https://www.theguardian.com/sport/usopentennis US Open! en-gb Guardian News &amp; Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Thu, 10 Sep 2026 13:43:21 GMT 2026-09-10T13:43:21Z 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/09/coco-gauff-belief-mirra-andreeva-us-open-semi-finals <ul><li><p>American rallies from brink to defeat Andreeva</p></li><li><p>Gauff survives 12 double faults in three-set escape</p></li></ul><p>Coco Gauff has played far cleaner matches than on Wednesday afternoon. But few players today on the women’s tour have become better at finding answers on the fly when almost nothing is working for them.</p><p>The 22-year-old American’s serene march through the US Open women’s draw hit extreme turbulence early in her quarter-final clash with fifth-seeded Mirra Andreeva inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. She dropped the first four games before surrendering the opening set in 26 minutes, ending a streak of 20 consecutive sets won dating back nearly a month. She piled up 12 double faults and 42 unforced errors, the majority off a forehand in open revolt. She found herself one point from defeat not once but twice during a hairy second-set tiebreaker.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/coco-gauff-belief-mirra-andreeva-us-open-semi-finals">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Coco Gauff Sport Tennis US Open tennis US sports Thu, 10 Sep 2026 01:26:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/coco-gauff-belief-mirra-andreeva-us-open-semi-finals Photograph: Sarah Yenesel/EPA Photograph: Sarah Yenesel/EPA Photograph: Sarah Yenesel/EPA Bryan Armen Graham at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-10T01:26:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/us-open-rybakina-world-no-1-zheng-qinwen-gauff-andreeva <ul><li><p>Rybakina into semis after 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 victory</p></li><li><p>Coco Gauff battles back to beat Mirra Andreeva</p></li></ul><p>Elena Rybakina will become the No 1 woman in the world for the first time after orchestrating a supreme recovery to reach the semi-finals of the US Open with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 win over the Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.</p><p>By becoming just the 30th player in the history of the WTA to reach the No 1 ranking, Rybakina ends Aryna Sabalenka’s extended spell at the top. The Belarusian has held the position for 99 successive weeks, the sixth-longest consecutive reign in history, and 107 weeks in total.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/us-open-rybakina-world-no-1-zheng-qinwen-gauff-andreeva">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Tennis Sport Coco Gauff Wed, 09 Sep 2026 21:57:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/us-open-rybakina-world-no-1-zheng-qinwen-gauff-andreeva Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-09T21:57:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/09/us-open-tennis-2026-quarter-finals-rybakina-zheng-andreeva-gauff-blockx-khachanov-live <p>Coco Gauff saved two match points to set up a semi-final against Elena Rybakina, who secured the world No 1 ranking with her three-set win over Zheng Qinwen</p><p><strong>Rybakina has won four of her five meetings with Zheng, including two three-set victories this year</strong>. But Zheng was earlier in her comeback from elbow surgery then, the 2024 Olympic champion is a totally different proposition now, carrying the momentum of seven successive match wins in New York having come through qualifying - and the belief she can turn around any deficit after coming from 5-0 down in sets against both Madison Keys in the third round and Iga Swiatek in the last 16.</p><p><strong>Here come Zheng and Rybakina</strong>, Zheng stepping on to court wearing headphones, not that there’s much noise to drown out yet at 11.35am New York time. Both already look extremely focused with their game faces on.