polishsouls.co.uk – Fast Global Commentary & Views

Naomi Osaka condemned the use of terms like "no education" and "no class" against a Black tennis player, calling them among the worst things to say, as the row between Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko sparked fierce debate at the US Open on Thursday.

Defending champion Jannik Sinner dominates Alex Popyrin in straight sets to reach the US Open third round. Iga Swiatek and Naomi Osaka also advance, setting up high-stakes clashes as the tournament heads into its second week.

US Open: Jelena Ostapenko defended herself against accusations of racism after her heated clash with Taylor Townsend, insisting her remarks were about sportsmanship and not race.

Daniil Medvedev's turbulent 2025 season hit a low at the US Open, where a first-round loss to Benjamin Bonzi and a furious outburst cost him a hefty fine. The setback capped a miserable Grand Slam year, with the Russian advancing past the opening round only once all season.

Carlos Alcaraz powered past Italy's Mattia Bellucci 6-1, 6-0, 6-3 to reach the US Open third round while Casper Ruud slumped to a defeat at the hands of World No.107 Raphael Collignon.

Novak Djokovic secured his place in the US Open third round for a record-breaking 19th time, surpassing Roger Federer's milestone with his 75th Grand Slam third-round appearance. Despite a slow start and admitting he's not at his peak, Djokovic battled through to defeat Zachary Svajda in four sets.

Emma Raducanu stormed into the US Open third round with a 6-2, 6-1 win over Janice Tjen — her first deep run in New York since her 2021 title. The Brit hit 16 winners and 8 aces, while fellow Brit Jack Draper pulled out of the men's draw with injury.

Novak Djokovic secured a second-round win over Zachary Svadja in the US Open men's singles competition. He will now be up against the winner between Cameron Norrie and Francisco Comesana.

Iga Swiatek's US Open victory was overshadowed by news of Taylor Swift's engagement to Travis Kelce. The tennis star, a devoted Swiftie, expressed her excitement for Swift, highlighting her long-standing admiration for the singer. Swiatek credited Swift's music with aiding her English learning and personal growth, even attending her 'Eras Tour' and receiving a handwritten note.

Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek are set to take the stage on Tuesday evening in the US Open 2025. Here's a list of all the important matches on August 26 and 27 in the tournament.

Carlos Alcaraz's new haircut stole the show at the US Open, overshadowing his first-round win over Reilly Opelka. Venus Williams inspired with her return, while Madison Keys suffered a shocking defeat. Additionally, Petra Kvitova and Caroline Garcia retired, marking the end of their careers. A lost racket dampener also caused a brief on-court search. That and more on Day 2 at Flushing Meadows.

Venus Williams faced an emotional first-round defeat at the US Open against Karolina Muchova, casting doubt on her future in tennis. Despite a strong showing after a 16-month break, Williams lost in three sets. She expressed gratitude for the wild card entry and highlighted her improved physical condition compared to their previous encounter, emphasising her joy in playing pain-free.

Carlos Alcaraz, aiming for his second US Open title, debuted a shaved head as he began his campaign against Reilly Opelka. Venus Williams is also set to mark her 25th appearance at the tournament. Alcaraz's new look drew reactions, including playful criticism from friend Frances Tiafoe, adding a lighthearted note to the competition's start.

Aryna Sabalenka commenced her US Open title defence successfully, while Novak Djokovic progressed towards a potential record 25th Grand Slam. Alexandra Eala made history for the Philippines, and Indonesia's Janice Tjen also secured a notable win. Emma Raducanu marked her return with a victory, while Daniil Medvedev faced an unexpected early exit.

Francesca Jones, a 24-year-old Briton born with Ectrodactyly Ectodermal Dysplasia, is set for her 2025 US Open main draw debut after a strong run through qualifying.

Carlos Alcaraz, already a five-time Grand Slam champion, is still chasing consistency on hard courts, with his 2022 US Open triumph remaining his lone major success on the surface. Armed with momentum from a strong 2025 season, he now returns to New York determined to end his drought and reclaim hard-court glory.

Ben Shelton defended his sponsor On, questioning its characterization as a small company. Jack Draper joined Vuori, highlighting non-traditional brands disrupting the industry’s status quo. Upstart brands like On and Lululemon are challenging Nike and Adidas' dominance in tennis apparel by signing top players like Iga Swiatek and Frances Tiafoe. Coco Gauff highlighted fashion's role in attracting new fans to tennis.

The US Open never had a Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal meeting but they would hope the newest rivalry in men's tennis - Carlos Alcaraz vs Jannik Sinner - dubbed "Sincaraz" - would fare differently. On the women's side, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka targets her first major this year, with Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff two of her biggest rivals.

Andrew Castle feels Novak Djokovic's Grand Slam-winning days may be over, with Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner emerging as dominant forces. The Serb, stuck on 24 majors since the 2023 US Open, faces doubts about adding a 25th title amid younger rivals' rise.

US Open 2025: Several junior Indian players, led by Maaya Rajeshwaran and Kriish Tyagi, will feature in the upcoming tournament. Four others—Hitesh Chauhan, Arjun Rathi, Rethin Pranav Senthil Kumar, and Arnav Paparkar—will play in the boys' qualifying rounds.