US Open ticker This is what Alcaraz says about his exit ++ Osaka fails: "My heart is dying"

What's happening at the US Open? We'll keep you up to date with the most important events in New York in our daily ticker.

• Liveticker

  New posts
• Liveticker closed
What Alcaraz says about his sensational exit

Carlos Alcaraz is surprisingly eliminated in the 2nd round of the US Open. The world number 3 from Spain lost 1:6, 5:7, 4:6 to the unseeded Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp (ATP 74). To the match report.

Botic van de Zandschulp just knocked Carlos Alcaraz out of the US Open! pic.twitter.com/QK3ZrkoPgx

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2024

"It was a battle against myself in my head," said Alcaraz shortly before midnight, almost stumbling over his own words as he spoke in English. "Today I was playing against my opponent and against myself. I had a lot of emotions that I couldn't control." The 21-year-old lost in just 2:19 hours - faster than ever before in New York.

The four-time Grand Slam champion berated himself on the court, tapped his forehead and lamented with his coaches. All to no avail. His opponent, on the other hand, was completely overwhelmed by the biggest victory of his career to date. "I have no words. It was an incredible evening for me," said van de Zandschulp on the stadium microphone.

Medvedev unchallenged despite 10 double faults

Unlike Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev made it through to the 3rd round at the US Open in New York. The Russian number 5 seed, the 2021 tournament winner in Flushing Meadows and also a finalist in 2019 and 2023, didn't show any weakness in his 6:3, 6:2, 7:6 (7:5) win over Hungary's Fabian Marozsan (ATP 51), although he struggled with his serve. Medvedev produced ten double faults during the two hours of play and conceded four breaks. On Saturday, he will face Italian Flavio Cobolli (ATP 31), the doubles partner of Dominic Stricker.

Daniil with more gold in a post-match interview.

This time comparing Louis Armstrong Stadium to an Italian restaurant. pic.twitter.com/IgLb4rsKnv

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2024

Osaka: "My heart is dying"

Naomi Osaka also fails to make it past the 2nd round at her third Grand Slam tournament after her baby break. The 2018 and 2020 US Open winner fought a high-class duel with last year's Czech semi-finalist Karolina Muchova, but was beaten 3:6, 6:7 (5:7) in the decisive moments. Naomi Osaka sees her first season after the birth of her daughter Shai as a "learning year", but the 26-year-old Japanese player still finds it difficult to deal with defeats. "That's a dramatic word, but it feels like my heart dies every time I lose."

Karolina Muchova showing the range in a big moment! pic.twitter.com/KBEuO4rJFW

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 30, 2024

Zverev: "I've never sweated like this before"

His physical condition on the hottest day of this US Open gives Alexander Zverev hope for the path to the first Grand Slam title of his career. "I've never sweated as much in my life as I did today. But funnily enough, I felt very, very good on the court. I didn't have any physical problems," reported the 2021 Olympic tennis champion. "I was completely wet, but I wasn't hot. That's a very, very positive sign."

In temperatures of up to 35 degrees on the court in Queens, Zverev was pleased to have saved his strength in his 6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:1 win over French outsider Alexandre Müller. In contrast to his next opponent Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who threw up on the court in his five-set victory over his Argentinian compatriot Francisco Cerundolo.

Djokovic progresses this time against Djere without any trouble

Novak Djokovic also holds his own in the second round of the US Open in New York. Last year's winner and four-time US Open champion was leading 6:4, 6:4, 2:0 in a rematch of last year's third round match against Laslo Djere when his compatriot had to retire due to back problems. Twelve months ago, Djokovic had had much more trouble. Back then, he prevailed after trailing 0:2 in sets.

Zverev advances to the third round

In contrast to the opening match, Alexander Zverev did not lose a set in the second round of the US Open. However, the German number one still had to fight hard in the New York heat.

Alexander Zverev has defied the heat at the US Open and reached the third round. The 2021 Olympic tennis champion defeated French outsider Alexandre Müller 6:4, 7:6 (7:5), 6:1 in 2:26 hours. Unlike in the opener against Davis Cup team-mate Maximilian Marterer, Zverev spared himself an energy-sapping fourth set in temperatures of more than 30 degrees at the Grand Slam tournament in New York.

The 27-year-old will now meet Argentinian Tomas Martin Etcheverry, who defeated his compatriot Francisco Cerundolo in five sets, in the round of 32.

Osaka explains emotional outburst after victory

After her victory against Jelena Ostapenko in the first round, Naomi Osaka bursts into tears. In an Instagram story, the former world number 1 reveals what was behind her emotional outburst. She posts a picture of herself on crutches and writes: "I was asked why I was so emotional yesterday."

