Pegula Happy to Share the Spotlight with Fellow American Hope Gauff

Jessica Pegula of the United States reacts against Camila Giorgi of Italy during their Women's Singles First Round match on Day Two of the 2023 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP)

10:03-30 August 2023 AD ـ 14 Safar 1445 AH

Jessica Pegula may be the top ranked American at the US Open but the third seed says she is happy to let red-hot compatriot Coco Gauff carry some of the burden of expectation as they bid to end the country's Grand Slam drought.

World number three Pegula and number six Gauff arrived in New York having won WTA 1000 titles to spark hopes of a first American women's major champion since Sofia Kenin lifted the trophy at the 2020 Australian Open.

Pegula cruised to a 6-2 6-2 opening win over Camila Giorgi on Tuesday - a day after Gauff rallied to beat Laura Siegemund - and the 29-year-old said that she did not mind the focus being on her frequent doubles partner at the tournament.

"I don't know. Maybe it's good," Pegula said with a smile. "Coco can take it, that pressure, not me. I don't know. I mean, I don't mind. She's been winning a lot. I think she deserves a lot of that attention.

"She's obviously very young. She's been playing really well. She's super electric to watch, loves the crowd and New York. No, I don't really have a preference. Either way I think I want to continue to win matches and do the best that I can.

"It's nice that even though I'm the top American, I can't imagine carrying a ton of pressure if it was only me. It's nice that there are a lot of us that are doing well and that have chances to go deep here."

Pegula said the current crop of US women's players - 13 of whom are in the top 100 - were genuine friends and driving each other towards success, just like their male colleagues.

"I think we've embraced the fact that though we're all competing for rankings and tournaments ... even if you play each other you want to beat each other, you're pushing each other at the same time," Pegula said.

"I think that's something the guys are doing well with (Taylor) Fritz, (Tommy) Paul, (Frances) Tiafoe. You see them pushing each other and they're all going higher and higher."

Carrick Confident Man Utd Can Go Far in ‘Magical’ Champions League

09 September 2026, United Kingdom, Manchester: Manchester United manager Michael Carrick (L) with Jonny Evans in action during a training session at Carrington Training Center, ahead of Thursday's UEFA Champions League soccer match against Sabah FK. (dpa)

16:04-9 September 2026 AD ـ 27 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

Carrick Confident Man Utd Can Go Far in ‘Magical’ Champions League

Michael Carrick believes Manchester United are strong enough to compete with Europe's best on their return to the Champions League for the first time in three years.

Carrick earned his position as permanent United boss after leading the Red Devils to third place in the Premier League in his interim spell last season.

Having secured a place in Europe's elite club competition, United kick off their league phase campaign on Thursday when they face Azerbaijani champions Sabah at Old Trafford.

"It's a magical competition. It's where we all want to be. When you're out of it, you realize how special it is and when you're in it, you want to make the most of it," Carrick told reporters on Wednesday.

"I think we've all seen some special, special nights and felt some special things in this competition over the years. It's the best competition to challenge yourself and to push against the best.

"We're delighted to be here, but we're not here to just enjoy the occasion. We're here to do business and go as far as we possibly can."

In two of their last three appearances in the Champions League, the three-time European champions have crashed out at the group stage and have not progressed beyond the last 16 since 2019.

United have also made a slow start to the Premier League season, taking just four points from fixtures against Hull, Ipswich and Everton.

However, many of their better performances under Carrick have come against stronger opposition.

United beat Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea in the second half of last season.

"I think we're capable of doing some really good things in this competition and going further down the line in this competition," Carrick said.

"Certainly not getting ahead of ourselves because some part of it is a new experience for some of the players.

"But the boys are used to playing European football for the most part in different competitions and we'll take that forward and we've got a squad that's strong enough to compete."

In contrast to the record-setting spending by many of their Premier League rivals, United were only able to strengthen their midfield in the transfer window.

United benefited last season from only playing 40 games -- their lowest total since the 1914/15 campaign.

Carrick, though, said his players had to embrace the challenge of a heavier workload.

"We play Thursday, Sunday, Wednesday and it's what we're here for. It's about managing the group and having trust in everyone able to play," he said.

Benjamin Sesko is in contention for his first start of the season after coming off the bench to score in Sunday's 2-2 draw at Everton.

Carrick confirmed Matthijs de Ligt is also nearing a comeback after nearly a year out with a back injury.

