BRIAN MAHONEY Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Iga Swiatek, of Poland, reacts after scoring a point against Emiliana Arango, of Colombia, during the first round of the US Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Aug. 26, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Swift start: Iga Swiatek easily wins at US Open, but she’s here to talk about Taylor and Travis

August 26, 2025

Iga Swiatek had an easy start to her quest to win the U.S. Open and Wimbledon in the same year, needing just an hour to beat Emiliana Arango 6-1, 6-2. But most of the talk in her news conference was about Taylor Swift’s engagement to Travis Kelce. Swiatek has been a devoted Swiftie for more than a decade, getting a handwritten note from the singer while attending an Eras Tour concert shortly after winning the 2024 French Open. A second title for the 2022 champion at Flushing Meadows would make the 24-year-old from Poland the first woman to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open in the same year since Serena Williams in 2012.

Daniil Medvedev, of Russia, bottom right, reacts next to chair umpire, Greg Allensworth, left, after a photographer ran onto the court during a match against Benjamin Bonzi, of France, in the first-round of the U.S. Open tennis championships, Sunday, Aug. 24, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

Medvedev taunts booing crowd, rips chair ump during wild US Open meltdown

August 25, 2025

Daniil Medvedev’s match was delayed more than six minutes between points Sunday night, after a photographer entered the court on match point and the 2021 U.S. Open champion became enraged by the chair umpire’s decision to award his opponent a first serve. Benjamin Bonzi had just hit his first serve leading 5-4 in the third set after winning the first two. After he missed it, a photographer left his position before the Frenchman could hit his second. Chair umpire Greg Allensworth told the photographer to get off the court, then announced that Bonzi would get another first serve because of the delay — which is common in tennis. Medvedev then approached the chair to complain about the decision and the booing began.

Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, gestures to fans during a mixed doubles match at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Alcaraz and Djokovic could get early US Open tests. Venus Williams draws No. 11 seed Muchova

August 21, 2025

Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic will face potential difficult American opponents when they begin their quest for another U.S. Open title. Venus Williams, meanwhile, returns to the event at age 45 against No. 11 seed Karolina Muchova, a past French Open finalist who has reached the semifinals in New York the past two years. That was one of the early highlight matches after the draws were conducted Thursday for the men’s and women’s singles tournaments. Those begin Sunday, a day earlier than in the past. Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed, starts against Reilly Opelka. Djokovic will face Learner Tien, who made to the fourth round at this year’s Australian Open.

Andrea Vavassori, left, of Italy, and Sara Errani, of Italy, hold up the championship trophy after defeating Iga Swiatek, of Poland, and Casper Ruud, of Norway, in the mixed doubles final at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

Errani and Vavassori win revamped US Open mixed doubles to defend their title

August 20, 2025

Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori defended their U.S. Open mixed doubles title Wednesday night, keeping a traditional team on top of a revamped event filled with singles stars. The Italians beat No. 3 seeds Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud 6-3, 5-7 (10-6), winning four matches over two days to earn $1 million – a huge raise over their earnings in New York last year in a format that looked nothing like this one. Errani and Vavassori were among the many critics of the changes to the event that shut out every other traditional doubles pairing, but had nothing but smiles inside a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Casper Ruud, of Norway, left, plays a shot as partner Iga Swiatek, left, of Poland, covers during their mixed doubles match at the U.S. Open tennis championships, Tuesday, Aug. 19, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Yuki Iwamura)

New US Open mixed doubles tournament begins and 4 teams are already halfway to the $1 million prize

August 19, 2025

The new U.S. Open mixed doubles tournament drew plenty of criticism for everything from its format to its field. With mostly singles players, some who rarely play doubles at all, it felt less like a Grand Slam championship than an exhibition — which is what one player referred to it as Tuesday. It’s a fast-pace event, with shorter matches and a smaller field, and the final four is already set. Whoever wins the trophy and a $1 million prize Wednesday night won’t apologize for how they got it.

Ireland's Katie Taylor, left, and Puerto Rico's Amanda Serrano pose after a super lightweight championship boxing match Saturday, July 12, 2025, in New York. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II)

Katie Taylor beats Amanda Serrano for a third time to remain undisputed 140-pound champion

July 11, 2025

Katie Taylor beat Amanda Serrano for the third time, winning a majority decision to remain the undisputed 140-pound champion. Taylor won by scores of 97-93 on two judges’ cards, while the third had it even at 95-95. It was the third straight narrow decision between the two, after Taylor won a split decision in their first bout and a narrow unanimous decision in the rematch. Back in Madison Square Garden, site of their first bout in April 2022, Taylor improved to 25-1 in a fight that perhaps wasn’t as exciting as their first two, but once again was almost too close to call.

FILE - Shakur Stevenson, right, punches Germany's Artem Harutyunyan during the ninth round of a WBC world lightweight championship boxing match Sunday, July 7, 2024, in Newark, N.J. Stevenson won the fight. (AP Photo/Frank Franklin II, File)

Boxing takes over US Open tennis venue with Berlanga and Stevenson headlining

July 11, 2025

Just as Wimbledon is winding down, action at the home of the U.S. Open will heat up. Boxing action, that is. Swinging rackets will be replaced by swinging fists Saturday night when the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center hosts boxing for the first time. Edgar Berlanga and Shakur Stevenson headline the show in separate bouts on the card, which sends both locally based fighters to a place they’d never visited before. The fights will be in Louis Armstrong Stadium, the No. 2 venue on the grounds.

FILE - Katie Taylor, left, and Amanda Serrano pose for photos during a news conference promoting their upcoming boxing bout, May 16, 2024, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Sam Hodde, File)

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano meet for third time in their historic women’s boxing rivalry

July 10, 2025

Katie Taylor and Amanda Serrano have fought twice, two of the best and most significant events in women’s boxing history. They return to Madison Square Garden, site of their first bout, on Friday night to headline the first all-women’s card at the arena. It’s the expected conclusion to a rivalry that has elevated their sport, created opportunities that never previously existed for female fighters, and so far has delivered everything except a Serrano victory. Taylor will defend her 140-pound titles against Serrano, who has won titles in seven weight classes. The 2012 Olympic gold medalist from Ireland won close decisions in both previous fights.

BRIAN MAHONEY Sports Writer.