https://www.scmp.com/rss/320557/feed The 2015 US Open is the final grand slam tournament of the year, played on the hard courts at Flushing Meadows in New York. Marin Cilic is the defending champion in the men's event while Serena Williams has won the last three women's tournaments, and if she repeats the feat will complete the grand slam en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Novak Djokovic could not find his keys. Alone in a parking lot outside Arthur Ashe Stadium at about 2am Monday, a handful of hours after beating Roger Federer in the US Open final for his third major title of 2015 and 10th overall, there stood Djokovic, unable to unlock the car he’d been using to drive himself between the tournament site in Queens and the hotel near Central Park where he stayed with his wife and their 10-month-old son the past two weeks. Turned out, he said, a member of his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1858243/djokovics-drive-why-serbian-star-could-become-first-man-complete-grand?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1858243/djokovics-drive-why-serbian-star-could-become-first-man-complete-grand?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 15 Sep 2015 00:46:43 +0000 Novak Djokovic clinched his third grand slam title of 2015 and 10th career major with a 6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 triumph over sentimental favorite Roger Federer in the US Open final. Shrugging off a three-hour rain delay and the overwhelming hostility of the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, the 28-year-old world number one captured his second title in New York to add to his 2011 triumph. The defeat shattered 34-year-old Federer’s bid to become the oldest US Open champion in 45 years and left him on 17 grand... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1857922/us-open-live-superb-novak-djokovic-takes-first-set-against-roger?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1857922/us-open-live-superb-novak-djokovic-takes-first-set-against-roger?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 14 Sep 2015 00:15:00 +0000 Flavia Pennetta won her first grand slam singles title over Roberta Vinci in an improbable all-Italian US Open final on Saturday, then added one more shock to a stunning fortnight by announcing her retirement. With the 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 win, the 33-year-old Pennetta becomes the fourth oldest grand slam winner in the Open Era and joins 2010 French Open champion Francesca Schiavone as the only Italian women to win a major singles title. This one was my last match at the US Open and I couldn’t think to... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1857700/italys-flavia-pennetta-pulls-shock-us-open-victory-then-drops-another?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1857700/italys-flavia-pennetta-pulls-shock-us-open-victory-then-drops-another?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 13 Sep 2015 01:00:45 +0000 Roger Federer reached his first US Open final in six years on Friday, where will face world number one Novak Djokovic in the 42nd round of their heavyweight rivalry. Five-time champion Federer, 34, bidding to become the oldest New York champion since 1970, swept past Swiss compatriot Stan Wawrinka 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 Djokovic, the 2011 champion, booked a place in the final for the sixth time with a record 6-0, 6-1, 6-2 rout of defending champion Marin Cilic in the most one-sided US Open semi-final of... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1857488/novak-djokovic-and-roger-federer-set-another-classic-final-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1857488/novak-djokovic-and-roger-federer-set-another-classic-final-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Sep 2015 01:00:30 +0000 Serena Williams had been a vulnerable conqueror at this year’s majors, living dangerously and dicing with defeat on numerous occasions as she tried to become only the fourth woman to complete the calendar grand slam. On Friday, her luck finally ran out at the US Open, and on a court where she had not been beaten since 2011. In her 12th three-set contest of the electrifying 2015 run, Williams met her match in Italian doubles expert Roberta Vinci, who ended the American’s bid for a share of tennis... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1857487/against-all-odds-300-1-outsider-roberta-vinci-knocks-serena-williams-out-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1857487/against-all-odds-300-1-outsider-roberta-vinci-knocks-serena-williams-out-us?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 12 Sep 2015 00:30:15 +0000 Serena Williams will have to wait before continuing her bid for a calendar-year grand slam: Her US Open semi-final was postponed because of rain in the forecast. The top-seeded Williams was supposed to face 43rd-ranked Roberta Vinci of Italy at Flushing Meadows, but nearly four hours before that match would have started, the US Tennis Association – citing a prediction of “rain throughout the evening” – pushed back both women’s semi-finals until Friday. When the USTA announced the rescheduling,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1857156/serena-williams-grand-slam-bid-hold-us-open-postpones-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1857156/serena-williams-grand-slam-bid-hold-us-open-postpones-semi-finals?