanks to a rankings plunge in the wake of elbow surgery last year.
Gauff, in the quarters for the first time since she won the US Open ******* le in 2023, will take on fifth-seeded French Open champion Mirra Andreeva for a place in the semis while men's top seed Alexander Zverev faces Dutch veteran Botic van de Zandschulp.
#open
3 days ago
Naomi Osaka's 2026 US Open came to an end at the hands of Elena Rybakina. Surprisingly the superstar was quite upbeat despite her defeat, and she explained why.
Naomi Osaka's search for a first Grand Slam **** le since 2021 will continue into 2027. The 28-year-old superstar crashed out of the US Open in the Round of 16.
Osaka surprisingly did not put up much of a fight during her match against the world No. 2 ranked Elena Rybakina. This year's Australian Open winner took care of Osaka in straight sets, winning 6-1, 6-4.
One might expect the disappointment to be great in the face of such a loss. However, the **** anese star was fairly level in defeat, and opened up on why she is not as sad as some might expect.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
#defeat
Naomi Osaka's search for a first Grand Slam **** le since 2021 will continue into 2027. The 28-year-old superstar crashed out of the US Open in the Round of 16.
Osaka surprisingly did not put up much of a fight during her match against the world No. 2 ranked Elena Rybakina. This year's Australian Open winner took care of Osaka in straight sets, winning 6-1, 6-4.
One might expect the disappointment to be great in the face of such a loss. However, the **** anese star was fairly level in defeat, and opened up on why she is not as sad as some might expect.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images
#defeat
3 days ago
Zheng Qinwen pulled off another US Open stunner Monday, beating Iga Swiatek to book a quarter final with Elena Rybakina as men's top seed Alexander Zverev advanced safely to the last eight.
It was one more gritty comeback for Zheng, the Paris Olympics gold medallist and a former world number four now ranked 121st after struggling in the wake of elbow surgery last year.
Zheng had won the last seven games, saving a match point, as she shocked Madison Keys in her previous match.
After falling behind 5-0 in the first set against six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek she again reeled off seven straight games.
She then broke Swiatek twice in the second set to clinch the win.
#last #match #Monday
It was one more gritty comeback for Zheng, the Paris Olympics gold medallist and a former world number four now ranked 121st after struggling in the wake of elbow surgery last year.
Zheng had won the last seven games, saving a match point, as she shocked Madison Keys in her previous match.
After falling behind 5-0 in the first set against six-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek she again reeled off seven straight games.
She then broke Swiatek twice in the second set to clinch the win.
#last #match #Monday
4 days ago
Aryna Sabalenka is clinging on to her US Open **** le and the world number one spot after an unconvincing win over Taylor Townsend.
The Belarusian battled through 6-4, 6-3 on Arthur Ashe Stadium in a bizarre match which featured 11 breaks of serve from 19 games.
Sabalenka has spent 99 weeks at the top of the rankings but she needs to win a third straight Flushing Meadows crown - and for current number two Elena Rybakina to lose before the semi-finals - if she is to reach a century.
Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula are also within striking distance in a four-way battle for the number one spot.
But Sabalenka insisted: "I completely separate myself from that, because it's just guessing.
#arthur
The Belarusian battled through 6-4, 6-3 on Arthur Ashe Stadium in a bizarre match which featured 11 breaks of serve from 19 games.
Sabalenka has spent 99 weeks at the top of the rankings but she needs to win a third straight Flushing Meadows crown - and for current number two Elena Rybakina to lose before the semi-finals - if she is to reach a century.
Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula are also within striking distance in a four-way battle for the number one spot.
But Sabalenka insisted: "I completely separate myself from that, because it's just guessing.
#arthur
7 days ago
Top-seeded Alexander Zverev kept his bid for a first US Open **** le on track with a gritty five-set victory over Quentin Halys, staying the course as a spate of upsets rocked the men's draw on Thursday.
A trio of former women's champions -- Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka -- booked third-round berths, along with reigning Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Mirra Andreeva.
But men's third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime tumbled out, along with sixth-seeded Alex de Minaur and 13th-seeded Lorenzo Musetti.
Zverev labored util 2:15 am Friday on Arthur Ashe Stadium to shake off 52nd-ranked Frenchman Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (3/7), 6-3.
