Tennis: Serena Williams battles on as US Open farewell underway

NEW YORK --Serena Williams delayed her farewell to tennis on an electrifying opening night at the US Open on Monday as the sporting icon battled to victory in front of a star-studded crowd.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner -- who earlier this month signalled she plans to retire from tennis after the tournament -- drew on all of her experience to down lowly ranked Montenegrin opponent Danka Kovinic 6-3, 6-3.

A galaxy of celebrities ranging from Hollywood stars, fashion icons and former presidents were out in force at Flushing Meadows' Arthur Ashe Stadium to watch could have been Williams final appearance in a Grand Slam singles match.

But the 40-year-old ensured that her legions of fans will have at least one more chance to savor her talents as she dug out victory despite an error-strewn display.

"I feel so comfortable on this court and in front of everyone here," a jubilant Williams said after her victory.

"The crowd was crazy – they really helped pull me through. I was really pumped," added Williams, who won the first of her Grand Slam titles in the same arena in 1999 as a 17-year-old prodigy.

Williams admitted that deciding to walk away from the sport after 27 years as a professional was "such a hard decision."

"I think when you are passionate about something it is always hard to walk away," she said. "I have been trying to decide what to do. I love this game.

"But I was just like 'Alright, I think now's the time'. I have a family, there's other chapters in life. I call it evolution."

Williams later refused to be definitive about her retirement however when asked if the US Open would be her last tournament, teasing the possibility that she may yet play on.

"I've been pretty vague about it, right?" she said. "I'm going to stay vague because you never know."

A sell-out crowd of 23,500 had roared its appreciation for Williams as she strode into the arena wearing a striking sparkling bodice and black skirt comprised of six layers -- one for every US Open title she has won.

The roll-call of A-listers on hand for the occasion included former US President Bill Clinton, Vogue editor Anna Wintour, former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson, tennis legend and Hollywood stars such as Hugh Jackman and Queen Latifah.

Williams acknowledged that leaving the spotlight -- whenever that is -- would be a wrench.

"The more tournaments I play, I feel like the more I can belong out there," she said. "That's a tough feeling to have, to leave knowing the more you do it, the more you can shine."

- Tsitsipas stunned -

In other women's draw action on Monday, former world number one Simona Halep, seeded seventh, was the biggest casualty in the first round, crashing out 6-2, 0-6, 6-4 to Ukrainian qualifier Daria Snigur.

But there were no such problems for US teenager and 12th seed Coco Gauff, who cruised past France's Leolia Jeanjean 6-2, 6-3.

Meanwhile the men's draw got under way with a stunning upset for Greek fourth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, who was bundled out by Colombian qualifier Daniel Elahi Galan 6-0, 6-1, 3-6, 7-5.

Earlier, Russia's defending champion Daniil Medvedev routed Stefan Koslov of the United States in the top half of the draw.

The Russian comfortably dispatched world No.111 Kozlov 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 in 2hrs 1min.

Medvedev, bidding to become the first man to defend the US crown since Roger Federer retained the title in 2008, faces France's Arthur Rinderknech in the second round.

Britain's Andy Murray, another veteran well into the twilight of his career, marked the 10th anniversary of his maiden Grand Slam win with a straight sets defeat of Argentinian 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo.

The 35-year-old Scot showed no signs of recent cramping problems in a 7-5, 6-3, 6-3 win, but admitted afterwards: "It felt like five sets."

It was Murray's first straight sets win at a Grand Slam event since 2017.

Elsewhere Monday, Wu Yibing claimed a piece of history in the men's draw, becoming the first man from China to win a Grand Slam singles match since 1959.

The qualifier upset Georgia's 31st seed Nikoloz Basilashvili 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.

But there was agony for China's other player in the men's draw, Zhang Zhizhen who squandered seven match points in a 3-6, 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (11/9), 6-1, 6-4 defeat to Tim Van Rijthoven of the Netherlands.

Spain's Rafael Nadal, chasing a fifth US Open crown and 23rd Grand Slam title overall, begins his campaign on Tuesday against Australia's Rinky Hijikata.

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Osaka ends Williams's record bid to make Australian Open final

MELBOURNE --  Naomi Osaka emphatically ended Serena Williams's latest bid for a record-equaling 24th Grand Slam crown with a straight-sets demolition in the Australian Open semi-finals Thursday.

The Japanese third seed swept past the American veteran 6-3, 6-4 on Rod Laver Arena in front of thousands of fans allowed back in after Melbourne lifted a snap five-day lockdown.

She will face either American Jennifer Brady or Czech Karolina Muchova on Saturday for a fourth Slam title after her success at Flushing Meadows in 2018 and last year, and Melbourne in 2019.

The victory left Williams, who won her last major in Melbourne in 2017, stranded on 23 Grand Slam titles as she strives to match Margaret Court's all-time record.

Since winning while pregnant in Australia four years ago, Williams has lost four Slam finals, including one to Osaka in a controversial and heated 2018 US Open decider which left both women in tears.

"I hit a lot of unforced errors in the first few games, I was just really nervous and scared," said Osaka, who reeled off five games in a row in the opening set after going 2-0 down.

"But then I sort of eased my way into it and the biggest thing for me was having fun."

"For me, it's always an honor to play her and I didn't want to go out (of the tournament) really bad, so I just tried my best," she added.

- Big-match experience -

While Osaka held a 2-1 head-to-head advantage going into the blockbuster clash, 39-year-old Williams had a huge edge on big-match experience.

Ahead of the showdown, she had won all eight of her previous semi-finals at Melbourne Park stretching back 18 years to when she beat Kim Clijsters on her way to her first title in Australia.

Her first ever Grand Slam semi, against Lindsay Davenport at 1999 US Open, was played when Osaka was just one.

But the 23-year-old boasted a 100 percent win record in Slams when she got past the fourth round, and she kept it intact Thursday.

Williams worked hard on her fitness during the off-season and quickly asserted herself, breaking Osaka straight away with the Japanese sensation having issues with the sun and ball toss.

She consolidated by holding serve, with Osaka guilty of five unforced errors in the opening two games.