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/09/us-open-tennis-2026-quarter-finals-rybakina-zheng-andreeva-gauff-blockx-khachanov-live">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Tennis Coco Gauff US Open tennis Sport US sports Wed, 09 Sep 2026 21:19:47 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/09/us-open-tennis-2026-quarter-finals-rybakina-zheng-andreeva-gauff-blockx-khachanov-live Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Katy Murrells and Niall McVeigh (in the middle) 2026-09-09T21:19:47Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/ben-shelton-carlos-alcaraz-us-open <p>The 23-year-old’s epic win over Carlos Alcaraz means there is a real chance of an American man winning the US Open for the first time since 2003</p><p>In yet another graveyard shift at the US Open, Ben Shelton showed he can hang around late, ousting defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in five sets in a quarter-final that started on Tuesday night <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/ben-shelton-dethrones-carlos-alcaraz-five-set-thriller-latest-us-open-tennis-finish">and finished on Wednesday morning</a>. When Shelton fired the final ball out wide for his seventh ace of the night, the clock on the Arthur Ashe Stadium court read 3.33am. It was the latest-ever finish at the Open and the fifth-latest finish in grand slam history.</p><p>After embracing Alcaraz at the net, he pumped his fists and greeted his coach’s box with a primal scream. Parents have a name for this: the zoomies. Then Shelton looked to the stands and gestured at his mother and his girlfriend, soccer star Trinity Rodman. In his on-court interview, he asked that his sister, Emma, be given the day off. She had spent the entire night and much of the early morning watching her little brother play.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/ben-shelton-carlos-alcaraz-us-open">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Tennis US Open tennis US sports Sport Carlos Alcaraz Wed, 09 Sep 2026 14:15:00 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/ben-shelton-carlos-alcaraz-us-open Photograph: Heather Khalifa/AP Photograph: Heather Khalifa/AP Photograph: Heather Khalifa/AP Andrew Lawrence at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-09T14:15:00Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/08/ben-shelton-v-carlos-alcaraz-us-open-2026-quarter-final-live-updates <ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/ben-shelton-dethrones-carlos-alcaraz-five-set-thriller-latest-us-open-tennis-finish">Shelton sees off Alcaraz in latest ever US Open finish</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/08/frances-tiafoe-alex-michelsen-us-open-quarter-final">Tiafoe breaks Michelsen’s heart with epic comeback</a></p></li></ul><p><strong>First set: Shelton 3-2 Alcaraz* (*denotes next server)</strong></p><p>An even breezier service game from Shelton, who holds to love. During the changeover, the cameras pan to a few of the celebrities in the audience. There’s Kevin Hart taking it in from a suite. And, of course, there’s USA and Washington Spirit forward Trinity Rodman, Shelton’s girlfriend, watching from his player box. We’ve also heard Simone Biles is in the building somewhere.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/08/ben-shelton-v-carlos-alcaraz-us-open-2026-quarter-final-live-updates">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Carlos Alcaraz US Open tennis Sport Tennis US sports Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:07:14 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/08/ben-shelton-v-carlos-alcaraz-us-open-2026-quarter-final-live-updates Photograph: Leonardo Muñoz/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Leonardo Muñoz/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Leonardo Muñoz/AFP/Getty Images Bryan Armen Graham at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-09T08:07:14Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/ben-shelton-dethrones-carlos-alcaraz-five-set-thriller-latest-us-open-tennis-finish <ul><li><p>Winner claims 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (7) victory</p></li><li><p>Epic quarter-final ends after 3.30am in New York</p></li></ul><p>As the 10th day of play in New York moved deeper into the remote hours of the new morning, every passing game imbued Carlos Alcaraz with greater despair. From his focused start, the Spaniard’s intensity had flatlined and he could barely put a ball in court. He lost nine consecutive games against Ben Shelton and seemed to have nothing left.</p><p>Instead, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/sep/08/carlos-alcaraz-career-best-tournament-us-open-title-win">the defending champion</a> improbably dragged himself back into a contest that soon developed into one of the most remarkable matches of the year. The latest attempt by the second seed at orchestrating a monumental comeback was denied by a brave, defiant Shelton, the eighth seed, who refused to be shaken by his legendary rival or the looming prospect of securing the greatest win of career.