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CNN —The border between Egypt and Gaza “must” be closed, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Saturday – a move that would give Israel complete control over the Palestinian enclave’s access to the world. Egypt has previously warned Israel against military operations in the corridor, according to Egypt’s Ahram Online. Gaza borders Israel on two sides, and its Mediterranean coast and airspace are also under tight Israeli blockades. But aid groups say it is still far from enough and warn of a growing risk of famine for Gaza’s isolated population if Israeli restrictions on imports persist. In three months of siege, more than 23,000 people have been killed in Gaza, according to health authorities in the Hamas-controlled enclave.

Persons: Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, We’ll, we’ll, ” Netanyahu, Israel’s “, ”, Israel, Netanyahu’s Organizations: CNN, Egypt’s Ahram, United Nations, United Nations Office, Humanitarian Affairs Locations: Egypt, Gaza, Israel, Rafah, United, Israel’s Kerem Shalom, United States

☆ Novak Djokovic breezes into the third round of the US Open with dominant win over Bernabé Zapata Miralles
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: 1 min

CNN —Novak Djokovic continues to impress on his return to the US Open, breezing past Spain’s Bernabé Zapata Miralles in straight sets to reach the third round. The Serbian is looking to add to his record tally of 23 men’s grand slam titles and the ease of the 6-4 6-1 6-1 win would suggest that winning the tournament is a real possibility. Zapata Miralles put up a fight during the first set, but Djokovic’s class showed throughout the remainder of the matchup. Djokovic was dominant throughout the second and third sets and was simply too good for his opponent, ranked No. Djokovic arrived at Flushing Meadows on good form after a win at the Western & Southern Open championship earlier this month – his first tournament on US soil since 2021.

Persons: CNN — Novak Djokovic, Spain’s Bernabé Zapata, Zapata Miralles, Djokovic Organizations: CNN, & Southern Locations: Flushing Meadows

☆ US Open: Coco Gauff advances after convincing win against rising star Mirra Andreeva
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-30 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —In a matchup that could be an insight into the future of women’s tennis, Coco Gauff overcame Mirra Andreeva in straight sets to advance into the third round of the US Open. “I’m just used to the heat; I’m used to sweating. Gauff made lightwork of Andreeva in the sweltering conditions during their second-round match. Robert Prange/Getty ImagesDespite losing in convincing fashion to Gauff, at just 16 this is clearly just the beginning for Andreeva. Teenager Mirra Andreeva is one of tennis' rising stars and has impressed during her young career.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Mirra Andreeva, –, I’m, ” Gauff, Gauff, ”, Arthur Ashe, “ I’m, Robert Prange, Elise Mertens, America’s Danielle Collins, Mirra, Angela Weiss, Taylor Townsend, Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia, Townsend, Magdalena Fręch Organizations: CNN, & Southern, Belgian, Getty Locations: Flushing Meadows, South Florida, Andreeva

☆ 2023 US Open women’s draw: everything you need to know
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-27 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +5 min

CNN —With the final grand slam of the season nearly upon us, there are plenty of storylines for fans to get excited about. In the women’s singles draw, a player hasn’t won back-to-back titles since Serena Williams won it three times in a row between 2012 and 2014. ESPN will be broadcasting the grand slam in the US – the 15th consecutive year it has done so. Home favoritesThere will be plenty of competitors for the home fans to get behind in the women’s singles draw. Although reigning champion Świątek comes into the tournament with another French Open title under her belt and is ranked world No.

Persons: hasn’t, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Williams, Veronika Kudermetova, Paula Badosa, Jessica Pegula, Coco Gauff –, Pegula, Gauff, Camila Giorgi, Jelena Ostapenko, Cameron Spencer, Caroline Wozniacki, Świątek, Emma Raducanu’s, Sabalenka, Belinda Bencic, Quinn Rooney, Aryna Sabalenka, Markéta Vondroušová, Elena Rybakina, Jabeur, Barbora Krejcikova, Daria Kasatkina, Zheng Qinwen Organizations: CNN, 143rd, ESPN, Sky Sports, Eurosport, US Tennis Association, Cincinnati Masters, Flushing, Belgian, Minnen, North, Washington D.C, & Southern, French, Wimbledon Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, Europe, Flushing Meadows, North American, Montreal, Cincinnati

