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Coco Gauff Worried About Civilian Loss of Life in Middle East

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Coco Gauff of the United States fields questions on media day during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 03, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Coco Gauff of the United States fields questions on media day during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 03, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
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Coco Gauff Worried About Civilian Loss of Life in Middle East

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Coco Gauff of the United States fields questions on media day during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 03, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 03: Coco Gauff of the United States fields questions on media day during the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 03, 2026 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP

World number four Coco Gauff expressed concern about the situation in the Middle East on Tuesday and said innocent lives were being taken in the wake of the US and Israeli attacks on Iran.

US President Donald Trump's administration has given conflicting reasons for the attack, while Iran has said the US assault was unprovoked.

Iranian state media has said that among the civilian casualties were more than 160 killed in a strike on a girls' school on Saturday. Administration officials have said they are looking into the incident and that the US would not deliberately target schools.

"First off, ⁠what's happening is ⁠unfortunate, and my thoughts and prayers are out there for everyone affected and for the innocent lives being taken," American Gauff told reporters at the Indian Wells tournament.

"I think it's a lot of unnecessary violence going on."

The war in Iran has spilled over into the tennis world.

An ATP Challenger event in the United Arab ⁠Emirates was abruptly halted and then cancelled on Tuesday due to a security alert, which led to players and personnel fleeing the courts to designated safe areas.

Meanwhile some players, ATP staff, and coaches, including Gauff's coach Gavin MacMillan, have been stranded in Dubai following a tournament there as the conflict has led to widespread travel disruptions in the region.

The WTA has strong ties to the Middle East, with the season-ending WTA Finals being held in Riyadh last year and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) being ⁠the naming-rights sponsor ⁠the WTA women's rankings.

Gauff, 21, added that she has always felt safe competing in the region, and expressed gratitude for having left the area before the escalation of violence.

"I think it's just a lot of unfortunate circumstances that are happening right now," Reuters quoted her as saying.

"I am thankful that I was able to get out of that before things turned to where it is now."

Reflecting on the broader implications of global strife, Italian player Jannik Sinner said: "There are certain scenarios we cannot control, so I tried to be focused.

"But you also realize that there are much more important things in life than playing tennis."

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Top Seed Sabalenka Knocked Out of Italian Open in 3rd Round

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka congratulates Romania's Sorana Cirstea after being defeated during the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 9, 2026. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka congratulates Romania's Sorana Cirstea after being defeated during the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 9, 2026. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)
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Top Seed Sabalenka Knocked Out of Italian Open in 3rd Round

Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka congratulates Romania's Sorana Cirstea after being defeated during the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 9, 2026. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)
Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka congratulates Romania's Sorana Cirstea after being defeated during the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 9, 2026. (Photo by Tiziana FABI / AFP)

Aryna Sabalenka was dumped out of the Italian Open in the third round by Sorana Cirstea on Saturday, the world number one falling to a 2-6, 6-3, 7-5 defeat in Rome.

Sabalenka is the second star name to be eliminated from the final big tournament before the French Open, with Novak Djokovic being knocked out from the men's event on Friday.

The 28-year-old, who had been the favorite for the women's title in Rome, hadn't been knocked out of a tournament in the round of 32 since the Qatar Open in February last year.

But she failed in her bid for a first tournament victory in the Italian capital, with Cirstea facing Linda Noskova in the next round after claiming the biggest win of her career.

Sabalenka looked set for a quick and clean win on center court after romping to the first set, but errors and grumbling soon began to creep in, in particular on her service game.

Cirstea broke Sabalenka's serve three times on her way to levelling the match and she continued to pose problems heading into the decisive third, AFP reported.

Sabalenka lost her serve for the fifth time after saving three break points to go 3-2 behind in the third set, and two games later she called for a medical time out for a problem with her left hip.

Treatment appeared to get Sabalenka back into the groove once she drew level at 5-5 in the set.

But Cirstea held her nerve to win the next two games, sealing her first ever win over a woman at the top of the world rankings with her first match point.

Sports

Leipzig Seal Champions League Berth in Bundesliga

Xaver Schlager of Leipzig in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FC St. Pauli in Leipzig, Germany, 09 May 2026. EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK
Xaver Schlager of Leipzig in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FC St. Pauli in Leipzig, Germany, 09 May 2026. EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK
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Leipzig Seal Champions League Berth in Bundesliga

Xaver Schlager of Leipzig in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FC St. Pauli in Leipzig, Germany, 09 May 2026. EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK
Xaver Schlager of Leipzig in action during the German Bundesliga soccer match between RB Leipzig and FC St. Pauli in Leipzig, Germany, 09 May 2026. EPA/MARTIN DIVISEK

RB Leipzig sealed Champions League qualification with a comfortable 2-1 win over St. Pauli on Saturday on a dramatic day in the Bundesliga's race for Europe.

Goals from Xaver Schlager and Willi Orban saw Leipzig secure third place with a game to spare and plunge St. Pauli deeper into the relegation mire.

"We were under a lot of pressure this season, but we are a great group and we rose to it," Leipzig's captain David Raum said in a speech in front of the fans.

"We have achieved our goal now, so let's all have a drink and party all night long," he added, according to AFP.

