British qualifier Toby Samuel broke more new ground with a dominant victory over Tomas Machac on his US Open main-draw debut.
The 23-year-old came from a set down in each of his three qualifying matches in New York this week to guarantee a third Grand Slam appearance of the year.
However, he had no such issues against former world number 20 Machac, wrapping up a 6-2 6-3 6-2 victory in just over 90 minutes to register his first win at a Grand Slam.
“It means everything to me. It’s what I dreamt of as a kid watching these big tournaments,” Samuel told BBC Radio 5 Live.
Advertisement
“Being able to win my first Grand Slam match is unbelievable.”
Just two years ago, Samuel fell to almost 2,000th in the world rankings as bone bruising in his right arm ruled him out of much of the 2024 season.
He now sits inside the top 100 in the live ATP rankings, along with earning $140,000 (£103,000) in prize money in the biggest payday of his career so far.
Samuel won 36 of 39 matches on the ATP Challenger Tour to return to the top 300 last year, but has reached new heights in 2026.
Advertisement
The Winchester native came through qualifying to make his Grand Slam debut at the French Open, having never previously contested a single match on the ATP Tour.
He continued that momentum with a run to the semi-finals at Eastbourne, a Wimbledon wildcard, and a third Challenger crown of the year on Winnipeg’s hard courts.
Samuel’s new ranking would secure automatic qualification for next January’s Australian Open, completing the set of major appearances a year after making his top-250 debut.
He is joined in the second round in New York by compatriot Katie Boulter, who battled past American wildcard Carol Young Suh Lee 6-4 3-6 6-0.
Star Wars Zero Company offers a substantial amount of story content, despite being a tactical strategy game. You step into the shoes of Hawks, a former Republic captain now leading a mercenary group taking on odd jobs in the galactic underworld during the final stages of the Clone Wars. His goal is to pay off a massive debt owed to the Hutt Cartel.
For those wondering, the campaign has a bit of replayability and side content. Wrapping up Operator Bonds, optional missions, and achievements bumps up the completion time in Star Wars Zero Company.
Star Wars Zero Company completion time
Step into the shoes of Hawks in a 40-hours story campaign (Image via Electronic Arts)
30 to 40 hours: If you are just completing the main campaign and nothing else
45 to 55 hours: For completing the main quest, along with the side content
Over 60 hours: All content, including Beskar Mode achievements, Operator Bonds, and cycle-based missions.
Assuming your first playthrough is on Normal mode, you can expect to clear the game in under 40 hours. However, if you are a completionist, the time required to clear all content will easily push past 60 hours. You will need to play the campaign twice: once on Normal and once on Beskar mode. The latter is required to unlock the Legend achievement.
During your playthrough, check your Holotable for Crisis missions and complete them at the earliest to prevent the enemy coil from growing stronger. To unlock more achievements, complete the Crewmate missions, containing stories associated with your team. Upon completing them, shift to the Critical missions. They include mandatory quests that you can complete within a few cycles.
Man United have just two days remaining before the transfer window closes, and there is still business that needs to be completed
Manchester United completed their main priority for the summer transfer window last week. Before the market opened, United knew they needed to add to their midfield. The July arrivals of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans eased the pressure, but a third midfielder was always required, especially with Manuel Ugarte injured.
Carlos Baleba was a long-term target for the Reds, and once it was clear a £70m deal was possible, instead of the whopping £100m+ they were quoted last summer, Ineos moved quickly to get it done. In an ideal world, United would not need to do any more business this summer, especially with just two full days of the window remaining.
Advertisement
However, it is obvious United need to complete one more transfer. Luke Shaw deserved all the plaudits that came his way last season. After a period of injury struggles, the left-back did exceptionally well to feature in every single Premier League game.
While nothing can be taken away from his accomplishment, it would be naive to think that Shaw could repeat this again in the 2026/27 campaign. This year is already going to be busier for United than last season. Eight matches have been added to the schedule after they qualified for the Champions League. The Reds should also go further in the Carabao and FA Cups having been knocked out at the first time of asking in both domestic cups last term.
That additional load means United will need to rotate. They cannot rely solely on Shaw to play in all competitions, never mind expect him to stay on the field for the majority of those matches. On the right, United have Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui battling for a start. The Reds need that same depth on the left.