☆ Swiatek recharges for U.S. Open defence with Sabalenka hot on her heels
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-25 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Aug 19, 2023; Mason, OH, USA; Iga Swiatek (POL) returns a shot against Coco Gauff (USA) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. "I'm not even going to regret a lot because I'm happy I'm going to have days off." The French Open champion said she would try not to be hard on herself ahead of her U.S. Open title defence. "I'm going to take it easy on myself and just try to do everything step by step." I'm going to give it my all in the U.S. Open.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Katie Stratman, Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, Ash Barty's, Sabalenka, I'm, Elena Rybakina, Roland Garros, Jessica Pegula, Gauff, Sloane Stephens, Caroline Wozniacki, Dane, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Southern Open, Lindner, Tennis Center, Montreal, U.S, Wimbledon, Indian Wells, Flushing, U.S ., Tunisian trailblazer, York, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, New York, Cincinnati, Melbourne, U.S, Montreal, French, Flushing Meadows, Bengaluru

☆ Calendar slam hopes doused but Djokovic fired up for U.S. Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Aug 18, 2023; Mason, OH, USA; Novak Djokovic (SRB) reacts after a point against Taylor Fritz (USA) during the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. There's still a fire going," said Djokovic, who won the Australian Open and French Open titles to leapfrog Rafa Nadal into top spot in the list of men's major champions. "There's still that drive and motivation to really come at the biggest events in sport and try to win, try to win titles and try to bring some good sensation to the crowds." HARDCOURT DOMINANCEIf the chasing pack feel Djokovic's days of dominance are numbered, the three-time U.S. Open champion's record on hardcourts should give them pause for thought. I think Novak can play much better than he did in the Wimbledon final.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Taylor Fritz, Katie Stratman, Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic, leapfrog Rafa Nadal, ramped, Nadal, Patrick Mouratoglou, Alcaraz, Novak, Mouratoglou, Carlos, Margaret Court's, Will, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Southern Open, Lindner, Tennis Center, U.S, Wimbledon, Flushing Meadows, Cincinnati, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, Flushing Meadows, tennis, United States, America, Flushing, Bengaluru

☆ Alcaraz, Swiatek may face old rivals in U.S. Open draw
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] Aug 20, 2023; Mason, OH, USA; Novak Djokovic, of Serbia returns a shot to Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, during the menÕs singles final of the Western & Southern Open tennis tournament at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsNEW YORK, Aug 24 (Reuters) - World number one Carlos Alcaraz faces a potential quarter-final clash with old foe Jannik Sinner in his U.S. Open title defence, and American Coco Gauff is on a collision course with defending champion Iga Swiatek on the women's side. Swiatek will open her campaign against Sweden's Rebecca Peterson. Gauff's compatriot and frequent doubles partner Jessica Pegula, the third seed, faces a tough draw as she opens against Italian Camila Giorgi and could also meet 2022 WTA Finals winner Caroline Garcia of France. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York, editing by Ed OsmondOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Kareem Elgazzar, Jannik, Coco Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Dominik Koepfer, France's Alexandre Muller, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Frances Tiafoe, Casper Ruud, Holger Rune, Gauff, Sweden's Rebecca Peterson, Aryna Sabalenka, Jessica Pegula, Camila Giorgi, Caroline Garcia of, Amy Tennery, Ed Osmond Organizations: & Southern, Lindner, Tennis Center, U.S, Wimbledon, Djokovic, Cincinnati, Caroline Garcia of France, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, Serbia, Spain, Miami, New York