The explanation: "Honestly, even if you don't include coming back from pregnancy, New York being my home, etc., this was me a year ago." She had not been able to walk without pain and did not know if she would ever be able to play at a high intensity again. "So yes, this sport means a lot to me." Osaka has won four Grand Slam titles in her career so far. The 26-year-old triumphed in Flushing Meadows in 2018 and 2020.

Naomi Osaka in tears after her win over Ostapenko at US Open tells you all you need to know.

Last year, she was dreaming of coming back to this place, but said she didn’t know if she could.

Today, she has her answer.

What a journey. What a player. 🥹

pic.twitter.com/Pa2ZhL2dfg

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 27, 2024

Tsitsipas looks deep after first-round exit

Stefanos Tsitsipas fails in the first round of the US Open against Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis. What the 26-year-old Greek says after the match is thought-provoking: "I'm nothing compared to the player I used to be. I remember when I was younger, with adrenaline on the pitch, with the feeling that my life depended on the game."

Tsitsipas reached his career peak in August 2021, when he rose to No. 3 in the world rankings; he is now still ranked a strong 11th. Nevertheless, he is still searching for his old strength: "My concentration was at its peak back then. I have the feeling that it has dropped a little since then. I know it sounds strange, but I have the feeling that I need to regain the hunger I had." Although he knows this, he has great difficulty in changing anything about it.

Immediately before the US Open, the Greek made some initial adjustments and ended his collaboration with his father and coach Apostolos Tsitsipas. Now it remains to be seen whether this change will have the desired effect.

Discussions because Casper Ruud drinks from his own bottle

Casper Ruud wins the first round match 7:6, 6:2 and 6:2 against Bo Yunchaokete from China.

In the first set, the Norwegian wanted to drink from his own bottle and then had to deal with a tournament supervisor. The supervisor pointed out to Ruud that the players had to take the bottles from the official drinks container.

"What are you going to do if I use the bottle? Punish me?" replied Ruud, taking a sip of his own drink.

The rules state that every Grand Slam tournament must provide drinks containers for the players. The players must make use of them. If otherwise requested, this must be agreed with the referee and a tournament official.

Ruud wanted to drink from his own bottle because the drink was better chilled. The world number 8 referred the supervisor to the high temperatures.

There were apparently no consequences for Ruud. In the 2nd round he will meet the Frenchman Gaël Monfils.

Casper Ruud & Supervisor- Water bottles being discussed pic.twitter.com/XvIXtkHeLW

— Llama 𝕊𝕒𝕪𝕤 ☄🌠🚀 (@tennis_lol) August 26, 2024

Injured Saville admits she played for the money

Australian Daria Saville is injured, but played her 1st round match anyway. Saville manages to win one set against Ena Shibahara, but no more. She has to say goodbye to the US Open again.

The decision to compete at all was a difficult one for her. Preparations for the tournament were virtually canceled. She last played in doubles at the Olympic Games. There, too, she was eliminated in the 1st round.

However, she will be pocketing 100,000 dollars anyway. This is the amount athletes receive at the US Open just for making it through to the first round.

And the large sum was probably the main reason why Saville competed despite her injury. "Where else am I going to earn money? I lose money every week when I bring a coach. Where else am I going to earn prize money like this?" said Saville after his defeat to Shibahara.

According to "Eurosport", Saville posted a story on Instagram from a treatment room after the game and said that she could no longer walk. "The pain was a seven out of ten at the start. When you lose, you feel it more than when you win," said Saville.

Muchova surprises with a shot behind her back

Karolina Muchova is through to the 2nd round of the US Open. In the second set, she unleashes the "shot of the year", as the US Open organizer announces on its official channels.

Opponent Katie Volynets plays a smash, which Muchova returns. And how. The Czech stands far away from the baseline and is able to play the ball with her racket behind her back to Volynets' side.

Muchova plays the ball so strongly that Volynets' return degenerates into a smash. Muchova seizes the opportunity and takes a point. In the final set, Muchova prevails 6:3 and 7:5.

Longest match in US Open history - record from 1992 broken

Britain's Dan Evans defeats Russia's Karen Khachanov in the longest match in US Open history. It took him 5 hours and 35 minutes to beat the world number 22 6:7 (6.8), 7:6 (7:2), 7:6 (7:4), 4:6, 6:4. That is nine minutes longer than the semi-final won by Stefan Edberg against Michael Chang in 1992. In the fifth set, Evans (ATP 184), who missed a match point in the third round of Stan Wawrinka's 2016 US Open victory, was already trailing 0:4. However, he then fought his way back and won the next six games.