Advertisement
Who they choose to target to provide that competition will shape United’s plans for the next year. On the one hand, the Reds could opt for a recognised starter. Lewis Hall is the player United have been interested in for the majority of the summer.
Hall’s signature would nail down that left-back role for the foreseeable. But, a summer of change at Newcastle means they are in no mood to sell him at this late stage.
Alternative options such as Ferdi Kadioglu, Alejandro Balde and Ian Maatsen, have all been suggested. Were one of those to join, we could see a changing of the guard at left-back this season.
None of these players be happy playing second choice to Shaw, and they likely wouldn’t sign for United if that was the case anyway. Any one of their arrivals would place doubts over Shaw’s future. He is out of contract at the end of this season and would have to decide whether to stay to be a back-up, or leave on a free to gain more regular minutes.
It would also mean that United could focus next year on strengthening their attack. This area has been neglected in the summer with the Reds hopeful Benjamin Sesko can stay fit to hold down the fort up front.
On the other hand, United could easily decide to sign a more youthful left-back before the window closes. Jorge Salinas at Racing Santander has been mentioned this summer but, at 19, he is unlikely to come in as an immediate first choice starter. Instead, he would be given time to settle in the Premier League and learn the ropes under Shaw.
That would also mean Shaw stays as the first choice left-back for this season and a player like Salinas would be given opportunities off the bench and in cup competitions.
Advertisement
United would also be pushing the left-back conversation to next summer too. They could revisit a move for Halor decide that Salinas or another young arrival is ready to make that position his.
What is clear though is that it all rests on the next 48 hours. Whichever direction United decide to go will have a knock-on effect for the next year.
NEW YORK (AP) — Venus Williams bowed out of her 26th U.S. Open singles appearance early Monday morning, falling in straight sets to fellow American wild card Sofia Kenin after not getting on the court until midnight.
The 46-year-old lost 6-2, 7-6 (6) in what could be the final singles match at a Grand Slam, if not her illustrious career. It was Williams’ 14th consecutive singles defeat dating to her last victory in Washington in July 2025.
Advertisement
Williams has now lost six in a row at the U.S. Open since winning in the first round in 2019.
Advertisement
She and her 27-year-old opponent waited extraordinarily long to take the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium, delayed by Novak Djokovic’s 4-hour, 36-minute defeat to Mariano Navone that threatened to move them next door to Louis Armstrong Stadium. The men’s action ended just in time to play on Ashe — but not before making some history.
At 12:13 a.m., it was the latest start to a match at the U.S. Open, six minutes later than the previous record of Aryna Sabalenka against Ekaterina Alexandrova in the round of 32 in 2024.
Kenin needed just 32 minutes to win the first set, but Williams took advantage of mistakes and made some shots in the second that gave the late-staying crowd reason to cheer, rallying from down 4-2 to force a tiebreak before losing several set points and striking the ball into the net to end it.
Advertisement
Advertisement
Concluding at 2:01 a.m., it became the latest finish for a first-round match in U.S. Open history. It is the third-latest for a women’s match at any stage of the tournament.
Williams is a quarter-century removed from her second of back-to-back championships in New York. She also won Wimbledon five times from 2000-08 to give her seven Grand Slam singles titles.
Williams and sister Serena won 14 in doubles, including the U.S. Open in 1999 and 2009. They are expected to compete in doubles again this year after receiving a wild-card entry.
The Tennessee Titans will have one of the NFL’s best positions in the waiver wire pecking order when the league’s final roster cuts are finalized.
Tennessee reduced its roster to the league-mandated maximum of 53 players, and now the real fun will begin. Players who are subject to waivers as part of those final roster reductions will then be available for other teams to claim, with the claiming period expiring at 1:00 p.m. ET on Monday, August 31.
Advertisement
The Titans enter the process with the No. 4 waiver priority, allowing general manager Mike Borgonzi and the team’s personnel department to add young talent released by other teams before most of the league gets a chance to do so. In looking at the initial 53-man roster, cornerback, edge, and offensive line could be areas to monitor.
Advertisement
The initial waiver order is based on the 2026 NFL draft order and will remain in effect through the first three weeks of the regular season. Beginning September 29, after the third regular-season weekend, waiver priority will be determined by the current standings, with strength of schedule and additional tiebreakers used when necessary.