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/ben-shelton-dethrones-carlos-alcaraz-five-set-thriller-latest-us-open-tennis-finish">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Carlos Alcaraz US Open tennis Tennis US sports Sport Wed, 09 Sep 2026 08:04:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/ben-shelton-dethrones-carlos-alcaraz-five-set-thriller-latest-us-open-tennis-finish Photograph: Heather Khalifa/AP Photograph: Heather Khalifa/AP Photograph: Heather Khalifa/AP Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-09T08:04:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/08/frances-tiafoe-alex-michelsen-us-open-quarter-final <ul><li><p>No 11 seed rallies for 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (6) win</p></li><li><p>Tiafoe into third US Open semi-final in five years</p></li><li><p>American will play Alcaraz or Shelton in last four</p></li></ul><p>At the end of more than four and a half hours of escalating drama inside the world’s biggest tennis stadium, a devastated Alex Michelsen fell into Frances Tiafoe’s arms just outside the tramlines, sobbing uncontrollably. Tiafoe took his younger countryman in an embrace and held him there for 23 seconds, the victor consoling the vanquished in the aftermath of an extraordinary comeback that had carried him, somehow, into the US Open semi-finals.</p><p>Only a couple of hours earlier, the 28-year-old Tiafoe had been two sets down and two points from elimination in the third set, with Michelsen within touching distance of the biggest victory of his young career. Instead, Tiafoe roared back from the brink to win a quarter-final that will be long remembered in New York, outlasting Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (6) on Tuesday afternoon to reach the last four at Flushing Meadows for the third time in five years. Now he will face Ben Shelton on Friday after the American <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/09/ben-shelton-dethrones-carlos-alcaraz-five-set-thriller-latest-us-open-tennis-finish">ousted defending champion Carlos Alcaraz</a> in another epic five-set marathon that ended at 3.33am on Wednesday morning.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/08/frances-tiafoe-alex-michelsen-us-open-quarter-final">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Sport Tennis US Open tennis US sports Aryna Sabalenka Carlos Alcaraz Wed, 09 Sep 2026 00:33:30 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/08/frances-tiafoe-alex-michelsen-us-open-quarter-final Photograph: Sarah Stier/Getty Images Photograph: Sarah Stier/Getty Images Photograph: Sarah Stier/Getty Images Bryan Armen Graham at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-09T00:33:30Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/08/us-open-tennis-2026-quarter-finals-sabalenka-noskova-tiafoe-michelsen-live <p>Frances Tiafoe came from two sets down to deny Alex Michelsen in an all-American epic, while Aryna Sabalenka prevailed in a high-quality battle against the Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova</p><p><strong>First set: Sabalenka* 3-1 Noskova (*denotes next server)</strong></p><p>At 30-all, Sabalenka is applying more pressure on Noskova’s serve, but Sabalenka smacks a backhand return into the net and Noskova can breathe a little at 40-30. And the Wimbledon champion gets her side of the scoreboard moving when Sabalenka again errs with her return. The Arthur Ashe crowd – perhaps only about a half full so far – cheer loudly. They’re not against Sabelenka – as they were in the previous round when she played the American Taylor Townsend – but of course they want a close match.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/08/us-open-tennis-2026-quarter-finals-sabalenka-noskova-tiafoe-michelsen-live">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Tennis US Open tennis Sport US sports Aryna Sabalenka Tue, 08 Sep 2026 23:35:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/08/us-open-tennis-2026-quarter-finals-sabalenka-noskova-tiafoe-michelsen-live Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Katy Murrells and Taha Hashim (for a bit) 2026-09-08T23:35:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/08/aryna-sabalenka-linda-noskova-us-open-tennis-quarter-finals <ul><li><p>Defending champion wins 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (7)</p></li><li><p>Sabalenka: ‘I was pushing myself to the limit’</p></li></ul><p>It seemed for some time that Aryna Sabalenka would be consumed by the rage and anxiety that has smothered her for so much of the year. At 2-2 in the final set of her brutal quarter-final against Linda Noskova, a second double fault of the game damned Sabalenka to a 0-40 deficit. She instantly fell to her knees, bowed her head and screamed. She soon trailed 2-4 in the set.