☆ Coco Gauff continues excellent preparation for US Open with third title victory of the season
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( Ben Morse | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Coco Gauff continued her excellent preparation for this month’s US Open with victory at the Western & Southern Open on Sunday. “I’m really happy with how I was able to manage this week,” Gauff said after becoming the tournament’s youngest ever winner. I wasn’t really serving as good as I did against Iga. I’m glad I was able to push through.”Gauff is still searching for her maiden grand slam title having reached the final of the French Open last year. She won in Auckland in January and Washington two weeks ago, and victory in Cincinnati on Sunday was her fifth career title.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Karolína, “ I’m, ” Gauff, “, she’s, It’s, I’m, Gauff, Matthew Stockman, Muchová, Bianca Andreescu, Caroline Wozniacki, Gauff –, – Organizations: CNN, & Southern, Sunday, Western & Southern, Women’s Tennis Association, Wimbledon Locations: Flushing Meadows , New York, Auckland, Washington, Cincinnati, Czech

☆ Djokovic storms back to beat Alcaraz for Cincinnati title
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Mandatory Credit: Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsAug 20 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic overcame a match point and stifling heat to beat world number one Carlos Alcaraz 5-7 7-6(7) 7-6(4) and win the Cincinnati Open in a heart-pounding thriller on Sunday. "So much to say and so little energy," Djokovic said while collecting his third Cincinnati Open title. In the decider, Djokovic broke for a 5-3 lead but would then squander two match points in the next game. The drama would continue when Djokovic missed an overhead for 5-5 and the players would ultimately arrive at another tiebreak, which Djokovic won on his fifth match point of the contest. The win delivered Djokovic his 95th career title and 39th Masters 1000 crown.

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Katie Stratman, Djokovic, Alcaraz, Novak, Rory Carroll, Stephen Coates, Sonali Paul Organizations: Southern Open, Lindner, Tennis Center, Cincinnati, Wimbledon, COVID, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, Ohio, U.S, New York, Los Angeles

☆ Alcaraz to face Djokovic for Cincinnati title
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Hurkacz, who narrowly lost to Alcaraz in the quarters of the Canadian Open, raced out to a 3-0 lead as Alcaraz mixed dazzling shotmaking with some head-scratching errors in the entertaining first set. Hurkacz captured the opener when he broke Alcaraz for a second time and had match point in the second set while returning serve and leading 5-4 but misfired on a forehand. Alcaraz drew Hurkacz to the net with a drop shot and then fired a sensational cross court winner to set up the tiebreak. A perfectly executed volley on his first match point delivered Alcaraz into his eighth final of the year and despite spending more than 10 hours on the court this week, he said he feels fresh. Djokovic, who won the Masters 1000 tournament in 2018 and 2020, has played Alcaraz three times.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Hubert Hurkacz, Albert Cesare, Novak, Max Purcell, Hurkacz, Alcaraz, I'm, DJOKOVIC, ZVEREV, Alexander Zverez, Zverez, Djokovic, Rory Carroll, Deepa Babington, Kim Coghill Organizations: & Southern, Lindner, Tennis Center, Cincinnati, Spanish, England, Canadian, Spaniard, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, Spain, Poland, Ohio, Madrid, Los Angeles

☆ Gauff beats Muchova to win Cincinnati Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Aug 19, 2023; Mason, OH, USA; Coco Gauff, of the United States, celebrates after defeating Iga Swiątek, of Poland, in their semifinal match at the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsAug 20 (Reuters) - Coco Gauff beat Karolina Muchova 6-3 6-4 to win the biggest title of her young career at the Cincinnati Open on Sunday and extend her outstanding run of form on North American hard courts ahead of the U.S. Open. Gauff had some trouble getting over the finish line, failing to convert three match point opportunities while serving at 5-2 thanks to some tentative groundstrokes. But on her next chance to serve for the title she did not falter, Muchova's return landing wide as Gauff jumped up and down in jubilation. Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles Editing by Toby DavisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Iga Swiątek, Albert Cesare, Karolina Muchova, Muchova, Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Rory Carroll, Toby Davis Organizations: & Southern, Lindner, Tennis Center, Cincinnati, U.S ., Wimbledon, Flushing, Washington D.C, Canadian, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, United States, Poland, Czech, Ohio, jubilation, New York, Flushing Meadows, Washington, U.S, Los Angeles

