https://www.theguardian.com/sport/usopentennis US Open! en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Sat, 03 Oct 2026 05:20:34 GMT 2026-10-03T05:20:34Z en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/14/us-open-2026-worst-grand-slam-tournament-in-recent-memory <p>Despite the drama on the court, the poor condition of Arthur Ashe Stadium was just one problem among many</p><p>At the end of another comically late night and early morning in Flushing Meadows, when the remaining spectators were departing, a familiar scene was unfolding on the US Open tournament grounds. A handful of workers had congregated directly beneath a hole in the ceiling inside one of the tournament shops as they tried to stop water from flowing out of a broken pipe and ruining thousands of pounds worth of merchandise below.</p><p>This was not a surprising sight. Upon entering Arthur Ashe Stadium this year, fans were greeted by some ominous signs: “Pardon our appearance while we write the next chapter of Arthur Ashe Stadium.” The tournament’s appearance, it must be said, was hideous. Inside the corridors and rooms at one of the biggest sporting events in the world, it felt like its main building was falling apart.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/14/us-open-2026-worst-grand-slam-tournament-in-recent-memory">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Aryna Sabalenka Carlos Alcaraz US Open tennis Tennis Sport Mon, 14 Sep 2026 19:48:31 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/14/us-open-2026-worst-grand-slam-tournament-in-recent-memory Photograph: Olga Fedorova/EPA Photograph: Olga Fedorova/EPA Photograph: Olga Fedorova/EPA Tumaini Carayol 2026-09-14T19:48:31Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/14/ben-shelton-us-open-2026-tennis <p>Alexander Zverev was simply too good for the home hope at the US Open on Sunday. Andy Roddick’s record may stand for some time to come</p><p>On a Sunday afternoon set up for Ben Shelton to play national hero, the US Open final debutant <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/alexander-zverev-wins-us-open-four-sets-ben-shelton">suffered a four-set defeat</a> to Alexander Zverev, a result that deflated the partisans at Arthur Ashe Stadium. The match compounded Shelton’s miserable head-to-head record against the German, who claimed a second career grand slam title without having to face final bosses Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz. The defeat also extended a long drought – the last win by an American man at a grand slam was Andy Roddick at the 2003 US Open, when Shelton was still a month off his first birthday.</p><p>After the final, Shelton wore a hangdog expression as he thanked his team and the capacity crowd in New York, tucking the silver runner-up tray under his arm as if shunted off to high school detention. “Disappointed with how today went,” he said in his press conference afterward. “Excited with the progress that I feel that I’ve made. But, yeah, this one stings 100%.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/14/ben-shelton-us-open-2026-tennis">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Tennis US sports Sport Andy Roddick Mon, 14 Sep 2026 13:12:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/14/ben-shelton-us-open-2026-tennis Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Andrew Lawrence at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-14T13:12:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2026/sep/14/best-pictures-from-us-open-tennis-2026 <p>We take a look at some of our favourite snapshots from New York as Elena Rybakina and Alexander Zverev both triumphed in the final grand slam of the year</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2026/sep/14/best-pictures-from-us-open-tennis-2026">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Tennis US sports Sport Photography Mon, 14 Sep 2026 10:46:00 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2026/sep/14/best-pictures-from-us-open-tennis-2026 Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Charly Triballeau/AFP/Getty Images Steven Bloor 2026-09-14T10:46:00Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/alexander-zverev-wins-us-open-four-sets-ben-shelton <ul><li><p>No 1 seed wins 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2</p></li><li><p>American’s hopes dashed in tense final</p></li></ul><p>For a passing moment at the end of a rugged third set, hope sprung anew for Ben Shelton. He had been outserved and outplayed for nearly three hours, but at 6-5 in the third set, one game from defeat, the American finally broke through. He burst into the return game finally pounding his forehand freely and he willed himself into an unexpected fourth set.</p><p>After he had finished pumping his fist, cupping his ear to the crowd and admirably trying to initiate a drastic momentum shift, the next sequence was most revealing. Shelton opened the fourth set with a shaky game, immediately losing his serve at the start of the set. He worked hard until the end, but he was beaten by Zverev, the top seed, who closed out a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 victory to lift his second grand slam title of the year.