The four-hour 33-minute marathon followed his wild first-round five-setter against 89th-ranked Lorenzo Sonego that kept Zverev at it until shortly before 2 am on Wednesday.
#lorenzo #kept #champions
A trio of former women's champions -- Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka -- booked third-round berths, along with reigning Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Mirra Andreeva.
But men's third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime tumbled out, along with sixth-seeded Alex de Minaur and 13th-seeded Lorenzo Musetti.
Zverev labored util 2:15 am Friday on Arthur Ashe Stadium to shake off 52nd-ranked Frenchman Halys 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (7/3), 6-7 (3/7), 6-3.
The four-hour 33-minute marathon followed his wild first-round five-setter against 89th-ranked Lorenzo Sonego that kept Zverev at it until shortly before 2 am on Wednesday.
#lorenzo #kept #champions
9 days ago
Top-seeded Alexander Zverev survived a scare, overcoming Lorenzo Sonego in a wild-five setter at the US Open on Tuesday as Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff advanced with ease.
Zverev fought off a determined challenge from Italy's lowly ranked Sonego, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7/9), 7-5, 6-4.
Zverev fought off a determined challenge from Sonego in a tense all-court battle spiced by unlikely retrievals, impossibly angled winners and some inexplicable errors, which wrapped up on Arthur Ashe Stadium after four hours and 53 minutes at 1:55 in the morning.
"I'm just happy I won, that's it. Incredible battle," said Zverev, who was two points from defeat trailing 5-4 in the fourth set.
The German held serve and broke Sonego in the next game, then earned the lone break of the fifth set to complete the win.
#zverev #challenge #lorenzo #tuesday
Zverev fought off a determined challenge from Italy's lowly ranked Sonego, winning 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7/9), 7-5, 6-4.
Zverev fought off a determined challenge from Sonego in a tense all-court battle spiced by unlikely retrievals, impossibly angled winners and some inexplicable errors, which wrapped up on Arthur Ashe Stadium after four hours and 53 minutes at 1:55 in the morning.
"I'm just happy I won, that's it. Incredible battle," said Zverev, who was two points from defeat trailing 5-4 in the fourth set.
The German held serve and broke Sonego in the next game, then earned the lone break of the fifth set to complete the win.
#zverev #challenge #lorenzo #tuesday
9 days ago
Serena Williams did not enter the singles draw for the 2026 US Open. That doesn't mean she didn't have a presence in the background.
Years ago, Thea Frodin performed as a body double for actor Demi Singleton's performance as Williams in the Academy Award-winning movie "King Richard." Now 17 years old, she made her Grand Slam singles debut on Tuesday, as the first-round opponent for No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina.
Rybakina won 6-3, 6-2, but it was still a special moment in Frodin's young career.
Per the ******* ociated Press, Frodin was invited to audition for the Williams role after she won the singles, doubles and mixed doubles sectional ******* les at the 10-and-under level in California.
Frodin, a lifelong Williams fan, wound up getting the on-court responsibilities and doing the job for six months:
#williams #demi
Years ago, Thea Frodin performed as a body double for actor Demi Singleton's performance as Williams in the Academy Award-winning movie "King Richard." Now 17 years old, she made her Grand Slam singles debut on Tuesday, as the first-round opponent for No. 2 seed Elena Rybakina.
Rybakina won 6-3, 6-2, but it was still a special moment in Frodin's young career.
Per the ******* ociated Press, Frodin was invited to audition for the Williams role after she won the singles, doubles and mixed doubles sectional ******* les at the 10-and-under level in California.
Frodin, a lifelong Williams fan, wound up getting the on-court responsibilities and doing the job for six months:
#williams #demi
9 days ago
Elena Rybakina said it was so far, so good with her left heel injury after she eased into the second round of the US Open with a straight sets victory over US teen Thea Frodin.
The second-ranked Kazakh has her sights not only on a third Grand Slam but also the world number one ranking -- which she could claim just by reaching the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows.
Her 6-3, 6-2 victory over the powerful but erratic Frodin was a polished performance, and an encouraging one after the injury that flared up to force her out of her Cincinnati Open quarter-final.
"I'm happy with the match. Especially when you don't know your opponent, it always can be dangerous, but overall I'm happy with the first match and how it went," she said.
