The best of U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula in images
Tennis star Jessica Pegula has equaled her career-best in the WTA rankings, landing in the third slot on Monday. Pegula surged to No. 3 from the sixth slot. Entering the week, she had won 15 of 17 matches, losing only to Aryna Sabalenka. The prosperity didn't last for the daughter of the Buffalo Bills owners. She was the top seed in a tournament but was upended by Anna Klinskaya in the Internationaux de Strasbourg.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula hits a forehand in the women's singles championship of the Miami Open at Hard Rock Stadium.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula eyes the ball as she plays against Belgium's Elise Mertens during their women's single match at the WTA Rome Open.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
USA's Jessica Pegula returns to USA's Ashlyn Krueger during their match of the WTA Rome Open tennis tournament.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula of United States serves against Moyuka Uchijima of Japan in the Women's Singles Third Round match during Day Six of the Mutua Madrid Open.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula of United States serves against Moyuka Uchijima of Japan in the Women's Singles Third Round match during Day Six of the Mutua Madrid Open.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula of United States poses with the trophy after defeating Sofia Kenin of United States during the final of the Credit One Charleston Open.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula of United States stretches for a ball while playing Ekaterina Alexandrova during the Credit One Charleston Open at Credit One Stadium.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula celebrates match point after defeating Alexandra Eala of the Philippines.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula of USA plays a forehand in her match against Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
:Jessica Pegula of USA hits a backhand in her match against Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula of the USA in action against Ashlyn Krueger of the USA during day four of the 2025 Adelaide International at Memorial Drive.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
Jessica Pegula of the United States of America returns a shot against Emma Navarro of the United States.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
USA's Jessica Pegula hits a return to Belarus's Aryna Sabalenka during their women's final match on day thirteen of the US Open.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
: Jessica Pegula of Team USA plays a forehand in the Women's singles match against Katie Boulter of Great Britain.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
USA's Jessica Pegula hits a return against Australia's Ajla Tomljanovic during their women's singles match at the United Cup tennis tournament.
U.S. tennis star Jessica Pegula
This article originally appeared on The List Wire: Jessica Pegula, the third-ranked player in WTA standings, in images
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Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Coco Gauff And Madison Keys Battle For Semifinal Spot And HOF Legacy
US player Madison Keys (L) is congratulated by US player Coco Gauff after their women's singles ... More semi-final tennis match at the Rothesay Eastbourne International tennis tournament in Eastbourne, southern England, on June 30, 2023. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images) When Coco Gauff and Madison Keys meet in the quarterfinal of the 2025 French Open, more than a place in the semifinal is on the line. A win puts Keys or Gauff one step closer to separating themselves from a crowded field of one-Slam wonders, players on the WTA Tour who have won one Major title. Keys leads the head-to-head against Gauff, 3-2 and won their only meeting on clay (2024 Madrid Open). Gauff is playing in her fifth consecutive French Open quarterfinal. Keys will be in the quarterfinal at Roland-Garros for the first time in six years. The victor will play the winner of the Mirra Andreeva vs. Lois Boisson quarterfinal match. Winning one Major title is a career-defining accomplishment. Many players with long, successful careers never achieve this. But winning two Grand Slam titles puts a player in another category and all but guarantees induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. In January 2024, after Aryna Sabalenka won her second Major, she spoke with the WTA about what it meant to no longer be a one-Slam wonder. "It's very sad that people call "one Grand Slam champions" that