☆ Djokovic edges past Alcaraz in Cincinnati to capture first tournament title in return to US soil
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-20 | by ( Homero De La Fuente | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz, 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4) on Sunday to avenge his Wimbledon final loss and capture the Western & Southern Open title in Cincinnati, Ohio. “Definitely one of the toughest, most exciting matches I was ever a part of on any tournament,” an exhausted Djokovic said after the match. In the third set, Djokovic failed to capitalize on multiple championship points and the duo would go into another tiebreak, in which Djokovic would come out victorious. So congratulations to you and your team.”Djokovic was playing in his first tournament on US soil since his US Open final loss against Daniil Medvedev in 2021. Djokovic will look to capture his 24th career singles grand slam title and surpass Margaret Court for the most all-time – men’s and women’s.

Persons: CNN — Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic, ”, ” Alcaraz, “, ” Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Margaret Organizations: CNN, Wimbledon, & Southern, Cincinnati, ATP, US, Serbian, Covid Locations: Cincinnati , Ohio, New York, Cincinnati

☆ Gauff stuns Swiatek to reach Cincinnati final
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-19 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsAug 19 (Reuters) - Coco Gauff beat world number one Iga Swiatek for the first time in eight meetings on Saturday to advance to the Cincinnati Open final as the American teenager's level continues to rise ahead of the upcoming U.S. Open. Gauff served big and played sensational defense en route to a 7-6(2) 3-6 6-4 win over the 22-year-old Pole and will face either world number two Aryna Sabalenka or Czech Karolina Muchova in Sunday's final. Gauff leapt into the air and pounded her chest as the crowd erupted after she secured the hard-fought victory. "I knew playing her was going to be tough, nothing was going to be given to me today," she told Tennis Channel. Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles, editing by Pritha SarkarOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Coco Gauff, Iga Swiątek, Albert Cesare, Gauff, Czech Karolina Muchova, Rory Carroll, Pritha Sarkar Organizations: & Southern, Lindner, Tennis Center, Cincinnati, Tennis, Wimbledon, Washington DC, Canadian, WTA, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, United States, Poland, Czech, U.S, Washington, Los Angeles

☆ Swiatek powers by Vondrousova to reach Cincinnati semi-finals
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Mandatory Credit: Carter Skaggs-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsAug 18 (Reuters) - Iga Swiatek overcame a tricky opening set before racing to a 7-6(3) 6-1 victory over Czech 10th seed Marketa Vondrousova on Friday in a clash between the last two Grand Slam winners to reach the Cincinnati Open semi-finals. "It wasn't easy to adjust to her spin because she's a lefty," French Open champion Swiatek said during her on-court interview. But she was denied both times by Swiatek before the Pole ran away with the tiebreaker. "I tried to learn from that first set, and in the second set I knew exactly what to do and I think that's why it was such a good performance," Swiatek said. Muchova now awaits the winner of the quarter-final clash between Tunisian fifth seed Ons Jabeur and Belarusian second seed Aryna Sabalenka.

Persons: Iga Swiatek, Danielle Collins, Carter Skaggs, Marketa Vondrousova, Swiatek, Vondrousova, Coco Gauff, Jasmine Paolini, Czech Karolina Muchova, Marie Bouzkova, Muchova, Aryna, Frank Pingue, Hugh Lawson Organizations: & Southern, Lindner, Tennis Center, USA, Czech, Cincinnati, Wimbledon, Swiatek, ., Aryna Sabalenka, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, Poland, United States, Czech, Belarusian, Toronto