"It's a great result after 10 days from that kind of injury."
#second #victory
The second-ranked Kazakh has her sights not only on a third Grand Slam but also the world number one ranking -- which she could claim just by reaching the semi-finals at Flushing Meadows.
Her 6-3, 6-2 victory over the powerful but erratic Frodin was a polished performance, and an encouraging one after the injury that flared up to force her out of her Cincinnati Open quarter-final.
"I'm happy with the match. Especially when you don't know your opponent, it always can be dangerous, but overall I'm happy with the first match and how it went," she said.
"It's a great result after 10 days from that kind of injury."
#second #victory
10 days ago
Alexander Zverev captured his first Grand Slam ***** le at the French Open this year, and now the US Open top seed is eager for another crack at the Slam that got away.
Germany's Zverev led Dominic Thiem by two sets to love in the 2020 US Open final and came away empty-handed. It would be six years before he finally hoisted a major trophy at Roland Garros.
"I still feel like I should have won in 2020, that doesn't change," Zverev said as he looked forward to his first-round clash with Italy's Lorenzo Sonego.
Women's Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, closing in on Aryna Sabalenka's number one world ranking, fourth-seeded American Coco Gauff and rising Philippines star Alexandra Eala are also in action as the first round concludes on Tuesday.
AFP Sport looks at three matches to watch on Day 3 of the US Open:
#first #round #french #dominic
Germany's Zverev led Dominic Thiem by two sets to love in the 2020 US Open final and came away empty-handed. It would be six years before he finally hoisted a major trophy at Roland Garros.
"I still feel like I should have won in 2020, that doesn't change," Zverev said as he looked forward to his first-round clash with Italy's Lorenzo Sonego.
Women's Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, closing in on Aryna Sabalenka's number one world ranking, fourth-seeded American Coco Gauff and rising Philippines star Alexandra Eala are also in action as the first round concludes on Tuesday.
AFP Sport looks at three matches to watch on Day 3 of the US Open:
#first #round #french #dominic
11 days ago
After Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner split last year's Grand Slams, the two superstars were expected to continue their see-saw rivalry in 2026.
That hasn't happened.
Instead, injuries have foreclosed the possibility of a clash between the two champions in three of the four Grand Slams, with the Spaniard missing the French Open and Wimbledon due to a wrist injury and the Italian absent from New York because of a knee injury.
Alcaraz and Sinner are far from alone among top players missing big tournaments in 2026 due to injury, a trend that has been a source of growing alarm in the sport.
Italy's Lorenzo Musetti and France's Arthur Fils missed earlier Grand Slams in 2026 due to injury but are playing in New York, while women's number two seed Elena Rybakina is nursing a heel injury as she prepares for her first round. Canada's Victoria Mboko missed both Wimbldedon and the US Open due to injury, along with Britain's Jack Draper.
#slams #alcaraz #carlos
That hasn't happened.
Instead, injuries have foreclosed the possibility of a clash between the two champions in three of the four Grand Slams, with the Spaniard missing the French Open and Wimbledon due to a wrist injury and the Italian absent from New York because of a knee injury.
Alcaraz and Sinner are far from alone among top players missing big tournaments in 2026 due to injury, a trend that has been a source of growing alarm in the sport.
Italy's Lorenzo Musetti and France's Arthur Fils missed earlier Grand Slams in 2026 due to injury but are playing in New York, while women's number two seed Elena Rybakina is nursing a heel injury as she prepares for her first round. Canada's Victoria Mboko missed both Wimbldedon and the US Open due to injury, along with Britain's Jack Draper.
#slams #alcaraz #carlos
14 days ago
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The 2026 U.S. Open tennis tournament begins in earnest this Sunday, Aug. 30. This year will see some big names on the court, including Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz and Serena and Venus Williams, competing in doubles as a wild card entry.
The tournament will air across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. You can stream every match with an ESPN Unlimited subscription. Disney+ subscribers can catch all the Day 1 action in-app, no add-on required.
Here's everything you need to know to watch the 2026 U.S. Open tennis tournament, including the full TV schedule, where to stream matches without cable and more.
Date: August 30-September 13, 2026
#elena
The 2026 U.S. Open tennis tournament begins in earnest this Sunday, Aug. 30. This year will see some big names on the court, including Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz and Serena and Venus Williams, competing in doubles as a wild card entry.