Wawrinka also fails in the 1st round

Stan Wawrinka was also unable to polish up his Swiss record at the US Open. The 39-year-old from Vaud lost in the first round to qualifier Mattia Bellucci from Italy 4:6, 6:7 (5:7), 3:6.

The 2016 champion struggled badly on his return in particular and was only able to break the world number 101's serve once. This is the first time since the 2020 US Open that no Swiss men or women have reached the second round of a Grand Slam tournament.

Wawrinka, who was only eligible to compete thanks to a wild card, was able to count on the huge support of the crowd, but had little to offer the sixteen years younger left-hander from Lombardy. Often under pressure with his own service due to less than 50 percent first serves, he was always chasing a deficit. After two and a quarter hours, Bellucci achieved his first victory at Grand Slam level after first round defeats in Australia, Paris and Wimbledon.

Wawrinka's last match at the US Open?

With only five wins this year, Wawrinka also lacks the necessary conviction and self-confidence, although he says he plays well in training. In the rankings, he will fall back to around position 225 in ten days' time. It would therefore not come as a complete surprise if he had played his last match in New York against Bellucci.

The three-time Grand Slam winner managed his only break in the first set to level the score at 3:3, but immediately gave up his serve again. After that, he only had one break chance, at 2:2 in the third set. Immediately afterwards, the Italian made it 4:2. In the tiebreak of the second set, only one point went to the return player - the last one to make it 7:5 for Bellucci.

Sinner confident after a disastrous start

The tennis world waited with bated breath to see how Jannik Sinner would react to the announcement of his positive doping tests in March and his acquittal. Disastrous at first: the world number 1 lost seven of the first nine games against the American Mackenzie McDonald (ATP 140), who was actually playing in a completely different league, and was trailing in the set and break. But then the 23-year-old South Tyrolean turned on the heat and never even came close to losing 2:6, 6:2, 6:1, 6:2. Another American youngster, Alex Michelsen (ATP 49), awaits in the 2nd round.

Mama Osaka's super suit

Naomi Osaka celebrated a successful return as a mother with a convincing two-set victory against the number 10 seed Jelena Ostapenko. Her performance will also be remembered beyond her sporting success. An oversized bow in mint green on her back, a pleated skirt in the same color, large headphones and shoes with the same bow look. Superstar Naomi Osaka wowed the crowd with her outfit for her opening match - and gave herself confidence. "I think when I put this outfit on, it's almost like a super suit for me," said the Japanese player. For Osaka, it was one of her biggest successes since returning to the professional tour as a mother at the start of this season.

Alcaraz only briefly off the pace

Carlos Alcaraz, the winner of the last two Grand Slam tournaments in Paris and Wimbledon, surprisingly dropped the second set against Australian qualifier Li Tu (ATP 186), but ultimately remained unchallenged in his opening match. "He was nervous at the start," said the Spaniard, who is seeded number 3. "But then he played really well and surprised me a bit."

Swiatek despite 41 slight errors

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek does not make a convincing impression at her start to the US Open, but fights her way through the first round.

Swiatek made no fewer than 41 unforced errors against Kamilla Rakhimova (WTA 104), who had actually lost in the last round of qualifying. It took her almost two hours to prevail 6:4, 7:6 (8:6). Swiatek fended off three set points in a row in the tie-break of the second set. The 23-year-old Pole has only lost once in the first round at 23 Grand Slam tournaments - in 2019 at Wimbledon against Switzerland's Viktorija Golubic.

Nishioka collapses on the court

The heat in New York claims its first victim. The Japanese player Yoshihito Nishioka (ATP 53) fights in the 5th set against the Serb Miomir Kecmanovic, who is ranked one place lower in the world rankings, for a place in the 2nd round. But suddenly nothing works for the 28-year-old. He slumps down in pain and lies on the floor. While Nishioka receives treatment, his opponent sits down on the floor next to him. Nishioka is eventually taken off the court in a wheelchair.

Later, the Japanese player is able to reassure his fans: "Thank you all for the support. I apologize for worrying you." He had had cramps in his legs and hips, and then his shoulder blades and thighs were also affected.

