The US Open
Sabalenka doubles up to claim 2nd Open title
Aryna Sabalenka backed up her 2024 US Open title with a second helping as she defeated Amanda Anisimova 6-3, 7-6 (3) to lift the fourth Grand Slam title of her career on Saturday.
The win assures the 27-year-old will retain her world No. 1 ranking and gives her a career matched set of two major trophies in Melbourne as well as a pair in New York.
Sabalenka was broken while serving for victory, leading a set and 5-4. But she swept through the ensuing tiebreaker to claim victory on her third match point, a winner deep into the corner.
“This is crazy, I’m speechless,” an emotional Sabalenka said. “Congrats to Amanda for reaching back-to-back finals at the Slams – she lost Wimbledon to Iga Swiatek.

“I know how much it hurts to lose these big finals. But you will enjoy it so much after these tough losses when you win your first.”
Sabalenka thanked the crowd for their support after facing locals (Jessica Pegula) in the semis and final.
The final lasted 96 minutes, with the top seed helped by 29 unforced errors from Anisimova – including a seventh double-fault which handed over five match points.
Sabalenka lost to Anisimova in their last meeting, a Wimbledon semi-final. The winner improved to 29-6 this season as she won the 21st title of her career and 6-3 in series
She is the first woman to win consecutive singles titles here since Serena Williams 2012-2014

Sabalenka claimed her 100th career Grand Slam main-draw match-win and her 34 at Flushing Meadows.
The top seed who has lost six of nine previous meetings with Aisismova had to get through a tight opening game where she saved three break points.and overcome stubborn early resistance from her American opponent before gunning her jets to pull away.
The match was up and down with nine breaks of serve.
Sabalenka fell to her knees after match point and then scrambled into her team box for hugs all around escorted by security; Anisimova sat on her bench, a towel on her face crying at what might have been.
“It’s been a great summer,” the American finalist said. “Losing two finals in a row is not great, but…
“I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today. Thanks for the support at my home Slam,” the New Jersey native said. “It’s been a crazy, crazy journey.”
Anisimova will gain a top five ranking on Monday as a result of her finals performance.
Rome Masters
Alarm bells ring as Raducanu quits practice
Emma Raducanu’s Wimbledon participation was flashing red on Saturday as the Briton quit a practice session while delaying her media availability by a day.
The Queen’s club finalist a fortnight ago stopped a training session with Anna Kalinskaya 10 minutes early while trailing 0-4 in a practice set.
The ove sparked frenzied British speculation about her fitness after the 2021 US Open winner was seen wearing a support cast on a foot earlier in the week.
Reports indicated that Raducanu might have been trying to avoid a mistake she made last month in Rome, where she did pre-event media and then withdrew injured from the Masters 1000 tournament.
Raducanu is due to begin her tournament in the first round against Croat Antonia Ruzic.
Main photo:- Emma Raducanu practices with her ankle strapped – by Roger Parker/ISF Ltd
Monterrey Open
Vekic needs five match points to win Queen’s
Donna Vekic dominated the opening set but had to come from a double break down in the second to win the Queen’s club title on Sunday 6-0, 7-6 (6) over Emma Raducanu.
The victory denied the British runner-up her first trophy since winning the US Open as a teenaged qualifier half a decade ago.
The one and three-quarter hour victory for the Croat lucky loser from qualifying round was match of two halves, with Vekic unchallenged in the first but made to battle before finally lifting victory with a second-set tiebreaker.
Raducanu was playing in her third career final and won her only title at the 2021 US Open. Vekic won her first trophy since Monterrey three years ago.
The 29-year-old Vekic, ranked 76th, was thwarted on her first four match point chances late in the second set.
Raducanu, cheered by a home crowd in west London, took the second set into a tiebreaker as Vekic drove long as the fight went into a decider.
The Brit rallied from 4-1 down before Vekic set up her fifth match point with a down-the-line winner and Raducanu’s shot landed wide a point later
The winner revealed that she had called upon her longtime coach from childhood to come join her team for the summer.
“Growing up and playing on the Tour, I was always jealous that the boys got to play on this grass,” she said of an event which only brought back the women’s event a year ago after a pause of half a century. .
“But since last year, we have the opportunity also.”
Vekic explained her coaching situation: “The coach that I worked with from age 12 agreed to come back and help this grass season.
“Without him, I would have not know about grass – my favourite surface. And without you I would not be here with this trophy.”
Raducanu made vast improvements this week which should aid her Wimbledon buildup.
“What a week it’s been,” the finalist said. “It was incredible for me to make the fina, playing in my home city where I feel the buzz.
“The crowd support was incredible and helped me to fight back in the second set.
“Today was a really tough match, Donna played well from start to finish.”
Raducanu will travel north for next week’s WTA event in Nottingham.
Main photo:- Lucky loser qualifier Donna Vekic wins Queens Title – by Mark Greenwood/ISF Ltd
ATP
Agassi seeking answers to Alcaraz wrist injury mystery
Andre Agassi is keen to unravel the mystery of the alleged wrist injury which has kept Carlos Alcaraz off court for nearly two months.
The 56-year-old Agassi asked the hard question during a tennis podcast, suggesting that the Spaniard owed the world an explanation on what is actually bothering him.
Alcaraz has not competed since April 14 in Barcelona, a day before handing in a second-round injury walkover, reportedly with a wrist problem
“It would be really helpful if he or someone close to him could clearly explain the exact nature of his injury, because at this point we can only speculate,” Agassi said.
Since his spring home pullout on home clay, Alcaraz has missed the Madrid and Rome Masters plus Roland Garros.
He is also out for Queen’s and Wimbledon with his availability for the North American summer hardcourt run a complete mystery.
“If it’s a form of tendonitis, is it a specific inflammation like dorsal capsulitis or a carpal tunnel syndrome-type issue? What exactly are we talking about, and what are the treatment options? I don’t know precisely what he has,” Agassi said.
The former world No. 1 American added: “If he only needs to manage pain or inflammation and opts for conservative treatment before considering surgery, then it’s a smart decision, even if it means missing some Grand Slam tournaments.
“If the situation is more serious and requires more complex interventions, the right decisions must be made very carefully, and the best specialists must be consulted. It is essential to allow the injury time to heal properly, because he still has many years of his career ahead of him.”
Despite his growing doubts, Agassi is able to look on the bright side of the situation.
“We could see an even more determined and aggressive Carlos Alcaraz upon his return, provided he manages to solve his only real problem right now.”
Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz will miss Wimbledon this year – by Roger Parker ISF Ltd
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