The tournament will air across ESPN, ESPN2 and ABC. You can stream every match with an ESPN Unlimited subscription. Disney+ subscribers can catch all the Day 1 action in-app, no add-on required.
Here's everything you need to know to watch the 2026 U.S. Open tennis tournament, including the full TV schedule, where to stream matches without cable and more.
Date: August 30-September 13, 2026
#elena
21 days ago
Elena Rybakina's latest attempt to replace Aryna Sabalenka as world number one came to an abrupt end as she retired injured from her Cincinnati Open quarter-final against Iga Swiatek.
The Kazakh second seed needed to reach the final to knock Sabalenka off the top of the rankings after the Belarusian suffered a surprise defeat by Sara Bejlek in the fourth round on Wednesday.
However, Rybakina managed just five games in her last-eight match against Poland's Swiatek before retiring with a left ankle injury.
Trailing 4-1, the Australian Open champion called for a medical timeout after pulling up at 40-40.
Following a consultation with the trainer, Rybakina played only one more point before quitting.
#open #swiatek
The Kazakh second seed needed to reach the final to knock Sabalenka off the top of the rankings after the Belarusian suffered a surprise defeat by Sara Bejlek in the fourth round on Wednesday.
However, Rybakina managed just five games in her last-eight match against Poland's Swiatek before retiring with a left ankle injury.
Trailing 4-1, the Australian Open champion called for a medical timeout after pulling up at 40-40.
Following a consultation with the trainer, Rybakina played only one more point before quitting.
#open #swiatek
21 days ago
MASON, Ohio (AP) — Elena Rybakina stopped playing during the first set of her quarterfinal match against Iga Swiatek at the Cincinnati Open on Thursday night.
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.
Rybakina appeared to injure herself during the previous point. After several minutes, she returned to the court but retired from the match after attempting one serve.
Rybakina lost to Swiatek in the semifinals in Cincinnati last year.
With top seed Aryna Sabalenka losing Thursday night to Sara Bejlik, the 27-year-old Rybakina could have risen to No. 1 in the rankings by reaching the final.
#thursday #night #mason #elena
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.
Rybakina appeared to injure herself during the previous point. After several minutes, she returned to the court but retired from the match after attempting one serve.
Rybakina lost to Swiatek in the semifinals in Cincinnati last year.
With top seed Aryna Sabalenka losing Thursday night to Sara Bejlik, the 27-year-old Rybakina could have risen to No. 1 in the rankings by reaching the final.
#thursday #night #mason #elena
25 days ago
World number one Aryna Sabalenka needed six match points to subdue Talia Gibson on Sunday and join reigning Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Mirra Andreeva in the third round of the Cincinnati Masters.
Australia's Gibson saved five match points in the 12th game of the second set before Sabalenka came through in the tiebreaker, managing a final winner to get the job done 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) in just under two hours on a windswept Grandstand Court.
"I'm super tired, this is crazy weather," Sabalenka said. "Talia played great tennis and was more aggressive in the second set.
"She put more pressure on my service games. I'm glad I stayed calm and pulled it out in straight sets."
Sabalenka won Cincinnati in 2024 and is hoping for a deep run to carry her into the US Open, where she'll be seeking her first Grand Slam ****** le of the year.
#talia #grand #match
Australia's Gibson saved five match points in the 12th game of the second set before Sabalenka came through in the tiebreaker, managing a final winner to get the job done 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) in just under two hours on a windswept Grandstand Court.
"I'm super tired, this is crazy weather," Sabalenka said. "Talia played great tennis and was more aggressive in the second set.
"She put more pressure on my service games. I'm glad I stayed calm and pulled it out in straight sets."
Sabalenka won Cincinnati in 2024 and is hoping for a deep run to carry her into the US Open, where she'll be seeking her first Grand Slam ****** le of the year.
#talia #grand #match
25 days ago
A pair of reigning Grand Slam champions set the pace on Sunday at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters, with Australian Open winner Elena Rybakina and Roland Garros ******* leholder Mirra Andreeva reaching the third round.
Second seed Rybakina, coming off a runner-up finish to Iga Swiatek in Toronto, defeated Taylor Townsend 6-3, 6-4.