</p><p>Over her past five arduous months, Sabalenka has reliably unravelled under pressure. However, at the final grand slam tournament of the year, with her US Open title and No 1 ranking on the line, this was her very last chance to salvage her season. Somehow, the top-seeded Sabalenka finally had a response as she recovered to win an astonishing match and reach the semi-finals with a 7-6 (1), 3-6, 7-6 (7) win over Noskova, the sixth seed.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/08/aryna-sabalenka-linda-noskova-us-open-tennis-quarter-finals">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Tennis Sport US Open tennis Tue, 08 Sep 2026 20:17:28 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/08/aryna-sabalenka-linda-noskova-us-open-tennis-quarter-finals Photograph: Sarah Yenesel/EPA Photograph: Sarah Yenesel/EPA Photograph: Sarah Yenesel/EPA Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-08T20:17:28Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/08/coco-gauff-iva-jovic-us-open-quarter-finals-mirra-andreeva <ul><li><p>Gauff defeats Jovic 6-1, 6-4 in 80 minutes</p></li><li><p>American has yet to drop a set in New York</p></li><li><p>Andreeva awaits in anticipated quarter-final</p></li></ul><p>Coco Gauff continued her serene march through the US Open women’s draw with her most complete performance yet on Monday night, seeing off fellow American Iva Jovic 6-1, 6-4 to reach the last eight in New York for the first time <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/sep/10/coco-gauff-battles-back-to-stun-aryna-sabalenka-and-claim-us-open-title">since winning it all</a> in her grand slam breakthrough three years ago.</p><p>The fourth-seeded Gauff overwhelmed Jovic with the depth of her returns and an assured blend of aggression and defense, finishing with twice as many winners (18 to nine) and half as many unforced errors (15 to 30). The 1hr 20min clinic was the latest statement in a late-summer win streak that has transformed her from a player searching for answers this time last year into perhaps the most dangerous woman in the field right now.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/08/coco-gauff-iva-jovic-us-open-quarter-finals-mirra-andreeva">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Sport Tennis US Open tennis Coco Gauff US sports Tue, 08 Sep 2026 04:00:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/08/coco-gauff-iva-jovic-us-open-quarter-finals-mirra-andreeva Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Bryan Armen Graham at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-08T04:00:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/07/us-open-tennis-2026-swiatek-v-zheng-osaka-v-rybakina-and-more-on-day-nine-live <p>Qinwen Zheng comes from 0-5 down in the first set to beat Iga Swiatek in two, while Mirra Andreeva, Elena Rybakina and Alexander Blockx also make the last eight</p><p><strong>Back on Armstrong, we’re still level but at 4-4, Potapova playing with confidence and poise.</strong> She holds to 30, and Andreeva must now serve to stay in set one.</p><p><strong>Zheng and Swiatek are out on court;</strong> Zheng, the Olympic champion, had to come through qualifying after missing time with an elbow injury, but two weeks of competition have brought her into the main event nicely loose. I’d be surprised if she finds a way to win here, but she did at those Olympics, so knows she can.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/07/us-open-tennis-2026-swiatek-v-zheng-osaka-v-rybakina-and-more-on-day-nine-live">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Tennis Sport US sports Mon, 07 Sep 2026 21:35:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/07/us-open-tennis-2026-swiatek-v-zheng-osaka-v-rybakina-and-more-on-day-nine-live Photograph: Patrick Smith/Getty Images Photograph: Patrick Smith/Getty Images Photograph: Patrick Smith/Getty Images Daniel Harris and John Brewin 2026-09-07T21:35:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/07/zheng-qinwen-erases-another-5-0-deficit-to-stun-swiatek-and-reach-us-open-quarter-finals <ul><li><p>Zheng makes astonishing recovery to win 7-5, 6-3</p></li><li><p>Rybakina sweeps aside Osaka 6-1, 6-4 to set up clash</p></li></ul><p>The most important takeaway from 12 days at the US Open is simple: do not, by any means, lead 5-0 against Zheng Qinwen. No scoreline is as hazardous. On Friday, the former Australian Open champion Madison Keys learned this lesson the hard way as she led Zheng 5-0 in the final set of an intense tussle before Zheng, the Olympic gold medallist, rolled through seven consecutive games to win the match.