Daily News 19

Tag: Cincinnati Open

  • US Open 2026 Singles Preview: Can Aryna Sabalenka Rediscover Her Mojo, and How Will Carlos Alcaraz Fare in His Comeback?

    US Open 2026 Singles Preview: Can Aryna Sabalenka Rediscover Her Mojo, and How Will Carlos Alcaraz Fare in His Comeback?

    Sabalenka’s four Grand Slam singles titles—two Australian Open victories and two US Open triumphs, all on hard courts—are an achievement most players can only dream of. However, the Belarusian has also lost four major finals and six semi-finals, underlining a level of consistency on tennis’s biggest stages that is unrivalled among her peers.

    In recent months, the main concern has been Sabalenka’s mental focus in less pressurised situations. That weakness was exposed again at the Cincinnati Open, where she suffered a fourth-round defeat by 20-year-old Czech player Sara Bejlek.

    Sabalenka led 5-1 in the first-set tie-break and 4-1 in the second set, but struggled to maintain composure during the rallies as Bejlek fought back to win 7-6 (9-7) 6-4.

    Sabalenka searching for greater mental consistency

    At her previous tournament in Toronto, Sabalenka lost to Russian world number 19 Ekaterina Alexandrova in the last 16 after her serve collapsed.

    Her difficulties also emerged during the clay-court season. Sabalenka surrendered the opening set before losing to Hailey Baptiste in Madrid, Sorana Cirstea in Rome and, most notably, Diana Shnaider at Roland Garros.

    “I work on my mental side of the game. I’ve been trying to reset my mind and to come back stronger,” a bullish Sabalenka said in New York.

    “It’s only a matter of time for me to come back.”

  • Coco Gauff Supports Mother for Rejecting US Open Ticket Requests

    Coco Gauff Supports Mother for Rejecting US Open Ticket Requests

    Coco Gauff backs her mother’s message about US Open ticket requests

    Coco Gauff said she supports her mother’s decision to address excessive US Open ticket requests from family members and friends, even though the tennis star was surprised to see the message on social media.

    A day after Candi Gauff posted a “blunt but necessary statement” on Instagram saying her daughter’s tickets for the Grand Slam tournament were already allocated, Coco defended the post.

    “Honestly, it was needed, and it was directed towards a few family and friends,” Gauff said Friday. “People come out of the woodwork. You haven’t spoken to someone for years. They don’t say, ‘Congrats’ or, ‘Happy birthday’ or nothing. Then they’re like, ‘Oh, I’m in New York, can I have eight tickets to your match in your box, please?”

    Gauff had recently won the Cincinnati Open and initially believed her mother’s post, which included a photo of her holding the trophy, was a celebratory message about the victory. Instead, Candi Gauff used the post to set boundaries over US Open ticket requests.

    “Unfortunately, I will not be able to hook you up with a ticket,” she wrote. “Please make arrangements to purchase a ticket. Side note, never ask for more than 2 tickets. Coco is grown now and she has her own friends that she is honoring [with] tickets for the match. Thank you for your continued support.”

    Why Coco Gauff’s US Open matches are in high demand

    Coco Gauff won the US Open in 2023, is ranked fourth in the world and is seeded fourth in this year’s women’s singles draw. As the most prominent American player at the tournament, she is a regular presence at Arthur Ashe Stadium, where her matches quickly become some of the most sought-after tickets.

    Gauff’s parents and other members of her team handle most of the ticket messages, helping shield her from another unwanted distraction.

    “We try our best to accommodate everyone, but some of the requests, you would be surprised at how absurd they are,” Gauff said. “I feel like my mom hit a tipping point because it’s been going on since 15, and they really are my safeguards and I am lucky they try to make sure no one is hitting up my phone, so I don’t really get many requests.”

    Rather than continue dealing with requests from distant relatives or friends from elementary school, Gauff said her mother made the public statement to explain why she would no longer respond.

    Gauff said her mom “wanted to post that because she is going to stop responding. At least they know why.”