Alexander Zverev Survives Dramatic Match to Advance at U.S. Open The U.S. Open’s first-round action on Tuesday, September 1, 2026, was marked by relentless rain and dramatic comebacks as top players battled through challenging conditions at Flushing Meadows. Alexander Zverev, the French Open champion and Wimbledon finalist, overcame a grueling five-set match against Lorenzo Sonego to secure his place in the second round, keeping his bid for a third consecutive Grand Slam final alive. The rain disrupted the schedule, forcing delays and creating an unpredictable atmosphere for the players. Zverev, who was given top billing in New York due to the absence of injured world number one Jannik Sinner, faced a stern test from Sonego. The match, which lasted four hours and 53 minutes, saw Zverev twice trailing by two points before ultimately prevailing 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(7), 7-5, 6-4. After the match, Zverev expressed relief at his victory, stating, “I’m just happy I won, that’s it. I’m happy that I won this battle and it was exactly what I needed. Good things happen after you fight through these matches.” His next opponent will be Quentin Halys, setting up a potential clash between the Frenchman and the French Open champion. The rain also affected other matches, with thousands of spectators donning ponchos as they waited for the action to resume. In the Arthur Ashe Stadium, American tennis star Madison Keys, the 2017 runner-up, overcame nerves to defeat Alina Korneeva 7-5, 6-4. Keys, who had struggled with nerves in her first-round match a year earlier, praised her ability to adapt, saying, “It’s so hard to play the first round of a Grand Slam. So nervous and wanting to do well. So grateful I was able to fight through that.” She will face Hungarian Anna Bondar in the next round. Meanwhile, 2024 U.S.#alexander_zverev #madison_keys #quentin_halys #alina_korneeva #lorenzo_sonego
Gauff returns to Canadian Open quarters with dominant victory over Korneeva For the first time in three years, World No. 4 Coco Gauff advanced to the quarterfinals at the National Bank Open, securing her place in the final eight with a decisive 6-3, 6-1 victory over teenage qualifier Alina Korneeva. The win marks Gauff’s seventh WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz quarterfinal of 2026 and positions her to face the winner of the Belinda Bencic-Alexandra Eala matchup later in the day. Gauff, 22, has yet to drop a set in Toronto, maintaining her dominance with only four games lost across her first three matches. Korneeva, 18, faced her first-ever challenge against a top 10 player, having previously stunned higher-ranked opponents with victories over No. 23 seed Emma Navarro and No. 13 seed Iva Jovic. Despite her recent success, Korneeva’s bid for a breakthrough ended in straight sets, highlighting Gauff’s ability to neutralize threats from both established and emerging talent. Gauff’s performance at the Canadian Open underscores her growing consistency on the WTA Tour. Since 1990, she has become the second player to reach 25 or more career Tier I/WTA 1000 quarterfinals before turning 23, joining Martina Hingis, who achieved 39 such appearances. This milestone places Gauff in elite company, reflecting her longevity and adaptability in a fiercely competitive landscape. Her 2026 campaign at the Canadian Open also highlights her ability to thrive in high-stakes matches. Gauff now has four quarterfinal appearances at the event, with two in Toronto and two in Montreal. Only Gabriela Sabatini, who reached six such matches before turning 23, has surpassed this record. This achievement underscores Gauff’s resilience, as she previously struggled to advance beyond the Round of 16 for two consecutive years.#alexandra_eala #coco_gauff #belinda_bencic #alina_korneeva #national_bank_open
Alina Korneeva Rebounds from Injuries to Secure Top 30 Breakthrough Alina Korneeva, the 19-year-old Russian tennis player, is making a strong comeback after a series of injuries that derailed her progress in 2025. At the National Bank Open in Toronto, she stunned No. 23 seed Emma Navarro with a 6-2, 6-2 victory, securing her first Top 30 win and a spot in the third round of a WTA 1000 event. This marks a significant milestone in her career, as she moves closer to establishing herself as a consistent force on the professional circuit. Korneeva’s rise in 2026 has been remarkable. Starting the year ranked No. 210, she climbed to No. 89 this week after a 35-13 record. Her breakthrough came with a WTA 125 title in Oeiras, Portugal, where she claimed her fifth career trophy in the country, which she calls her “lucky charm.” She also qualified for the French Open and Wimbledon, and reached the semifinals at the Athens tournament in May. Her confidence has grown steadily, as she reflected after defeating Navarro: “One year ago, I was playing against players outside the Top 100. Everyone is difficult, but it’s different when you play against players outside the Top 100, and then you can beat [someone in] the Top 30.” However, Korneeva’s journey to this point has not been without setbacks. In 2023, she was the junior No. 1 after winning the Australian Open and Roland Garros girls’ titles in the same season. Her Australian Open final against Mirra Andreeva was a grueling three-hour match, ending 6-7(2), 6-4, 7-5. Despite this success, her professional career faced a major obstacle in 2024. A wrist injury required surgery, sidelining her for seven months. An adductor injury followed, forcing her to miss most of the first half of 2025.#emma_navarro #iva_jovic #rafa_nadal_academy #alina_korneeva #national_bank_open
WTA French Open Second Round Best Bets Including Diana Shnaider vs McCartney Kessler Anna Kalinskaya faces Alina Korneeva in the second round of the WTA French Open. Kalinskaya, the No. 22 seed, advanced confidently in her first-round match against Lois Boisson, a player who reached the semifinals last year. Kalinskaya demonstrated composure during the match, handling the challenge of facing a French opponent in France. Korneeva, meanwhile, secured a straightforward victory over Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto, who has struggled with consistency in recent weeks. Both players are in strong form, but Kalinskaya is positioned as the favorite due to her seeding and recent performance. Analysts suggest Korneeva +1.5 sets could be a reasonable wager, though Kalinskaya’s ability to manage matches and her potential for a close victory make her a strong contender. A 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 scoreline is predicted to secure Kalinskaya’s win. Betting on Kalinskaya -3.5 games is highlighted as a value bet with odds of 1.77 at 1xBet. Diana Shnaider, ranked in the top 25, faces McCartney Kessler, who is just inside the top 50. Shnaider dominated her first-round match against Renata Zarazua, winning in straight sets without significant resistance. Kessler, meanwhile, overcame Hanyu Guo in three sets, adapting to challenging weather conditions and earning confidence for the next round. While Shnaider’s form suggests she should be favored, her lack of deep tournament runs this year raises questions about her consistency. Kessler’s recent performance, including a straight-set win over Zarazua, adds intrigue to the matchup. The match is expected to be closely contested, with Kessler’s +1.5 sets bet at 2.14 odds on Unibet considered a value play. Yulia Putintseva, ranked World No. 76, takes on Camila Osorio, the No. 86 seed.#wta_french_open #anna_kalinskaya #alina_korneeva #diana_shnaider #mcCartney_kessler