Osaka said before the match she still felt intimidated seeing Williams on the other side of the net, but her early nerves soon settled.

She saved a break point in the next game and got off the mark with an ace, then broke back to level the scores at 2-2 when Williams sent a forehand long.

Now well and truly in her groove, with her forehand doing most of the damage, Osaka won five games in a row, and the set, to leave Williams stunned.

She broke again on Williams's opening serve of the second set, with the American screaming: "Make a shot, make a shot!"

With the crowd roaring her on, Williams stayed in touch and Osaka's eighth double fault gave her the American a break back.

But it was a short-lived reprieve with Osaka breaking again and calmly serving out for victory.

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Serena Williams' coach and Nadal planning matches at academies

PARIS, France -- Both Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams' coach Patrick Mouratoglou announced plans on Saturday to stage matches at their tennis academies.

With top-level professional tennis shut down until at least July 13, both academies said they were examining the possibility of staging and broadcasting matches so fans could watch remotely.

While the Rafael Nadal academy, based on the Spanish island of Mallorca, said on its website that it was in talks with the ATP on how to proceed, Mouratoglou released a statement unveiling a planned "league" of 50 matches at his academy near Nice in the south of France and talking of "millions of US dollars in prize money".

The Nadal Academy said it was considering becoming "a campus where elite players can reside, train and compete between themselves in matches that will be televised so that fans around the world can enjoy them."

It said Nadal had originated the idea and that the academy had been in taks with ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi.

"Right now tennis takes a back seat and the most important thing is everyone's health, but if in the coming months the Academy can be used to help other professional players, I'd be delighted if they could come to train and also to compete," Nadal said. 

"I think that competing among ourselves would help us maintain our game for when the tour restarts."

The academy has hosted a Challenger Tour event, the Rafa Nadal Open, as well as other lower-ranked and junior tournaments.

Mouratoglou's statement said he was planning 10 closed-door matches to be broadcast live at his academy on each of five weekends under the title "Ultimate Tennis Showdown".

The competition will start on the weekend of May 16 with a match between world number 10 David Goffin and 20-year-old Australian Alexei Popyrin, who is training at the academy and whose father reportedly came up with the idea. 

The lineup for later matches has yet to be decided.

The statement posted on social media said that the "UTS aims to reinvent the way tennis is usually experienced and consumed."

On-court coaching and video coaching would be allowed and, said the statement, fans watching remotely would be able to interact in real time with the players, listen to conversations between the players and their coaches. 

Mouratoglou said that the competition will be "player-centric" could be "particularly beneficial to lower-ranked players."

The lockdown in France is scheduled to end on May 11, which means players will be able to travel, although mass events will still be banned, so no spectators would be allowed.

The Spanish government on Saturday proposed extending its lockdown until May 9. 

Agence France-Presse

Tennis: Andreescu fends off Serena comeback to win US Open

NEW YORK -- Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu claimed her first Grand Slam title in a hard-hitting, nerve-jangling 6-3 7-5 win over Serena Williams on Saturday that put the brakes on the American's bid to equal the all-time record.

Andreescu matched Williams' power throughout the slugfest and kept her composure under intense pressure to fend off a late comeback from the six-times champion.

The 19-year-old dropped her racket after hitting a blistering forehand return winner on match point to seal victory at Arthur Ashe Stadium and collapsed on her back after embracing her defeated opponent.

"It's so hard to explain (what the win means) in words," Andreescu said.

"I'm just beyond grateful and truly blessed. I've worked really, really hard for this moment and I can't complain. This year has been a dream come true," she added before collecting her $3.85 million winner's cheque.

"And now to be able to play on this stage against Serena, a true legend of the sport, is amazing."

Andreescu, the first Canadian to win a major in the professional era, prevented Williams from equalling Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

Williams, who has been denied the milestone in four slam finals since claiming her last major title at the Australian Open in 2017, was gracious in defeat.

"Bianca played an unbelievable match," she said.

"If anyone else could win the U.S. Open -- except for Venus -- I'm glad it's Bianca," she said with a laugh, referring to her older sister who had cheered her on from the players' box, which also included Meghan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex.

IMMEDIATE PRESSURE

The fearless Andreescu pressured Williams from the outset, electing to receive after winning the coin toss and immediately breaking her childhood idol.

Shouting "come on" after winning key points, Andreescu's vicious forehands kept Williams on the back foot while costly errors, including a double fault on set point in the first, put the American in an early hole.

With her back against the wall trailing 5-1 and facing championship point, Williams mounted a spirited comeback to draw level at 5-5, leading to deafening roars from the packed crowd in the biggest tennis stadium in the world.

Yet Andreescu, who covered her ears at times, regained her steely composure to cross the finish line with an emphatic forehand winner, her 19th of the match.

For Williams, her normally trusty serve proved her undoing.

She only managed to put 44 percent of her first serves in play and her nine aces were almost offset by eight double faults, three of which came on break points.

Andreescu was the sharper of the pair, committing almost half as many unforced errors as Williams and thumping down five aces of her own.

While a fierce and fiery competitor on the court, Andreescu apologised to the disappointed crowd for beating the home favourite .

"I know you guys wanted Serena to win. I'm so sorry," she said.

METEORIC RISE

While Andreescu was a virtual unknown before this year having never made it past the second-round of a Grand Slam tournament before, Saturday's breakthrough win did not register as a shock in the tennis world.

She had made her presence felt by storming to the Indian Wells title in March and after a knee injury forced her to pull out of the Miami and Rome tournaments earlier this year after just one match, she won the Rogers Cup in Toronto last month.

She came into Flushing Meadows seeded 15th and many thought her bruising groundstrokes, creative shotmaking and speedy defence would give any opponent trouble.

That has proved especially true for the world's best players, who she seems to reserve her best tennis for.

With her win over world number eight Williams she improved to 8-0 this year against top 10 opponents.

After ending last year ranked 178 in the world, she will reach a career high of number five on Monday.

Asked if she planned to be greedy in her pursuit of more Grand Slam glory, she said: "I think so.