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Sep 2015 00:37:09 +0000 New York City Police Commissioner William Bratton said on Thursday he was concerned over the level of force used in the arrest of retired US tennis star James Blake, who was mistakenly identified as a suspect in a fraud ring. Blake told local media that plain-clothes officers surrounded him outside hotel in a Midtown Manhattan on Wednesday and slammed him to the ground before handcuffing him for 15 minutes. Blake, at one time ranked fourth in the world, said he had been waiting for a car to take... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1857149/new-york-police-commissioner-william-bratton-criticises-use-force?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1857149/new-york-police-commissioner-william-bratton-criticises-use-force?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2015 16:33:34 +0000 Five-time champion Roger Federer put on a tennis masterclass on Wednesday, routing Richard Gasquet to reach his 10th US Open semi-final, where he will face close friend Stan Wawrinka. The 34-year-old, bidding to become the oldest champion in New York in 45 years, took just 87 minutes to beat Gasquet for the 15th time in 17 meetings, his 6-3, 6-3, 6-1 victory only revealing half the story. The Swiss fired 50 winners and 16 aces and did not face a single break point. MORE: Read all our US Open... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1856875/roger-federer-imperious-he-crushes-gasquet-set-us-open-semi-against?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1856875/roger-federer-imperious-he-crushes-gasquet-set-us-open-semi-against?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2015 01:30:58 +0000 Romanian second seed Simona Halep and Italy’s Flavia Pennetta advanced to a US Open semi-final matchup by ousting two-time grand slam champions Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova on Wednesday. And now the only obstacles to Serena Williams completing a calendar grand slam are players all seeking a first major title. Halep reached her first US Open semi-final Wednesday by defeating two-time Australian Open champion Azarenka 6-3, 4-6, 6-4. “I don’t know where I found the power to win this match,”... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1856864/17-1-thats-serena-williams-record-over-three-remaining-players-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1856864/17-1-thats-serena-williams-record-over-three-remaining-players-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Sep 2015 00:15:15 +0000 Novak Djokovic defeated Feliciano Lopez 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/2) to reach the US Open semi-finals, a 21st last-four spot in his last 22 grand slams. The top seed and 2011 champion, playing in his 26th consecutive quarter-final at the majors, claimed his 55th match win in New York. Djokovic, this year’s Australian Open and Wimbledon champion, also enjoyed his fifth win in five meetings against Lopez and will take a staggering 13-0 career record over defending champion Marin Cilic into their... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1856633/novak-djokovic-takes-marin-cilic-place-us-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1856633/novak-djokovic-takes-marin-cilic-place-us-open-final?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2015 05:45:30 +0000 If Serena Williams would feel sympathy for any opponent standing in the way of her pursuit of tennis’ first true grand slam in 27 years, it might very well be her sister Venus. Still, no way was Serena going to let anyone, or anything, stop her on this night, even if she found herself in a mid-match lull while facing her older sibling in the U.S. Open quarterfinals. Moving two matches from history, top-seeded Serena got all she could handle from 23rd-seeded Venus before moving onto the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1856570/serena-williams-two-wins-away-grand-slam-after-beating-sister-venus-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1856570/serena-williams-two-wins-away-grand-slam-after-beating-sister-venus-us?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2015 02:15:15 +0000 Defending champion Marin Cilic and unseeded Roberta Vinci were the first through to the semi-finals of the US Open on Tuesday, and both needed to go the distance against tough French resistance. With Serena Williams and sister Venus and a host of A-list celebrities waiting in the wings along with a prime time television audience for their marquee semi-final, Cilic and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga kept everything on hold as the ninth-seeded Croat battled his way to a 6-4, 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(3) 6-4 win over the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1856563/title-holder-marin-cilic-reaches-us-open-semis-and-veteran-vinci-joins?