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US Open day five: Novak Djokovic wins five-set thriller, Elena Rybakina out

Novak Djokovic fought back from two sets down to overcome compatriot Laslo Djere and reach the fourth round of the US Open during a late-night spectacular on Friday.

The two Serbian foes went toe-to-toe at the Arthur Ashe Stadium for three hours and 45 minutes, and Djokovic eventually completed a terrific turnaround to prevail 4-6 4-6 6-1 6-1 6-3.

Djere got off to a dream start against the 23-time Grand Slam winner with a break in the opening game of the match, and an off-colour Djokovic had no answer after losing his serve in the seventh game of the second set.

However, following a "pep talk" in the mirror, Djokovic came out a different beast in the third set, winning five games on the bounce via a double break before Djere also lost his serve in the first game of the fourth set.

The 32nd seed did immediately break back, but his late efforts were fruitless against a fired-up Djokovic, who strung together a magnificent eight-game winning streak before Djere restored some parity with a hold to love

By that point, however, Djokovic was already a break up in the decider, and a 58th unforced error of the night from Djere on match point saw Djokovic progress to the fourth round, where he meets Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo.

Djokovic's triumph marked the eighth time in his career that he has recovered from a two-set deficit to win a top-level match, but Iga Swiatek's route to the last 16 was much more straightforward.

The defending women's champion is yet to drop a set at Flushing Meadows this year and made light work of her meeting with Slovenian qualifier Kaja Juvan, winning 6-0 6-1 in just 49 minutes.

Registering a second bagel in three matches, Swiatek won each of the first nine games before Juvan belatedly got on the board, which would be nothing more than a minor consolation for the world number 145, who hit a paltry two winners compared to Swiatek's 21.

Swiatek can now look ahead to a meeting with former French Open winner Jelena Ostapenko, who came back from a set down to beat the USA's Bernarda Pera 4-6 6-3 6-3, while Caroline Wozniacki's fairytale homecoming continued with a 4-6 6-3 6-1 win over Jennifer Brady.

Wozniacki's reward is a glamour tie with sixth seed Coco Gauff, who recovered from a slow start to dump Elise Mertens out 3-6 6-3 6-0, but Elena Rybakina's run came to a premature end.

The former Wimbledon winner was made to pay for 56 unforced errors in a 3-6 7-6[6] 4-6 loss to Sorana Cirstea, who will meet 15th seed Belinda Bencic in her first-ever US Open fourth-round match.

Elsewhere, 10th seed Karolina Muchova saw off Taylor Townsend 7-6[0] 6-3 to set up a clash with Wang Xinyu, who posted a 4-6 6-3 6-2 victory over Anna Karolina Schmiedlova to reach a Grand Slam fourth round for the first time in her career.

Home favourites Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Ben Shelton and Tommy Paul also prolonged their runs on home soil, beating Jakub Mensik, Adrian Mannarino, Aslan Karatsev and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina respectively.

[Sportsmole]

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Rafael Nadal return date addressed as blockbuster Carlos Alcaraz 'dream' shared

David Ferrer admitted that he yearns to see Nadal pairing up with two-time major winner Alcaraz in Davis Cup Finals if Spain manage to reach that stage.

When Rafael Nadal had made the emotional statement on 2024 likely to be his final year on tour, moments after he withdrew from the French Open earlier this May, the Spaniard had shared a few of his plans and desires. The 37-year-old, who a month later underwent a hip surgery owing to an injury that kept him on the sidelines since his early Australian Open exit in January, had set his return date as November this year following which Carlos Alcaraz made a blockbuster offer to the 22-time Grand Slam winner.

Carlos Alcaraz has never teamed up with Rafael Nadal for any tennis event in his career
Carlos Alcaraz has never teamed up with Rafael Nadal for any tennis event in his career
 

On Saturday, less than three months from Nadal's desired date of return, compatriot and former tennis player, David Ferrer, who is also the captain of the Span Davis Cup team, addressed the topic while also teasing Alcaraz's offer.