Andreeva crushed Oleksandra Oliynykova with the loss of just one game, breaking five times and saving all seven break points against her own serve in a 65-minute 6-1, 6-0 rout.
Rybakina said that she is concentrating on recovery after a tough Toronto run and was glad to get off to a low-stress start.
"Today I'm happy with the serve," she said. "Definitely it helped me a lot. Last week in Toronto was very difficult. A lot of three set matches."
#toronto #sunday
Second seed Rybakina, coming off a runner-up finish to Iga Swiatek in Toronto, defeated Taylor Townsend 6-3, 6-4.
Andreeva crushed Oleksandra Oliynykova with the loss of just one game, breaking five times and saving all seven break points against her own serve in a 65-minute 6-1, 6-0 rout.
Rybakina said that she is concentrating on recovery after a tough Toronto run and was glad to get off to a low-stress start.
"Today I'm happy with the serve," she said. "Definitely it helped me a lot. Last week in Toronto was very difficult. A lot of three set matches."
#toronto #sunday
1 month ago
World number two Elena Rybakina came from a set down to defeat four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka on Tuesday and reach the WTA Toronto Masters semi-finals, where she will face fourth-ranked Coco Gauff.
Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion from Kazakhstan, fired 13 aces in a 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 victory.
"Super happy. It was a very difficult match," Rybakina said after a tight battle lasting 2hr 33min.
"In the first set (I made) a few mistakes, a poor start.
"It was a really tough one but I'm glad I could turn it around, I don't yet know how, but I think my serve helped me a little bit."
#grand #naomi #tuesday
Rybakina, the reigning Australian Open champion from Kazakhstan, fired 13 aces in a 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 victory.
"Super happy. It was a very difficult match," Rybakina said after a tight battle lasting 2hr 33min.
"In the first set (I made) a few mistakes, a poor start.
"It was a really tough one but I'm glad I could turn it around, I don't yet know how, but I think my serve helped me a little bit."
#grand #naomi #tuesday
1 month ago
The National Bank Open finally delivered the match of the tournament when tennis **** ans Elena Rybakina and Naomi Osaka met for the first time in the quarterfinals.
Rybakina was down and out so many times in this match. Her forehand was spraying errors. Rybakina's first serve left her at times.
MORE: Holger Rune sends mixed messages about playing the 2026 US Open
Somehow she found a way to win against an in form Osaka who did very little wrong. Osaka was outplayed in two games late in the third set to seal the deal.
The Australian Open champion is showing fans that winning the first Grand Slam of the 2026 was far from a fluke.
#osaka #first #bank #elena
Rybakina was down and out so many times in this match. Her forehand was spraying errors. Rybakina's first serve left her at times.
MORE: Holger Rune sends mixed messages about playing the 2026 US Open
Somehow she found a way to win against an in form Osaka who did very little wrong. Osaka was outplayed in two games late in the third set to seal the deal.
The Australian Open champion is showing fans that winning the first Grand Slam of the 2026 was far from a fluke.
#osaka #first #bank #elena
1 month ago
The National Bank Open finally delivered the match of the tournament when tennis **** ans Elena Rybakina and Naomi Osaka met for the first time in the quarterfinals.
Rybakina was down and out so many times in this match. Her forehand was spraying errors. Rybakina's first serve left her at times.
MORE: Holger Rune sends mixed messages about playing the 2026 US Open
Somehow she found a way to win against an in form Osaka who did very little wrong. Osaka was outplayed in two games late in the third set to seal the deal.
The Australian Open champion is showing fans that winning the first Grand Slam of the 2026 was far from a fluke.
#match #times #national
Rybakina was down and out so many times in this match. Her forehand was spraying errors. Rybakina's first serve left her at times.
MORE: Holger Rune sends mixed messages about playing the 2026 US Open
Somehow she found a way to win against an in form Osaka who did very little wrong. Osaka was outplayed in two games late in the third set to seal the deal.
The Australian Open champion is showing fans that winning the first Grand Slam of the 2026 was far from a fluke.
#match #times #national
1 month ago
World number two Elena Rybakina survived a huge scare to battle into the Canadian Open quarter-finals on Sunday in Toronto, while fourth-ranked Coco Gauff cruised through.
