The US Open
Muchova fights through stomach problem to reach semi-finals
Karolina Muchova doubled up on her US Open semi-finals, reaching her second in as many editions 6-1, 6-4 on Wednesday with a fighting win over Beatriz Haddad Maia.
The Czech who missed 10 months of play with a wrist injury which threatened her career, was bothered by a stomach complaint which sent her racing off court repeatedly in the second set as she snuck out victory.
The 83-minutes victory was also a struggle for her South American opponent, who was seen by medical officials late in the match for apparent breathing trouble, perhaps more from stress than over-exertion.
Muchova sent over only her second ace on match point to wrap up the difficult victory.
“It was a weird match,” the winner said. “I had problems but I was able to manage them.
“Running to the bathroom and back – I had no choice.
“We got new balls just before I served for it, they were nice in that last game.”
She added: “I’m really happy to be back in the semis. every round here is so tough. I;m sure the semi-final (between the winner form top seed Iga Swiatek and No. 6 Jessica Pegula) will be exciting.”
The unseeded Muchova becomes the second player Czech woman in the Open era to make consecutive semi-finals here after Helena Sukova (in 1986 and 1987.
Brazil is still without a man or woman grand slam hardcourt semi-finalist.
ATP
Positive vibes after RG takes player crisis meeting
The peace talks came after a Friday interview boycott by most top players, who limited their pre-event interactions with media to 15 minutes while snubbing TV broadcasters.
Players are asking for a larger share of Grand Slam prize money, aiming for a rise from 15 to 22 per cent, a figure well below payouts in other spots.
French federation (FFT) officials promised a response to the demands in the immediate future. Confrontations with Wimbledon and the US Open are also likely to proceed during the Paris fortnight.
The Australian Open has already sided with the players when the issue first arose earlier this season.
The FFT “has committed to responding to the players’ proposals in the coming weeks,” the ruling body said.
Players are seeking a closer involvement in the big decisions of the sport along with increased health insurance and retirement benefits.
Sinner, with USD 56 million already in career prize money at age 24, might do well to follow the example of retired icon Roger Federer, who earned 130 million on court and much more off it,
The Swiss, reportedly now a tennis billionaire, often said he would not be needing his ATP pension but was happy to work on behalf of other players.
Strasbourg
Raducanu plays coaching lottery with return to her OG
Emma Raducanu has gone back to the future with her latest choice of coach, choosing to re-group with the mentor who helped her to a US Open title five long years ago.
The Briton whose career has been a patchwork of changing coaches and near-constant injuries and illness since her 2021 big day in New York, revealed she has re-employed Andrew Richardson, her OG coach.
The pair split not long after then-teenaged Raducanu won the Open title from an unprecedented qualifying start.
She has since struggled and wil head to Roland Garros from next Sunday with only one clay tournament, a late wild-card entry into Strasbourg.
“Grateful to have reconnected with someone who has known me for over a decade now and looking forward to building together one iteration at a time,” she posted on social media.
The WTA no. 30 has played just 15 matches this season – none on clay – with her last one more than two months ago.
Main photo:- Emma Raducanu with her coach, Andrew Richardson at the 2021 US Open
The Australian Open
Wimbledon goes modern with electronic reviews
Wimbledon will bow to the high-tech future by introducing limited electronic reviews of line calls on major courts at the Championships, the club revealed on Saturday.
The All England Club will allow the technology on showcourts including Centre Court, No. 1 and four others. During controversial moments, competitors will be allowed to ask the chair umpire for a review of the point in question.
The wizardry is coming late to Wimbledon having been used at the US Open since 2023 and later adapted by the Australian Open. Roland Garros relies on marks in its clay surface to determine line calls.
Under the rules, players can ask for the review any number of times, with electronic line-calling now in effect at the grass-court major for a second year after the 2025 elimination of human line judges.
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