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/alexander-zverev-wins-us-open-four-sets-ben-shelton">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Tennis US sports Sport Sun, 13 Sep 2026 22:30:45 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/alexander-zverev-wins-us-open-four-sets-ben-shelton Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-13T22:30:45Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/13/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-final-alexander-zverev-v-ben-shelton-live-updates <p>The top-seeded German secured his second grand slam title with a 6-3, 7-6 (2), 5-7, 6-2 win over the American in New York</p><p><strong>As at every US Open final, the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd will be full of famous faces.</strong> For any eagle-eyed tennis/soccer fans wondering if Trinity Rodman will be in attendance (as she has for all of boyfriend Ben Shelton’s matches at this tournament): we probably won’t see her today.</p><p>The American soccer star is at a match of her own. Her Washington Spirit, locked in a chase for first place in the National Women’s Soccer League, are about to start the second half of their game against the Boston Legacy about five hours south in DC.</p><p>We’re not done here. The job is not finished. Super excited to get another opportunity to go out there and show my best on Sunday.</p><p>This whole tournament now at this point has been unchartered territory. I’m in positions I’ve never been in before. I’ve beaten guys – beaten a guy or guys that I have never beaten before. I’m just excited to put it all out on the line.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/13/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-final-alexander-zverev-v-ben-shelton-live-updates">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Tennis Sport US sports Alexander Zverev Sun, 13 Sep 2026 22:27:39 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/13/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-final-alexander-zverev-v-ben-shelton-live-updates Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters Ella Brockway 2026-09-13T22:27:39Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/elena-rybakina-aryna-sabalenka-us-open-2026-tennis <p>New world No 1’s relationship with her previously banned coach, Stefano Vukov, remains under spotlight despite her rise to the top</p><p>In the bitter aftermath of her straight-sets defeat by Elena Rybakina at the WTA Finals last November, an inconsolable Aryna Sabalenka walked over to her courtside player box and slumped into a chair. She had been completely overpowered by her opponent, a strange and unusual feeling for such a powerful player, and she was seething. Sabalenka eventually settled on a popular Russian idiom to explain Rybakina’s untouchable form, which she believed was fortunately timed: “Once a year, even a stick shoots,” she said.</p><p>That stick, it turns out, has spent the past year shooting straight at Sabalenka in every significant match. Rybakina’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/nov/08/elena-rybakina-sinks-aryna-sabalenka-to-claim-wta-finals-and-record-prize">performance in Riyadh</a> was a clear warning and she has dominated the hard‑court grand slam tournaments this year, beating Sabalenka in the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/jan/31/elena-rybakina-rocks-aryna-sabalenka-to-grab-first-australian-open-triumph-tennis">Australian Open</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/elena-rybakina-beats-aryna-sabalenka-us-open-title-tennis">US Open</a> finals.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/elena-rybakina-aryna-sabalenka-us-open-2026-tennis">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Aryna Sabalenka US Open tennis Tennis US sports Sport Sun, 13 Sep 2026 18:56:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/elena-rybakina-aryna-sabalenka-us-open-2026-tennis Photograph: Yuki Iwamura/AP Photograph: Yuki Iwamura/AP Photograph: Yuki Iwamura/AP Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-13T18:56:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/us-open-disneyland-tennis-premiumization-craig-tiley <p>Craig Tiley says the US Open is going to become the ‘Disneyland of tennis’, and he means it aspirationally. Here’s what that might look like 15 years from now</p><p>The year is 2041 and you’ve successfully made it through security and onto the grounds of the USTA Liquid Death National Tennis Center. Myla Rose and Leo Federer are hitting on Practice Court 23 ahead of their first-round match in the US Open Mixed Doubles sponsored by Botoxxify, the tournament’s official neuromodulator partner. Jake Paul, the 50th president of the United States, is a few hours from attending opening night with first lady Jutta Leerdam-Paul and labor secretary Dana White. Venus Williams has just accepted a wildcard into the women’s singles draw. You’re <em>thisclose</em> to paying off last year’s Honey Deuces on Klarna.