Nishioka se lesionou durante o jogo hoje no US Open e Kecmanovic, o adversário, sentou ao seu lado enquanto ele era atendido. Cenas bonitas de ver no tênis. pic.twitter.com/FtYJMuozXi

— Sisi • Esportes Olímpicos 🛹 (@sisiesportes) August 27, 2024

Muchova wins the point with a magic shot

Karolina Muchova makes a strong start to this year's US Open and quickly takes a 4:1 lead against Katie Volynets. In the sixth game, the Czech then manages a magic shot that is rarely seen. But see for yourself.

KAROLINA MUCHOVA WITH THE SHOT OF THE YEAR!! 🤯 pic.twitter.com/GnSqWWwbxn

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 27, 2024

Wawrinka must save Swiss honor

Only two Swiss men and one Swiss woman have qualified for the US Open. Dominic Stricker and Viktorija Golubic have already been eliminated. Only Stan Wawrinka can ensure that there is still something to celebrate from a Swiss perspective in New York. The 2016 US Open winner will face the Italian Mattia Bellucci. The match does not start until 23:00 Swiss time.

Djokovic and Sabalenka without any problems at the start

The two world No. 2s have a quiet start to the US Open. Novak Djokovic beat Radu Albot from Moldova 6:2, 6:2, 6:4 in the men's singles.

In the women's draw, Aryna Sabalenka also had no problems in her 6-3, 6-3 win over Priscilla Hon, who, like Albot, had qualified for the tournament.

The Belarusian is aiming for her first title in New York after two Australian Open victories. So far this year, Djokovic has failed to become the sole record holder in the men's and women's singles with his 25th Grand Slam triumph. However, his Olympic victory in Paris fulfilled a great dream and boosted his self-confidence.

Thiem without a chance in his Grand Slam farewell

Dominic Thiem's last match at a Grand Slam tournament lasted less than two hours, by which time the soon-to-be 31-year-old Austrian had lost in three sets to last year's semi-finalist Ben Shelton. Like Stan Wawrinka, who will play qualifier Mattia Bellucci on Tuesday, Thiem (ATP 210) benefited from a wild card and was thus able to make one more appearance in the huge Arthur Ashe Stadium.

It was here that he won his only Grand Slam title four years ago, now he said goodbye after 111 matches (75 wins). Thiem will say his final farewell in the fall at his home tournament in Vienna.

New York will forever love Domi ❤️

2020 champion @domithiem bids an emotional farewell to the US Open 🥹@usopen | #USOpenpic.twitter.com/Zfx5KJlx5s

— ATP Tour (@atptour) August 26, 2024

Early exit: Stricker fails to open against Comesana

Dominic Stricker (ATP 169) fails in the opening round of the US Open. The player from Bern was defeated by the Argentinian Francisco Comesaña (ATP 108) in four sets.

It was a first round that was absolutely winnable for last year's round of 16 finalist. However, after a solid start, the 22-year-old from Bern lost most of the important points and thus the match 6:4, 3:6, 6:7 (4:7), 3:6. He will slip down the world rankings to 330th place or even lower.

Stricker is struggling to confirm his breakthrough from last year. The junior winner of the French Open 2020 missed the first half of the season due to persistent back problems, after which he never really got going. Although he showed signs of improvement last week in Winston-Salem with his first win of the year at ATP level, he was unable to confirm this in New York.

Comesaña, who is a year older, has not yet torn up any thick ropes on hard court and is only playing his second Grand Slam tournament. At Wimbledon, he had at least defeated the top ten player Andrej Rublev and reached the 3rd round. However, Stricker came to Flushing Meadows with fond memories of 2023, when he thrilled the fans with his relaxed approach and victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas.

There's not much of that left at the moment. Stricker had plenty of chances for a better result. After winning the first set, he also led by a break in the second (3:2) and later had a set point on Comesaña's serve in the third to take a 2:1 lead. At the moment, Stricker lacks composure and self-confidence in these decisive moments. So after just over three hours on the small outdoor court 4, it was already over.

Badosa outclasses Golubic

Viktorija Golubic (WTA 73) also fails to win in her seventh appearance at the US Open. The 31-year-old from Zurich lost to Spain's Paula Badosa 0:6, 3:6 in 69 minutes.

At the Australian Open earlier this year, Golubic had made it through a round of the main draw for the first time, but in New York she clearly failed to do so. She only won her first game against the New York-born Badosa after half an hour to go 1:0 up in the second set, and she got her service through for the first and only time at 3:5.

Badosa is on her way back to the top after a year marked by injuries. Since the beginning of the month, the 26-year-old former world No. 2 has won the 500 tournament in Washington DC and reached the semi-finals of the WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati. Nevertheless, something could have been possible for Golubic in the second set because the Swiss showed fighting spirit and Badosa weakened on her own service.

