As the U.S. Open approaches, the women's draw is packed with Grand Slam winners, rising stars, and hungry contenders, including Naomi Osaka, Elena Rybakina, Linda Noskova, Amanda Anisimova, Mirra Andreeva, Jessica Pegula, and Marta Kostyuk, all vying for a deep run in New York.
American youngster Learner Tien defeated French veteran Gael Monfils in straight sets at the U.S. Open, marking the likely end of Monfils' Grand Slam career. The match, a clash of generations, saw 20-year-old Tien dominate the retiring showman.
The Supreme Court has ordered the Karnataka government to form a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a fresh probe into the 2012 rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl in Dharmasthala. The court expressed shock at the previous investigations by local police, CID, and CBI, which led to the acquittal of the sole accused. The new SIT must conclude its investigation within three months, excluding any officers involved in prior probes, and the acquitted individual will not be re-investigated.
Aisam ul Haq Qureshi, President of the Pakistan Tennis Federation, has announced he will compete as a doubles player in the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
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.
Alexander Zverev defeated Luciano Darderi to reach the US Open quarter-finals, marking his fourth consecutive Grand Slam quarter-final appearance this year.
Second seed Elena Rybakina secured a comfortable 6-3, 6-2 victory over American wildcard Thea Frodin in the first round of the US Open, easing concerns about her recent leg injury. Rybakina, a two-time Grand Slam champion, showed no signs of discomfort as she began her quest for the title and the world number one ranking. Frodin, making her Grand Slam main-draw debut, displayed flashes of brilliance but ultimately couldn't overcome the Australian Open champion.
Indian tennis player Sumit Nagal was defeated in straight sets by top seed Arthur Gea in the opening round of the US Open qualifying tournament, extending his streak of not reaching a Grand Slam main draw to seven events. Nagal will now focus on the upcoming Davis Cup clash.
Defending champion and world number one Aryna Sabalenka defeated American Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-3 to reach the U.S. Open quarter-finals without dropping a set. Sabalenka overcame a challenging start to dominate the second set, securing her spot in the last eight.
Maratha quota activist Manoj Jarange has accused the Maharashtra government of conspiring to kill him and suppress his agitation, following Mumbai police's denial of permission for his indefinite hunger strike from September 19. Jarange stated he would proceed with the march to Mumbai despite the ban.
World number two Elena Rybakina defeated Spain's Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-2 6-4 to progress to the third round of the U.S. Open. Rybakina, aiming for a third Grand Slam title and the top WTA ranking, showcased a dominant performance despite a late service break. She expressed happiness with her win and her recovery from fitness doubts, setting up a clash with Yuliia Starodubtseva.
Chinese lucky loser Bu Yunchaokete caused a major upset at the U.S. Open, defeating 12th seed Rafael Jodar in straight sets. Jodar, a former junior champion, struggled with unforced errors, allowing Bu to secure his first-ever Grand Slam main-draw victory after entering the tournament as a last-minute replacement.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk has demanded the resignation of Union Home Minister Amit Shah, holding him responsible for the deaths of four people during protests in Leh last year. Speaking on the first anniversary of the violence, Wangchuk expressed fear for his life, alleging threats, and called for the judicial inquiry report into the incident to be made public. He criticised the use of automatic weapons against protesters and questioned the branding of local youth as "anti-national," linking the violence to unfulfilled promises regarding Ladakh's constitutional safeguards.
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.
Thea Frodin made her US Open debut on Tuesday but one dream remains unfulfilled for the 17-year-old, who is still waiting to meet Serena Williams five years after appearing as the American's tennis double in the film King Richard.
Pakistan women's cricket team secured a narrow three-wicket victory over Thailand in a low-scoring thriller at the 2026 Asian Games, qualifying for the semi-finals despite a challenging chase in a rain-affected match.
Seven-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz has spoken about the "intrusive thoughts" he experienced during his nearly five-month layoff due to a wrist injury. Ahead of his U.S. Open title defence, the Spaniard revealed the mental challenges of not knowing his return date, especially after missing major tournaments. He is now set to compete, though his rival Jannik Sinner has withdrawn.
The Bombay High Court has expressed strong displeasure with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for approving the conversion of the Neville D'Souza football ground in Bandra into an exhibition centre, despite an earlier oral assurance to maintain status quo. The court has ordered the BMC to halt further action and questioned the impact on outdoor sports.
Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova enters the US Open with a low-key mindset, insisting her breakthrough Grand Slam victory has not changed her approach or added pressure.
Devdutt Padikkal and KL Rahul performed well, but India captain Shubman Gill had a disappointing outing, getting dismissed for 16 runs. His dismissal, attempting a lofted shot against Prabath Jayasuriya on a flat pitch, led to significant criticism from fans on social media, who questioned his shot selection and recent form.