</p><p>Welcome to the Disneyland of tennis.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/us-open-disneyland-tennis-premiumization-craig-tiley">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Prediction markets Sport Tennis US Open tennis US sports Ticket prices Sport betting Sun, 13 Sep 2026 07:00:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/us-open-disneyland-tennis-premiumization-craig-tiley Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images Bryan Armen Graham at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-13T07:00:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/12/aryna-sabalenka-v-elena-rybakina-us-open-2026-womens-singles-final-live <p>The new No 1 underlined her status as the best player in the world by ending the two-time defending champion’s reign with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory</p><p><strong>Rybakina</strong></p><p>First round def Thea Frodin (WC) 6-3, 6-2<br> Second round def Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2, 6-4<br> Third round def Yuliia Starodubtseva 7-6 (6), 6-3<br> Fourth round def Naomi Osaka (13) 6-1, 6-4<br> Quarter-final def Zheng Qinwen (Q) 3-6, 6-1, 6-4<br> Semi-final def Coco Gauff (4) 3-6, 6-4, 6-4</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/12/aryna-sabalenka-v-elena-rybakina-us-open-2026-womens-singles-final-live">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Sport Tennis Aryna Sabalenka US sports Sat, 12 Sep 2026 23:38:05 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/12/aryna-sabalenka-v-elena-rybakina-us-open-2026-womens-singles-final-live Photograph: Sarah Stier/Getty Images Photograph: Sarah Stier/Getty Images Photograph: Sarah Stier/Getty Images Katy Murrells 2026-09-12T23:38:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/elena-rybakina-beats-aryna-sabalenka-us-open-title-tennis <ul><li><p>Rybakina wins 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 despite first-serve problems</p></li><li><p>Overcomes top seed and two-time defending champion</p></li></ul><p>Even after she had won grand slam titles and conquered all surfaces, Elena Rybakina has been considered lesser than the greatest players of her era. She has long been one of the most devastating shotmakers, but there were a couple more consistent and mentally tougher players above her.</p><p>She leaves New York as the undisputed best player on the planet, the new standard bearer of the women’s game, after following up her snatching of the No 1 ranking from Aryna Sabalenka by succeeding her as the US Open champion. As she has done throughout this unforgettable week, the Kazakhstani showed her toughness in another spectacular tussle with her great rival, nervelessly closing out a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over Sabalenka, the top seed and two-time defending champion.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/elena-rybakina-beats-aryna-sabalenka-us-open-title-tennis">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Tennis Sport US sports Aryna Sabalenka Sat, 12 Sep 2026 23:02:12 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/13/elena-rybakina-beats-aryna-sabalenka-us-open-title-tennis Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-12T23:02:12Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/ben-shelton-alexander-zverev-2026-mens-us-open-final-preview-tennis <p>World No 4 will become the first Black American man to win the singles title at Flushing Meadow since Arthur Ashe if he can beat German for the first time</p><p>As Ben Shelton lapped up the explosion of joy and adoration from a full Arthur Ashe Stadium after reaching a grand slam final for the first time, one of his first thoughts was of his paternal grandmother, Regina, who died this year. Shelton credited his grandmother with ensuring that his father, Bryan, made it as a top professional, becoming one of a small group of Black men on the tour. “My dad lost his mom earlier this year and she’s the reason he was able to play tennis,” he said. “Without her, there’s no Ben Shelton standing here today. So this one is for her.”</p><p>Shelton stands on the verge of history. On Sunday, he will attempt to become the first Black American man to win the US Open singles title since Arthur Ashe in 1968, a feat he will attempt inside the stadium named after Ashe. Shelton would also be the first Black man to win any grand slam singles title since Yannick Noah at Roland Garros in 1983, and the third overall. He is also aiming to become the first American man to win a major singles title since Andy Roddick won the US Open in 2003.