way. And of course, it was in my head, I didn't want to be a one-time Grand Slam champion," Sabalenka said. "I'm super happy that I was able to win two Grand Slams. And I really hope that I can keep building my tennis, keep getting better, and then hopefully keep winning." Currently, ten active players have one Major title: Gauff, Keys, Emma Raducanu, Sofia Kenin, Marketa Vondrousova, Jelena Ostapenko, Bianco Andreescu, Elena Rybakina, Caroline Wozniacki, and Sloane Stephens. Last year, Barbora Krejcikova emerged from the one-Slam wonder ranks when she defeated Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 2-6, 6-4 to claim her first Wimbledon title. During her Wimbledon press conference, Krejcikova said winning a second Major didn't change how she felt about her career. "No, I still feel the same. I mean, it's great that I'm a two-time major champion. It's something unbelievable," Krejcikova said. Krejcikova might not feel differently, but when she won Wimbledon, she stepped over the demarcation, separating one-Slam wonders from future Hall of Famers. NEWPORT, RI - JULY 22: Tennis Hall of Fame inductees Kim Clijsters of Belgium and Andy Roddick of ... More the United States pose for a photo following the enshrinement ceremonies at the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 22, 2017 in Newport, Rhode Island. (Photo byfor the International Tennis Hall of Fame) There are few one-Slam wonders in the tennis HOF. Michael Chang won the 1989 French Open and reached the Australian Open and U.S. Open finals. Andy Roddick won the 2003 U.S. Open and reached the final at Wimbledon three times in the Roger Federer era. Roddick was also the No. 1 player. Gabriela Sabatini, who won the 1990 U.S. Open. However, she reached the final twice and the semifinals or better at 11 Grand Slam tournaments, often losing to Steffi Graf or Monica Seles. Chang, Roddick, and Sabatini are in the Tennis Hall of Fame. Even with a No. 1 ranking, like Wozniacki and Roddick, or sustainable success like Sabatini, a player with one Major title sits on the Hall of Fame bubble. Anna Ivanovic won the 2008 French Open, reached the final of the 2008 Australian Open, and held the No. 1 ranking. But although nominated twice, Ivanovic has yet to be voted into the Hall of Fame. Neither Gauff nor Keys has held the No. 1 ranking, so a second Major title is essential for Hall of Fame credentials. NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Sloane Stephens of the United States embraces Madison Keys of the ... More United States after Stephens won the Women's Singles final match on Day Thirteen during the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2017 in the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo byfor USTA) Gauff and Keys traveled similar paths to their first Grand Slam title. They were both teen phenoms with high expectations. Born in Illinois, Keys moved to Florida with her family when she was ten to attend the Evert Tennis Academy. Gauff was born in Atlanta, but her parents moved to Delray Beach, Florida, to support their daughter's tennis training. Gauff trained at the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy in France when she was ten. In her first Grand Slam final, the 2017 US Open, Keys lost in humiliating fashion to friend and fellow American Sloane Stephens 6-3, 6-0. Keys had 30 unforced errors, appeared overwhelmed, and wept after her defeat. Gauff played poorly in her first Grand Slam final, the 2022 French Open. Iga Swiatek defeated Gauff 6-2, 6-4. Gauff committed 39 unforced errors. After the match, like Keys, Gauff sobbed. However, Guaff and Keys have contrasting playing styles. Keys brings the power with a big serve and massive forehand. Although she said she likes playing on clay, Keys is less comfortable on the surface than Gauff, who won the 2018 French Open juniors title. MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 25: Madison Keys of the United States makes the winner's speech ... More holding the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup at the Women's Singles Trophy Presentation following the Women's Singles Final against Aryna Sabalenka during day 14 of the 2025 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 25, 2025 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by) Keys captured her first Slam title by defeating two-time Australian Open champion Sabalenka. In Keys' post-match press conference after winning the Australian Open, she told reporters she had to recalibrate expectations. "I felt like from a pretty young age, I felt like if I never won a Grand Slam, then I wouldn't have lived up to what people thought I should have been. That was a pretty heavy burden to kind of