"I love this feeling too much."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Tennis: Williams dismantles Svitolina to reach US Open final

A rampaging Serena Williams moved to the brink of a record equalling 24th career Grand Slam title on Thursday, storming past Elina Svitolina 6-3 6-1 to book her spot in the US Open final.

Since returning to action after the birth of her first child, Williams has come agonizingly close to matching Margaret Court's mark three times and will have a chance on Saturday to do so in front of an adoring home crowd for a second successive year.

Last year Williams was left in tears following a chaotic and controversial loss to Naomi Osaka on Arthur Ashe Stadium. She has also lost two Wimbledon finals since her return.

Now all that stands between the 37-year-old and her Holy Grail is Canadian Bianca Andreescu or Swiss Belinda Bencic, who will meet in the other semi-final later on Thursday.

"To be in yet another final, it seems honestly crazy," said Williams. "But I don't really expect too much less.

"I've had so many chances to pass it (Court).

"If you look at the span of the career, the players I've played, it's amazing that I was able to get this many."

The semi-final offered a classic matchup of styles with Williams and her prodigious power up against Svitolina, one of the best counter punchers in the women's game.

Williams did not have her 'A' game in warm conditions but the former world number one knew exactly what was needed particularly on the big points.

"I don't think she played amazing today but she played very high level at the beginning where you had to make a difference," said Svitolina. "I think she knows what she has to do.

"There's lots of power behind her shots all the time.

"On the important moments she always steps up, always brings her best game."

The fifth seeded Ukrainian had no shortage of chances herself but could not convert any of six break opportunities.

A ruthless Williams, however, bombarded Svitolina with punishing forehands and six aces to register her 101st U.S. Open win, which tied her with Chris Evert for the most at Flushing Meadows.

Williams arrived at the year's final Grand Slam with a scowl and an all business demeanor that has swatted aside a raft of challengers throughout her run to the final.

Any concerns over the back spasms that forced her to quit the Toronto final and out of Cincinnati were eased when she opened her Flushing Meadows account with a 6-1 6-1 thrashing of old rival Maria Sharapova.

That was followed by routine wins over Karolina Muchova, Petra Martic and Cat McNally before blasting her way into the last four with a jaw-dropping 44-minute 6-1 6-0 rout of China's Wang Qiang. But as cold-blooded as those performances were, Williams' 70-minute dismantling of Svitolina in front of a packed house said more by delivering an emphatic message she would not be content leaving Flushing Meadows without a share of Court's record.

The match had looked to be a long and competitive affair when Svitolina forced Williams to fight off three break points to hold her opening serve.

Williams, however, was ready for the challenge, breaking Svitolina at the first opportunity by firing a winner down the line the Ukrainian could only look at.

That was the only break of a grinding first set but all Williams would need for a 1-0 lead.

It was not a good omen for Svitolina with Williams holding a 94-1 record when winning the first set at the U.S. Open.

Svitolina would hold serve to open the second but Williams then swept through the next six games to advance to her 33rd Grand Slam final.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

'Best work in the world': Serena reflects on 20 years at the top

NEW YORK -- Serena Williams said tennis had "come a really long way" as she moved to within a victory of a 10th US Open final Tuesday, 20 years after winning her first Grand Slam title in New York.

Williams, who turns 38 later this month, charged into the last 4 at Flushing Meadows with a 6-1, 6-0 thrashing of China's Wang Qiang that took just 44 minutes.

The American is hunting a 24th Grand Slam singles title to equal Margaret Court's all-time record and will face Ukrainian fifth seed Elina Svitolina in Thursday's semi-finals.

Williams collected her 100th US Open win against Wang, leaving her one shy of the mark belonging to Chris Evert -- a record she could eclipse by lifting a seventh title here.

"I think the sport has come a really long way. It's been really satisfying to see sport for women, the premier sport for women," said Williams, who beat Martina Hingis in the 1999 final in New York.

"It's the best work in the world that a woman can do in my mind. I'm a little biased obviously. 

"I feel like we fought so hard for so many years for so many different things. I feel like we still obviously have a ways to go, but a lot of that fighting through decades has come through."

Williams conceded just 15 points, and a mere 4 in the second set, as she blew 18th seed Wang away to reach the last 4 for the 13th time in 19 US Open appearances.

Wang conceded she had no answer to the power supplied by Williams, who insisted her approach remains the same as she bids for a first Slam title since the 2017 Australian Open.

"I don't try to up any intimidation factor. I am who I am. I've always been the person that goes out there and roars and screams and complains and cries and fights," Williams said.

"I'm extremely passionate about what I do. Most people that love their jobs are passionate about what they do. That's just me."

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Tennis: Federer, Serena seek U.S. Open quarterfinal berths

NEW YORK -- Roger Federer will try to avoid a second consecutive fourth-round exit from the U.S. Open when he returns to action on Sunday, while Serena Williams resumes her quest for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam title.

Federer, who wilted in hot and humid conditions last year when he fell to Australian John Millman in the last 16, will kick off the day session inside Arthur Ashe Stadium against Belgian 15th seed David Goffin.

"This is where I always try to remain young in my mindset and think back to how I used to think maybe and take the positives out of that," said the Swiss third seed.

"And also don't do the things when you were young like underestimate the opponent, actually respect the conditions. Prepare well if it's hot, prepare if it's windy, not to get frustrated."

Williams, who cruised by Wimbledon quarterfinalist Karolina Muchova to reach the fourth round, will follow Federer onto Ashe when she faces Croatian 22nd seed Petra Martic for the first time.

Other than in the second round when Williams had to rally to beat Catherine McNally, the American eighth seed has looked in solid form and has shown no signs of the back spasms that forced her to retire from the Toronto final.

Defending men's champion Novak Djokovic is also looking fit after a shoulder issue bothered him in his second-round match and the Serb kicks off the night session against Swiss Stan Wawrinka.

Also in action is Daniil Medvedev, who was fined $9,000 for a slew of offences committed during his third round clash with Spaniard Feliciano Lopez.

The Russian fifth seed will face German qualifier Dominik Koepfer.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Tennis: Serena survives scare to reach U.S. Open third round

NEW YORK -- Serena Williams survived a second-round scare at the U.S. Open on Wednesday with a 5-7 6-3 6-1 win over American wildcard Catherine McNally to keep alive her hopes of securing a record-tying 24th Grand Slam title.