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/ben-shelton-alexander-zverev-2026-mens-us-open-final-preview-tennis">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Sport Tennis Alexander Zverev US sports Sat, 12 Sep 2026 19:32:57 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/ben-shelton-alexander-zverev-2026-mens-us-open-final-preview-tennis Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadow 2026-09-12T19:32:57Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/shelton-tips-tiafoe-at-us-open-to-move-one-win-from-ending-23-year-drought <ul><li><p>23-year-old defeats Tiafoe 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5</p></li><li><p>Shelton is first Black US men’s finalist since Ashe</p></li><li><p>American will face top seed Zverev for title</p></li></ul><p>For 23 years they have come and gone. Andy Roddick tried again. Andre Agassi made one final run. James Blake, Mardy Fish, Sam Querrey, John Isner, Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz all carried the hopes of American men’s tennis deep into the second week of major championships, only to thrash against the ceiling of the sport’s European hegemony time and again.</p><p>Now Ben Shelton gets his chance. The fearless 23-year-old from Atlanta surged into his first career grand slam final on a feverish Friday night at the US Open, completing a 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 fightback over Frances Tiafoe in a pulsating all-American semi-final beneath the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium. The result leaves him one victory from becoming the first man from the United States to win one of the sport’s four bedrock tournaments since Roddick triumphed here in 2003.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/shelton-tips-tiafoe-at-us-open-to-move-one-win-from-ending-23-year-drought">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Sport Tennis US Open tennis US sports Sat, 12 Sep 2026 06:28:59 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/shelton-tips-tiafoe-at-us-open-to-move-one-win-from-ending-23-year-drought Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Bryan Armen Graham at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-12T06:28:59Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-frances-tiafoe-v-ben-shelton-live-buildup <ul><li><p>Shelton wins 4-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-5 to reach first major final</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-alexander-zverev-v-karen-khachanov-live">Zverev takes out Khachanov in straight sets to make final</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/taylor-townsend-us-open-womens-doubles-title-katerina-siniakova">Townsend’s road comes full circle with US Open triumph</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>First set: *Tiafoe 1-2 Shelton (*denotes next server)</strong></p><p>Shortly after crunching his first ace of the night, 123mph down the middle, Shelton faces his first pressure point of the night at 30-all. He then makes an unforced error off the backhand for 30-40 and will face his first break point, but he rattles off three quick points from there to escape with the hold.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-frances-tiafoe-v-ben-shelton-live-buildup">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Alexander Zverev Sport Tennis US Open tennis US sports Sat, 12 Sep 2026 03:31:23 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-frances-tiafoe-v-ben-shelton-live-buildup Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters Photograph: Mike Segar/Reuters Bryan Armen Graham at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-12T03:31:23Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/taylor-townsend-us-open-womens-doubles-title-katerina-siniakova <p>The 30-year-old once denied USTA funding returned to Arthur Ashe Stadium to complete her career doubles grand slam alongside Kateřina Siniaková</p><p>The cheers swelled from Arthur Ashe Stadium as Taylor Townsend approached the microphone on court. “Y’all know this is my moment,” she started, “and I’m about to take it.”</p><p>A day after being denied an American rooting interest in the women’s singles final and rushing for the exits in response, the Ashe crowd had reason to stick around and drink in the moment: the Chicago native and her partner, Kateřina Siniaková of the Czech Republic, had just defeated the all-American team of Ashlyn Krueger and Robin Montgomery 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 in Friday’s women’s doubles final. With the victory, Siniaková became a two-time career doubles slam champion while Townsend joined the club for the first time.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/taylor-townsend-us-open-womens-doubles-title-katerina-siniakova">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Sport Tennis US Open tennis Sat, 12 Sep 2026 00:14:27 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/taylor-townsend-us-open-womens-doubles-title-katerina-siniakova Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Andrew Lawrence at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-12T00:14:27Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-alexander-zverev-v-karen-khachanov-live <p>Alexander Zverev reached his first grand slam final in a row with a 6-3 7-6 (7) 7-6 (6) victory against Karen Khachanov in New York</p><p><strong>Karen Khachanov emerges from the tunnel first, followed by Alexander Zverev. </strong>Apparently the German was a minute or two late because he needed some extra time in the toilet – we’ve all been there.