Actor and BJP MP Kangana Ranaut has publicly responded to yoga guru Baba Ramdev's critical remarks about her controversial comments on Gen Z. The exchange escalated on Instagram after Ramdev questioned Kangana's past, prompting her to reference his 2024 Supreme Court case regarding Patanjali's misleading advertisements.
The Congress party has demanded the resignation of Chief Election Commissioner Gyanesh Kumar, alleging "vote chori" and treason, following a media report revealing that two other Election Commissioners had formally objected to decisions regarding the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls. Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge have accused the BJP, RSS, and EC of undermining democracy, citing concerns over voter list tampering and lack of transparency.
Philippine tennis sensation Alexandra Eala, seeded 17th, commenced her US Open campaign with a decisive 6-1, 6-2 victory over American qualifier Mary Stoiana. Returning to Flushing Meadows with increased attention and expectations, Eala aims for a deeper run after a breakthrough season and her first WTA title.
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.
Alexander Zverev arrives at the U.S. Open as the top seed, aiming for his second Grand Slam title. With Jannik Sinner's absence due to injury and Carlos Alcaraz's limited match practice, Zverev has a clear path to capitalise on his recent French Open success. Despite a mixed record at Flushing Meadows, his powerful game and new world number two ranking position him as a strong contender.
The Indian Sports Ministry has sought assistance from the Indian diaspora in Nagoya to help with athlete accommodation at the Asian Games, as several Indian and other athletes have faced delays and issues with their designated lodging due to a lack of a dedicated athletes' village.
Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, secured his spot in the US Open quarter-finals by defeating American Tommy Paul in straight sets. Alcaraz showcased a dominant performance, extending his major match-winning streak and expressing confidence in his return to top form after a wrist injury.
India's Asian Games campaign saw its medal tally rise to 17 with strong performances in athletics, wushu, kabaddi, and hockey, despite some disappointments in shooting, boxing, and gymnastics. The mixed 4x400m relay team secured silver, while Seema won bronze in 10,000m. Wushu player Roshibina Devi claimed silver, and rowers added a bronze. Kabaddi and men's hockey teams continued their unbeaten runs, advancing to later stages.
Tennis icon Roger Federer was presented with his International Tennis Hall of Fame ring at the US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium, two days after his induction. The ceremony, led by Kim Clijsters, saw Federer display his ring to an erupting crowd, celebrating his illustrious career which includes 20 major titles and a record 310 weeks as world No. 1.
Indian tennis player Dhakshineswar Suresh discusses the significant transition from collegiate tennis to the professional tour, highlighting the challenges of travelling alone, managing his body, and maintaining consistency. He shares insights on the importance of off-court preparation, physical fitness, and setting ambitious goals like breaking into the top 250.
Ben Shelton achieved a career-defining victory by defeating defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling five-set match at Arthur Ashe Stadium. Shelton overcame losing the first set to win in a super tiebreak, ending Alcaraz's title defence in a dramatic upset.
American tennis star Jessica Pegula defeated Sorana Cirstea in straight sets (6-3, 6-4) to advance to the U.S. Open quarter-finals. This victory keeps Pegula's hopes alive for her first major title, while Cirstea made her final Grand Slam appearance before retirement. Pegula will now compete for a spot in her third consecutive U.S. Open semi-final.
Novak Djokovic, a four-time champion, suffered a shock first-round exit at the US Open, losing to unseeded Argentine Mariano Navone in a gruelling five-set match, marking his earliest Grand Slam departure since 2006.
'It's crazy, winning against Novak in 2026, on Arthur Ashe'
Alexander Zverev, the German top seed, narrowly defeated Italy's Lorenzo Sonego in a gruelling five-set match, continuing his pursuit of a second Grand Slam title after winning the French Open in June.
Naomi Osaka showcased a distinctive Allen Iverson-inspired outfit with a billowing tulle train at the U.S. Open, continuing her trend of bold Grand Slam fashion statements, before securing a hard-fought victory.
Madison Keys overcame early nerves and Alina Korneeva 7-5, 6-4 at the US Open, avenging last year's first-round exit after improving her serving and composure.
Defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka face challenging US Open draws, with Alcaraz sharing a loaded half with Djokovic and Sabalenka pursuing a historic three-peat.
Former Pakistan Test spinner and chief selector Iqbal Qasim has criticised the current generation of Pakistani cricketers for prioritising financial gain, particularly through leagues like the PSL, over dedicated skill development and game awareness, attributing this to a lack of vision among selectors and a general disinterest among young players.
Alexander Zverev and Coco Gauff secured their spots in the fourth round of the U.S. Open, while Naomi Osaka overcame a tough challenge. However, several prominent American players, including Taylor Fritz, Madison Keys, and Amanda Anisimova, experienced early exits, disappointing home fans at Flushing Meadows.