The Hamburg side had scored just four goals in their previous eight games, and they were left to rue missed chances yet again in Leipzig.

The visitors squandered several chances on the counter-attack before Schlager hooked the ball in at a corner to give Leipzig the lead just before half time.

Orban doubled the lead with a brilliant header after the break, before Abdoulie Ceesay grabbed a late consolation for the visitors.

Defeat keeps St. Pauli second from bottom, setting up a winner-takes-all clash with fellow strugglers Wolfsburg on the final day of the season next weekend.

"We have to go about the last game like it's a war," St. Pauli's Louis Oppie told DAZN.

While Leipzig are now certain to finish third behind Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, Stuttgart lead the race for the fourth and final Champions League spot after landing a crucial 3-1 win over Bayer Leverkusen.

Stuttgart bounced back after a nightmare start, as Leverkusen took the lead with a smash-and-grab goal after just 34 seconds.

Centre-back Ramon Hendriks lost the ball on the halfway line, providing the visitors with a free run at goal and Aleix Garcia with an easy tap-in.

The hosts levelled the scores just five minutes later, however, Ermedin Demirovic smashing the ball in after a smart passing move in the box.

Demirovic was then tripped in the box on the stroke of half-time and Maximilian Mittelstädt put Stuttgart in front with a cool chipped penalty.

Stuttgart took control after the break, Deniz Undav sealing the win with an artistic finish after Demirovic had a goal ruled out for offside.

The result leaves Leverkusen three points adrift of the Champions League spots in sixth behind Stuttgart and Hoffenheim.

Hoffenheim remain level on points with Stuttgart in fifth after they beat ten-man Werder Bremen 1-0.

Bremen's Yukinari Sugawara was sent off early on for a dangerous challenge on Bazoumana Toure, who scored Hoffenheim's winner 20 minutes later.

Elsewhere, Augsburg kept their hopes of European qualification alive with a 3-1 win over Borussia Moenchengladbach.

A brace for Michael Gregoritsch and a rare goal for defender Robin Fellhauer saw Augsburg take a 3-0 lead before Rocco Reitz pulled one back for Gladbach late in the game.

Sports

Paolini's Italian Open Title Defense Ends Ahead of Sinner Bow

Italy's Jasmine Paolini reacts at the end of the match against Belgium's Elise Mertens at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Italy's Jasmine Paolini reacts at the end of the match against Belgium's Elise Mertens at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
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Paolini's Italian Open Title Defense Ends Ahead of Sinner Bow

Italy's Jasmine Paolini reacts at the end of the match against Belgium's Elise Mertens at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
Italy's Jasmine Paolini reacts at the end of the match against Belgium's Elise Mertens at the Italian Open tennis tournament in Rome, Saturday, May 9, 2026. (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Jasmine Paolini's defense of her Italian Open title came to an early end on Saturday after the home favorite was knocked out in the third round by Elise Mertens, as Jannik Sinner bids to continue his record-breaking Masters 1000 winning streak.

Local favorite Paolini was beaten 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 by Mertens following an error-strewn performance in front of disappointed fans on center court.

The 30-year-old is set to drop out of the top 10 of the women's world rankings after failing to reach the fourth round of a fourth consecutive tournament.

Paolini won both the women's singles and doubles tournaments in Rome last year but she has looked a shadow of that player this season with a string of early exits.

Her fate turned on her failure to capitalize on three match points against the serve at 6-5 in the second set, after which she lost the first two points of the tie-break and never recovered from there.

"I didn't make the most of my chances, I needed to keep a clearer head, keep my cool better in those moments," Paolini told reporters, according to AFP.

"I'm very disappointed to lose but there were moments in which I felt good on the court and I was competitive and positive."

Mertens, who lost last year's women's doubles final to Paolini and Sara Errani, could face eighth seed Mirra Andreeva in the next round.

Coco Gauff, beaten by Paolini in last year's singles final, took over two hours to beat Argentina's Solana Sierra 5-7, 6-0, 6-4.

The world number four and reigning French Open champion will face either her fellow American Taylor Townsend, a qualifier, or Iva Jovic in the next round.

Gauff has struggled on clay this season, with a last-16 exit in the Madrid Open coming after a disappointing run to the quarter-finals in Stuttgart.

The 22-year-old is on the same side of the draw as world number one Aryna Sabalenka, who faces Romania's Sorana Cirstea.

Sinner will take to an expectant center court later on Saturday as a hot favorite to extend his run of five consecutive Masters 1000 tournament victories.

Austria's Sebastian Ofner stands in the way of Sinner winning a 24th straight match, with few expecting anything more than a rapid victory in straight sets.

No Italian man has won at the Foro Italico since Adriano Panatta 50 years ago, and with Carlos Alcaraz out of action Sinner is expected to go one better than last year when he lost the final to his great rival.

Former winner Daniil Medvedev will begin his campaign in the third round after his match, which was scheduled to be the first on center court, was shelved after his opponent Tomas Machac pulled out of the tournament with an unspecified illness.

Fourth seed Felix Auger-Aliassime suffered a shock second-round defeat at the hands of Argentina's Mariano Navone, the Canadian losing to his 44th-ranked opponent in straight sets 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (7/5).