☆ Alcaraz ends Purcell's dream Cincinnati run, Hurkacz advances
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsAug 18 (Reuters) - World number one Carlos Alcaraz ended Australian qualifier Max Purcell's dream run with a 4-6 6-3 6-4 win to reach the Cincinnati Open semi-finals on Friday, while Poland's Hubert Hurkacz got past lucky loser Alexei Popyrin 6-1 7-6(8). The Spaniard failed to convert his only break point chance of the first set in the second game before helping Purcell to the crucial break in the seventh game with an unforced error. The win set up a semi-final with 20th-ranked Hurkacz, who sent over 10 aces and never faced a break point in his lopsided win over Australian Popyrin. "Alexei raised his level and was serving really good throughout that second set, I just got to the tiebreaker," Hurkacz said. Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ken FerrisOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Carlos Alcaraz, Tommy Paul, Kareem Elgazzar, Max Purcell's, Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, Alexei Popyrin, Purcell, Casper Ruud, Stan Wawrinka, Hurkacz, Alexei, Taylor Fritz, Novak Djokovic, France's Adrian Mannarino, Alexander Zverev, Amy Tennery, Ken Ferris Organizations: & Southern, Lindner, Tennis Center, Cincinnati, U.S, Court, Wimbledon, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, Spain, United States, Switzerland, Toronto, Serbian, New York

☆ Stefanos Tsitsipas complains about ‘a person imitating a bee’ during Western & Southern Open match
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-18 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —The atmosphere was buzzing for Stefanos Tsitsipas’ second-round match at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati – though more in an annoying way for the Greek tennis star. Tsitsipas said that he was antagonized by a “person imitating a bee” in the seats behind him during his match against American Ben Shelton on Wednesday. “It’s a buzz right before I serve,” Tsitsipas told the umpire after abandoning a serve mid-action. 4 then went to have a word with the spectator himself before returning to speak with the umpire. The Western & Southern Open is staged each year ahead of the US Open, which gets underway on August 28 and runs until September 9.

Persons: Tsitsipas, American Ben Shelton, “, ” Tsitsipas, “ It’s, ”, …, Shelton, Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz Organizations: CNN, & Southern, American Locations: Cincinnati

☆ Djokovic missed playing big US events and excited to be back
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Playing singles in Cincinnati for the first time since 2019, the 36-year-old Serbian won the first set 6-4 against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who later retired with a back issue. "Winning it in 2018 obviously is a highlight for me, because it was the only Masters I hadn't won for years. "But I played well in the past and was really glad to have a chance to come back to the States. First match coming back," said Djokovic, who will meet fellow veteran Gael Monfils next. "It'll probably take a few sets for me to really get things going in a right way."

Persons: Novak Djokovic, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Katie Stratman, Djokovic, I've, hadn't, Roger, Federer, It's, Carlos Alcaraz, Gael Monfils, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Robert Birsel Organizations: Southern Open, Lindner, Tennis Center, Cincinnati, U.S, Serbian, Wimbledon, hardcourts, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, United States, U.S, Cincinnati, New York, Bengaluru

☆ Novak Djokovic wins first singles match on US soil since 2021 at Cincinnati Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Novak Djokovic won his first singles match on American soil since 2021 as Alejandro Davidovich Fokina was forced to retire during their second-round contest at the Western & Southern Open. He’s a year older than me,” Djokovic said about Thursday’s match against Monfils, who turns 37 on September 1. I’m just glad to be back.”This was Djokovic's first singles match on American soil since the 2021 US Open. Katie Stratman/USA TODAY Sports/ReutersHe broke Davidovich Fokina at 3-4 after the Spaniard had returned from his medical timeout, only to be broken back the following game. Of course, it’s great for me to be able to come back to the court and win a match.

Persons: CNN — Novak Djokovic, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Djokovic, Davidovich Fokina, Frenchman Gaël Monfils –, “, ” Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, I’m, Katie Stratman, Davidovich, Alejandro, ”, “ It’s Organizations: CNN, & Southern, Monfils, Covid, Reuters, & Southern Open Locations: Cincinnati, He’s, United States, Serbian, New York City

☆ Venus Williams picks up first win against top-20 opponent in four years
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( Thomas Schlachter | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Venus Williams rolled back the years with a vintage performance to secure her first win against a top-20 player in four years. The 43-year-old Williams defeated Russian Veronika Kudermetova 6-4 7-5 in the first round of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Monday. Kudermetova is seeded 16th in the tournament and would have been expected to ease her way past Williams, but the seven-time grand slam winner had other ideas. So that makes it satisfying, to be able to get a win with very little time to prepare.”This was Williams' first win against a top-20 player in four years. Her previous victory against a top-20 opponent also came at the Western & Southern Open in 2019 when she defeated Kiki Bertens in the second round.

