Tag: lobandsmash.com

<!–qv q:id=62 q:key=vcaa: Never before the 2026 Cincinnati Open had two Black players played in a Masters final. On Sunday, though, American Frances Tiafoe will play Frenchman Arthur Fils to see who takes home the trophy. Both are worthy of winning the title and have had tremendous runs at the tournament. –> Never before the…

<!–qv q:id=62 q:key=vcaa: Arthur Fils has flirted with greatness for years, even while he was trying to work his way up in the ranks of the ATP Tour. He might be developing in a way that Jannik Sinner did, though. Both had immense raw skills for a tennis player at a young age, but neither…

<!–qv q:id=62 q:key=vcaa: Tennis fans would likely not be stunned if Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the 2026 US Open, as he hasn't played since April when he injured his wrist at the Barcelona Open. At this point, at least, he appears ready to team up with fellow icon Serena Williams in mixed doubles at the…

<!–qv q:id=62 q:key=vcaa: 2026 has been a fairly brutal year for injuries to some of tennis's brightest stars, and that is having a great effect on the upcoming US Open. Carlos Alcaraz hadn't withdrawn by the middle of August, but that could still happen. Jannik Sinner had pulled out, though. –> 2026 has been a…

<!–qv q:id=62 q:key=vcaa: Madison Keys was by far the more accomplished player entering her Cincinnati Open quarterfinal match against Sara Bejlek. Keys had won in Cincy before (2019) and had also won a major on a hard court. She took home the trophy at the 2025 Australian Open. –> Madison Keys was by far the…

<!–qv q:id=62 q:key=vcaa: First, Carlos Alcaraz was the player having to deal with a long-term injury. He hurt his wrist at the Barcelona Open in April and has missed every tournament since. He hopes to return by the US Open. ATP No. 1 Jannik Sinner will not, though. –> First, Carlos Alcaraz was the player…

<!–qv q:id=61 q:key=vcaa: As the tennis season moves into its final stage, it's important to remember that Ben Shelton is having a year to remember, and it's not over yet. Shelton just won his second consecutive Canadian Open in Montreal, Quebec, and despite bowing out of the Cincinnati Open this week, he keeps impressing. –>…

<!–qv q:id=61 q:key=vcaa: Nick Kyrgios has spent years embracing a bad-boy image, helping build his brand, including a podcast. The hope was that the image didn't indicate the tennis player's true self. That might not be the case, though. –> Nick Kyrgios has spent years embracing a bad-boy image, helping build his brand, including a…

<!–qv q:id=61 q:key=vcaa: Taylor Fritz was a stern taskmaster against 21-year-old Daniel Merida in the third round of the 2026 Cincinnati Open. Merida didn't play poorly, so he has some positives to take away from the match, but ultimately, the American was far too much. –> Taylor Fritz was a stern taskmaster against 21-year-old Daniel…

<!–qv q:id=61 q:key=vcaa: Entering the third round of the 2026 Cincinnati Open, Nuno Borges had never defeated Andrey Rublev. In fact, in their five meetings, Borges had taken just one set from the Russian. Things would go differently this time, however. –> Entering the third round of the 2026 Cincinnati Open, Nuno Borges had never…