</p><p>Somehow, two days later, Zheng repeated the trick in her very next set against a greater opponent. Down 5-0 in the opening set of her fourth‑round match against the six-time grand slam title winner Iga Swiatek, Zheng again locked down her game and reeled off seven games in a row to take the set. Zheng refused to let it go as she pulled off one of the best wins of her career, reaching the US Open quarter‑finals with a 7-5, 6-3 victory.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/07/zheng-qinwen-erases-another-5-0-deficit-to-stun-swiatek-and-reach-us-open-quarter-finals">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Iga Swiatek US Open tennis Tennis Sport Mon, 07 Sep 2026 20:10:27 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/07/zheng-qinwen-erases-another-5-0-deficit-to-stun-swiatek-and-reach-us-open-quarter-finals Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-07T20:10:27Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/07/us-open-tennis-influencers-noise-weed <p>This year, the noise at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center has officially become A Problem. But changing it would mean changing society</p><p>The first thing you notice while sitting in the upper tiers of Arthur Ashe Stadium is the noise. A persistent exterior hum filters up from ground level, fed by the massive ventilation and cooling units that sit outside the stadium, the clack of the Long Island Rail Road to the north, and the forklifts receiving goods from the refrigerator trucks that keep the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center flush with its essential supplies of Evian, champagne, and premium IPA. Overhead, planes descending toward LaGuardia airport ensure the auditory assault takes place by land and air simultaneously. In the lower rakes of the stadium, the babble of the spectators is incessant; it’s not unusual to overhear full-volume conversations on various non-tennis topics – work, family, romance, last night’s dinner – that continue without interruption for the duration of an entire match.</p><p>New York is famously noisy, and the US Open, as the most glamorous annual sporting event in town, has always been loud in sympathy with its environment. Indeed, the brashness of the American grand slam has historically been its major selling point, the signature that distinguishes it from the Australian Open (the “happy slam”), Wimbledon (strawberries and cream, all-white attire, the home of tennis), and the French Open (French). People have been complaining about the volume of the New York crowd for decades. But this year the noise at the US Open feels different. This year noise at the noisy slam has become A Problem.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/07/us-open-tennis-influencers-noise-weed">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis US sports New York Tennis Sport Mon, 07 Sep 2026 08:00:28 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/07/us-open-tennis-influencers-noise-weed Photograph: Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Aaron Timms at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-07T08:00:28Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/06/us-open-tennis-2026-aryna-sabalenka-and-marta-kostyuk-in-action-on-day-eight-live <p>Francis Tiafoe and Carlos Alcaraz progressed with straight-set victories against Daniil Medvedev and Tommy Paul respectively</p><p><strong>We’re 4-4 in the doubles and knocking up on Ashe.</strong> Thinking more about the match, I’d expect Townsend to use top spin to hit cross at Sabalenka’s backhand, taking her outside the lines if possible. She’ll also try and slow the game down, I think, and frustrate the champ, who doesn’t enjoy the wind-ups.</p><p><strong>Townsend comes out wearing a coat that wouldn’t be out of place in the Night’s Watch,</strong> photo to follow but, in the meantime:</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/06/us-open-tennis-2026-aryna-sabalenka-and-marta-kostyuk-in-action-on-day-eight-live">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Tennis US Open tennis Sport US sports Sun, 06 Sep 2026 22:42:57 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/06/us-open-tennis-2026-aryna-sabalenka-and-marta-kostyuk-in-action-on-day-eight-live Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Daniel Harris (now) and Stephen Flynn (earlier) 2026-09-06T22:42:57Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/06/aryna-sabalenka-taylor-townsend-carlos-alcaraz-tommy-paul-us-open-2026-tennis <ul><li><p>Reigning champion beats Tommy Paul in straight sets</p></li><li><p>Sabalenka and Noskova to clash in last eight</p></li></ul><p>The straightforward scoreline at the end of Carlos Alcaraz’s third-round win over Wu Yibing did not quite reflect the Spaniard’s slight irritation with one aspect of his game. Alcaraz felt he had missed a few too many forehands, and almost immediately after departing Arthur Ashe Stadium, he reappeared on the practice court pounding forehands in the afternoon heat.