</p><p><strong>On Arthur Ashe Stadium, a retired servicewoman sings the American national anthem</strong> <strong>before the players come out.</strong> Flags are flying at half mast around the grounds today on the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Arthur Ashe was also lit up blue from dusk until dawn this morning.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-alexander-zverev-v-karen-khachanov-live">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Tennis Sport US sports Alexander Zverev Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:02:15 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/11/us-open-tennis-2026-mens-semi-final-alexander-zverev-v-karen-khachanov-live Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP Billy Munday 2026-09-11T23:02:15Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/alexander-zverev-holds-his-nerve-against-karen-khachanov-to-reach-us-open-final <ul><li><p>Zverev wins 6-3, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (6)</p></li><li><p>German reaches third straight grand slam final</p></li></ul><p>About 107 minutes into men’s semi-final day on Arthur Ashe Stadium, there was finally a touch of tension radiating from the court. After falling down a set and break, his meeting with his old rival Alexander Zverev swiftly turning into a beating, Karen Khachanov fought hard to force a second-set tie-break.</p><p>Deep in that tension-filled tie-break, down 5-6 on his serve, Khachanov saved Zverev’s first set point with a bold forehand winner, and then at 6-7 he punctuated a screaming backhand passing shot winner with an imperious roar of his own.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/alexander-zverev-holds-his-nerve-against-karen-khachanov-to-reach-us-open-final">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Tennis Sport Alexander Zverev US Open tennis US sports Fri, 11 Sep 2026 23:01:51 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/12/alexander-zverev-holds-his-nerve-against-karen-khachanov-to-reach-us-open-final Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-11T23:01:51Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/rybakina-and-sabalenka-resume-epic-rivalry-at-us-open-after-switch-at-no-1 <p>Rybakina will top rankings after tournament as pair continue to meet one another in grand slam finals</p><p>A typically understated Elena Rybakina stepped up to the microphone for her speech after her triumph at Indian Wells in 2023, her long-awaited first WTA 1000 title, and one of her first objectives was to recognise the efforts of her opponent. Rybakina congratulated Aryna Sabalenka on a strong fortnight and noted that it was the first time she had beaten the Belarusian. Sabalenka’s mouth instantly curled into a mischievous grin and, as ever, she could not halt her impulsive thoughts: “I will make sure it is the last time,” Sabalenka said, laughing. Rybakina, herself also smiling, responded instantly: “No. No, no, no. We’ll see next time.”</p><p>There has since been a next time, another next time and several next times after that and as Sabalenka and Rybakina, the top two players in the world, face off at the US Open, this latest encounter proves beyond doubt they have established themselves as one of the best recent rivalries in women’s tennis.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/rybakina-and-sabalenka-resume-epic-rivalry-at-us-open-after-switch-at-no-1">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Aryna Sabalenka Sport Tennis Fri, 11 Sep 2026 17:30:05 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/rybakina-and-sabalenka-resume-epic-rivalry-at-us-open-after-switch-at-no-1 Composite: AP; Imagn Images/Reuters Composite: AP; Imagn Images/Reuters Composite: AP; Imagn Images/Reuters Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-11T17:30:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/us-open-five-set-tennis-shelton-alcaraz-late-night-matches <p>Five-set matches are physically punishing, occasionally absurd and increasingly under threat. They also produce much of what makes grand slam tennis great</p><p>Tuesday night’s quarter-final match <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/ben-shelton-dethrones-carlos-alcaraz-five-set-thriller-latest-us-open-tennis-finish">between Ben Shelton and Carlos Alcaraz</a> had everything a US Open spectacle could ask for: huge stakes, knife-edge drama, top-shelf competition and an American hero who comes through in the end. The only fault to find was really the matter of time. The first ball wasn’t struck until 11.05 in the evening, and Shelton’s clinching ace didn’t come until 3.33 in the morning – marking, after a total of 4hr 28min on court, the latest-ending US Open match by a whopping 43 minutes.