World No. 8 Williams, who captured the first of her six U.S. Open titles two years before her 17-year-old opponent was born, spent the first half of the match trying to find her rhythm but when she did she was off to the races.

"She really came out and played really well, she showed no fear," said Williams. "She had absolutely nothing to lose and she played like it."

McNally, competing in only her sixth tour-level event of her career and against the highest-ranked player she has ever faced, used an old-school serve-and-volley approach along with a lethal slice backhand to unsettle Williams.

So effective was McNally, who has tried to model parts of her game after Swiss great Roger Federer, that at one point in the match Williams screamed at her racket "why are you missing?".

But Williams, whose earliest U.S. Open exit came in her 1997 debut when she lost in the third round, turned the match around when she finally broke McNally's serve and then consolidated in a tight service game for a 5-2 lead in the second set.

Williams looked more like herself in the decider -- both serving and returning better -- as she went up a double break for a quick 3-0 lead before storming home and sealing the match when she broke to love.

"I survived tonight. I am not too pleased with the way I played at all," said Williams, whose 28 unforced errors were two fewer than McNally.

"But it's OK, I'm alive, I'm still here and happy to be on this court. I'll do better. I promise."

Williams dropped only one point through her first three service games but it took her some time to make any inroads on the McNally serve as the American was hitting her targets with pinpoint precision.

The match proved a far more gruelling affair for Williams than she had in her opener, where she dismantled Maria Sharapova with one of her most dominant performances since returning from maternity leave in 2018.

McNally said she did not feel intimated walking onto the biggest stage in tennis to face one of the game's all-time best players and left the match feeling beyond proud of what she accomplished.

"I got a set off Serena Williams. Had her close in the second set, too. Had some chances," said McNally.

"For me, it just gives me a lot of confidence, shows me that I can compete out on the biggest stages. Just keep my head down, I'm ready to go back to work."

Up next for Williams will be either Taiwan's Hsieh Su-wei or Czech Karolina Muchova, who were unable to get their match in earlier due to rainy conditions.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Tennis: Serena proves too strong for Sharapova in U.S. Open showdown

NEW YORK - Serena Williams trounced old foe Maria Sharapova 6-1 6-1 in their blockbuster first-round clash at the U.S. Open on Monday to get her quest for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam title off to a flying start.

Williams, returning to the U.S. Open after last year's infamous final in which her row with the chair umpire overshadowed Naomi Osaka's maiden Grand Slam victory, used her trademark power to overwhelm Sharapova in the first New York meeting between two of the sport's biggest names.

Eighth seed Williams showed no signs of the back spasms that forced her to retire in tears from the Toronto final two weeks ago and instead showcased some of her best on-court movement since returning from maternity leave in 2018.

"The body is good," Williams told the crowd at Arthur Ashe Stadium. "I feel good. My back is a lot better so I'm excited. This is going to be fun."

The rivals, who have had a frosty relationship that dates back to 2004 when Sharapova earned her breakout win against Williams in that year's Wimbledon final, came out firing right from the start.

Sharapova did her best to trade big shots with Williams but it quickly became apparent she simply did not have the same high gear she used to collect five Grand Slam titles.

The Russian has fallen to 87th in the rankings during an injury-hit season that included shoulder surgery in February.

Williams, dialed-in throughout the 59-minute encounter, got the first break of the match to go ahead 3-1 and that appeared to free up the six-time champion's playing style as she did not give Sharapova any chance to wrestle away momentum.

The 37-year-old Williams, facing Sharapova for the first time since the 2016 Australian Open, kept pressing and grabbed a double-break for a 5-1 lead and went on to serve out the set.

Sharapova had chances to punch back in the second set but was unable to cash in on any of the five break points she had, the first two while trailing 2-1 and then another three while behind 4-1.

Williams, who improved to 20-2 in career meetings with the Russian, will next face Catherine McNally after the American wildcard beat Swiss Timea Bacsinszky 6-4 6-1 earlier in the day.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue; Editing by Ian Ransom/Peter Rutherford)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Tennis: Serena v Sharapova to headline Day One at U.S. Open

NEW YORK - There will be no shortage of big-name players in action when the U.S. Open begins on Monday but the talk around New York for days has centered around the marquee matchup between Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

Williams and Sharapova - for years the two most recognizable names in women's tennis - will open the evening session at Arthur Ashe Stadium with their first-ever New York meeting in a match that may just have the feel of a championship final.

"Of course I'm going to watch it," defending U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka told reporters. "I know you all are going to watch it. I think everyone in New York is going to watch it.

"At every Grand Slam there is always some sort of drama. You know what I mean? Like a first round. Like, Oh, my God. So this match just happens to be that for this tournament."

Eighth seed Williams, who is seeking a record-tying 24th career Grand Slam title, owns a commanding 19-2 career record against Sharapova, who last beat the American in 2004 and has fallen to 87th in the rankings amid an injury-hit 2019 season.

"Definitely. That's going to be a match to watch," said Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu, who is seeded 15th and plays her first match on Tuesday.

Among the other top names in action on Day One of the year's final Grand Slam are defending champion Novak Djokovic, five-times winner Roger Federer, Australian world number two Ash Barty and Venus Williams.

While that talented group will surely draw plenty of attention, the anticipation for their respective matches will pale in comparison to the Williams-Sharapova matchup.

Williams and Sharapova have not played each other since the 2016 Australian Open. They were set to meet last year at the French Open but Williams withdrew injured moments before their fourth-round match.

While five-times Grand Slam champion Sharapova may be far from her top form, she could still present a challenge for Williams, who has not competed since retiring from the Toronto final against Andreescu with back spasms.

And while their clash is highly anticipated, not everyone in the tennis world is planning their day around the match.

"There are a lot of other quality first rounds. It's not the only first round in the draw," said French Open champion Barty, who kicks off the action at Arthur Ashe Stadium against Zarina Diyas of Kazakhstan.

"I think more importantly I'm focused on my first round on Monday, and that's all I'm worried about for the moment." 