</p><p>Two days later, the extra care Alcaraz put into his game was reflected in a statement performance driven by his peerless forehand as he rose to the occasion in the biggest challenge of his comeback so far, dismantling the 20th seed Tommy Paul 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 to continue his title defence by returning to the quarter-finals of the US Open.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/06/aryna-sabalenka-taylor-townsend-carlos-alcaraz-tommy-paul-us-open-2026-tennis">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Carlos Alcaraz Aryna Sabalenka US Open tennis Tennis US sports Sport Sun, 06 Sep 2026 20:16:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/06/aryna-sabalenka-taylor-townsend-carlos-alcaraz-tommy-paul-us-open-2026-tennis Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Photograph: Cristóbal Herrera/EPA Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-06T20:16:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/06/dane-sweeny-australia-us-open-singles <ul><li><p>Australian wildcard loses 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 to Luciano Darderi</p></li><li><p>Sweeney frustrated by loss but says he had ‘an amazing week’</p></li></ul><p>Dane Sweeny’s gallant and “career-changing” US Open campaign has come to a frustrating end with a tough third-round loss to seeded Italian Luciano Darderi.</p><p>Sweeny complained of a hip injury during the 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 defeat to the world No 22 that left Australia without a second-week singles hope in New York for the first time in five years.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/06/dane-sweeny-australia-us-open-singles">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Tennis Sport US Open tennis Australia sport Sun, 06 Sep 2026 02:34:25 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/06/dane-sweeny-australia-us-open-singles Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Photograph: Kirsty Wigglesworth/AP Australian Associated Press 2026-09-06T02:34:25Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/05/us-open-tennis-fritz-gauff-swiatek-keys-cobolli-day-seven-live <p>Taylor Fritz and Flavio Cobolli lost from winning positions, Madison Keys collapsed from 5-0 up in the final set, but Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek and Mirra Andreeva reached the last 16</p><p><strong>Last night Serena and Venus Williams – with their combined age of 456 - blew a five-point lead in the deciding tie-break as their return to the grand slam doubles stage ended in defeat</strong>, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (7) against Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint. Serena must be sick of the sight of Joint – given her singles comeback was also halted by the Australian in the Wimbledon first round this summer – but having come so close to victory in both matches, she may well be encouraged enough to continue. Serena and Venus chose not to do a post-match media conference last night – so it’s not clear what their next plans are.</p><p><strong>A big cheer on Grandstand – despite the fact Zheng is facing an American – as she holds at the start of the second set.</strong> Anisimova is still a break down, 3-2, against Potapova, while Taylor Fritz – the pick of the American men in the first week - is warming up on Arthur Ashe against Francisco Cerundolo, the 24th seed from Argentina.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/05/us-open-tennis-fritz-gauff-swiatek-keys-cobolli-day-seven-live">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Tennis Sport US Open tennis US sports Sat, 05 Sep 2026 22:09:33 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/05/us-open-tennis-fritz-gauff-swiatek-keys-cobolli-day-seven-live Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters Photograph: Eduardo Muñoz/Reuters Katy Murrells and Niall McVeigh 2026-09-05T22:09:33Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/05/francisco-cerundolo-roars-back-stun-home-hope-taylor-fritz-us-open-tennis <ul><li><p>Argentinian beats No 9 seed 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4</p></li><li><p>Fritz had three break points for chance to serve for match </p></li></ul><p>As his last, desperate backhand soared far past the baseline inside Arthur Ashe Stadium, Taylor Fritz instantly held his face in his hands, unable to hide the agony of squandering such a great opportunity.