Kazakhstan's Rybakina recovered from 0-3 and two breaks down in the final set to beat Liudmila Samsonova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 before American Gauff swept aside another Russian, teenage qualifier Alina Korneeva, 6-3, 6-1 in Toronto.
Rybakina will face a quarter-final against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who eliminated home hero Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-4.
Gauff reached the last eight in Canada for the first time since 2023 and will come up against either Swiss 12th seed Belinda Bencic or Alexandra Eala, the rapidly rising 21-year-old Filipina who won her first WTA **** le last Monday in Washington.
"My main focus today was let me try and close it out," said Gauff, who has not dropped a set in Canada.
#gauff
Kazakhstan's Rybakina recovered from 0-3 and two breaks down in the final set to beat Liudmila Samsonova 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 before American Gauff swept aside another Russian, teenage qualifier Alina Korneeva, 6-3, 6-1 in Toronto.
Rybakina will face a quarter-final against four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who eliminated home hero Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-4.
Gauff reached the last eight in Canada for the first time since 2023 and will come up against either Swiss 12th seed Belinda Bencic or Alexandra Eala, the rapidly rising 21-year-old Filipina who won her first WTA **** le last Monday in Washington.
"My main focus today was let me try and close it out," said Gauff, who has not dropped a set in Canada.
#gauff
1 month ago
Second seed Elena Rybakina, third seed Jessica Pegula and fourth-seeded Coco Gauff advanced to the third round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Toronto on Wednesday.
Australian Open champion Rybakina of Kazakhstan began her hardcourt run ahead of the US Open by outlasting Australian Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 after two hours and 33 minutes.
World number two Rybakina began the match by hitting six consecutive winners and finished with 58 winners, 15 of them acers, and 58 unforced errors, 16 of them double faults.
Rybakina hit back-to-back double faults to drop the second set and three double faults while serving for the match before advancing to next face 28th-seeded American Ann Li, who eliminated Canadian wildcard Kayla Cross 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.
Pegula, who lost Monday in a rain-hit Washington final, was also extended to three sets before advancing with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Poland's Magdalena Frech in two hours and three minutes.
#open
Australian Open champion Rybakina of Kazakhstan began her hardcourt run ahead of the US Open by outlasting Australian Daria Kasatkina 6-3, 5-7, 6-4 after two hours and 33 minutes.
World number two Rybakina began the match by hitting six consecutive winners and finished with 58 winners, 15 of them acers, and 58 unforced errors, 16 of them double faults.
Rybakina hit back-to-back double faults to drop the second set and three double faults while serving for the match before advancing to next face 28th-seeded American Ann Li, who eliminated Canadian wildcard Kayla Cross 7-6 (7/2), 6-3.
Pegula, who lost Monday in a rain-hit Washington final, was also extended to three sets before advancing with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 triumph over Poland's Magdalena Frech in two hours and three minutes.
#open
1 month ago
Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner top the 2026 U.S. Open entry list for tennis' final Grand Slam of the year.
Sabalenka is the two-time champion and is hoping to become the first woman to win three consecutive U.S. Open crowns since 2012-2014, when Serena Williams won the last of her six ******* les at Flushing Meadows.
Four other former women's U.S. Open champions are in the field, with 2024 winner Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek (2022), Naomi Osaka (2018, 2020) and Emma Raducanu (2021), looking to win their first Slam of the year.
There will be eight wild cards and 16 qualifiers among the 128 main-draw entries. It is not yet known whether Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam winner, will compete in New York after making a return appearance at Wimbledon earlier this summer. Williams lost in Wimbledon's first round to Australian Maya Joint.
The three women who won Grand Slams this year are also in the field, led by Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva, who won at Roland Garros, and Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova.
#grand #wimbledon
Sabalenka is the two-time champion and is hoping to become the first woman to win three consecutive U.S. Open crowns since 2012-2014, when Serena Williams won the last of her six ******* les at Flushing Meadows.
Four other former women's U.S. Open champions are in the field, with 2024 winner Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek (2022), Naomi Osaka (2018, 2020) and Emma Raducanu (2021), looking to win their first Slam of the year.
There will be eight wild cards and 16 qualifiers among the 128 main-draw entries. It is not yet known whether Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam winner, will compete in New York after making a return appearance at Wimbledon earlier this summer. Williams lost in Wimbledon's first round to Australian Maya Joint.
