Swiatek and Sinner Showcase Resilience at US Open Amidst High-Profile Exits

At the US Open on Saturday, top contenders Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner exemplified resilience, demonstrating that elite skill must be paired with mental toughness to succeed. Wimbledon champion Swiatek recovered from a 5-1 deficit in the opening set against Anna Kalinskaya to clinch a 7-6(2), 6-4 victory. The match featured nine breaks of serve and 67 combined unforced errors, highlighting its scrappy nature. Swiatek saved four set points and secured a late break in the second set, marking her 20th major match win this year—tying the defending champion Aryna Sabalenka. She attributed her triumph to maintaining composure and finding solutions under pressure, noting she avoided panic despite trailing early. Swiatek is scheduled to face 13th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova in the round of 16. World number one Jannik Sinner also demonstrated grit, overcoming a set deficit to defeat 27th seed Denis Shapovalov 5-7, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3. The 24-year-old Italian extended his unbeaten run at hardcourt Grand Slam events to 24 matches, emphasizing the critical role of mental resilience. Conversely, world number three Alexander Zverev’s tournament came to an end after a spirited comeback from Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, who rallied to win 4-6, 7-6(7), 6-4, 6-4. Zverev showed visible frustration, including smashing his racket, as Auger-Aliassime’s determined play shifted momentum. Looking ahead, the weekend’s highlight will be a fourth-round clash between former champions Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff. Osaka overcame a mid-match slump to defeat 15th seed Daria Kasatkina 6-0, 4-6, 6-3, while last year’s champion Gauff dominated Magdalena Frech 6-3, 6-1. Their encounter revisits their notable 2019 match, where Osaka prevailed over a tearful 15-year-old Gauff and extended a gesture of sportsmanship by encouraging Gauff to address the crowd. On the doubles front, veteran Venus Williams, 45, paired with Canada’s Leylah Fernandez to secure their first tournament victory together with a 7-6(1), 6-1 win. The tournament has also witnessed a significant number of withdrawals, with nine singles players retiring before the conclusion of the third round. Saturday alone saw three retirements: Italy’s Flavio Cobolli, Daniel Altmaier, and Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak.

Vienna Clinches Victory at FIBA 3x3 World Tour Debrecen, Quincy Diggs Named MVP

VIENNA SECURES THE TITLE AT FIBA 3X3 WORLD TOUR DEBRECEN Vienna, Austria, emerged victorious with a 22-20 win against Germany's Skyliners in the final match of the FIBA 3x3 World Tour Debrecen held on August 31, 2025, in Hungary. Quincy Diggs led the Austrian team with eight points, earning the Most Valuable Player (MVP) award for his outstanding performance. Vienna advanced to the final by defeating Amsterdam RABOBANK from the Netherlands with a score of 21-16 in the semifinals. Meanwhile, Skyliners secured their spot in their first World Tour final this season by overcoming Valencia, Spain, in a close overtime battle, 21-20. The final game was intensely competitive, with Skyliners' Niklas Kropp and Stefan Kojic initiating a strong start, taking a 9-5 lead. Vienna responded strongly to lead 10-9 at halftime. The teams exchanged points in a closely contested second half, with Kojic’s free throw tying the score at 20-all. Enis Murati’s decisive basket ultimately secured the win for Vienna. In addition to the main competition, individual contests saw Nico Kaltenbrunner claim the Wilson Shoot-Out title, while Jeremiah Walker won the Dunk Contest. Final team standings for the event were as follows: 1. Vienna (Austria) 2. Skyliners (Germany) 3. Valencia (Spain) 4. Amsterdam RABOBANK (Netherlands) 5. Lausanne (Switzerland) 6. Liman (Serbia) 7. Marbella (Spain) 8. Raudondvaris Hoptrans (Lithuania) 9. Partizan (Serbia) 10. Debrecen (Hungary) 11. London (USA) 12. Seef (Bahrain) 13. Bologna Campas (Italy) 14. Warsaw Lotto (Poland) 15. Rome (Italy) 16. Constanta CSU Neptun (Romania) The FIBA 3x3 World Tour will continue its circuit in Shanghai, China, scheduled for September 27-28, 2025.