Speaking to Marca, Ferrer said: "I don't see far away" and hence doesn't rule out the possibility of Nadal's return. "I wish he could be with us,” said the former tennis player from Jávea, “I don't see it as a utopia.”

Ferrer also admitted that he yearns to see Nadal pairing up with two-time major winner Alcaraz in Davis Cup Finals if Spain manage to reach that stage.

"I can't say much more, but I hope he can be with us in November, now he has taken a vacation and is doing his things," he said. "My dream is to join Rafa and Carlos in the Davis Cup team."

Following a sensational win in the Wimbledon final against Novak Djokovic, Alcaraz, in conversation with El Partidazo de Cope, had revealed that he is dreams to play doubles with Nadal in Olympics where the tennis events will be held at Roland Garros, where the legend has won 14 of his 22 Grand Slams.

"It would be a dream to live the experience of playing doubles with your idol," Alcaraz had said. "Let's see how he's doing and how he's going, you know, in this year. Hopefully, he's going great but for me, it could be a dream to play doubles with him."

Alcaraz has never before teamed up with Nadal for any tennis event in his career, although the two have faced each other on the ATP tour with the latter winning two of the three matches before the 20-year-old stunned him at 2022 Madrid Open quarters. The two also share a great bond with Alcaraz revealing last month how a message from Nadal moments before Wimbledon final inspired him to beat Djokovic in the five-set thriller.

[hindustantimes]

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Chelsea can still complete club legend transfer to complete dream Mauricio Pochettino summer

For many clubs in Europe, the summer transfer deadline has passed and their business will now be finished until they have a chance to shuffle their ranks in January.

Chelsea will most likely mark the past few months as a success in their books, landing top target Moises Caicedo after months of working to get a deal done. There may be questions over the £115million price tag and uncertainty over Liverpool's push, but at the end of the window, he's wearing blue.

Romeo Lavia, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Axel Disasi, Cole Palmer and Robert Sanchez are just a few of the new faces who made their way in during a busy period that saw a huge influx of youth prospects. The club also managed to move off most of their outcast stars that no longer had a future there.

It means that Mauricio Pochettino can finally get down to work without the distractions of new players that he will need to integrate into his style of play. That's not to say that all their business may stop there though as, in terms of a couple more outgoings, there are still other markets open that could look to land a couple players.

 
 Mauricio Pochettino Backs Chelsea To Turn Their Form Around

There's also likely to be another shuffle in the free transfer market, with players that were unable to find clubs becoming an attractive proposition as they're free to join outside of a transfer window. It's rare that a top-end club like Chelsea will land a star at this stage, but there's one out there that could cap a dream summer.

In this case, it's club legend Eden Hazard, who became a free agent earlier this summer after ending his ties with Real Madrid. The Belgian international struggled to fit in at Los Blancos as injury concerns piled up until he was no longer seen as a key part of the project.

Hazard enjoyed some of the best years of his career in blue, spending seven-years at the club and racking up six trophies in that time. While things have no doubt changed since he left for the big-money move, the 32-year-old could still play an invaluable role within the team now.

Hazard has Premier League experience and could play a huge role in helping nurture some of the young talent currently with the Blues. A lot of the goal scoring burden currently lies on Raheem Sterling, but with Hazard as a rotational option, that pressure may be lifted while he isn't under the same injury strain of playing every week.

There's an obvious sentimental aspect to it, Hazard may not earn the same wage at Stamford Bridge as he could elsewhere and he may not have that same importance in the squad with his role. However, in this instance, it's a deal that just makes sense for where the club are, have been and want to be.

[football.london]

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Real Madrid satisfied with summer window, believe squad can compete for all trophies

After Real Madrid learned their group stage opponents for the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League earlier this week, the record European champions have now learned their fixture schedule for the same.

Real Madrid have been drawn in Group C of the Champions League, along with Serie A champions Napoli, German surprise package Union Berlin, and Portuguese outfit SC Braga.

