For the first time since the modern tennis era, the US Open – one of the four tennis Grandslams is being played without spectators in attendance. But this will not stop Serena Williams as she bids to equal the record for the most Grand slam single title. There is also football and Tour De France activities. Here are the top sports news this week.
US Open 2020: Serena Williams & Andy Murray Start on Winning Note.
Serena Williams began her pursuit of a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title with a dominant 7-5 6-3 win over fellow American Kristie Ahn. The 38-year-old went a break down in both sets but recovered to win in an hour and a half as she chases Margaret Court’s Grand Slam tally.
“I was really happy with how I fought for every point,” she said.
“No matter how I was playing, I just had to get my Serena focus back so that was what I was working on today.”
But she will not be joined in the next round by her sister Venus Williams, who lost 6-3 7-5 to Czech 20th seed Karolina Muchova. An error-strewn performance meant that two-time champion Venus, 40, made her first ever opening-round exit at her home Grand Slam.
Meanwhile Andy Murray staged a stunning comeback against Yoshihito Nishioka in the US Open first round on his long-awaited return to Grand Slam singles tennis.The 33-year-old came from two sets and a break down against the Japanese to win 4-6 4-6 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4.
The Briton, whose last major singles match was at the 2019 Australian Open before career-saving hip surgery, started flat and dispirited. But he found his fight and saved a match point to set up an epic win. The Scot, who eventually claimed victory in four hours 39 minutes, will face Canadian 15th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the second round. Not only his first Grand Slam singles match, but also a first win in one, and a first five-setter.
Arsenal Signs Gabriel Magalhaes From Lille
Arsenal have completed the signing of Brazilian defender Gabriel Magalhaes from Lille for 26m euros (£23.14m). The 22-year-old, a left-footed centre back, made 34 appearances in all competitions for Lille last season as they finished fourth in Ligue 1. He joins the Gunners on a long-term contract.
“He is a player we have been studying for a while and he was in demand from many clubs,” said Arsenal technical director Edu. Gabriel is a player of high quality and Mikel (Arteta) and his coaches are looking forward to integrating him into the club.”
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta said: “We welcome Gabriel to Arsenal. He has many qualities which will make us stronger as a defensive unit and as a team.
“He has proved with Lille he is a defender with many outstanding attributes and we are looking forward to watching him grow as an Arsenal player.”
Gabriel said he considered offers from a number of clubs before deciding to join Arsenal.
Tour de France Enters a Critical Stage
Primoz Roglic offered an impressive display of his form to his fellow Tour de France contenders with victory on a summit finish on stage four. His Jumbo-Visma team dictated the pace on the final climb before Roglic countered an attack by Guillaume Martin to leave his rivals behind and win in Orcieres-Merlette.
France’s Julian Alaphilippe finished fifth to retain the yellow jersey.
“It was quite a fast day, quite hard,” said Roglic. “My team did a really good job again – I was always in a good position and in the end I could do a good sprint and I’m really happy.”
Vuelta a Espana champion Roglic has moved up to third overall, seven seconds down on Alaphilippe, while Britain’s Adam Yates finished 10th to remain second overall at four seconds back. Slovenia’s Roglic is one of the favourites for overall victory but there were doubts about his fitness coming into the race after he was forced to withdraw while leading the Criterium du Dauphine last month following a crash.
Yet despite Roglic still sporting a few bandages, he and his team reinforced why they are likely to be the main challengers to defending champion Egan Bernal and Ineos Grenadiers this year.