Persons: Venus Williams, Williams, Russian Veronika Kudermetova, Kudermetova, “, Aaron Doster, ’ ” Williams, ’, That’s, ” Williams, Kiki Bertens Organizations: CNN, & Southern Locations: Russian, Cincinnati

☆ Williams playing at a 'better level' after injury-hit start to season
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Aug 14, 2023; Mason, OH, USA; Venus Williams celebrates after beating Veronika Kudermetova during round one of the Western & Southern Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason Monday, August, 14, 2023. Mandatory Credit: Cara Owsley-USA TODAY Sports/File photoAug 15 (Reuters) - Seven-times Grand Slam champion Venus Williams says she is now playing at a better level than at the start of an injury-plagued 2023 season after sealing her first top 20 win in four years by beating Veronika Kudermetova at the Cincinnati Open on Monday. read more"I think I'm at a better level than I started the year, to be honest," Williams told reporters. I'm fine game-wise, but playing matches is a different ball game." Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter RutherfordOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Venus Williams, Veronika Kudermetova, Williams, Cara Owsley, old's, Roland Garros, Elina Svitolina, Camila Giorgi, Shrivathsa Sridhar, Peter Rutherford Organizations: & Southern, Lindner, Tennis Center, USA, Cincinnati, Auckland, Wimbledon, Birmingham, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, Cincinnati, Auckland, Bengaluru

☆ Novak Djokovic ‘glad to be back’ on American soil after two-year absence
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Novak Djokovic is preparing to play on American soil for the first time since 2021 after the Covid vaccine requirement for non-US travelers was lifted earlier this year. His last match in the States was at the 2021 US Open when he lost to Daniil Medvedev in the final. “I’ve had plenty of success on American soil with Indian Wells, Miami, obviously Canada and here, [I’ve] won many times at these Masters 1,000 events, all of them. Djokovic plays a forehand against Carlos Alcaraz during this year's Wimbledon final. Regarding his defeat in the Wimbledon final, Djokovic said on Sunday that he was “over it in a day” and looking forward to the hard-court swing.

Persons: CNN — Novak Djokovic, Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, I’m, “ I’ve, – I’m, ” Djokovic, wasn’t, Carlos Alcaraz, Julian Finney, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz, Alcaraz, Nikola Ćaćić, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Jordan Thompson, ”, “ There’s Organizations: CNN, Covid, & Southern, Indian, Miami, Wimbledon, Getty, Department of Homeland Security Locations: Cincinnati, Mason , Ohio, New York, Serbian, Indian Wells, Miami, Canada, California

☆ Auger-Aliassime snaps losing streak with win over Berrettini in Cincinnati
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Aug 14, 2023; Mason, OH, USA; Matteo Berrettini (ITA) runs up the court for a return to Félix Auger-Aliassime (CAN) (not pictured) during the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Carter Skaggs-USA TODAY SportsAug 14 (Reuters) - Felix Auger-Aliassime ended a five-match losing streak with a come from behind 4-6 6-2 6-3 victory over Matteo Berrettini at the Cincinnati Open on Monday to set up a second round clash with Adrian Mannarino. The 23-year-old beamed a broad smile when Berrettini's forehand went long on match point, grateful for the bright spot in a thus far disappointing 2023 campaign. The 12th seeded Auger-Aliassime will look to keep his winning ways going in his first ever meeting with Frenchman Mannarino in the second round. Reporting by Rory Carroll in Los Angeles; Editing by Muralikumar AnantharamanOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Matteo Berrettini, Félix, Carter Skaggs, Felix Auger, Aliassime, Adrian Mannarino ., Auger, I've, Frenchman Mannarino, Australia's Jordan Thompson, American John Isner, Isner, Finland's Emil Ruusuvuori, Nicolas Jarry of, Rory Carroll, Muralikumar Organizations: & Southern, Lindner, Tennis Center, USA, Cincinnati, U.S, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, Nicolas Jarry of Chile, Los Angeles