(Editing by Sudipto Ganguly)

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Tennis: Fans betting on sentimental favorite Serena to win U.S. Open

In the twilight of her remarkable career Serena Williams is more often the sentimental favorite rather than the bettors' choice but the 37-year-old American will be both as she heads to the U.S. Open chasing an elusive 24th record-equaling Grand Slam.

Despite fitness concerns and a title drought that stretches back to the 2017 Australian Open, bookmakers are backing Williams to match Margaret Court's record haul and the New York crowds, as always, will be in her corner when play gets underway on Monday at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

A six-time champion at Flushing Meadows, Williams was once money in the bank when it came to the U.S. Open. During a dominating run, she lifted the trophy three years in succession from 2012.

That is no longer the case.

French Open champion Ash Barty or Wimbledon winner Simona Halep, who ran Williams off the court in a lopsided final at the All England Club, may be sounder investments at the betting window but punters are just as likely to follow their hearts as hunches.

In all the four events she has played outside of the majors this year, her title challenges ended abruptly -- she either retired mid-match or handed rivals a walkover.

Since Wimbledon, Williams has played one event. Her hardcourt preparations were limited to the Rogers Cup which ended with the former world number one in tears when she was forced to quit the final against Bianca Andreescu after just 19 minutes after suffering back spasms.

The problem has lingered and led to Williams withdrawing from Cincinnati, and once again raised questions about her ability to withstand a two-week grind on the New York hardcourts.

"The most frustrating part is that I've had this before and it's, like, 24, 36 hours where I'm just in crazy spasm and then it's gone," said Williams after her Rogers Cup disappointment. "I'm just taking it a day at a time."

Williams may not strike fear into opponents as she once did but few, if any, will welcome having her on their side of the draw.

Not long ago, just seeing their name alongside Williams would leave opponents a crumbling wreck. The match often won before it had even begun.

But since returning from her maternity break, Williams is the one who has often looked fragile, out of sorts and out of ideas.

EMOTIONAL ROLLERCOASTER

The last 12 months have been an emotional rollercoaster for Williams, filled with rage and tears.

A year ago the U.S. Open final ended in controversy with fiery exchanges between a fuming Williams and the chair umpire, smashed rackets, penalties and Japan's Naomi Osaka walking away with the trophy.

In Toronto earlier this month, Williams was left sobbing after she was unable to finish the Rogers Cup final.

In between, Williams, widely regarded as the greatest women's player of all-time, was a non-factor during a run to the quarter-finals at the Australian Open.

With aborted runs at Indian Wells, Miami and Rome -- with Williams picking up a single match win at each event -- it seemed as if the glory years were well and truly behind her.

However, just when everyone was ready to write her off, Williams looked more like her old self at Wimbledon -- that is until she was shockingly dismissed by Halep.

"I just have to figure out a way to win a final," said Williams after Wimbledon. "I have to just keep going, keep trying, keep working, maybe be able to play some tournaments uninjured.

"Just keep moving forward."

There once was no template, no game plan to beat Williams. Her power and guile leaving no areas to attack.

But as Williams approaches her 38th birthday, rivals have figured out that they can beat her by forcing her off the baseline and making her run.

Her fitness and durability have been exposed and opponents are seizing on those weaknesses.

Time is no longer on Williams' side in her quest for a 24th Grand Slam trophy.

"Someone told me I shouldn't look at the records any more," said Williams. "I should just focus on my game.

"I feel like I'm just really on this journey of just doing the best that I can, playing the best that I can when I can.

"I just go out there and play, see what happens. That's kind of how I've been in my whole career.

"I never thought about time in general." 

(Editing by Pritha Sarkar)

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Tennis: Serena to return to Auckland for Aussie Open warm-up

WELLINGTON, New Zealand -- Serena Williams announced Tuesday she will warm-up for January's Australian Open at the Auckland Classic, a tournament that has mixed memories for the American superstar.

Williams slumped to a shock second-round loss in her only previous appearance in New Zealand in 2017, lashing out at windy conditions she described as some of the "least favourite" she had ever experienced.

But she went on to win the Australian Open later that month, claiming the most recent of her 23 majors to pass Steffi Graf's Open-era benchmark of 22.

She also announced her engagement to Alexis Ohanian while in New Zealand and it later emerged she was pregnant with her first child while competing at the tournament.

Currently ranked eighth in the world, the 37-year-old said she wanted to show New Zealanders what she could do on the court.

"Oh man, I want to win that title so bad," she said in a statement. 

"Last time I was there I had so much going on and although I fought through to win my first match, I know I didn't play to my level."

Since her 2017 triumph at Melbourne Park, Williams has been chasing a 24th Grand Slam to match Australian Margaret Court's record.

She is battling back problems ahead of the US Open that forced her to retire from warm-up tournaments in Toronto and Cincinnatti.

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Tennis: Federer, Djokovic advance as Serena pulls out in Cincinnati

CINCINNATI -- Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic overwhelmed opponents at the WTA-ATP Cincinnati Masters on Tuesday, where Serena Williams withdrew because of back trouble.

Williams had hoped to rebound from the back spasms that forced her out of the WTA final in Toronto on Sunday, where she lasted only four games before retiring.

But the 23-time Grand Slam champion said her back was "still not right" casting a further shadow on her chances at the US Open starting in Flushing Meadows on August 26.

For Djokovic and Federer, back in action for the first time since the Serb's victory over the Swiss in the Wimbledon final, it was a smooth start to their US Open build-up.

Federer, seeded third, remained unruffled by a one-hour rain interruption at 2-2 in the second set, eventually defeating Argentina's Juan Ignacio Londero 6-3, 6-4 to reach the third round at the event he has won seven times.

"I'm very happy, even if it was a bit tricky with the rain delay," Federer said. "I'm happy to be back on court.

"This is the start of a long, long hardcourt swing. It's good to begin with a win.

"I didn't know that much about my opponent -- he's new to the tour -- but at the end you have to concentrate on your own game."

Defending champion Djokovic double faulted three times as he dropped serve in the opening game against Sam Querrey but quickly put things right and pulled away for a 7-5, 6-1 victory over the American.