</p><p>Somewhat predictably, the discourse among media and fans following the late-night match has swiftly moved on from the USTA’s misadventures in scheduling to a referendum on the five-set match and whether it should be put out to pasture. For the record: that would be a colossal unforced error.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/us-open-five-set-tennis-shelton-alcaraz-late-night-matches">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Carlos Alcaraz Sport Tennis US Open tennis US sports Novak Djokovic John McEnroe Fri, 11 Sep 2026 08:00:05 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/us-open-five-set-tennis-shelton-alcaraz-late-night-matches Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Andrew Lawrence at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-11T08:00:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/10/us-open-womens-semifinals-sabalenka-pegula-gauff-rybakina-live-updates <ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/10/aryna-sabalenka-jessica-pegula-us-open-semi-final-tennis">Sabalenka on brink of trifecta after blitzing Pegula</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/elena-rybakina-beats-coco-gauff-us-open-womens-semi-final">Rybakina rallies past Gauff to reach first US Open final</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>First set: Sabalenka 1-0 *Pegula (*denotes next server)</strong></p><p>A strong start for Sabalenka, who wins the first game with ease. She gets an ace on the second point of the match and keeps the rallies short to hold.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/10/us-open-womens-semifinals-sabalenka-pegula-gauff-rybakina-live-updates">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Tennis US sports Sport Aryna Sabalenka Coco Gauff Fri, 11 Sep 2026 03:36:39 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/10/us-open-womens-semifinals-sabalenka-pegula-gauff-rybakina-live-updates Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP Photograph: Frank Franklin II/AP Ella Brockway 2026-09-11T03:36:39Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/elena-rybakina-beats-coco-gauff-us-open-womens-semi-final <ul><li><p>Second seeded Kazakh comes from set down to win 3-6, 6-4, 6-4</p></li><li><p>Sabalenka awaits in title decider after blitzing Jessica Pegula</p></li></ul><p>One set may have already passed in her first US Open semi-final, but Elena Rybakina still had not arrived inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. While an inspired Coco Gauff blew through the first stanza covering every inch of the acrylic surface as their 22,000-strong audience screamed for the Kazakhstani’s blood, Rybakina was wild and erratic from the baseline and her peerless serve was nowhere to be seen.</p><p>Nobody reaches the summit of professional without being able to problem-solve through difficult days on court though, and Rybakina gave a brilliant showcase of the underrated toughness at the heart of her success as she coolly recovered from a set down to overpower Gauff and seal her spot in her first US Open final with a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 win.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/elena-rybakina-beats-coco-gauff-us-open-womens-semi-final">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Coco Gauff Tennis Sport US Open tennis US sports Fri, 11 Sep 2026 03:28:03 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/11/elena-rybakina-beats-coco-gauff-us-open-womens-semi-final Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-11T03:28:03Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/10/aryna-sabalenka-jessica-pegula-us-open-semi-final-tennis <ul><li><p>Sabalenka defeats Pegula 7-5, 6-2 in semi-final</p></li><li><p>Champion extends US Open winning streak to 19</p></li><li><p>Belarusian faces Rybakina in Saturday’s final</p></li></ul><p>Aryna Sabalenka’s grip on the US Open showed no sign of weakening on Thursday night as the two-time defending champion swept past Jessica Pegula 7-5, 6-2 to move one win from a third straight title.</p><p>The top-seeded Belarusian star finished with 29 winners to Pegula’s 12, her relentless aggression turning what had been a 50-50 fight deep into the opening set into a one-sided affair that marked her 19th consecutive victory at Flushing Meadows.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/10/aryna-sabalenka-jessica-pegula-us-open-semi-final-tennis">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Aryna Sabalenka Sport Tennis US Open tennis US sports Fri, 11 Sep 2026 02:49:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/10/aryna-sabalenka-jessica-pegula-us-open-semi-final-tennis Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters Bryan Armen Graham at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-11T02:49:11Z