carry around," Keys said. "I finally got to the point where I was okay if it didn't happen. I didn't need it to feel like I had a good career or that I deserved to be talked about as a great tennis player." Queens, N.Y.: Coco Gauff holding her trophy after defeating Aryna Sabalenka to win her first grand ... More slam in the the Women's Singles US Open Tennis Championships at Arthur Ashe Stadium at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadow, Queens, New York on Sept. 9, 2023 (Photo by J. Conrad Williams Jr./Newsday RM via Getty Images) Gauff also defeated Sabalenka to win her first Grand Slam title, the 2023 U.S. Open. Gauff's win trounced the men's final in television viewership. But losing in the 2023 French Open was a wake-up call for Gauff. "Honestly, I feel like probably this French Open is honestly where it changed. Because I felt pressure to back up the final, and I obviously didn't. So I was, like, Okay, well, I've got to reset," said Gauff in a press conference following her U.S. Open win. "Then Wimbledon happened, and that was a tough, tough loss, because I thought I was playing good tennis leading up to that. " That was when Gauff made a coaching change. She hired tennis commentator and coach Brad Gilbert. She went on a tear in the hard-court season, winning. This year, at Roland-Garros, with four-time French Open champion Swiatek and No. 1 ranked Sabalenka on the opposite side of the draw, Keys and Gauff have a good opportunity to make the final. Last month, before the Italian Open, Keys spoke with reporters about how wide open tournaments are in the post-Serena Williams era. EASTBOURNE, ENGLAND - JUNE 30: Madison Keys of the United States shakes hands at the net after ... More winning her semi final match against Coco Gauff of the United States on Day Seven of the Rothesay International Eastbourne at Devonshire Park on June 30, 2023 in Eastbourne, England. (Photo by) 'I think part of it is because we've kind of lost some of our legends obviously. Like there's no longer Serena Williams in every draw where you just assume she's going to win,' Keys said. Gauff and Keys are three match wins from solidifying their legacy as a future Hall of Famer. Even reaching two Grand Slam finals separates them from fluke one-hit wonders. However, winning that second title erases all doubt and ends the one-Slam wonder slander.
New York Times
2 hours ago
- New York Times
More about Musetti's ball-kick that hit lineperson
Follow live reaction from Roland Garros after Carlos Alcaraz convincingly beat Tommy Paul in straight sets (6-0, 6-1, 6-4) Getty Images Both American men that reached the French Open quarterfinals have been eliminated on day 10. Carlos Alcaraz (2) needed just 94 minutes to see off U.S. No.2 Tommy Paul (12) in straight sets after compatriot Frances Tiafoe (15) was beaten in four sets by Lorenzo Musetti (8). Earlier in the day, Aryna Sabalenka (1) beat Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen (8) to set up a mouthwatering semifinal against defending champion Iga Świątek (5), who beat Elina Svitolina (13) in straight sets. TV: TNT, truTV, Tennis Channel (U.S.); TNT, Discovery+ (UK) TNT, truTV, Tennis Channel (U.S.); TNT, Discovery+ (UK) Streaming: Max for main coverage, Fubo (try for free) for secondary Max for main coverage, Fubo (try for free) for secondary Join the discussion: live@ GO FURTHER Tennis gets the Iga Swiatek vs. Aryna Sabalenka showdown the WTA Tour craved Connections: Sports Edition Spot the pattern. Connect the terms Find the hidden link between sports terms Tennis is weird about defaults — the ultimate penalty for bad behavior, which involves automatically losing the match. Whether or not a player smacks a ball in frustration, or throws or kicks it like Musetti, the penalty more often than not is outcome-based. If the person struck is in distress, the player gets defaulted, they are allowed to continue. But per the rulebook, that should be irrelevant. 'Players shall not violently, dangerously or with anger hit, kick or throw a tennis ball while on the grounds of the tournament site except in the reasonable pursuit of a point during a match (including warm-up). 