"I ended the match well even if the start was nervy," said Djokovic, who would break Querrey twice to take the first set then roll to victory.

"Sam was feeling comfortable on the court at the start and dictating. It was tough facing his big serve," Djokovic said, adding that he was "hoping for a better performance in the next round."

Williams, meanwhile, was left just trying to get healthy after pulling out of her scheduled first-round match against qualifier Zarina Diyas.

"I came to Mason (Ohio) on Sunday and have tried everything to be ready to play tonight, and was still hopeful after my practice this morning," Williams said in a statement released by tournament officials.

"But unfortunately my back is still not right."

It's another injury blow for the 37-year-old American, who was hampered by knee trouble earlier this season and remains in search of her first title since the 2017 Australian Open.

In early action, Stan Wawrinka won a first-round battle as he eliminated 2017 Cincinnati champion Grigor Dimitrov 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4).

Under leaden skies after an overnight thunderstorm, Dimitrov broke in the 12th game of the first set to take the lead. The 33-year-old Swiss fought back with the only break in the second set.

Wawrinka then raced into a 5-1 lead in the final set but wasted two match points in the eighth game and was broken twice while serving for victory.

Wawrinka had to hold off his Bulgarian opponent in the final-set tiebreaker before squeezing through in more than two and a half hours with his 10th ace.

- Venus topples Bertens -

Venus Williams kept the family flag flying, the 39-year-old American putting her decades of experience to good use in a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/4) victory over defending champion Kiki Bertens.

"Before the match I felt quite good. Stepping on court, I'd say first few games was pretty bad," Bertens said. "I didn't start the match in a loose way. I knew that I had to defend the title."

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Tennis: Serena rolls past Osaka in Toronto, Halep retires

Serena Williams moved into the Rogers Cup semi-finals on Friday with a maiden career victory over Naomi Osaka in their first meeting since the American's infamous row with an umpire overshadowed last year's U.S. Open final.

The 6-3 6-4 loss continued a run of poor form for Osaka but there was some good news later in the day when Karolina Pliskova lost to ensure the U.S and Australian Open champion would replace Ash Barty as world number one next week.

Williams will next face qualifier Marie Bouzkova, who advanced when Wimbledon champion and holder Simona Halep retired from their match with a left Achilles problem after dropping the first set 6-4.

There was no doubt about what was the big match of the day at the third oldest tournament in tennis.

Unlike at Flushing Meadows last year, where Osaka won her first Grand Slam title, there were no fiery exchanges with the umpire, no smashed rackets, no point or game penalties -- just a rock-solid performance from Williams.

The 37-year-old is looking to shore up her hardcourt game for the Aug. 26-to-Sept. 8 U.S. Open where she will chase a record-tying 24th career Grand Slam title.

Williams had slow starts in her previous two outings this week but came out much stronger for this one and delivered a serving masterclass that denied Osaka any break point opportunities.

"We haven't played since New York which was a really good match for her and I just wanted to come out and try to win a set this time because she's beaten me twice so I just wanted to do the best I could today," Williams said in an on-court interview.

There was a scary moment in the second set when the American ran into the net post while trying to chase down an Osaka drop shot but, despite nursing her right arm, Williams confirmed that no serious damage had been done.

"Tennis players don't really get too dirty and ugly on the court. So that was one of a few moments where those kind of injuries can happen or whatever," said Williams. "But it was fine. It hurt, but it wasn't the end of the world."

Czech 21-year-old Bouzkova's breakout run in Toronto will carry into the weekend after Halep, who had been complaining about her Achilles all week, retired from their match.

"Achilles problems. I felt since the first match here. And today I felt it more, so that's why I decided to retire," said Halep. "Tomorrow it would have been Serena and is not easy."

In earlier quarter-final action, Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu played through leg pain to keep her dream run alive with a 6-0 2-6 6-4 upset of Czech Pliskova.

Andreescu looked to be in trouble when she gingerly returned to the court from a medical timeout late in the second set with her right thigh heavily taped and her movement hampered.

But the 19-year-old, who shot to prominence with her Indian Wells triumph in March, went toe-to-toe with her more experienced opponent to win by serving out to love.

"When I step out on the court, I'm fearless. I show no mercy no matter who I play, and I think that's showing a lot," said Andreescu.

Up next for Andreescu will be unseeded American Sofia Kenin, who extended her impressive Toronto run with a 7-6(2) 6-4 win over Ukrainian former champion Elina Svitolina.

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Tennis: Serena, Osaka advance in Toronto to set up rematch

Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka advanced to the Rogers Cup quarter-finals on Thursday to set up their first meeting since the American's infamous row with an umpire overshadowed last year's U.S. Open final.

Osaka won her first career Grand Slam at Flushing Meadows but the title match will be remembered for Williams' feud with Carlos Ramos, who warned her for a coaching violation before deducting a point and then a game for her behavior.

Williams, a three-times Rogers Cup champion, overcame a sluggish start on Thursday to earn a 7-5 6-4 win over Russian qualifier Ekaterina Alexandrova.

Japanese second seed Osaka then closed out the day's action with a 7-6(4) 6-4 win over Polish qualifier Iga Swiatek.

"I've been actually looking forward to playing her for a while," Williams said of the Osaka matchup.

Williams, who is eager to get more hard-court matches under her belt before seeking a record-tying 24th career Grand Slam at the U.S. Open, came back from an early double-break down, helped in part by eight double-faults by Alexandrova in the first set.

The American eighth seed, in her first career meeting with Alexandrova, went down a break again and trailed 3-1 in the second but her serve suddenly started to click as she stormed back to 3-3 and from there raced home.

"She played really well. She didn't really give me any rhythm," Williams said. "I wasn't sure what would come, if it was going to be hard or soft or a winner or what so it was definitely a challenge for me."

Osaka also had her hands full and needed to save a pair of set points before grabbing the opener against Swiatek.

The Japanese made a quick start to the second set and seemed in control until Swiatek made a comeback, the 18-year-old winning over the crowd with her versatile play as the match wore on.

Osaka, 21, said she was excited about the chance to play Williams, someone she grew up watching and has beaten in their two previous meetings.