NEW YORK — Novak Djokovic grinded through physical and internal ailments, made one mistake after another and could not find what it took to beat a feisty, younger opponent who was not intimidated under the lights against tennis’ most decorated player.
The 39-year-old is out of the U.S. Open after a first-round defeat to Mariano Navone on Sunday night, losing 7-6 (5), 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1 in a five-set marathon that lasted four hours and 36 minutes. It was the longest opening match of a Grand Slam in Djokovic’s career and became his earliest exit in one in two decades, dating to the 2006 Australian Open. He had never lost in the first round at the U.S. Open.
“I didn’t enjoy myself,” Djokovic said. “I think it was obvious that it was an awful feeling on the court for me.”
The record holder with 24 major titles threw up at least once and later appeared to be cramping when he grabbed at his left foot. Djokovic swallowed pills brought to him by a doctor and had his lower back massaged during a medical timeout between the fourth and fifth sets, and he grimaced after several shots.
Advertisement
Djokovic made 70 unforced errors in a painful performance that ended mere minutes before midnight.
“It’s something that I’ve been carrying, unfortunately, pretty much every match this year: vomiting, throwing up, a serious issue there,” Djokovic said. “Then my whole body starts to collapse, basically cramping and pain. Yeah, the back just gave up in the end and shoulder, and I couldn’t close it out.”
With this defeat, 21 years to the day of his U.S. Open debut, the question now lingers as to whether this was Djokovic’s final match at this or any Grand Slam. After the loss, he said he was “trying to address really what’s going on and how far I can go this way.”
It was clear Djokovic was not himself, and the wear and tear of sickness and soreness took its toll. The No. 4 seed from Serbia cruised to early 3-0 and 4-1 leads before blowing them and losing the first set — the first time that happened to him in the first round of the U.S. Open since ’06.
Advertisement
“Just struggled all the way since the fourth game of the match,” Djokovic said. “When it comes to match itself and overall feeling of how I felt with body and playing, it was really not enjoyable. I pretty much despised every moment that I spent on the court for that.
With his wife, Jelena, watching from the stands with worried looks on her face, Djokovic had moments where he looked like one of the best to play the sport. His fist pump was reserved after winning the second set, and he put his hand to his ear and gestured to the crowd for applause on the way to taking the third.
But Navone — a 25-year-old from Argentina who earlier this year won his first ATP singles title — did not go away.
Neither did the frustration of not being healthy or at his best. After firing a shot wide in the fourth set, Djokovic landed awkwardly and dropped his racket.
Advertisement
Djokovic all but conceded the fourth set. But he was unable to muster enough for what would have been his 43rd five-set victory as Navone picked up his first, calling it a dream come true.
“(It) was very tough for me because you are playing with the ‘GOAT’ on this court,” said Navone, who idolized Djokovic growing up. “For sure it’s the best thing I’ve had on court. This is an amazing court and the biggest stage. It’s amazing, the way we play. I mean, five sets. … I’m very happy. I don’t know. What can I say?”
It extended a nightmare stretch for Djokovic, who also lost in the first round at the hardcourt tuneup in Cincinnati earlier this month. That was his first action since losing to top-ranked Jannik Sinner in the semifinals at Wimbledon.
Djokovic expressed hope Saturday that his early exit at Cincinnati gave him more time to prepare for the U.S. Open but acknowledged concern that the first match at any tournament has become challenging for him in recent years. Instead of overcoming the hurdle and building from there, he is left to contemplate an uncertain future.
Robinson can also thank Australia for bringing back into the fashion the age-old tactic of the wicketkeeper standing up to the stumps to pace bowlers.
Alex Carey did it so effectively during the Ashes and England are now copying with Robinson.
It may seem obvious but that tweak is really playing into Robinson’s strengths.
If the wicketkeeper was stood back the modern batsman would be walking down the pitch to Robinson. With Jamie Smith up they can’t because of the risk of being stumped.
Advertisement
It means Robinson can bowl a yard fuller, giving his deliveries more time to swing through the air and means more of Robinson’s deliveries would hit the stumps rather than bouncing over from a shorter length.
Of course, you cannot do any of this without a good wicketkeeper. Praise must also go to Jamie Smith.
After we saw Smith struggle badly through the Ashes, he has clearly improved his glovework. Wicketkeeping coach Sarah Taylor has been working him hard before play with a drill where she whacks tennis balls towards him with a racket.