The three women who won Grand Slams this year are also in the field, led by Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina, Mirra Andreeva, who won at Roland Garros, and Wimbledon winner Linda Noskova.
#grand #wimbledon
1 month ago
Alexandra Eala denied Leylah Fernandez a chance at a second consecutive ****** le at the Mubadala DC Open. An inspired performance saw the Filipino star send the defending champion packing in straight sets after fending off a comeback attempt.
Fernandez, who has now arrived in Toronto for her home tournament, opened up about how the match unfolded.
Fernandez, who has endured a rather underwhelming season, arrived at the DC Open hoping to successfully defend her ****** le. Ahead of her campaign, the Canadian star said that enjoying her time on the court played a major role in her victory 12 months ago. At last year's tournament, she staged a remarkable run, beating the likes of Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, and Anna Kalinskaya en route to the ****** le.
She made a winning start this year, convincingly dismissing Magda Linette 6-1, 6-4 in the first round. The seventh seed, however, was halted in the next round by Eala. The 21-year-old produced a dominant performance in the opening set, winning 6-2.
"I mean, honestly, Alex has been playing really well. I think the biggest thing is that she's playing with a lot of confidence. She's trusting herself, trusting her shots, her patterns, and a lot of her ****** are going in. So, that's the big difference. I feel like she's progressing well. Whatever she's doing with her team is working," Fernandez said in her post-match press conference.
#fernandez #open #winning
Fernandez, who has now arrived in Toronto for her home tournament, opened up about how the match unfolded.
Fernandez, who has endured a rather underwhelming season, arrived at the DC Open hoping to successfully defend her ****** le. Ahead of her campaign, the Canadian star said that enjoying her time on the court played a major role in her victory 12 months ago. At last year's tournament, she staged a remarkable run, beating the likes of Jessica Pegula, Elena Rybakina, and Anna Kalinskaya en route to the ****** le.
She made a winning start this year, convincingly dismissing Magda Linette 6-1, 6-4 in the first round. The seventh seed, however, was halted in the next round by Eala. The 21-year-old produced a dominant performance in the opening set, winning 6-2.
"I mean, honestly, Alex has been playing really well. I think the biggest thing is that she's playing with a lot of confidence. She's trusting herself, trusting her shots, her patterns, and a lot of her ****** are going in. So, that's the big difference. I feel like she's progressing well. Whatever she's doing with her team is working," Fernandez said in her post-match press conference.
#fernandez #open #winning
1 month ago
Aryna Sabalenka and Novak Djokovic will team up in a blockbuster pairing at the 2026 US Open Mixed Doubles Championship next month.
Women's world number one Sabalenka and record 24-times Grand Slam champion Djokovic are among the high-profile teams on the New York entry list for an event played before the singles competition takes place.
Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper and Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev are among the other star-studded pairings, but Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alacaraz are notable absentees so far.
The entry window will close on August 17 when the the top six teams with the best combined singles ranking will be accepted into the main draw. Eight teams will be determined via wild card.
United States Tennis ******* ociation chief executive Craig Tiley said, "Anytime you can bring women and men together on the same team, you showcase tennis at its best. We are proud to again bring the world's top players together in a format that will provide exciting entertainment for our fans."
#teams #tennis #team #singles
Women's world number one Sabalenka and record 24-times Grand Slam champion Djokovic are among the high-profile teams on the New York entry list for an event played before the singles competition takes place.
Elena Rybakina and Taylor Fritz, Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, Jessica Pegula and Jack Draper and Taylor Townsend and Alexander Zverev are among the other star-studded pairings, but Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alacaraz are notable absentees so far.
The entry window will close on August 17 when the the top six teams with the best combined singles ranking will be accepted into the main draw. Eight teams will be determined via wild card.
United States Tennis ******* ociation chief executive Craig Tiley said, "Anytime you can bring women and men together on the same team, you showcase tennis at its best. We are proud to again bring the world's top players together in a format that will provide exciting entertainment for our fans."
#teams #tennis #team #singles
2 months ago
Wimbledon has been the biggest trouble throughout the early stages of Coco Gauff's star-studded career. But the Delray Beach, Florida native has a prime chance to win her first **** le on tennis's biggest stage if she can get past Karolina Muchova today and into Saturday's final.