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1856563/title-holder-marin-cilic-reaches-us-open-semis-and-veteran-vinci-joins?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 09 Sep 2015 01:11:34 +0000 Andy Murray crashed out in the fourth round of the US Open on Monday, making his earliest grand slam exit since 2010 to end his run of 18 consecutive major quarter-finals. South African 15th seed Kevin Anderson stunned the British third seed 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 6-7 (2-7), 7-6 (7-0) to reach his first grand slam quarter-final after seven prior fourth-round defeats. “It was the match of my life,” Anderson said. “This is a great accomplishment for me.”  I'm just so excited to be through. Beating a guy... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1856199/andy-murray-crashes-out-us-open-south-african-kevin-anderson-plays?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1856199/andy-murray-crashes-out-us-open-south-african-kevin-anderson-plays?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Sep 2015 01:30:00 +0000 World number one Novak Djokovic reached his 26th consecutive grand slam quarter-final but only after surviving a US Open scare against Spain’s Roberto Bautista Agut. The 2011 champion won 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3 to set-up a clash against Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez in what will also be his ninth US Open last-eight place in a row. Djokovic gave up a 4-2 lead in the second set and saw an early break clawed back in the fourth by the 23rd seeded Agut, a former junior footballer with Villarreal in... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1855920/novak-djokovic-given-scare-battling-us-open-quarters?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1855920/novak-djokovic-given-scare-battling-us-open-quarters?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Sep 2015 03:30:15 +0000 Eugenie Bouchard’s revitalising run at the US Open is over after she slipped and fell in the locker room. The Canadian star could now be a doubt for the Hong Kong Tennis Open next month. She controversially withdrew from last year’s inaugural event. Bouchard was diagnosed with a concussion after falling in the locker room at Flushing Meadow. She was hurt Friday and pulled out of two doubles matches Saturday, hoping to still play in singles. But tournament officials announced Sunday that she had... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1855907/concussed-eugenie-bouchard-out-us-open-and-could-be-doubt-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1855907/concussed-eugenie-bouchard-out-us-open-and-could-be-doubt-hong-kong?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Sep 2015 01:53:44 +0000 Serena Williams moved within three wins of achieving the fourth women’s calendar-year grand slam by routing fellow American Madison Keys on Sunday and setting up a US Open quarter-final clash with sister Venus. Williams beat the 20-year-old Keys 6-3, 6-3 in 68 minutes to book a 27th professional career showdown with her older sister, who advanced with a 6-2, 6-1, 50-minute fourth-round victory over qualifier Anett Kontaveit, 19, of Estonia. Three-time defending champion Serena holds a 15-11... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1855906/sister-act-us-open-venus-williams-stands-way-serenas-grand-slam-quest?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1855906/sister-act-us-open-venus-williams-stands-way-serenas-grand-slam-quest?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 07 Sep 2015 01:30:45 +0000 Call it sneaky, call it “Sabre”, call it the new weapon that could just fire Roger Federer to his sixth US Open and 18th grand slam title. The world number two has developed a new attacking ploy which is bamboozling opponents and providing the 34-year-old Swiss with yet another dimension to his already impressive game. We sort of came up with the name, you know, ‘Sneak Attack By Roger' Roger Federer It involves chipping and charging on a second serve, starting from a position inside the baseline... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1855675/cut-above-roger-federer-demonstrates-devastating-new-sabre-weapon-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1855675/cut-above-roger-federer-demonstrates-devastating-new-sabre-weapon-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 06 Sep 2015 01:45:00 +0000 Two-time champion Rafael Nadal crashed to his earliest US Open exit in 10 years when Italy’s Fabio Fognini pulled off a sensational 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4 third-round victory. The stunning result confirmed the sad, sudden decline of the 14-time major winner, who until Friday had won 151 grand slam matches when he had taken the first two sets. Nadal will also finish the season without at least one grand slam title for the first time since 2004. It was the 15th defeat of his miserable year, which... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1855482/rafael-nadal-knocked-out-us-open-fabio-fognini?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1855482/rafael-nadal-knocked-out-us-open-fabio-fognini?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Sep 2015 05:45:45 +0000 A drone crash during a US Open match has tennis officials thinking about whether they can do more to safeguard the sprawling National Tennis Centre from such hazards, a spokesman said. “Obviously, it’s something we are looking at” after an unmanned aircraft plummeted into empty seats and caused a scare during a women’s singles match on Thursday night, US Tennis Association spokesman Chris Widmaier said. WATCH: Report on moment drone flew over tennis court before crashing into empty stands A... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1855473/drone-crash-us-open-sparks-tennis-centre-security-review?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1855473/drone-crash-us-open-sparks-tennis-centre-security-review?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Sep 2015 02:30:30 +0000 A tested Serena Williams battled through her own mistakes and the tension of her quest for tennis history Friday to reach the US Open fourth round. The 33-year-old American fought back to defeat 101st-ranked compatriot Bethanie Mattek-Sands 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 at Arthur Ashe Stadium and needs only four more triumphs to complete the first calendar slam since Steffi Graf in 1988. I’m not trying to live on the edge. I don’t think I came out too slow. I think Bethanie came out really well Serena... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1855472/serena-williams-rallies-against-bethanie-mattek-sands-stay-track-grand-slam-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1855472/serena-williams-rallies-against-bethanie-mattek-sands-stay-track-grand-slam-us?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Sep 2015 02:13:00 +0000 Novak Djokovic swept into the last 16 of a grand slam tournament for the 26th successive time on Friday and celebrated the victory with a spot of baby-sitting. The world number one defeated Italy’s Andreas Seppi for the 11th time in 11 meetings, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5 to inch closer to a sixth final in New York. But instead of celebrating, the 28-year-old rushed straight into his media obligations before heading back to his city base to join wife Jelena and baby son Stefan. The couple’s first child was... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1855468/looking-after-baby-brings-balance-and-joy-novak-djokovics-life-he-roars-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1855468/looking-after-baby-brings-balance-and-joy-novak-djokovics-life-he-roars-us?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 05 Sep 2015 00:38:13 +0000 Before they stepped on court, there was nothing to suggest Andy Murray would have any trouble against Adrian Mannarino in the US Open’s second round. Murray, after all, is seeded No 3, owns two major championships including at Flushing Meadows in 2012, and had reached at least the quarter-finals at the last 18 grand slam tournaments he’d entered. Mannarino, meanwhile, is ranked 35th, has never won a tour-level title, and only three times in his career has even managed to win more than one match... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1855189/true-grit-andy-murray-rallies-two-sets-down-progress-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1855189/true-grit-andy-murray-rallies-two-sets-down-progress-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 04 Sep 2015 01:30:15 +0000 Australian cricket great Shane Warne told tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios Thursday respect was more important than being liked and warned him “you’re testing our patience mate”. We all realise you’re only 20 & have a lot to learn buddy. But please don’t waste your talent Shane Wanre on Facebook Showman Kyrgios has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons, with his sex slur at Stan Wawrinka last month sparking stinging criticism from fellow players. He lost at the US Open Tuesday to Andy... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854906/aussie-legend-shane-warne-warns-tennis-bad-boy-nick-kyrgios-show-some?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854906/aussie-legend-shane-warne-warns-tennis-bad-boy-nick-kyrgios-show-some?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Sep 2015 02:52:01 +0000 Mardy Fish faced down heart problems and crippling anxiety attacks but in the end it was a humble spot of cramping which brought his career to an end Wednesday. The 33-year-old American, who has played just a handful of tournaments in the last three years and seen his ranking slip to 581 as he battled his personal demons, had already said that this US Open, his 13th, would be his last event. You would have had to carry me off the court. I was definitely not stopping at that point Mardy... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854902/stricken-mardy-fish-ends-career-after-marathon-us-open-encounter?