The US Open
US Open Women’s Day 10
Aryna Sabalenka completed a matched set of 2023 Grand Slam semi-final places as the second seed defeated Chinese challenger Zheng Qinwen 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the final four at the US open on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old who will take over the WTA top ranking spot on Monday after the 75-week reign of Iga Swiatek, matched the last woman to sweep the semis, Serena Williams in the 2016 season.
Sabalenka will bid to move into her second final this season at a major when she squares off on Thursday against American Madison Keys, who stunned Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 6-1, 6-4 in 81 minutes.
Keys swept the opening set and hung tough in the second to thrill home fans; she saved all nine break points she faced – including five in the eighth game of the second set.

“I knew she would be a tricky player as she gets so many balls back,” the winner said. “It was not my cleanest match, but I tried to get to the net and be aggressive.
“I wanted to be on the front foot at all times.”
Semi-final opponent Sabalenka beat Keys in their last meeting in July at Wimbledon.
“This will be a completely different match,” Keys said. “There will be a lot of hard hitting and not a lot of long points.
“I’ll buckle up and try to get as many balls back as I can.”
Sabalenka is slowly getting used to the idea of playing as world No. 1 from next week.
“I’m super happy with this achievement in my career, but, I mean, it’s not a big change. I’ve been No. 2 – now I’m No. 1,” she said.
“It’s just a difference of position in the draw. I still have to bring my best tennis. I still have to play my best.
“People will try to just try to chase me and get me. But it’s just an extra motivation for me
“Seeing them really trying their best to beat me, it’s an extra power and energy for me to keep playing, keep pushing, keep getting better.”
Sabalenka moved past her Asian opponent in 74 minutes, finishing with 17 winners and a dozen unforced errors.
“I definitely played great tennis today,” she said. “I’m happy with the win against an unbelievable opponent.
“I’ve now got another opportunity to do better in the semi-finals.”
January’s Australian Open winner has won all seven of her semi-finals at the majors and stands 13-2 over Chinese opposition.
“I’m not trying to block the stats; when you’re trying to block something, it’s going to keep getting in your head and it can get really annoying,” she said of her growing list of records.
“I know that I have to do my job. I have to go on court. I have to play my best tennis. I have to fight for it.
“I know that if I’ll be fighting for my dream, I know that I can get it.”
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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