The ball skids through and, with a batsman stood in front edging, missing and hitting the ball, Smith has to stay low and take them.
Advertisement
The results speaks for themselves.
Now the next question for Robinson is whether he can repeat this success on harder, flatter pitches, or in hot conditions which will test those fitness levels. England will face them in their three-Test series in South Africa this winter.
They have often left Robinson out for Test on more batter-friendly pitches but it is time for them to throw him in. He has earned that right.
England are working behind the scenes to get Robinson into the position where he maintains his pace around 82mph, rather than his current place of starting there before dropping to 77 or 78mph.
Advertisement
If he does that, the extra bounce he will get as a result should negate the loss of movement.
And before then I desperately hope England do not rest Robinson, Jofra Archer, Gus Atkinson or Josh Tongue for the third Test in Edgbaston.
England’s new quartet has shown real promise. They may not have a frontline spinner but Robinson, who conceded runs at just 1.29 per over across the Lord’s Test, can effectively do the holding job of a slow bowler if needed.
Do not break things up now.
Advertisement
After their poor run England just need to keep on winning matches and, just as importantly, this group needs to get used to bowling together as an attack.
Joe Root must also learn how to use each of them best.
This, with Robinson as the leader, is England’s best attack. Stick with it in Birmingham and beyond.
Jonathan Agnew was speaking to BBC Sport’s Matthew Henry
Duleep Trophy Semi-final 1 Live Score: Vaibhav Sooryavanshi added another memorable chapter to his rapidly growing cricket story when the 15-year-old batting sensation briefly took over as captain of East Zone during their Duleep Trophy semi-final against Central Zone on Sunday.
East Zone captain Ishan Kishan won the toss and elected to bowl first, a decision that quickly paid dividends as Mukesh Kumar and Abhijit Sarkar led the bowling attack. The two right-arm pacers claimed three wickets each as Central Zone were bowled out for 266 in 80.1 overs. Mohammed Shami and off-spinner Md Kounain Quraishi chipped in with two wickets apiece.
Kishan was forced off the field midway through the morning session after being struck on his right wrist. With the regular captain away from the action, Sooryavanshi stepped in to lead East Zone for around an hour on either side of lunch before Kishan returned and resumed command.
The teenager showed impressive composure in his brief spell as captain. He successfully reviewed an on-field decision that initially went against East Zone, trusting his instincts after Aryan Juyal appeared to edge Mukesh Kumar behind. UltraEdge confirmed a spike, resulting in a crucial wicket.
Advertisement
Central Zone’s innings was led by Rinku Singh, who scored 60 off 88 balls, while Juyal contributed 46. They slipped to 125 for five before Rinku and Harsh Dubey briefly revived the innings with a 55-run partnership. Once Dubey fell, Central Zone lost wickets regularly, despite a late 30 off 26 balls from Yash Thakur.
Novak Djokovic broke down in tears during a US Open first-round defeat by Argentina’s Mariano Navone which provided further evidence age is fast catching up with the 39-year-old great.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion was overcome by emotion in the deciding set of a dramatic match where he struggled physically throughout and had to vomit into a towel bin.
Advertisement
Djokovic, seeded fourth in New York, showed the fight for which he has always been renowned before succumbing to a 7-6 (7-5) 5-7 4-6 6-2 6-1 loss.
Advertisement
It was the first time the Serb had been beaten in the opening round at Flushing Meadows and the first time he had lost in the opening round of a Grand Slam tournament since 2006.
Djokovic managed to raise a smile as he congratulated 25-year-old Navone on what will rank as one of the biggest victories of the world number 49’s career.
But, after showing grace and class while congratulating his opponent, a disconsolate Djokovic was unable to keep a brave face for long and appeared close to tears again as he trudged back to the locker room.
Advertisement
Advertisement
The defeat ended Djokovic’s latest bid for a standalone record 25th Grand Slam singles title and further harms his chances of moving clear of Australia’s Margaret Court.
Djokovic had reached at least the semi-finals at six of the previous seven Grand Slams going into the US Open, but the manner which he struggled in the humid conditions was a worrying sight for his supporters.
Djokovic looked nauseous throughout a tense encounter and he appeared to be dealing with a similar issue to the one which affected the former world number one at the Cincinnati Open a fortnight ago.