Now, the official fixture list has been made available by UEFA, which reveals when and where Real Madrid will be playing their matches in the group stage.

Real Madrid’s UCL group stage fixture schedule

The 14-time European champions are set to kick off their Champions League campaign at home on September 20 against Union Berlin.

Following that Los Blancos will be on the road as they face Napoli on October 3 at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.

Matchday three will have Carlo Ancelotti & co. travelling to the scenic Braga Municipal Stadium to take on SC Braga on October 24, before they return to the comforts of the Santiago Bernabeu for the reverse fixture on November 8.

Real Madrid’s final home game of the group stage will come against Napoli on November 29 before they wind up the first phase of the competition away at Union Berlin on December 12.

  • September 20: Real Madrid vs Union Berlin
  • October 3: Napoli vs Real Madrid
  • October 24: SC Braga vs Real Madrid
  • November 8: Real Madrid vs SC Braga
  • November 29: Real Madrid vs Napoli
  • December 12: Union Berlin vs Real Madrid

Having faltered at the semi-final stage last season, Ancelotti & co. will be eager to go all the way this time around and the Road to London kicks off in less than three weeks.

[madriduniversal]

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Premier League summer spending exceeds £2bn for the first time

Erik ten Hag says his players are up for the fight against Arsenal as Manchester United look forward to Sunday’s high-profile clash.

The Red Devils have six points from their opening three Premier League matches, but their performances to date have been far from convincing.

United rode their luck to edge past Wolves 1-0 in their Old Trafford opener and, having lost 2-0 at Tottenham, had to come from behind to beat Nottingham Forest 3-2 at Old Trafford last time out.

 

Ten Hag knows his side need to up their game at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday as last year’s Premier League runners-up host the side that finished third.

“It’s one of the biggest games in the Premier League and we are really looking forward, of course, to that fight,” the United boss said. “It’s really always interesting games, intense games.

“I think it is two teams who really play offensive football, the right intentions, I would say.

“The audience is always the big winner of that game, so really looking forward to have that game.”

United head to the capital with three new signings available to feature.

Fenerbahce goalkeeper Altay Bayindir arrived on Friday following Dean Henderson’s exit to Crystal Palace.

Tottenham left-back Sergio Reguilon followed on a season-long loan, before Jonny Evans’ return to the club on a one-year contract was announced.

 

The trio were registered in time to face the Gunners, but Sofyan Amrabat’s loan from Fiorentina with an obligation to buy was not.

The deadline day arrivals bolster a squad that will be fighting on four fronts this term, with United this week drawn against Bayern Munich, FC Copenhagen and Galatasaray in the Champions League group stage.

“We need the depth to go into the four competitions,” Ten Hag said.

“But also our players, most of them international players for their nations, so they will go all over the world.

 

“We have to cover that. We have to be prepared for that situation, that we always can put a competitive team on the pitch.”

Mason Mount, Luke Shaw, Raphael Varane and Tyrell Malacia remain sidelined for the trip to Arsenal.

Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Tom Heaton are also injured, but summer signing Rasmus Hojlund has been given the green light to make his debut after a back issue.

“I think he is ready to start,” Ten Hag said of the Denmark striker, who arrived from Atalanta in a deal that could reach £72million.

 

“I think for every player there is a big spotlight. At United you have to perform, so in every position and with every player.”

[independent]

 

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US Open: Coco Gauff jokes that Justin Bieber inspired her comeback win over Elise Mertens: 'I thought I cannot lose in front of him!'

Coco Gauff joked that the thought of losing in front of Justin Bieber inspired her US Open comeback against Elise Mertens on Friday night.

Gauff produced a fine fightback to reach the US Open fourth round and keep alive her hopes of winning a first Grand Slam title. 

The 19-year-old dropped the first set but dug deep to turn the match around, winning 3-6 6-3 6-0 in front of a crowd that included pop star Bieber, his wife Hailey and NBA star Jimmy Butler.

