tennis

No.1-ranked Sinner, of Italy, prevented Taylor Fritz from ending the American major tennis title drought, less than three weeks after word emerged of Sinner's two positive drug tests.

Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus got past American Jessica Pegula to win her first U.S. Open women’s title and third career Grand Slam title.

Taylor Fritz surged with a six-game run against a fading Frances Tiafoe, also of the U.S., to come out on top 4-6, 7-5, 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 and reach his first Grand Slam final.

Jessica Pegula is seeded No. 6 and Emma Navarro is seeded No. 13. Both women are New York natives.

The 13th-seeded Navarro will next face Aryna Sabalenka, while Americans Taylor Fritz and Frances Tiafoe advanced to the semis on the men's side of the tournament.

Djokovic bowed out with a 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 loss to 28th-seeded Alexei Popyrin of Australia, another shocking result at Flushing Meadows one night after Carlos Alcaraz exited.

The final Grand Slam of the year isn't lacking in drama. Third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz lost to no. 74 Botic van de Zandschulp in a stunning upset, while Naomi Osaka's comeback hopes were dashed.

Djokovic is the all-time leader for most Grand Slam men's singles titles and one of only three men to hold all four Grand Slam championships simultaneously. But an Olympic gold had escaped him.

Gauff, 20, is the first tennis player to serve as a U.S. flag bearer at an Olympic Games. At Friday's opening ceremony, she will carry the flag alongside basketball great LeBron James.

Djokovic, a 36-year-old from Serbia, moved one major singles title in front of Serena Williams to become the first player to win 24 in the Open era, which began in 1968.