Sports

Courtois Given Green Light to Skip Belgium’s Nations League Campaign, Reports Say

Real Madrid's Belgian goalkeeper #01 Thibaut Courtois gestures after recovering from an injury during the UEFA Champions League first round day 1 football match between Real Madrid and Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on September 8, 2026. (AFP)

09:49-9 September 2026 AD ـ 27 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

Courtois Given Green Light to Skip Belgium’s Nations League Campaign, Reports Say

Goalkeeper Thibaut ‌Courtois will sit out Belgium’s Nations League campaign but has not retired from international football, Belgian media reported on Wednesday.

The 34-year-old had said after the World Cup that he may stop playing for Belgium or seek a ‌rest this ‌season, skipping the Nations ‌League ⁠where Belgium are ⁠grouped with France, Italy, Türkiye and play six matches over the next three months.

He told reporters after Real Madrid's 2-1 win over ⁠Inter Milan in the ‌Champions League ‌on Tuesday that new Belgium coach ‌Mark van Bommel understands his ‌decision.

"I will remain available for the European Championship qualifying campaign with the national team, and I ‌understand that I will have to fight for ⁠my ⁠place just like the other goalkeepers," he told Belgian daily Het Laatste Nieuws.

“Physically, I don't know if I can maintain the same schedule for another four years."

The first qualifiers for the 2028 European Championship are scheduled for March next year.

Sports

Alcaraz Falls to Shelton in Epic Latest-Ever US Open Finish

Ben Shelton, of the United States, celebrates after winning against Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, in the quarter-final round of the US Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, in New York. (AP)

09:34-9 September 2026 AD ـ 27 Rabi’ Al-Awwal 1448 AH

Alcaraz Falls to Shelton in Epic Latest-Ever US Open Finish

Carlos Alcaraz tumbled out of the US Open quarter-finals at 3:34 am Wednesday, falling to Ben Shelton in an epic five-set thriller that broke the record for latest finish ever at Flushing Meadows.

The big-hitting American claimed his first career win over Alcaraz, 6-7 (5/7), 6-1, 6-3, 1-6, 7-6 (10/7), ending the Spaniard's hopes of retaining his title in his first tournament back after a four-month injury absence.

It took a brutal four hours and 28 minutes, finishing long past the previous latest finish in New York of 2:50 am -- Alcaraz's five-set quarter-final win over Jannik Sinner in 2022.

Shelton matches his semi-final run at the US Open three years ago and booked an all-American semi-final against Frances Tiafoe, who came back from two sets down to beat Alex Michelsen 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-6 (10/6).

"That was a war, epic match, so physical," Shelton said. "Carlos is one of the greatest champions in our sport already at 23 years old.

"It's always fun being on the court against him. It's ridiculous some of the stuff he comes up with sometimes -- the most enjoyable match that I've had in my career, for sure."

Alcaraz had gone from strength to strength through his first four matches, but Shelton posed his biggest test and finally proved too much.

Shelton, pumped up by the Arthur Ashe Stadium crowd, reeled off nine straight games bridging the second and third sets to seize control, capitalizing on Alcaraz's flagging serve and getting the better of him in rallies that left him winded.

Alcaraz stopped the rot, mustering a break chance as Shelton served for the third set before the American closed it out.

It was a sign that Alcaraz was far from a spent force, and he roared back to take the fourth set in just 36 minutes.

The margins in the fifth set were razor thin. Alcaraz had a break chance at 2-2, then it was Shelton's turn at 4-3, but the match was destined to go all the way, to a 10-point match tiebreak that Shelton capped with an ace on match point.

After the first three matches of the day all went the distance, Alcaraz and Shelton didn't get under way until after 11 pm -- and both exploded out of the gate.

Neither man faced a break point through the first 10 games, although Alcaraz came under some self-inflicted pressure with back-to-back double faults that made for a complicated hold for 4-4.

- Shelton dialed in -

Alcaraz put together his first love hold for 5-5 then grabbed the first break in the next game, forcing a forehand error from Shelton as the American was feeling the pressure at 0-40 down.

That left the Spaniard to serve for the set, but two errors to start the game were all the opening Shelton needed.

He broke to force the tiebreaker and seized a 5-3 lead only for Alcaraz to win the last four points and pocket the set after 61 minutes.

But Alcaraz couldn't maintain the pace and as his struggles on serve increased Shelton roared away, two of his three service breaks coming courtesy of double faults from the Spaniard, including one on set point.

"I knew that my serve was only going to get better, and if I had already dialed in the return to the point that I could break him, I thought my chances were good to get that second set," Shelton said. "Once I got rolling the second set, broke him three times in that set, it was a lot easier to just play and swing more freely."

Pegula Happy to Share the Spotlight with Fellow American Hope Gauff

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Carrick Confident Man Utd Can Go Far in ‘Magical’ Champions League

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Alcaraz Falls to Shelton in Epic Latest-Ever US Open Finish

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