'For purposes of this rule, abuse of balls is defined as intentionally or recklessly hitting a ball out of the enclosure of the court, hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with disregard of the consequences.' The most famous default for ball abuse in recent times came in the 2020 U.S. Open, when Novak Djokovic was defaulted from his match against Pablo Carreño Busta after accidentally striking a linesperson with the ball. The problem with the logic currently applied is that it gives players credit for being in control of something which they are not in control of. Smashing or kicking a ball into a crowd of people or an enclosed space is risky. Whether or not it hits someone with a glancing blow or square on is pure luck. Musetti is lucky to still be on court. Musetti 6-2, 4-6, 2-1* Tiafoe Things got a bit testy in that service game. It got to 30-30, with Frances Tiafoe eager to get a break point chance. Lorenzo Musetti said, 'Not this game.' The Italian blasted a 191 km/h ace, his fifth of the match. Then, he crunches a cross-court forehand winner, before letting out a loud 'Come on.' Still on serve in the third set. How does the American respond? Musetti 6-2, 4-6, *1-1 Tiafoe I blinked and Frances Tiafoe's service game was over. Getting a quick hold is critical for the American to keep pace with Lorenzo Musetti. We're tied in the third set. The Italian serves now... Musetti 6-2, 4-6, 1-0* Tiafoe Oh my goodness! That was such a cheeky backhand slice from Lorenzo Musetti. The ball just catches the far left line in to give the Italian the game. A big start for Musetti to secure the opening service hold of the third set. Your turn, Frances Tiafoe... Getty Images Musetti 6-2, 4-6, *0-0 Tiafoe No worries here. Tiafoe swiftly out to 40-15 and this tempo is proving a little too hot for Musetti to handle right now. A Tiafoe forehand flier seals the second set and we are back on level terms. Boy could this match get really fun from here… Over to you, Lukas Weese — I will leave you in his extremely capable hands from here! To clarify, Lorenzo Musetti's warning for unsporting behaviour came as he kicked a loose ball in frustration — which did indeed fly into the line judge's chest. Frances Tiafoe was very quickly asking the umpire for a default too. Musetti 6-2, 4-5* Tiafoe Lorenzo Musetti has looked so calm for the majority of this match — and indeed this French Open. For a moment though, it looks like he's playing rattled. That includes Tiafoe coming into the net and winning a soft point to put on a little more pressure. But Musetti comes through that to hold. Next up, Tiafoe serving for the second set… Getty Images Musetti obviously felt that too. He is served with a warning for unsporting behaviour as he whacks a ball and it flies into the chest of a line judge. The Italian looks a bit sheepish after that too. Rightly so. Getty Images Musetti 6-2, *3-5 Tiafoe Tiafoe at 40-30 opts to drop and Musetti not only makes it — he manages to run his pick-up along the top of the net, before it drops on Tiafoe's side. We've had the odd roar into the sky from the American in this game. But then he takes out the frustration on a forehand winner crosscourt, which is an absolute peach. Hold sorted — one game from the second set now for Tiafoe… Musetti 6-2, 3-4* Tiafoe There has been a huge improvement in Frances Tiafoe's serves in this second set, compared to the first. His first-serve percentage is up from 52 to 79, his points won on those serves from 54 to 58, and his top speed hitting 252km/h compared to 196. It's giving Tiafoe a platform — but he has to keep his foot on the pedal. Musetti has a look at 30-30 in this one… Getty Images Musetti 6-2, 3-4* Tiafoe Another pair of holds as we tick through the middle part of this second set. Musetti's hold to love comes with an outrageous drop shot that almost threatens to bounce back over the net given how much spin there is on it. Admittedly, hitting the line and the gusty wind also play a part in that. It feels like we're in the calm before the real storm arrives in the coming games. Over to you, Frances… Musetti 6-2, 2-3* Tiafoe It felt like Musetti wanted to settle down a little bit — equally, Tiafoe knew consolidating his previous break was in the bag. So it's a swift hold to 15 and we're back on the Tiafoe serve after the changeover. Getty Images Musetti 6-2, *1-3 Tiafoe Back onto the Tiafoe serve we go, where Musetti is 15-30 and mucks up going between his legs as he chases back on the cover. The Italian continues to give Tiafoe real problems but this time, Tiafoe judges a drop shot much better. It still takes another shot, but that other shot flies into the open court. One break point saved by Tiafoe but another two come along as the Italian senses a way back in. And when I say sense, maybe I just mean the vibes from some of the incredibly nonchalant shots that Tiafoe is playing. By some distance the longest game of the match and after three visits to deuce, the American finds the first serves he needs to hold on and consolidate his previous break. Getty Images Musetti 6-2, 1-2* Tiafoe Now then, Tiafoe has a look at 0-30 after a strong forehand winner. But somehow he fails with a smash and then volley at the net on the same