Yanyan Dy Named MVP as Ultra 5 Clinches Fil-Sino Accelera Basketball Cup Title

Yanyan Dy was recognized as the Most Valuable Player following a commanding performance in the finals of the 40-up division at the Fil-Sino 1st Accelera Basketball Cup. Dy's impressive 21 points helped Ultra 5 dominate IOTA ST-68 in a decisive 95-81 victory, giving Ultra 5 a clean sweep in the best-of-three series to claim the tournament\'s inaugural title. Supporting Dy, Arvin Gustilo contributed 20 points while Julius Teruel added 13. Defensively, Celhelm Uy stood out by recording three steals, underscoring Ultra 5\'s comprehensive control on both ends of the court. Despite Alben Buñol\'s game-high 39 points and Beejay Paredes\' 10 points for IOTA ST-68, Ultra 5 maintained a lead throughout and secured their championship emphatically. In another closely contested final, Ultra 3 overcame Badak X-treme in overtime, winning 94-88 to even their best-of-three series at one win apiece. The match was marked by intense back-and-forth action, culminating in an extra five-minute period. Badak X-treme held an early advantage, leading 29-24 after the first quarter. Although Ultra 3 narrowed the gap to two points by halftime, Badak reclaimed momentum in the third quarter, entering the final period ahead 67-61. The fourth quarter saw Badak extend their lead to nine points with just over a minute remaining. However, Ultra 3 mounted a dramatic comeback, spearheaded by Harvey Eslawa, who sank three crucial three-pointers to force overtime. In the extra period, Ultra 3 completed their rally to secure the victory. Eslawa led the scorers for Ultra 3 with 23 points, followed by Kelvin Gatoc with 16, and five teammates—Michael Calibo, Christopher Teodosio, Jai Arroyo, Malvin Pineda, and Ojay Gumbao—each contributing 10 points. For Badak X-treme, Randy Colonia tallied 15 points and James Garrucho added 14. These results set the stage for a thrilling conclusion to the Fil-Sino Accelera Basketball Cup, with both the 40-up and other divisions showcasing competitive and high-energy basketball.

UST Dominates Arellano in Straight Sets to Secure Second Place in V-League

University of Santo Tomas (UST) delivered a dominant performance against NCAA champion Arellano University, sweeping the match 25-18, 25-18, 25-15 at the Paco Arena Sports and Events Center on Wednesday night. This victory marks a strong recovery for UST following a tough five-set defeat to National University just days earlier. Jan Julian Macam spearheaded the Golden Spikers' offense, scoring 14 points exclusively through attacks while also providing solid defense with five receptions and four digs. Complementing Macam's efforts, Gboy de Vega contributed 12 points, Trevor Valera added nine, and both John Vryvin Catinsag and Sherwin Jan Umandal chipped in six points each, showcasing UST's well-rounded gameplay. Assistant coach Benjamin Mape emphasized the team's mental resilience, stating, \"Our main focus was strengthening the players' mental toughness after the NU loss. We also worked on refining their skills, which was evident in our performance tonight. However, we are preparing even harder for our upcoming game against FEU this Saturday.\" UST currently holds a 4-1 record, placing second in the standings behind De La Salle, who remain undefeated at 5-0. Their next match will be against Far Eastern University (FEU), which stands at 3-1, on September 6. On the opposing side, Arellano University struggled to maintain momentum despite a spirited effort from captain Jiwen Sinuto, who scored 10 points. Arman Clarence Guinto also made a notable contribution with five points and an impressive 15 receptions. The Chiefs briefly closed the gap to 15-13 in the second set but ultimately failed to sustain the comeback, falling to a 1-3 record. Arellano will face Ateneo on September 7. In other league action, Colegio de San Juan de Letran edged out College of Saint Benilde in four sets, 23-25, 25-15, 25-19, 25-23, bringing both teams to a 2-3 standing. Dave Lardizabal led the Knights with 21 points, supported by Bembem Bautista's 18. For the Blazers, reigning NCAA MVP Rocky Motol posted 18 points and 17 receptions, while Reymark Betco added 12. The Blazers will meet FEU on September 7, and Letran will face the Tamaraws on September 10.