☆ Holder Coric beats Korda in Cincinnati opener, Fritz outlasts Lehecka
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/2] Aug 15, 2023; Mason, OH, USA; Taylor Fritz, of the United States, reacts to scoring a point against Jiri Lehecka, of Czech Republic, during the Western & Southern Open at Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Albert Cesare-USA TODAY Sports Acquire Licensing RightsAug 15 (Reuters) - Defending champion Borna Coric battled past American Sebastian Korda 7-6(5) 6-4 in the Cincinnati Open first round on Tuesday, as Taylor Fritz survived a first-set thriller to beat Czech Jiri Lehecka 7-6(14) 6-2. Korda, who has suffered a handful of early exits since reaching the Queen's Club semi-finals, appeared to have the edge as he converted a break point in the third game. Earlier on Tuesday, top American Fritz mustered all of his resources in an epic 30-point first set tiebreak with Lehecka. The momentum belonged to Fritz in the second set, though, when he never faced a break point and won all but one of his first-serve points.

Persons: Taylor Fritz, Jiri Lehecka, Albert Cesare, Borna Coric, Sebastian Korda, Czech Jiri Lehecka, Croatian Coric, Korda, Coric, Hubert Hurkacz, Fritz, Monte, Amy Tennery, Ken Ferris Organizations: & Southern, Lindner, Tennis Center, Cincinnati, Monte Carlo, Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, United States, Czech Republic, Czech, Croatian, Toronto, Cincinnati, New York

☆ Williams upsets Kudermetova, Stephens beats Cocciaretto at Cincinnati
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-14 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

Mandatory Credit: Cara Owsley-USA TODAY SportsAug 14 (Reuters) - Venus Williams upset 16th-ranked Veronika Kudermetova 6-4 7-5 at the Cincinnati Open on Monday, as her unseeded American compatriot Sloane Stephens overcame a sluggish start to beat Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto 7-5 6-2. The Russian missed another opportunity to win the second set when Williams fended off a break point in the ninth game with an unreturnable serve. Cocciaretto took control early on and built a 5-2 lead that gave her two chances to serve out the set. But Stephens dialed up the pace and broke to love on each occasion as she used a five-game winning streak to wrap up the opening set. Stephens can expect a tougher test against sixth seed Garcia, who is 4-2 all-time versus the American including a pair of first-round wins at the Cincinnati Open.

Persons: Venus Williams, Veronika Kudermetova, Cara Owsley, Sloane Stephens, Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto, Williams, outmatched, Kudermetova, Stephens, Cocciaretto, Caroline Garcia, Garcia, Elina Svitolina, Caroline Wozniacki, Wozniacki, Varvara Gracheva, Frank Pingue, Amy Tennery, Rory Carroll, Ken Ferris, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: & Southern, Lindner, Tennis Center, USA, Cincinnati, Wimbledon, U.S ., Thomson Locations: Mason, OH, USA, Russian, Guadalajara, Toronto, New York, Los Angeles

☆ Serena Williams teases tennis fans as she says ‘I’m not retired’
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-25 | by ( George Ramsay | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +1 min

CNN —Serena Williams continues to tease tennis fans about whether they will see her back on court, this time saying she is “not retired” from the sport. Williams, considered by many as the greatest player of all time, announced she would “evolve away from tennis” after this year’s US Open, adding that she “never liked the word retirement.”In a brief comeback to the sport last year, the 23-time grand slam champion completed in singles at Wimbledon, the National Bank Open, the Western & Southern Open and the US Open, where she was knocked out by Ajla Tomljanović in the third round. Speaking at the recent TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco to promote Serena Ventures, her investment company, Williams, 41, said: “I’m not retired … The chances are very high [of playing again]. You come to my house, I’ve got a court.”Last month, in an interview on Good Morning America, Williams said “you never know” to a return to competitive tennis and explained how NFL quarterback Tom Brady had “started a really cool trend.”The 45-year-old Brady said he was retiring from the NFL in February, only to later reverse that decision and continue his career with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers this season. As part of her plans to “evolve away from tennis,” Williams said she would be spending more time with her family, as well as pursuing her business interests and charity ambassador roles.

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