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854902/stricken-mardy-fish-ends-career-after-marathon-us-open-encounter?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Sep 2015 02:30:30 +0000 Rafael Nadal took his US Open record to 22 wins in his last 23 matches when he beat diminutive Argentine Diego Schwartzman 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, 7-5 to reach the third round Wednesday. I feel lucky to be through. It was very humid and Diego was very aggressive so to take the first set was very important Rafa Nadal Eighth-seeded Nadal, the 2010 and 2013 champion, came back from a break down in both the second and third sets to book a clash with volatile Italian Fabio Fognini for a place in the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854889/rafa-nadal-made-work-make-round-three-flushing-meadows?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854889/rafa-nadal-made-work-make-round-three-flushing-meadows?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Sep 2015 00:03:54 +0000 Serena Williams struggled but advanced toward the first calendar grand slam since 1988 by defeating Dutch qualifier Kiki Bertens 7-6 (7-5), 6-3, on Wednesday at the US Open. I know I can make a comeback, make a run for it Serena Williams World number one Williams, a three-time defending champion seeking her seventh US Open title overall, was outplayed early by her 110th-ranked rival at Arthur Ashe Stadium. But the 33-year-old American overcame 34 unforced errors and 10 double faults, improving... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854888/serena-williams-struggles-round-three-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854888/serena-williams-struggles-round-three-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 03 Sep 2015 00:00:00 +0000 Nick Kyrgios ranted, showboated and even appeared to take a mid-match nap but it was 2012 champion Andy Murray who prevailed in their US Open clash 7-5, 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 on Tuesday. I got the momentum back at the start of the fourth set and I was serving pretty well, got a lot of free points Andy Murray In the tournament’s most eagerly-awaited first-round duel, third seed Murray claimed his fourth win in four meetings against the sport’s new bogeyman and third in three grand slam match-ups this... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854639/andy-murray-silences-australias-bad-boy-nick-kyrgios-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854639/andy-murray-silences-australias-bad-boy-nick-kyrgios-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Sep 2015 02:30:00 +0000 A fist-pumping Lleyton Hewitt turned back the clock as he wore down an injured Aleksandr Nedovyesov 6-0, 7-6 (7-2), 1-0 on Tuesday to extend his US Open grand slam goodbye. I’m very comfortable with how it’s all panning out at the moment Lleyton Hewitt on his retirment Playing on a small outside court in the shadow of the massive Arthur Ashe Stadium that provided the stage 14 years earlier for the brash Australian’s win over Pete Sampras in the US Open final, Hewitt typically appeared up for a... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854623/long-goodbye-lleyton-hewitt-extends-stay-us-open-win-over-aleksandr?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854623/long-goodbye-lleyton-hewitt-extends-stay-us-open-win-over-aleksandr?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Sep 2015 00:30:15 +0000 Five-time champion Roger Federer breezed through sweltering conditions at the US Open on Tuesday as the crushing heat and humidity took the number of first-round retirements to a record nine. Second-seeded Federer had little trouble in seeing off Argentina’s world number 34 Leonardo Mayer 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 in just 77 minutes on Arthur Ashe Stadium. I feel good now. I actually wasn’t so confident yesterday Roger Federer The 34-year-old Swiss, bidding to become the oldest champion in New York in 45... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854620/roger-federer-breezes-through-first-round-against-leonardo-mayer-us?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854620/roger-federer-breezes-through-first-round-against-leonardo-mayer-us?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 02 Sep 2015 00:00:30 +0000 Coco Vandeweghe defeated Sloane Stephens 6-4, 6-3 at the US Open on Monday but it was her decision to grant a television interview mid-match that caused a stir. After wrapping up the first set on Louis Armstrong Court, the 23-year-old American was joined by ESPN pundit and former player Pam Shriver for a courtside chat during the changeover. Vandeweghe admitted she could not remember what she told Shriver but insisted that although she had agreed to ESPN’s request on the eve of the match, she... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1854315/coco-vandeweghes-mid-match-tv-interview-us-open-breaks-new-ground-not-all?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1854315/coco-vandeweghes-mid-match-tv-interview-us-open-breaks-new-ground-not-all?