Netanyahu came under personal attack from Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for failing to rule out an Israeli government in Gaza after the war
world5 hours ago
Defending champion Naomi Osaka stretched her Grand Slam win streak to 16 matches on Monday at the US Open while Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas struggled past Andy Murray in five sets.
Osaka, seeking her third US Open crown in four years, defeated 87th-ranked Czech Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-1 at a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium to book a second-round matchup with Serbian qualifier Olga Danilovic.
"It feels kind of crazy to play in front of everyone again," Osaka said. "I feel really comfortable here. I'm just glad I won."
Tsitsipas outlasted Britain's Murray, a three-time Grand Slam champion, by 2-6, 7-6 (9/7), 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 after four hours and 49 minutes in surroundings more like an intense second-week showdown than a curtain-raiser for the fortnight.
"To have an electric atmosphere out here is something we've been waiting for," Tsitsipas said.
Two-time Olympic champion Murray, ranked 112th lost for the first time in 15 first-round US Open matches.
"It didn't come easy," Tsitsipas said.
Tsitsipas, this year's French Open runner-up, took a long break before the final set, frustrating Murray, who surrendered a break in the opening game. Delay tactics brought a frosty reception at the net after the match.
"I have zero time for that stuff at all and I lost respect for him," Murray said. "It's nonsense. And he knows it, as well."
Tsitsipas, who plays Frenchman Adrian Mannarino next, said he followed ATP rules on breaks and medical timeouts, even as Murray questioned the length and timing.
"I'm playing by the rules and sticking to what the ATP says is fair," said Tsitsipas. "Then the rest is fine."
In the second-set tie-breaker, Murray slipped at the net and fell because his sweat-soaked shoes were wet and he didn't have another pair. Murray missed out on two set points and the 23-year-old Greek star won five of the next six points to grab the set and level the match.
"The shoes got so wet that at the end of the set, I was slipping basically and was losing balance," Murray said. "That was my bad. It was an important moment in the match."
Murray broke in the second game of the third set and held out from there, but Tsitsipas took the last two sets to advance.
Crowd energy returns
Spectators had to show proof of vaccination to attend but they brought energy back to Ashe.
"Playing without fans here was brutal," 2017 US Open winner Sloane Stephens said. "Having these fans out and the energy, the atmosphere, it brings a lot back to tennis."
Two-time Grand Slam champion Simona Halep and Stephens each won to reach the second round.
"You feel the energy. You feel alive on court," Halep said. "Hopefully it will stay like that forever."
Russian second seed Daniil Medvedev defeated Frenchman Richard Gasquet 6-4, 6-3, 6-1 for his 200th career match win and 160th win on hardcourts.
Women's second seed Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus outlasted Serbia's Nina Stojanovic 6-4, 6-7 (4/7), 6-0 while Russian men's fifth seed Andrey Rublev ousted 221st-ranked Ivo Karlovic 6-3, 7-6 (7/3), 6-3.
Netanyahu came under personal attack from Defence Minister Yoav Gallant for failing to rule out an Israeli government in Gaza after the war
world5 hours ago
The fund is designed to finance the production of artistic and creative works in film, music, performances, and video games
uae5 hours ago
Fico has been in hospital since Wednesday when a lone gunman shot him four times, including in the abdomen
world5 hours ago
The country was one of the donor states to freeze around $450 million in funds after Israel accused 12 UNRWA staff of participating in the Hamas-led attack
world6 hours ago
This inclusive community service is available daily on Al Hamriya Beach from 6.00am to sunset
uae6 hours ago
The floods on Friday also destroyed about 2,000 houses, and damaged thousands more homes and businesses
world7 hours ago
They waited nearly two decades before the club was able to break the trophy drought
football7 hours ago
For the last three months, Marwa Harb's journey through intensive treatments has shown positive results
uae7 hours ago