"Whenever I get the opportunity to play her it's something that I feel is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity." said Osaka.

"It feels more like I am showcasing my skills to her like 'look what I can do.' So I will go into the match with that mentality."

Defending champion Simona Halep, in her first event since winning last month's Wimbledon, needed 67 minutes to secure a 6-2 6-1 win over Russian wildcard Svetlana Kuznetsova.

Halep took a medical timeout in her previous match to have her left Achilles tended to and she said she still felt pain in the area against Kuznetsova but that it was feeling much better.

"The fact that I'm back in the quarter-finals here means a lot to me," said Halep. "It feels like I'm getting back the rhythm which I had in Wimbledon."

Up next for Halep will be in-form Czech qualifier Marie Bouzkova, who breezed by former French Open champion Jelena Ostapenko 6-2 6-2 and has yet to drop a set.

Earlier on Thursday, Czech third seed Karolina Pliskova beat Estonian Anett Kontaveit 6-3 7-5 to set up a last eight meeting with Canadian Bianca Andreescu, who upset Dutch fifth seed Kiki Bertens 6-1 6-7(7) 6-4.

Also securing passage to the last eight were American Sofia Kenin and 2017 champion Elina Svitolina of Ukraine.

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Tennis: Serena storms into third round in Toronto

TORONTO - Serena Williams made a solid start to her first U.S. Open tune-up with a 6-3 6-3 victory over Elise Mertens on Wednesday while Naomi Osaka took a step closer to regaining her world No. 1 ranking by reaching the last 16 of the Rogers Cup.

Three-times champion Williams, playing her first match since falling to Simona Halep in the Wimbledon final, married her trademark power with quick movement and a steady stream of booming serves to overwhelm Belgian Mertens.

"It feels good," Williams said of her return to the hard-court surface. "Definitely feels different as I didn't play a ton this year on hardcourts but it feels good to be back out here."

Williams is keen to get more hard-court matches in before going for a record-equalling 24th career Grand Slam title at the Aug. 26-Sept. 8 U.S. Open and she took some time to hit her stride on Wednesday.

After a pedestrian start, Williams raised the intensity during a lengthy four-deuce service game in the first set that she closed out with a thundering ace to go ahead 4-3 and set the tone for the rest of the 75-minute match.

She went on to win six of the final seven games to seal the win.

Williams will face Russian qualifier Ekaterina Alexandrova in the last 16 and a win would set up a potential quarter-final with U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka, which would be their first encounter since last year's controversial New York final.

Earlier on Tuesday, Japanese second seed Osaka won the first set against Tatjana Maria 6-2 and advanced when the German qualifier retired.

"I thought I played really well despite the fact that we only played one set," said Osaka. "I'm just happy that it was my first match in a while and I was able to get in the groove of things quickly."

By reaching the last 16, Osaka is set to unseat Australian Ash Barty, who lost her second-round match on Tuesday, as world number one next week, though Karolina Pliskova also has a chance to reclaim top spot if she reaches the semi-finals.

The Czech third seed beat American qualifier Alison Riske 6-4 6-7(4) 6-2 and will next face Estonian Anett Kontaveit, who was beating Carla Suarez Navarro 7-5 3-1 when the Spaniard retired with a hip injury.

Fourth seed Halep survived a stern test from American qualifier Jennifer Brady with a 4-6 7-5 7-6(5) victory to reach the last 16 and keep alive her hopes of winning a second consecutive Rogers Cup title.

Halep, playing her first match since Wimbledon, needed a medical timeout to get treatment on her left leg and even after building a 4-0 cushion in the deciding set had to dig deep after Brady mounted a comeback.

"I was tired in the third set, I felt the Achilles since the first point of the match, but it's normal after a break and also coming on the hard courts," said Halep. "It's very difficult for the ankles and also for the knees."

Next up for Halep will be Russian wildcard Svetlana Kuznetsova, who got by Croatia's Donna Vekic 7-6(4) 6-3.

Former world number one Caroline Wozniacki fell 1-6 6-3 6-4 to Polish qualifier Iga Swiatek, who smacked 34 winners en route to the win over the 2010 champion under the lights.

"It's amazing. I'm feeling great," the teenager said.

"I mean, I'm really tired, and I should be sleeping right now," she said.

Swiatek will need all the rest she can get before she faces Osaka in the third round on Thursday.

Among the other players advancing were Ukrainian sixth seed and 2017 champion Elina Svitolina, Ukrainian teenager Dayana Yastremska, Latvian Jelena Ostapenko, Canadian Bianca Andreescu and Swiss Belinda Bencic.

(Reporting by Frank Pingue in Toronto and Rory Carroll in Los Angeles, editing by Ed Osmond/Peter Rutherford)

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Serena again tops Forbes list of highest-paid sports women

WASHINGTON -- US tennis superstar Serena Williams topped Forbes magazine's list of the highest paid women in sports for the fourth straight year on Tuesday.

The business publication calculated that the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion earned $29.2 million in the 12-month period ending June 1 -- with just $4.2 million of that coming from prize money.

Japan's Naomi Osaka, who burst to international stardom with a stunning upset of Williams in the 2018 US Open final and went on to win the Australian Open in January, became just the fourth woman to earn more than $20 million in a year -- after Williams and tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Li Na.

Forbes pegged Osaka's earnings at $24.3 million, putting her second on a list dominated by tennis players.

Former Wimbledon champion Angelique Kerber was third on the list with earnings of $11.8 million followed by this year's Wimbledon champion Simona Halep.

Forbes included prize money, salaries, bonuses, endorsements and appearance fees between June 1, 2018, and June 1, 2019 in the figures.

The highest placed athlete from a different sport was US footballer Alex Morgan, who clocked in at 12th. Morgan earned $5.8 million, most of it in endorsements.

Indian badminton star PV Sindhu and Thai golfer Ariya Jutanugarn were the other non-tennis players in the top 15.

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Tennis: Serena has lost 'intimidation' factor, says Halep

LONDON -- Simona Halep believes that Serena Williams has lost the intimidation factor that once condemned rivals to defeat even before they set foot on court.