UP Fighting Maroons Aim for Historic Back-to-Back UAAP Titles in Season 88

MANILA, Philippines – The University of the Philippines Fighting Maroons are focused on securing their first-ever consecutive UAAP men’s basketball championships despite key player departures. Following their historic Season 84 title in 2022 and a close Season 85 finals loss, the Maroons remain confident with a strong roster and a steadfast mindset. Assistant coach Christian Luanzon emphasized the team’s internal standards as the primary source of pressure rather than external expectations. He stated, "In terms of pressure, the only pressure we put on is the standards we put on our team and the players put on themselves more than the outside circumstances, whatever people are saying." The squad welcomes new floor general Rey Remogat, a former Mythical Five member from UE, who is expected to bolster an already deep backcourt including Harold Alarcon, Gerry Abadiano, Terrence Fortea, Reyland Torres, Janjan Felicilda, and Jacob Bayla. Coach Goldwin Monteverde’s frontline features a dominant trio of Sean Alter, Gani Stevens, and Francis Nnoruka. To build team chemistry and experience, UP conducted intensive training camps in Serbia and Korea and competed in the World University Basketball Series in Japan. Luanzon reflected on these preparations: "We had good experiences there, trying to build our team and the chemistry that we’ve been looking for and all of that on and off the court." Among their main competitors are the La Salle Green Archers, who remain formidable despite losing two-time MVP Kevin Quiambao, and the UST Growling Tigers, who aim to end their championship drought dating back to 2006. Luanzon reiterated the team’s commitment to excellence, stressing, "Our expectation is the same as always: our commitment to excellence in terms of giving everything on the court." He added, "Coach Gold always reminds the players that they represent more than themselves, not just the name on their backs." UP will commence their title defense when they face the UST Growling Tigers at the UST Quadricentennial Pavilion on Sunday, September 21.

Argentina Secures Spot in FIVB Men's World Championship Round of 16 After Victory Over France

Argentina has earned a place in the Round of 16 at the 2025 FIVB Men’s World Championship following a hard-fought victory against France, a two-time Olympic gold medalist. The match took place on Thursday at the Smart Araneta Coliseum, with Argentina emerging triumphant in a close five-set encounter. The final scores were 28-26, 25-23, 21-25, 20-25, 15-12. This victory marks a significant achievement for Argentina as they continue their pursuit of the championship title.

Alas Pilipinas to Compete in FIVB Men’s World Championship Hosted by Philippines

The Philippines will host the prestigious FIVB Men’s World Championship from September 12 to 28, marking a significant milestone as the national volleyball team, Alas Pilipinas, debuts in this international competition. Positioned in Group A, Alas Pilipinas will face Tunisia, Iran, and Egypt in the initial rounds. The lineup for Alas Pilipinas features a blend of experienced and emerging players, including Bryan Bagunas (Outside Hitter), Josh Ybanez (Libero), and Joshua Retamar (Setter). The team also includes Vince Lorenzo, Kim Malabunga, Jade Disquitado, Jack Kalingking, Marck Espejo, Peng Taguibolos, Leo Ordiales, Eco Adajar, Lloyd Josafat, Louie Ramirez, and Michaelo Buddin, covering all key positions from outside hitters to middle blockers and opposites. Alas Pilipinas’ match schedule in the group stage is as follows: - September 12, 7:00 p.m.: Alas Pilipinas vs. Tunisia - September 16, 5:30 p.m.: Alas Pilipinas vs. Egypt - September 18, 5:30 p.m.: Alas Pilipinas vs. Iran Ahead of the tournament, the team has expressed cautious optimism. Coach Frigoni stated, "We have nothing to lose as the host nation, and we aim to give our best against some of the world’s top teams." The young roster is eager to prove their capabilities and secure a spot in the final lineup of the championship. This event not only highlights the Philippines' growing presence in international volleyball but also offers the home crowd an exciting opportunity to support their country’s athletes on a world stage.

Jack Draper Withdraws from U.S. Open, Will Miss Remainder of Season Due to Arm Injury

Jack Draper, currently ranked seventh globally, has confirmed that he will be sidelined for the remainder of the tennis season because of a left arm injury. Draper was compelled to retire from his second-round match at the U.S. Open amid ongoing struggles with the injury. Earlier in the year, Draper was diagnosed with a bone bruise following a defeat to Marin Cilic at Wimbledon, where the injury first caused significant concern. Addressing his fans and followers in a statement dated September 9, 2025, Draper expressed his disappointment but remained optimistic about his recovery. He said, \"It is very difficult for me to accept, as I was building some incredible momentum this year and playing some great stuff. However, I\'ve been through this before and I always come back stronger, as I\'m so motivated to fulfil my potential as a player.\" Despite the setback, the 7th-ranked player is determined to focus on recuperation and return to the sport stronger in the future.