point, to let Musetti off the hook. It should be 0-40. Instead it's 15-30. Maybe Musetti then feels sorry for the American? Because he throws in his first double fault of the match, then sends his next first serve into the net… Some of the salvage operations being run here by Musetti are so impressive thereafter, and Tiafoe is also giving him the next shot so many times. But after a couple of smashes, Tiafoe takes the second of two break points to finally dent the Musetti serve in this match. Getty Images Musetti 6-2, *1-1 Tiafoe Musetti continues to fire off the backhand winners, now up to four for the match. But when Tiafoe is nailing his first serve, these games become so much easier for him. He tidies up here and we're now fully up and running in this second set. Getty Images Musetti 6-2, 1-0* Tiafoe It is such a bonus when you're on top in a set, to then win it earlier than you might so you can also serve first in the second. Musetti is serving well, and he drills through that opening service game of the second set to 15 — and to make sure Tiafoe doesn't get a sense of a fresh start. Getty Images I watched Lorenzo Musetti in last year's semifinal against Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon. He lost in straight sets that day, but earned plenty of plaudits for his elegant playing style. One of those shots today — a jauntily flicked one-handed backhand that turned into a flashing cross-court winner — is just one of the shots in his arsenal. Brilliant stuff. Musetti 6-2, *0-0 Tiafoe We are being treated to some wonderful shots off the racket of Lorenzo Musetti. A beautiful flicked backhand flies crosscourt and clips the line, as he travels to 0-30. A poor drop shot and fluffed forehand on his heels puts Tiafoe in real trouble, facing two break points and handing Musetti the first service game in the second. And so it plays out. Tiafoe tiptoes into the net off a wobbly approach and volleys wide of the target. Musetti has the first set inside 35 minutes and looks more than comfortable right now. Getty Images Musetti 5-2* Tiafoe Just a few signs that Musetti can be a bit flimsy here against a full-force Tiafoe. A lazy backhand into the net gets Tiafoe to 30-30 and the backhand power then brings the American his first break point of the match — saved by a remarkable backhand slice from Musetti that almost tickles the net before dying at Tiafoe's feet. From there, Musetti isn't hanging around and he holds. The Italian is now a game away from taking the first set.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Super Bowl Champion DB Retires From NFL After Two Months With New Team
Super Bowl Champion DB Retires From NFL After Two Months With New Team originally appeared on Athlon Sports. As NFL teams are preparing for the 2025 season, which is set to kick off in early September, there is one team around the league that suffered an unexpected loss on Monday. Advertisement Following a 10-7 regular season and a second straight divisional round loss, the Houston Texans looked to make some moves this offseason that can help them keep up with the AFC juggernauts that are the Kansas City Chiefs, Buffalo Bills and Baltimore Ravens. One of those moves was to bring in Super Bowl champion cornerback Ronald Darby on a one-year deal worth $2 million, to help bolster a secondary that gave up the third-most passing touchdowns (31) in the NFL. A unit that also gave up the third-most passes of 40+ yards this past season. While the team may have had lofty hopes for Darby and what he would bring in 2025, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported on Monday that the 31-year-old unexpectedly called it a career. Jacksonville Jaguars cornerback Ronald Darby (25).Troy Taormina-Imagn Images During his 10-year career, Darby was the definition of a journeyman, playing for six different teams in that span. The former Florida State corner was drafted with the No. 50 overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. Advertisement After two seasons with the Bills, he was traded to the Philadelphia Eagles, where he was a part of the team's 2017 Super Bowl-winning run and spent three seasons with the team. He then signed with NFC East rival, Washington Commanders. He then left D.C. for the Denver Broncos on a three-year deal, but was released after 16 games with the team. Darby then played his final two seasons with the Baltimore Ravens and Jacksonville Jaguars. For his career, he finished with 381 solo tackles, one forced fumble and eight interceptions. Related: Rule of Legendary NFL Coach May Prevent Arch Manning From Entering 2026 NFL Draft This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 2, 2025, where it first appeared.
