The US Open begins Monday under an injury cloud with many of the big names not playing. But event goes on and Monday night features the most anticipated match of the first round as World No. 2 Simona Halep takes on 2006 winner Maria Sharapova who returns to Grand Slam tennis after over a year and half.

Sharapova has won all six meetings over the Romanian.

Earlier in the day, Wimbledon champ …

Unseeded Australian Daria Gavrilova won her first WTA title on Saturday, upsetting No. 2 seed Dominika Cibulkova 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the final of the Connecticut Open in New Haven.

“It feels pretty special to win my first tournament here,” Gavrilova told the crowd afterwards. “It means the world to me to hold this trophy.”

Gavrilova will enter the Top 20 on the WTA rankings for the first time on …

Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut took it one step further after his runner-up effort last year at the Winston-Salem Open, in Saturday’s final downing first-time ATP finalist Damir Dzumhur of Bosnia-Herzogovina 6-4, 6-4 to win the North Carolina stop prior to the US Open.

“I didn’t drop a set and I played very good tennis,” Bautista Agut said after claiming his second title of the year. “It was a tough final. He’s …

After three misses at the French, Wimbledon and Cincinnati, Simona Halep says she’s done thinking about the No. 1 ranking, which her and 7 other women have a chance for at the US Open starting Monday.

“I was close in French Open, really close,” Halep said. “And then in Wimbledon, but I can’t say about final in Cincinnati because the score was pretty bad so I was not close.

“I’m not thinking …

It’s been a big move up for German wunderkind Alexander Zverev. A year ago Zverev entered the US Open as the No. 27 seed. Now he’s the No. 4 seed. But the 20-year-old isn’t satisfied with that. After titles this summer in Montreal and Washington, plus a Masters win in Rome, Zverev wants more.

“Obviously I’m super happy the way things are going, but I’m not going to be satisfied with …

Rafael Nadal met the press Saturday at the US Open, and among the topics was a possible showdown with Roger Federer in the semifinals. The two have never met in New York and after losing to the Swiss at the Australian Open, Indian Wells and Miami, Nadal would like to avoid Federer if possible!

“I prefer to play against another one,” Nadal said. “Is obvious, no?”

“The real thing, I prefer to …

With all the injuries hitting the men’s game – Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, Andy Murray, Kei Nishikori and Milos Raonic are all out of the US Open – what’s going on? Roger Federer has an answer, and it’s not to answer the season. It’s age related.

“You can cut down the season by half, and then, if then there is an injury, we cut it down half again, and at the …

Roger Federer put any back concerns to the side today. Speaking at the US Open, Federer, who also participated in Kids’ Day on court activities, Federer said he’s been feeling better and now playing sets.

“So the first week was really just, you know, trying to feel better, get better, get back on the court at some
stage,” Federer said of his timetable after the injury two weeks ago. “I have …

Another top player is out of the US Open. 2012 champion Andy Murray has withdrawn due to his hip injury, the former No. 1 announced today.

“Obviously had the issue with the hip over what’s actually been since my match with Stan in Paris,” an emotional Murray said. “Did pretty much everything that I could to get myself ready here and took a number of weeks off after Wimbledon. I obviously …

When pundits say anything can happen at this year’s US Open, they’re not kidding.

Serena Williams’ pregnancy has left the title up for grabs. Last year’s finalist, Karolina Pliskova, is the No. 1 seed but a handful of players are nipping at her heels for the No. 1 ranking.

Angie Kerber, last year’s US Open winner and No. 1-ranked player, has been in a funk all year and could drop out of …

The big question of the US Open draw was where Roger Federer would land, Rafael Nadal’s quarter or Andy Murray’s? Turns out, if Roger and Rafa are to finally meet at the US Open, it won’t be in the final. It will be the semifinals.

Meanwhile, Murray couldn’t have hand picked an easier draw. So what’s going to happen?

Rafael Nadal Quarter
Rafael Nadal and his camp have to be pleased with his …

While several of the Top 10 have withdrawn, Roger Federer has apparently shaken off a back injury and will be fit for the US Open.

Federer was on the grounds yesterday for a practice session. The Swiss will be the No. 3 seed when the draw is made tomorrow. He is seeking a 6th US Open title and 20th overall Slam. He’s 14-0 so far in Slams this season….

Another top name has pulled out of the US Open. Due to a wrist injury, Milos Raonic official withdrew from the event which begins on Monday.

In a statement on media last night, Roanic said:

“I’m writing to provide you with an update on my injury. As you know, I’ve been dealing with a painful condition in my left wrist, which has been bothering me for many weeks now and recently forced …

It’s Roger Federer’s event, so of course he’s going to play the inagural Laver Cup next month in Prague. Also joining are Rafael Nadal, Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Marin Cilic and Tomas Berdych for the European Team.

“Team World” consists of Milos Raonic, Juan Martin del Potro, John Isner, Sam Querrey, Jack Sock and Denis Shapovalov.

Old rivals Bjorn Borg will captain the European team while John McEnroe is at the helm …

Yeah, Roger Federer’s playing. Yeah, so too is Rafael Nadal and Andy Murray as well. But this year’s US Open just feels more wide open than in the past.

Sure you have 3 of the Big 4 as the favorites, but they just don’t feel like locks to win it. That’s because we’ve seen breakthroughs this summer from Alexander Zverev, Nick Kyrgios, Grigor Dimitrov and Dominic Thiem continues to push ahead …