Halep handed the American legend a 6-2, 6-2 rout in the Wimbledon final on Saturday to become the first Romanian to win a singles title at the All England Club.

The 56-minute dissection of the Williams playbook was the 23-time Slam winner's most lopsided loss in a major final.

With her 38th birthday fast approaching, her dream of matching Margaret Court's all-time mark of 24 majors seems as far away as it has ever been.

"I have always been intimidated a little bit when I faced Serena," admitted 27-year-old Halep.

"She's an inspiration for everyone and the model for everyone. But today I decided before the match that I'm going to focus on myself and on the final of Grand Slam, not on her. 

"That's why I was able to play my best, to be relaxed, and to be able to be positive and confident against her."

It was a tactic which worked to perfection for the world number seven who had lost nine of her previous 10 meetings with Williams.

Her only win had come at the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore in 2014.

For Halep, it was a second Grand Slam title after breaking her duck at the 2018 French Open which had followed three losses in title matches at the Slams.

On Saturday, she committed just three unforced errors; Williams was undone by 26.

"I'm very sure that was the best match of my life," said Halep.

The challenge now is for Halep to keep backing it up.

She has been a runner-up at the Australian Open, losing the 2018 final to Caroline Wozniacki.

Until this year, she had never got beyond the semi-finals at Wimbledon while a last-four run in 2015 remains her best performance at the US Open.

When she won the 2018 French Open, she exited Wimbledon in the third round and the US Open at the first hurdle.

"The finals I lost in the past helped me for sure to be different when I face this moment.

"It's never easy to play a Grand Slam final. You can get intimidated by the moment. You can get too nervous. 

"I have learned that it's a normal match, not thinking that much about the trophy, just going there and try to be the best as you can. So I did that. 

"I said that every time I would play a final of a Grand Slam, I will do exactly the same thing. So today I did it."

Halep, who is now looking forward to returning to the All England Club as a life member "to have dinner, have lunch, play a little bit of tennis" joked that her victory on Saturday was almost by royal command.

Up in the Royal Box was Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Halep's favourite.

"It was an honour to play in front of her. I had the chance to meet her after the match. She's very kind, very nice. 

"Yeah, it was an extra boost when I saw all of them there, the Royal family."

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Tennis: Simona Halep beats Serena to win Wimbledon singles title

LONDON—Serena Williams' wait for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title goes on after Simona Halep stunned the off-key American 6-2 6-2 in a one-sided Wimbledon final on Saturday.

An inspired Halep took full advantage of an error-strewn display by seven-times champion Williams to become the first Romanian to win a Wimbledon singles title.

The 27-year-old Halep, broke the Williams serve in the opening game and raced into a 4-0 lead in front of 15,000 disbelieving fans on Centre Court.

She remained rock solid throughout, making only three unforced errors, and Williams simply could not respond.

Even when Williams fired herself up at the start of the second set and began to strike the ball with her customary power, seventh seed Halep refused to take a backward step.

Halep weathered the storm and reeled off the last five games of what she described as the best match of her life.

Williams, who is still to add to her Grand Slam collection since giving birth to daughter Olympia in September 2017, looked out of ideas and the match ended after 56 minutes when she buried a forehand into the net -- her 26th unforced error.

"She played out of her mind," Williams, who had won nine of her previous 10 matches against Halep, said on court after picking up the runners-up salver for the second year running, having lost to a similarly inspired Angelique Kerber last year.

"It was a little bit a deer in headlights for me. Whenever a player plays like that you just have to take your hat off."

Until Saturday the only other Romanian to reach the Wimbledon final was Ilie Nastase who twice finished runner-up, in 1972 and 1976. But Halep went one better as she added the Wimbledon crown to the French Open she won in 2018.

"It's something very special and I'll never forget this day. It was my mum's dream when I was about 10. The day came," former world number one Halep said.

"Well I had nerves, my stomach wasn't well before. But I knew there was no time for emotions so I just came out on court to do my best." (Reporting by Martyn Herman Editing by Toby Davis)

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Tennis: Serena 'saw therapist' after US Open meltdown

LONDON -- Serena Williams revealed Tuesday that she consulted a therapist after her infamous 2018 US Open final meltdown in which her bitter war of words with the umpire overshadowed Naomi Osaka's maiden Grand Slam victory.

The American superstar was widely vilified for her New York outburst in which she branded the chair umpire a "liar" and "thief".

She was handed a code violation for coaching,docked a point for smashing her racket and penalized a game for verbal abuse.

"I couldn't find peace. I started seeing a therapist," Williams wrote in a first-person account published in US glossy magazine Harper's Bazaar.

"I was searching for answers, and although I felt like I was making progress, I still wasn't ready to pick up a racket."

Williams's essay appeared online and on her own Instagram account in the middle of her Wimbledon quarter-final defeat of Alison Riske on Tuesday.

In it, she says she has apologized to Osaka, the breakout Japanese star who won the US Open final in straight sets.

"I am so proud of you and I am truly sorry. I thought I was doing the right thing in sticking up for myself. But I had no idea the media would pit us against each other," said the 37-year-old Williams.

"I would love the chance to live that moment over again. I am, was, and will always be happy for you and supportive of you.

"I would never, ever want the light to shine away from another female, specifically another black female athlete."

Williams said that Osaka, who went on to take the Australian Open title and the world number one spot, had accepted her apology.

Osaka's reply, she insisted, had even moved her to tears.

Despite her apology, Williams still insists she was a victim of sexism at Flushing Meadows.

"Why is it that when women get passionate, they're labeled emotional, crazy, and irrational, but when men do they're seen as passionate and strong?

"So often, in situations similar to mine, when men fight back against the referees, they're met with a smile or even a laugh from the umpire, as if they're sharing an inside joke.

"I'm not asking to avoid being penalized. I am asking to be treated the same way as everyone else. Sadly, that's simply not the world we currently live in."

After partnering Andy Murray in the mixed doubles on Tuesday, the American said it had been a tough decision to seek counselling.

"It wasn't very easy. I've had a lot of things happen to me at that particular tournament in general," she explained.

"It was just important to always try to better yourself in any way that you can."

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