Alexander Zverev defeated Ben Shelton in the U.S. Open final, securing his first title at Flushing Meadows and his second Grand Slam championship of the year, following his French Open victory.
India experienced a mixed day at the Asian Games, with skeet shooters and rowers adding to the medal tally, and wushu player Roshibina Devi securing a silver. While kabaddi and hockey teams continued their winning streaks, boxing, gymnastics, and fencing saw disappointments. The overall medal count reached 15, with only one gold so far.
If India's medal tally ultimately falls significantly short of Hangzhou, the conversation should not stop with the athletes or coaches. It should extend to a much more uncomfortable institutional question: After years of increased investment, programmes, infrastructure and policy attention, where exactly is the system failing to convert that investment into medals, champions and depth across sports? asks Jaydeep Ray.
Team Europe's Carlos Alcaraz saved two match points to defeat Taylor Fritz, while Team World's Alex de Minaur stunned Alexander Zverev on day two of the Laver Cup. Learner Tien also secured a win for Team World, but Team Europe ended Saturday with a 7-5 lead after additional victories by Zverev/Ruud.
Retired 007 was in the house as celebrities poured into Flushing Meadows to watch Alexander Zverev take on home hopeful Ben Shelton in the US Open final in New York on Sunday, September 13, 2026.
Eighth seed Ben Shelton defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets at the US Open, advancing to the quarter-finals. He will now face defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, with Shelton expressing confidence in his game and acknowledging Alcaraz's impressive return from injury.
Former India international and coach Soumyadeep Roy is set to join the national table tennis squad for the upcoming Asian Games as a personal coach, five years after being embroiled in a match-fixing controversy at the Tokyo Olympics. Despite the past issues and the suspension of the TTFI, Roy aims to guide his players and contribute to India's medal prospects.
Ben Shelton has reached his first Grand Slam final at the U.S. Open, defeating compatriot Frances Tiafoe. He credits his newfound consistency for this breakthrough. Shelton will face Alexander Zverev in the final, aiming to end a 23-year American drought for a men's singles Grand Slam champion and become the first Black American man to win the New York title since Arthur Ashe in 1968. He expresses excitement and a business-like approach despite the nerves.
Three athletes from Narmadapuram district in Madhya Pradesh, Vivek Sagar Prasad (hockey), Aadhya Tiwari (soft tennis), and Harshita Tomar (sailing), have been selected to represent India at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. This selection highlights the district's growing sporting prowess, with experienced and emerging talents ready to compete on the continental stage.
ESPN is launching "RedZone at the U.S. Open," a new streaming service designed to offer tennis fans simultaneous coverage of 16 courts, mirroring the successful NFL RedZone model. A dedicated broadcast team will curate the most important moments from August 30 to September 4, ensuring viewers catch all critical action.
Stefanos Tsitsipas revealed that ending his coaching relationship with his father, Apostolos, brought much-needed calm and rebuilt his confidence, leading to a strong first-round win at the US Open.
India has opened its Asian Games medal tally with two silvers in shooting, driven by Elavenil Valarivan's performance, and secured an unexpected podium finish in Mixed Martial Arts. The women's cricket team also advanced to the finals, aiming for a second consecutive gold.
India continued to add to its medal tally at the Asian Games, primarily through shooting, but a gold medal remained elusive. Suchika Tariyal secured India's first-ever MMA medal, a bronze, despite a heartbreaking weigh-in technicality. Other sports like badminton, hockey, and table tennis saw strong performances, while swimming faced disappointment.
Sixteen-year-old Teodor Davidov is captivating the US Open with his rare ability to serve from either hand and play without a backhand, adding unpredictability to his game.
India continued its strong performance at the Asian Games, securing gold medals in both men's and women's Kabaddi, a historic silver in marathon by Sawan Barwal, and advancing to squash finals. The day also saw mixed results in shooting, athletics, and badminton, contributing to India's growing medal tally.
Former India doubles player Purav Raja has called for a complete clean-up of Indian tennis administration, emphasising the need for accountability and transparency at all levels. He also questioned the eligibility of some office-bearers in the 2024 elections.
Indian teqball player Quimcy Dsouza lost a hard-fought bronze medal match to Japan's Yuina Sakamoto at the Asian Games in Nagoya. Dsouza showed a strong comeback, taking both sets to a narrow 11-12 finish, but ultimately fell short.
India's Asian Games contingent faces accommodation issues at Costa Serena, as athletes report cramped rooms and long delays amid organisational chaos.
It was a starry, starry night at Flushing Meadows during the US Open late night matches in New York on Monday.
India's Davis Cup team is set for a high-stakes Qualifier Round 2 clash against South Korea in Seoul, with players like Dhakshineswar Suresh and Sumit Nagal aiming to secure a historic Final 8 berth under the current format.
Aryna Sabalenka expressed her profound disappointment after losing the US Open final to Elena Rybakina, culminating in a furious racket-smashing incident. Sabalenka, who was aiming for a third consecutive US Open title, explained her emotional outburst as a way to release aggression and disappointment following the significant defeat.
Tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams played what was likely their final U.S. Open doubles match, losing to Maya Joint and Chan Hao-ching in a thrilling three-set encounter. Despite the defeat, the match was a celebration of their illustrious careers, drawing 23,000 adoring fans to Arthur Ashe Stadium who cheered every point of the iconic sisters.
Ben Shelton defeated Frances Tiafoe in an electric U.S. Open semi-final, setting up a title clash with Alexander Zverev. Shelton's victory marks a significant moment for American men's tennis, as he aims to become the first American Grand Slam champion since 2003 and the first Black American man to reach the U.S. Open final since Arthur Ashe in 1972.
Carlos Alcaraz's bow-and-arrow celebration at the US Open after his victory over Jaime Faria sparked widespread curiosity. The Spanish tennis star revealed the unique gesture was a special request from his two younger brothers, Sergio and Jaime, highlighting his role as a family-oriented role model and adding a personal touch to his Grand Slam performance.
Some girls want their gym look to be cute enough for a post-workout coffee, others need maximum support and zero distractions, while some are clearly dressing for the airport, not the treadmill.
French football superstar Kylian Mbappe has ended his long-standing partnership with Nike to join the rapidly expanding Swiss sportswear brand On, a move that provides On with a high-profile figure for its entry into football and marks another significant defection for the US giant.
Tennis legend Rohan Bopanna has expressed his desire to take on an administrative role at the All India Tennis Association (AITA), aiming to drive significant change in Indian tennis. Bopanna highlighted the importance of focusing on existing strengths and providing comprehensive support to players, drawing from his experience with the 'Doubles Dream of India' program.
India's Dhakshineswar Suresh, a TAGG athlete, secured his first-ever ATP Tour main-draw victory by defeating World No. 77 Marcos Giron 6-3, 7-5 at the Winston-Salem Open, becoming only the second Indian man to achieve this feat in the tournament's history.
Tennis legend Roger Federer is set to make an emotional return to Flushing Meadows for an exhibition event, providing a long-awaited farewell to his fans at the US Open, an event he once dominated with five consecutive wins.
Filipino tennis sensation Alexandra Eala defeated Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-1, 6-4 to advance to the third round of the U.S. Open. Eala, who previously lost to Oliynykova, showcased a dominant performance, particularly in the first set, and attributed her win to patience and consistent focus. Her victory was celebrated by a strong Filipino contingent in New York.
India's Under-16 tennis star Ribhav Saroha will captain the national team at the upcoming junior Davis Cup Finals in Cairo, Egypt. The team, also featuring Hruthik Katakam and Tavish Pahwa, will compete against top international sides from November 2 to 8.
American Frances Tiafoe defeated former champion Daniil Medvedev in a thrilling three-set match at the U.S. Open, reaching the quarter-finals. Tiafoe, who had a poor head-to-head record against Medvedev, showcased his best form, employing strategic net play and powerful groundstrokes to secure a significant victory.
Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula have lauded the U.S. Open's record prize money and the establishment of a Grand Slam player advisory council. These developments come after players, including Sabalenka, protested for a larger share of tournament revenue, indicating that their calls for improved compensation and a greater voice in the sport are finally gaining traction.
Tennis icon Roger Federer made an emotional return to Arthur Ashe Stadium for an exhibition event, marking his first appearance since 2019. The 20-time Grand Slam champion, who retired without a formal farewell in New York, delighted fans in singles and doubles matches alongside fellow legends.
China's Zheng Qinwen achieved a remarkable comeback victory against American Madison Keys in the U.S. Open third round, recovering from a 5-0 deficit in the deciding set. This win marks a significant moment for Zheng, who has been battling a chronic right elbow injury and underwent surgery last year, forcing her to go through qualifying.
India's top-ranked Under-16 tennis player, Tavish Pahwa, will captain the national team at the Junior Davis Cup Finals in Cairo, scheduled for November 2-8. The team also includes Ribhav Saroha and Hruthik Katakam, with Rana Banerjee as coach.
Naomi Osaka's US Open campaign, though ending in defeat, was marked by her bold fashion choices and a profound reflection on her life as a mother, redefining her approach to Grand Slam success.
Coco Gauff, the fourth seed, defeated Spain's Cristina Bucsa 6-3, 6-4 in the third round of the U.S. Open, securing her spot in the second week for the fifth consecutive year. Despite some struggles with her serve, Gauff maintained control and delivered 15 winners, showcasing her defensive skills and ability to change pace. She now awaits her next opponent, either Iva Jovic or Alexandra Eala.
International table tennis player Swastika Ghosh, a Commonwealth gold medallist, was felicitated by the University of Mumbai for her role in India's gold-winning campaign at the 2026 Commonwealth Table Tennis Championships. She has also been selected for the Shri Shiv Chhatrapati State Sports Award and the 2026 World Table Tennis Championships.
Carlos Alcaraz is set to defend his U.S. Open title after a nearly five-month injury layoff, with expectations high despite limited match practice as he aims for a third New York crown.