 

After the match, Gauff said she was aware of the A-listers cheering her on. In fact, she said their presence drove her to win the last 10 games.

'I definitely saw who was there,' Gauff told ESPN. 'I was like: "Oh my goodness, Justin Bieber!" At that point it was 2-3 in the second set. I thought: "I cannot lose in front of Justin Bieber". I didn’t lose a game after I saw that!'

 
 

Miami Heat superstar Jimmy Butler watched alongside Bieber and his wife Hailey Bieber 

 
Coco Gauff's US Open opponent Laura Siegemund is reduced to tears
Djokovic survives a scare as he beats Djere in US Open third round

'I got a little tight when I first saw him, then I reminded myself that President Obama and Michelle Obama were at my first round match... I'm fan-girling right now.'

The Obamas watched her comeback against Laura Siegemund on opening night. She had to battle back in round one, too, and after reaching the last 16, Gauff admitted she was 'starstuck' by Bieber.

'"Never Say Never" was one of my favorite songs when I was a kid. And then "Baby, Oh Baby"... I could go through all his songs,' she said. 

'And then Hailey coming too - I guess it was a little date night for them which is really cool.'

Gauff came back after dropping the first set to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 in the third-round match
 

Gauff came back after dropping the first set to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-0 in the third-round match

She added: 'Jimmy Butler has come to a couple of my matches so I wasn’t as surprised that he was there. But I’m still like: "This guy is busy. Why is he coming to watch me play?!" But it's a really cool experience.”

The 19-year-old also paid tribute to the crowd in New York. 'The energy today definitely helped me. I felt you guys,' said Gauff. 'I played every point my hardest.'

'When you lose the first set you know you have to show that you left all that energy in the first set and you're ready to play... after I lost the first set I told myself: there is still a lot of game left and a lot of the match to play.'

'Elise was playing well and I tried my best to win in three sets - give me some credit. The last couple of weeks I was winning in straight sets. So a win is a win - it doesn't matter how you get it and I'm just happy.'

[Dailymail]

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US Open: Novak Djokovic Survives Djere Scare To Seal Second Week Berth

Novak Djokovic came back from two sets down to survive a big scare from Laslo Djere as he reached the second week at the US Open.

The three-time champion lost the opening two sets but ultimately prevailed 4-6 4-6 6-1 6-1 6-3 against his compatriot in three hours and 48 minutes.

It means that Djokovic is into the second week of the US Open for a 15th consecutive time as the Serb will look to play better as the tournament goes on.

Speaking after the match Djokovic praised Djere but admitted he has to be playing better than he did, “I thought he played terrific. I mean, I honestly have never seen him play like this,” Djokovic told journalists after the match.

 

“He was feeling the ball extremely well. Everything was kind of in his striking zone. He was tactically prepared very well. I think he started off the match very, very good. He was far more comfortable than me. I was defending mostly in the first two sets.

“To be honest, I could have and should have played better, on a high level in these two sets, but huge credit to him for making me uncomfortable on the court and playing really some of the best tennis I’ve ever seen him play.

“Congrats to him. Tough luck to him. I told him at the net he should keep going because if he’s going to continue playing this way, he’s only going to work his way up in the rankings. He’s a terrific guy, works extremely hard.
Tonight he shows that he deserves to be ranked much higher than he is.”

A real test for Djokovic that shows he will need to raise his level as the tournament goes on ahead of a potential showdown in the final with Carlos Alcaraz.

Speaking of the rest of the field, Djokovic believes his five set thriller sends a message that he is able to go the full distance ahead of a intriguing second week, “Well, look, of course winning a match is always better than losing a match. It’s as simple as that,” Djokovic stated.

“I think the message is sent to the rest of the field that obviously I’m still able to play five sets deep at night. Coming from two sets down always sends a strong message to the future opponents.

“At the same time I’m not really wanting to be in this position, to be honest. I prefer a straight-set win. Hopefully I can get back on that track in the next match.”

