Submit your Article

Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka thumped unseeded Spaniard Cristina Bucsa 6-1, 6-4 on Aug 31 to seal her return to the US Open quarter-finals, ramping up her bid for a first Grand Slam title in 2025 after defeats in two major finals. 

The world No. 1, beaten in both the Australian and French Open finals, enjoyed her most comfortable win in New York in 2025 as she inched closer to becoming the first woman since Serena Williams (2012-2014) to win consecutive US Open titles.

"I was super happy with the straight-sets win. The second set was a little tricky, but I'm glad that I was able to close it without dropping my serve," Sabalenka told reporters.

Czech Marketa Vondrousova booked her place in the U.S. Open quarter-finals by beating ninth seed Elena Rybakina 6-4 5-7 6-2 in a clash of former major winner on Sunday, Reuters reported.

Vondrousova, who has fallen to number 60 in the world, returns to the last eight at Flushing Meadows for the second time following her 2023 run.

"After everything I've been through it's good to be standing here again," Vondrousova said.

"It's a long way to go but its been an amazing week so far I'm incredibly happy to be here."

Vondrousova edged a tight opening set under the lights at Arthur Ashe stadium, punishing an erratic Rybakina who landed under 50% of her first serves, according to Reuters.

Dreams died by fractions of an inch and were reborn through sheer determination on a pulsating Sunday at the US Open, with Taylor Townsend's heartbreaking exit contrasting sharply with Taylor Fritz's steady march onward, Reuters reported.

Townsend's three-hour odyssey against Barbora Krejcikova provided the day's most compelling drama, the mother from Chicago saving eight match points before finally succumbing 1-6 7-6(13) 6-3 in a thriller that left even her four-year-old son AJ offering gentle consolation.

"It was literally like a point here and there that made the difference," said Townsend, tears still fresh after the longest tiebreak of the tournament. "The backhand down the line on the match point where it barely clipped the line, what do you do in those moments?"

The 29-year-old's anguish provided a stark contrast to Fritz's businesslike 6-4 6-3 6-3 dismissal of Czech Tomas Machac, to fly the American flag as the country's sole male survivor from the 23 who began the tournament, according to Reuters.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was left to rue a second-half collapse by his side after a bright opening hour as they succumbed to a 2-1 Premier League defeat at Brighton & Hove Albion on Sunday, Reuters reported.

City led in the first half through an Erling Haaland goal on his 100th Premier League appearance and looked in control for 60 minutes until a James Milner penalty brought the hosts level. 

As Brighton's intensity increased, City failed to cope with their movement and conceded again late on to Brajan Gruda's fine individual goal.

"We concede the goal and after that, it (the momentum) shifted," Guardiola told Sky Sports. "Until then it was really, really good, we had chances and the team looked aggressive and dynamic, according to Reuters.