US Open LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz gobsmacked as Serena Williams call made

Jim Courier has suggested a change to tennis following Iva Jovic's win over Alex Eala. The 7-5, 3-6, 7-5 match sparked wonder in Courier who, thoroughly enjoyed the match.

He wonders if it was because the players' first serves were not up to scratch.

“I think this is a really interesting match, because both of these players are so fantastic with their movement, and besides their serves, their games are amazing," he said.

"The first serve, for both of them, really do need to improve, and it got me thinking: this is the match of the tournament, and the women’s side. Is this not an advertisement for, maybe, let’s do an exhibition sometime, a trial, in eliminating first serves and see what happens?

"This tennis was incredible. Sometimes, especially in men’s tennis, it can just be a serve fest, and it’s a little less interesting, more target practice.

"This was strategy, this was athleticism and movement, all over the court. For me, it was, like, a light bulb went off. Like, this is amazing. How can we get more of this?”

Carlos Alcaraz has changed his approach to ensure he goes to bed each night in the right frame of mind. It seems to be paying off in New York so far.

“Well, I would say for us, for tennis players, it's really important how you go to bed," he said. "In terms of feeling, when you just win the match, especially when you win the match but you don't feel like you've been hitting the ball well, it's better to go back to the practice court and just hit for five, 10 minutes.

“Just hit some balls when you're not nervous or you're not thinking about anything else, just hitting the ball, and finish — or leave the court — with a good feeling, hitting the ball, coming to the next round.

“So that's what I felt the other day. I just left happy with my feeling when I left the practice court. And then coming here, I think everybody saw the difference about my form.”

Wimbledon does not plan to allow an influx of influencers like the one which has blighted the US Open.

That’s according to the Press Association, who are reporting that The All England Club will also confiscate items, such as ring lights, which could be used to disrupt matches.

Flushing Meadows has seen matches interrupted by people taking photographs using bright lighting and making too much noise during points.

Players such as Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka have had to implore spectators, some of whom might be new to tennis, to follow the sport’s etiquette, while the giant screens around the grounds have been displaying similar messages.

New York might be known as the city that never sleeps - but stars at the US Open would love to get some kip.

Alexander Zverev is just one of the players who has finished his match in front of empty seats in the early hours of the morning.

And he said after his first round win over Lorenzo Sonego: “I think everybody’s tired. Everybody wants to go to sleep.”

While Venus Williams admitted on the late finishes: “It’s not ideal. I would have preferred something else, definitely. It wasn’t great for either of us, so I think we both tried our best.

“I just don’t know any other sport where you have to start that late. I definitely think there’s room for improvement there."

Aryna Sabalenka has given her view on the battle to keep her world number one spot.

The Belarusian battled through 6-4 6-3 against Taylor Townsend at the US Open yesterday, but Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula are all within striking distance in a four-way battle for the number one spot.

But Sabalenka said: “I completely separate myself from that, because it’s just guessing.

“It’s like ‘if, if, if, if’. I feel like for me, I’m just focusing on myself. I’m just trying to bring my best tennis every time I’m competing out there and basically fight for it.

“Like, these scenarios, they’re always like, one didn’t work, then there is another one. There is always scenarios for something. There is always different statistics that social media brings, so I’m just completely trying to stay away from it.

“I’m just trying to control what I can. When it’s out of my control, it’s out of my control. Why would I even think about that?”

Carlos Alcaraz was left stunned just minutes after beating Tommy Paul at the US Open.

Following a straight sets victory over Paul, Alcaraz will now face Ben Shelton, who beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the last eight.

But during a post-match interview with ESPN, former world No 1 Andy Roddick left the Spaniard somewhat confused.

“Say again, say again,” Alcaraz said to begin with, before Roddick replied: “You’re either going to play Shelton or Tsitispas, maybe just a word on both of them.”

A stunned Alcaraz then admitted: “I thought, I thought, oh my God, I thought I was playing Medvedev-Tiafoe”, with a laughing Roddick replying: “Surprise!”

Alcaraz then said: “I didn’t see the draw, I guess.”

It wouldn’t be the US Open without some controversy and this time it involves the Williams sisters.

Some members of the media and fans of the sport have voiced their frustration after Serena and Venus Williams bypassed media obligations at the US Open.

The sisters declined to speak to the media following their opening-round loss in women's doubles against Maya Joint and Chan Hao-Ching on Friday night.

And tennis journalist Simon Cambers posted on X: "It would have been nice to hear @serenawilliams and @Venuseswilliams talk about the experience of playing together at @usopen one more time, and hear some of their respective future plans.”

While the United States Tennis Association (USTA) deciding not to punish the sisters for skipping the press conference, it has been claimed that the pair are receiving preferential treatment with many on social media not happy about the decision.

One fan wrote on X: “Preferential treatment once again for the two biggest tennis divas of all time.”

And another said: “By the way, if Madison Keys and Taylor Fritz could hold press conferences after clearly feeling so devastated after their losses, so could Serena and Venus Williams after their doubles loss. True lovers of the sport want to give back to the sport. Others just have huge egos.”

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