Next for Djokovic will be talented Croatian qualifier Borna Gojo, who defeated Jiri Vesely in straight sets.

Sunday’s meeting will be the first meeting between the two players.

[ubitennis]

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Liverpool Reject £150m Al-Ittihad Offer For Mohamed Salah

Liverpool have rejected a £150m offer for Mohamed Salah from Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad.

The bid for the 31-year-old forward was for in excess of £100m, with add-ons taking it up to £150m.

Liverpool remained insistent that the Egyptian international was not for sale, and that was final as far as the club was concerned.

Salah, who joined the Reds from Italian side Roma in 2017, signed a new three-year contract last summer.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp said last week that Salah was “100% committed” to the Anfield cause, and on Friday, he reiterated the club’s stance that the player was not for sale.

“The position remains the same. Absolutely no doubt about that. That’s how it is. Nothing else to say,” said Klopp.

Liverpool would have little time to react to Salah’s potential departure, with the transfer window closing at 23:00 BST on Friday for incoming deals involving Premier League teams.

However, Al-Ittihad will still be able to sign players as the Saudi Pro League transfer window is set to close on September 7.

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UCL: Union Berlin not scared of Osimhen – Parensen

Union Berlin technical director, Michael Parensen acknowledged Victor Osimhen is a “very good player” but claimed his team is not afraid of the Napoli striker.

The Capital club, who are making their maiden appearance in the UEFA Champions League, have been paired with 14-time champions, Real Madrid, Scudetto winners Napoli and Sporting Braga of Portugal in Group C.

Osimhen is expected to be one of the difficult opponents for the Bundesliga side in the group.

 

Parensen insisted that his players will do their best to stop Osimhen when they confront the Nigerian in the competition.

“Not scared. I think, of course, he’s a very good player who has scored a lot of goals and we’re not scared of him. We will try to do our best to stop him,” Parensen told Omaports.com.

“To stop him will be hard. We know this, but we will try.”

The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League will commence on September 19.

[DailyPost]

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Cristiano Ronaldo named in Portugal squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers

Cristiano Ronaldo has been named in Portugal’s squad on Friday for upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Slovakia and Luxembourg.

“A player with 200 appearances, that’s something unique,” said Portugal coach Roberto Martinez of Ronaldo, who has scored five goals in four qualifying games so far.

“I can tell you I’m very happy to have Cristiano Ronaldo in my team.”

The 38-year-old Ronaldo, who now plies his trade in Saudi Arabia, celebrated his 200th international appearance with the winner in a 1-0 victory over Iceland last time out for Portugal in June.

Martinez also included Saudi-based midfielders Otavio and Ruben Neves in his squad and called up uncapped Wolves full-back Toti.

Portugal sits top of Group J in qualifying for next year’s finals in Germany.

They face Slovakia in Bratislava next Friday before hosting Luxembourg three days later.

Portugal squad:

Goalkeepers: Diogo Costa (Porto/POR), Jose Sa (Wolves/ENG), Rui Patricio (Roma/ITA)

Defenders: Diogo Dalot (Manchester United/ENG), Nelson Semedo (Wolves/ENG), Joao Cancelo (Manchester City/ENG), Danilo Pereira (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Ruben Dias (Manchester City/ENG), Antonio Silva (Benfica), Goncalo Inacio (Sporting Lisbon), Toti (Wolves/ENG).

Midfielders (6): Joao Palhinha (Fulham/ENG), Ruben Neves (Al-Hilal/KSA), Bruno Fernandes (Manchester United/ENG), Otavio (Al-Nassr/KSA), Vitinha (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Bernardo Silva (Manchester City/ENG).

Forwards (7): Ricardo Horta (Braga), Rafael Leao (AC Milan/ITA), Joao Felix (Atletico Madrid/ESP), Cristiano Ronaldo (Al-Nassr/KSA), Pedro Neto (Wolves/ENG), Goncalo Ramos (Paris Saint-Germain/FRA), Diogo Jota (Liverpool/ENG)

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