The US Open
Sabalenka turns in winning performance as Federer looks on
Aryna Sabalenka felt the aura of Roger Federer in the US Open quarter-final crowd as the second seed impressed with a crushing 6-1, 6-2 defeat of Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen to reach the New York final.
The two-time AustralianOpen winner claimed quick victory in a repeat of the 2024 final over her Chinese opponent last January.
Sabalenka improved to a near-perfect 9-1 in career Grand Slam quarter-finals.
Five-time Open champion Federer was visiting New York for sponsor duties and took advantage of a chance to attend the tennis spectacular on the Ashe showcourt.
World NO. 2 Saba;enka could not contain her excitement at seeing the legend – even from afar.
“I saw him there, saw him on the big screen,” she said of the Swiss who lifted five consecutive titles during the rainy, pre-roof years from 2004 and 2008.
“I was like, OK, I have to play my best tennis so he enjoys it. I have to show my slice skills, come to the net and all that stuff.”
Sabalenka won into a Thursday semi against American Emma Navarro, who defeated Spain’s Paula Badosa 6-2, 7-5.

Sabalenka becomes the first woman to reach four straight US Open semi-finals since Serena Williams did six on the trot 2011-2016.
“I always say, it’s not about being favorite, it’s about how hard you’re ready to fight for it,” she said.
“It’s going to be tough moments in the matches when you don’t feel your best and you have to go through it. But I’m really glad they take me as a favorite, and I’ll do my very best to hold this beautiful trophy.”
Sabalenka lost the final here a year ago to Coco Gauff, she stands level 2-all with Navarro.
Main photo:- Aryna Sabalenka into US Open Semi-final – by International Sports Fotos Ltd
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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