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 01 Sep 2015 00:40:46 +0000 Top-ranked Novak Djokovic cruised into the second round of the US Open on Monday while Japanese fourth seed Kei Nishikori crashed out after his runner-up effort last year. And three-time defending women’s champion Serena Williams, the world number one trying to complete a calendar grand slam, saw three top rivals fall as she eased into the second round. Rafa Nadal, meanwhile, showed flashes of his top form  to beat young Croat Borna Coric 6-3, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4 in the last match of the night. I’m... https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1854310/its-doddle-novak-djokovic-kei-nishikori-and-trio-top-women-head-us-open-exit?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/article/1854310/its-doddle-novak-djokovic-kei-nishikori-and-trio-top-women-head-us-open-exit?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Aug 2015 23:45:30 +0000 British third seed Andy Murray is confident as he prepares to launch his latest US Open campaign on Tuesday despite coach Amelie Mauresmo being absent on maternity leave. The 28-year-old Scot took his fourth title of the season earlier this month at Montreal, adding to a trophy haul that included the Bavarian Championship, Madrid Open and Queen’s. He beat top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the Montreal final to break an eight-match losing streak to the Serb star over the past two years. “I feel... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854035/andy-murray-fighting-fit-and-confident-ahead-us-open-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854035/andy-murray-fighting-fit-and-confident-ahead-us-open-challenge?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Aug 2015 04:58:45 +0000 Russian third seed Maria Sharapova withdrew from the US Open on Sunday with a right leg injury, easing the path to a calendar-year grand slam for top-ranked Serena Williams. US Open tournament director David Brewer announced Sharapova’s exit, which allowed qualifying lucky loser Daria Kasatkina of Russia into the draw. “Unfortunately I will not be able to compete in this years US Open,” Sharapova said in a Twitter posting. “I have done everything possible to be ready but it was just not enough... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854001/injured-maria-sharapova-pulls-out-us-open-eve-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1854001/injured-maria-sharapova-pulls-out-us-open-eve-tournament?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 31 Aug 2015 00:13:30 +0000 Serena Williams is on the brink of a crowning achievement in tennis, but as far as several top analysts are concerned, the 33-year-old American has already established herself as the greatest women’s player ever. Williams would become only the fourth woman to sweep all four grand slams in a season should she win a fourth consecutive US Open title in the tournament starting on Monday. "To me, she’s the greatest female player that every played," seven-times slam winner John McEnroe said about the... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1853630/serena-williams-already-best-all-time-tennis-greats-agree?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1853630/serena-williams-already-best-all-time-tennis-greats-agree?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2015 03:58:13 +0000 Roger Federer isn’t in such a rush anymore. He’s doing things his way and taking time to savour each moment. After losing to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, he took a month off from tournament play to be with his family and visit Africa as part of his charity work. The break seemed to work for the 34-year-old Swiss star. Federer returned to the court in Cincinnati last week and won the tournament in dominating fashion, moving him up to the No. 2 seed in the US Open. And when he had his... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1853629/interview-relaxed-ready-roger-federer-aiming-beat-sands-time-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1853629/interview-relaxed-ready-roger-federer-aiming-beat-sands-time-us-open?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 29 Aug 2015 03:30:30 +0000 Serena Williams said she is treating the upcoming US Open just like any other, even though she is well aware of the historical impact the year’s final grand slam may have. The three-times defending champion enters the August 31 – September 13 tournament in New York as the odds-on favourite to win and become the first player in 27 years to complete a grand slam by capturing all four majors in one season. "I don’t feel that fresh pressure," Williams, who has already claimed the Australian Open,... https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1853318/serena-williams-feeling-no-pressure-ahead-us-open-grand-slam-bid?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/sport/tennis/article/1853318/serena-williams-feeling-no-pressure-ahead-us-open-grand-slam-bid?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 28 Aug 2015 00:31:41 +0000