</p><p>For much of his afternoon, Fritz was cruising. He had established a two set against Francisco Cerúndolo before breaking serve in the opening game of the third. One unfocused service game was enough to shift the momentum and once Fritz had lost control, he spent another two hours failing to retrieve it. His US Open ended with an excruciating 3-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 third-round defeat by a courageous Cerúndolo.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/05/francisco-cerundolo-roars-back-stun-home-hope-taylor-fritz-us-open-tennis">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 US Open tennis Tennis US sports Sport Sat, 05 Sep 2026 21:41:01 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/05/francisco-cerundolo-roars-back-stun-home-hope-taylor-fritz-us-open-tennis Photograph: Brian Hirschfeld/EPA Photograph: Brian Hirschfeld/EPA Photograph: Brian Hirschfeld/EPA Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-05T21:41:01Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/05/serena-venus-williams-us-open-doubles-defeat <ul><li><p>American duo lose 6-3, 6-7(6), 7-6(7) to Maya Joint and Chan Hao-ching</p></li><li><p>Serena and Venus crash out of women’s doubles in first round</p></li></ul><p>In the end, after so much toil and admirable fight, defeat came swiftly for one of the greatest doubles teams to ever share a tennis court. Upon their <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/aug/26/serena-venus-williams-doubles-us-open">return to prime time in New York</a>, Venus and Serena Williams fought desperately to overturn the various deficits they found themselves in over three hours inside a thunderous Arthur Ashe Stadium.</p><p>They came close. The Williams sisters had clawed their way back into the match after trailing a 1-4 in their final set against Chan Hao-ching and Maya Joint, and they established a 5-0 lead in the third set tie-break. Just as they appeared to be on the verge of victory, they were brushed aside, losing 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (7) in the first round of the US Open.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/05/serena-venus-williams-us-open-doubles-defeat">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Serena Williams Venus Williams US Open tennis Tennis US sports Australia sport Sport Sat, 05 Sep 2026 04:26:00 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/sep/05/serena-venus-williams-us-open-doubles-defeat Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Photograph: Julian Finney/Getty Images Tumaini Carayol at Flushing Meadows 2026-09-05T04:26:00Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/04/us-open-tennis-sabalenka-alcaraz-pegula-and-medvedev-in-action-on-day-six-live <p>Defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka progressed alongside other top seeds in Friday’s third-round matches</p><p><strong>Leylah Fernandez </strong>has broken Pegula early, taking a 2-0 lead in the first. You might recall that Fernandez was Emma Raducanu’s opponent in the 2021 US Open final; since losing that match, the Canadian has only gone past the third round at a slam once (the 2022 French Open, where she made the quarter-finals) but has won five WTA Tour titles and is a consistent presence in the world’s top 30. <strong>So which career path would you prefer: hers or Raducanu’s?</strong></p><p><strong>Sabalenka takes the first set 6-3, </strong>remaining dominant against an opponent who is playing decent stuff. <strong>Marta Kostyuk </strong>also claims the first set 6-3 over Alexandrova, while <strong>Sorana Cirstea </strong>has claimed the opener against Paolini by the same score. That feels like an upset, even though Cirstea is seeded higher – No 16 to Paolini’s 19.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/04/us-open-tennis-sabalenka-alcaraz-pegula-and-medvedev-in-action-on-day-six-live">Continue reading...</a> US Open Tennis 2026 Sport Tennis US Open tennis US sports Aryna Sabalenka Carlos Alcaraz Daniil Medvedev Fri, 04 Sep 2026 22:24:45 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/sep/04/us-open-tennis-sabalenka-alcaraz-pegula-and-medvedev-in-action-on-day-six-live Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Photograph: Robert Deutsch/IMAGN IMAGES/Reuters Billy Munday and Niall McVeigh 2026-09-04T22:24:45Z