In his only appearance on the North American hard courts before heading to New York, Djokovic wilted in humid conditions as he suffered a shock early exit at the hands of Argentina’s Thiago Tirante.
Advertisement
Advertisement
After losing there to the world number 50, Djokovic revealed he had been hampered by a “health condition” which has been “bothering” him in oppressive conditions over the past couple of years.
How dramatic night in New York unfolded
Djokovic made a promising start as he broke Navone’s serve at the first attempt for a 2-0 lead, only to see that advantage wiped out in the seventh game as he begin to struggle in the humid conditions.
The catalyst for the former world number one’s troubles appeared to be a lengthy rally which sapped him of energy and left him struggling to recover.
Advertisement
Advertisement
A flustered-looking Djokovic seemed to drop speed in both his serve and groundstrokes, calling out the doctor after the ninth game for some tablets to help alleviate what was bothering him.
Djokovic continued to look distressed as the opener moved into the tie-break – wearily bowing his head and bending over double between points – as Navone maintained his focus to strike first after one hour and 13 minutes.
As Djokovic toiled, an eerie hush fell around Arthur Ashe Stadium which indicated the crowd’s growing concern for the four-time champion.
So often Djokovic has found a way to win in moments of adversity. Was this going to be another example?
Advertisement
Advertisement
The physical problems did continue to linger, but Djokovic perked up enough – seemingly helped by the cooler conditions under the roof – to create the only break points of a finely-poised second set.
After missing chances in the third and fifth games, he dug deep to strike for a 6-5 lead and served out to love as he levelled the match.
Djokovic becoming more animated in the early part of third set was a surefire sign he was starting to feel more like his old self – although not for too long.
Advertisement
With the set locked on serve at 3-3, Djokovic looked unsteady on his feet again before pouncing on a poor service game from Navone to break for 5-4 and holding serve to move into the lead.
Advertisement
These are the positions from which prime Djokovic would usually go on to win, even when he was struggling physically.
The fact he was unable to do that against Navone, who has never gone past the second round in New York, was another indication of his declining powers.
Advertisement
What had been a tight match quickly ran away from Djokovic and became a difficult watch for the thousands still inside Ashe as local time fast approached midnight.
The atmosphere became subdued again as it became clear that Djokovic was not going to be able to wriggle out of trouble on this occasion.
The first shocking result of the 2026 U S Open came on Sunday night at Arthur Ashe Stadium when No. 4 seed and four-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic lost in five sets to Mariano Navone (7-6, 5-7, 4-6, 6-2, 6-1).
Djokovic looked visibly ill during the match and wore down considerably as the match stretched beyond the third set. Djokovic, who has long dominated the later sets due to his fitness, found himself fading late and struggling to even win games against Navone.
It’s by far the biggest win in the 25-year-old Argentinian’s career, and he’ll advance to the second round of the US Open for the second consecutive year. Navone was able to take advantage of his legendary opponent’s struggles, pouncing on an incredible 70 unforced errors from Djokovic in the match — with 29 of those coming in the final two sets. Over the fourth and fifth sets, Navone won an incredible 63.3% of the points as Djokovic failed to mount much of a challenge late.
For Djokovic, Sunday’s loss snaps the longest streak of opening round wins in grand slam events in men’s or women’s tennis in the Open era. He came into the US Open with 78 consecutive first round match wins. The last time Djokovic lost in the first round of a grand slam was more than 20 years ago at the 2006 Australian Open, and he had never lost before the third round at the US Open.
Advertisement
The 39-year-old has been chasing his 25th grand slam title for three years, and Sunday’s shocker guarantees that wait continues into 2027 — if he chooses to continue playing. Djokovic has now gone 12 consecutive grand slam events without a title, tied for the longest drought of his career (2005-07).
Djokovic losing in the first round throws the men’s draw further into chaos. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner is already sitting out due to a lingering knee issue and No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz is a question mark in his first tournament back since missing the French Open and Wimbledon due to a wrist injury.
Djokovic has been a fixture in the second week of grand slams for two decades, but now his quarter of the draw will open considerably. That creates an even greater opportunity for the Americans in the field to finally snap the 23-year grand slam drought since Andy Roddick won the 2003 US Open, with Brandon Nakashima the American player directly impacted as part of Djokovic’s quarter.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login