The seventh-ranked player in the world and two-time major champion, Gauff lost in the first round of two of her previous three trips to the All England Club. But this year saw her into the quarterfinals for the first time, where she beat fellow American Jessica Pegula after dropping the first set, a rally repeated from her Round of 16 match against last year's Wimbledon semifinalist Belinda Bencic.
With pre-tournament favorites Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and defending champion Iga Swiatek falling out, this marks the 22-year-old's best opportunity to take home the Rosewater Dish. Gauff is the highest-ranked player remaining, with Muchova, Linda Noskova and Marta Kostyuk also making their first appearances in the Wimbledon semifinals.
Watch Coco Gauff at Wimbledon live
Here's what to know about Gauff's next match, including how to watch on TV and streaming.
The seventh-ranked player in the world and two-time major champion, Gauff lost in the first round of two of her previous three trips to the All England Club. But this year saw her into the quarterfinals for the first time, where she beat fellow American Jessica Pegula after dropping the first set, a rally repeated from her Round of 16 match against last year's Wimbledon semifinalist Belinda Bencic.
With pre-tournament favorites Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and defending champion Iga Swiatek falling out, this marks the 22-year-old's best opportunity to take home the Rosewater Dish. Gauff is the highest-ranked player remaining, with Muchova, Linda Noskova and Marta Kostyuk also making their first appearances in the Wimbledon semifinals.
Watch Coco Gauff at Wimbledon live
Here's what to know about Gauff's next match, including how to watch on TV and streaming.
2 months ago
Wimbledon returns with Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic remaining on a collision course for the semi-finals and a new women’s champion set to be crowned at the All England Club.
Reigning women’s champion Iga Swiatek was knocked out by Alexandra Eala on Saturday, while former champion Elena Rybakina also fell before the fourth round. Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1, was then knocked out by a brilliant performance from Naomi Osaka, but Coco Gauff will face Karolina Muchova in the semi-finals.
On the men’s side, defending champion Sinner will not have injured rival Carlos Alcaraz in his way as he bids to retain the ******* le. That may also be good news for Djokovic, who played his longest Wimbledon match ever as the 39-year-old aims to win a record-breaking 25th major crown. It will be Sinner v Djokovic in the semi-finals.
The last British player left standing in the singles, Arthur Fery, faces ninth Flavio Cobolli in the quarter-finals after beating Grigor Dimitrov on his Centre Court debut to became the first British wildcard to reach the quarter-finals of a grand slam in the open era.
In the UK, every match from Wimbledon will be available to watch live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, with viewers able to access a stream from all 18 courts. There will also be live coverage across BBC One and BBC Two, starting before the day’s play each morning and lasting until the conclusion of the day’s action in the evening. Highlights show ‘Today at Wimbledon’ will then follow. The BBC confirmed before the start of the tournament that they had secured the rights to Wimbledon until at least 2033, keeping the tournament on free-to-air. TNT Sports will also show both the men’s and singles finals in the UK.
Reigning women’s champion Iga Swiatek was knocked out by Alexandra Eala on Saturday, while former champion Elena Rybakina also fell before the fourth round. Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 1, was then knocked out by a brilliant performance from Naomi Osaka, but Coco Gauff will face Karolina Muchova in the semi-finals.
On the men’s side, defending champion Sinner will not have injured rival Carlos Alcaraz in his way as he bids to retain the ******* le. That may also be good news for Djokovic, who played his longest Wimbledon match ever as the 39-year-old aims to win a record-breaking 25th major crown. It will be Sinner v Djokovic in the semi-finals.
The last British player left standing in the singles, Arthur Fery, faces ninth Flavio Cobolli in the quarter-finals after beating Grigor Dimitrov on his Centre Court debut to became the first British wildcard to reach the quarter-finals of a grand slam in the open era.
In the UK, every match from Wimbledon will be available to watch live on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website, with viewers able to access a stream from all 18 courts. There will also be live coverage across BBC One and BBC Two, starting before the day’s play each morning and lasting until the conclusion of the day’s action in the evening. Highlights show ‘Today at Wimbledon’ will then follow. The BBC confirmed before the start of the tournament that they had secured the rights to Wimbledon until at least 2033, keeping the tournament on free-to-air. TNT Sports will also show both the men’s and singles finals in the UK.
