Osaka rallies past Gauff for victory
MASON, Ohio — Two days after a thoughtful exchange with a local sports columnist, Naomi Osaka delivered a more relevant statement on the court. She’s back.
Down a set and a break to 17-year-old Coco Gauff, the second-ranked Osaka fought back to pull out a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 win at the Western & Southern Open on Wednesday, her first WTA Tour event since the French Open in late May.
Osaka appreciated being tested so quickly.
“It’s definitely been a while since I played a tough opponent in a three-set match,” she said. “It was definitely really tough, but I feel really good right now. I’m super excited to play another match.”
More tennis: Two-time champion Venus Williams will be back at the U.S. Open after being given a wild card into the Grand Slam tournament. The 41-year-old Williams has won seven major titles, including victories at Flushing Meadows in 2000 and 2001.
Soccer: U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter will be going with a bigger roster to deal with three games crammed into a seven-day span when 2022 World Cup qualifying starts in September. General manager Brian Mcbride said the U.S. men’s national team will bring in at least 26 players, three more than are eligible to dress for each match . ... Coming off the Tokyo Olympics, the U.S. women’s national team will play a series of four matches in September and October.
Golf: The AIG Women’s British Open set a new standard for prize money at the LPGA Tour majors by announcing a record purse of $5.8 million, with plans to boost it by an additional $1 million for next year. The winner this week will receive $870,000.
Cycling: Jasper Philipsen secured his second stage win at this year’s Spanish Vuelta on Wednesday, with Rein Taaramae losing the leader’s red jersey to Kenny Elissonde after crashing for the second straight day.