Carlos Alcaraz Secures Second US Open Title, Reclaims World No. 1 Ranking

Carlos Alcaraz emerged victorious over Jannik Sinner in a four-set final on Sunday, clinching his second US Open championship and sixth Grand Slam title overall. The 22-year-old Spanish star secured a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 win, avenging his previous defeat to Sinner in the Wimbledon final earlier this year. "It\'s a great feeling. I\'m working really hard just to lift this trophy. It\'s my second one but it\'s still a dream come true," Alcaraz said following the match. This triumph also marks Alcaraz\'s return to the top of the ATP rankings, as he will regain the world number one spot starting Monday, ending Sinner\'s reign since September 2023. In addition, Alcaraz halted Sinner\'s impressive 27-match winning streak in hard-court Grand Slams. Reflecting on his achievement, Alcaraz noted, "It was one of the first goals that I had, to recover the number one (ranking)." Notably, Alcaraz has now won seven of their last eight encounters, including the French Open final in June, and holds a 10-5 lead in their overall head-to-head. Sinner acknowledged Alcaraz\'s superior performance, stating, "I tried my best today. I couldn\'t do more. He raised his level when he had to... He played better than me today." The rivalry between Alcaraz and Sinner has been a defining theme in men\'s tennis, with both players having won four Grand Slam titles over the past two years, surpassing even Novak Djokovic\'s recent dominance. Despite Sinner\'s remarkable 109-4 win-loss record against other opponents during this period, Alcaraz has proven to be his most formidable competitor. Reflecting on the defeat, Sinner added, "It\'s going to be on me if I want to make changes or not. That\'s what I have to do, trying to become a better tennis player." Sinner\'s loss extends the longest gap in the Open era without a successful men\'s title defense at the US Open, a streak that remains unbroken since Roger Federer won five consecutive titles from 2004 to 2008. The final was briefly postponed by 30 minutes due to enhanced security measures after former US President Donald Trump attended, eliciting mixed reactions from the crowd. The event also featured prominent celebrities including Bruce Springsteen, Tommy Hilfiger, Michael Douglas, and Stephen Curry. Despite the delay, Alcaraz began the match decisively, breaking Sinner\'s serve twice in the opening set to take a 6-2 lead. Sinner responded by winning the second set, leveling the match. However, Alcaraz dominated the third set with early service breaks and maintained control in the fourth set, ultimately sealing his victory. With this success, Alcaraz joins an elite group as only the fourth male player to claim multiple Grand Slam titles on hard courts, grass, and clay, underscoring his versatility and status as one of tennis\'s premier champions.

EJ Obiena Returns with Bronze at World Athletics Continental Tour in China

Filipino pole vault star EJ Obiena made a notable comeback on Sunday by clinching the bronze medal at the World Athletics Continental Tour event in China, his first international competition since July 19. Obiena cleared a height of 5.65 meters to finish third behind gold medalist Tao Zhong of China and silver medalist Cole Walsh from the United States. The 23-year-old Zhong, competing on home soil, achieved a personal best of 5.75 meters to claim the top spot. American athlete Walsh matched this height with a season-best performance but received silver due to countback rules. Obiena, 29, strategically passed the initial height of 5.35 meters, successfully vaulted 5.50 meters on his second try, and cleared 5.65 meters on his first attempt. Despite efforts to clear 5.75 and 5.85 meters, he was unable to surpass these heights, settling for third place. This competition signals the beginning of an intense schedule for Obiena, who is set to participate in two more major events this month. Notably, he will host the Atletang Ayala World Pole Vault Challenge in Makati, featuring an international roster that includes Menno Vloon, Austin Miller, Matt Ludwig, Ersu Sasma, Thibaut Collet, Ben Broeders, Piotr Lisek, and Oleg Zernikel. Obiena's return to form continues to energize Filipino athletics as he prepares for the upcoming competitions ahead.