But despite all her efforts, things have not been going well for Golubic for a few weeks now. Since her victory in the starting round of the French Open against Czech Wimbledon winner Barbora Krejcikova, she has only won one match on the WTA Tour.

Zverev wins German duel at US Open

Alexander Zverev has more trouble than expected in the first round of the US Open. He is not yet in title form against his partner from the Olympics.

Alexander Zverev gave his Olympic roommate Maximilian Marterer an appreciative pat on the back and smiled after overcoming a feat of strength. With some effort, the Hamburg native won the German duel in New York 6:2, 6:7 (5:7), 6:3, 6:2 and reached the second round. After 2:53 hours, Zverev converted his first match point in a tough match with many mistakes on both sides. In the next round, he will face the winner of the match between Frenchman Alexandre Müller and Adam Walton from Australia.

"It wasn't easy, he knows me and he was also my roommate at the Olympics. It was a tricky match," said Zverev.

Djokovic on doping turmoil surrounding Sinner: "I understand the players' frustration"

Novak Djokovic has denounced the unequal treatment of other tennis pros in the doping scandal surrounding Jannik Sinner. "I understand the frustration of the players because there is a lack of consistency. We see a lack of standardized and clear protocols," said the 37-year-old Serb shortly before the start of the US Open.

After two positive tests in March for the banned anabolic steroid Clostebol, world number one Sinner was acquitted by an independent court on Monday, according to the tennis agency responsible, Itia. The Australian Open winner's explanation that the banned substance had accidentally entered his body through a massage was considered conclusive. Itia had only made the acquittal and the positive tests public on Tuesday.

The cases of many players were similar, said 24-time Grand Slam tournament winner Djokovic. "They didn't have the same result. And now the question is, is it down to financial means, whether a player can afford to pay a significant amount of money for a law firm to represent him or her in the case."

Sinner had been briefly suspended for the two positive tests, but successfully appealed each time. This only came to light after the proceedings were concluded at the beginning of this week. "Hopefully the leading federations in our sport will learn from this case and deal with it better in the future. I think there needs to be a change and I think this is obvious," said Djokovic

Glitch at US Open: Russians temporarily listed with flag

Tennis professionals from Russia and Belarus are only allowed to take part in official tournaments with neutral status due to the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine. However, shortly before the start of the US Open, Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus), Daniil Medvedev (Russia) & Co. were suddenly listed with their respective national flags in the results system of the Grand Slam tournament in New York. The organizers changed this after a tip-off, so that the 17 players from Russia and 3 from Belarus appeared again without flags.

It was an oversight by an employee who had selected the wrong file, said a spokesperson for the American Tennis Association, the organizer of the US Open, when asked. He emphasized that this is an isolated system that is not accessible to the public. This is available to the professional organizations and the media, among others, and includes the biographies of the pros as well as the results. The flags were not visible on the tournament website.

Wawrinka, Stricker and Golubic take part

Only Stan Wawrinka, Dominic Stricker and Viktorija Golubic are in the main draw for Switzerland. Wawrinka (ATP 179), who can play thanks to a wild card, will face the Italian Mattia Bellucci (ATP 102) on Tuesday. Stricker - who is in the tournament thanks to his protected ranking - will play Argentinian Francisco Comesana (ATP 108) in the starting round today (Monday).

Viktorija Golubic, the only Swiss player to have qualified for the tournament on her own, has been drawn the most difficult task of all. Golubic will face Spain's Paula Badosa on Monday, who was ranked No. 2 in the world two years ago.

Starting shot for the US Open 2024 - who are the favorites?

Here we go in New York! The question of the top favorites in the men's draw is actually quickly answered. The top three in the world rankings have shared the major titles among themselves so far this year. Jannik Sinner triumphed in Australia. Carlos Alcaraz won in Paris and Wimbledon. Novak Djokovic won gold at the Olympics.

But: Alcaraz showed the "weakest match of my life" in Cincinnati last week, according to an exaggerated self-assessment, Djokovic has been taking a break and consolidating since the Olympic Games, and in Sinner's case it remains to be seen how the positive doping tests at Indian Wells that have become public will affect his performance. Outsiders can raise their hopes at the US Open.

In the women's tournament, the betting shops favor Aryna Sabalenka from Belarus ahead of world number one Iga Swiatek from Poland. Sabalenka won the tournament in Cincinnati last week with a victory in the final over Jessica Pegula, who had previously won the tournament in Toronto.

Show more