The final Grand Slam of the year has already reshaped both draws heading into the Round of 16 this weekend. Novak Djokovic's shock first-round exit to Mariano Navone remains the headline story, but the upsets have kept coming: third seed Félix Auger-Aliassime was stunned by Karen Khachanov in four sets, sixth seed Alex de Minaur fell to Botic van de Zandschulp, 13th seed Lorenzo Musetti was beaten by Dane Sweeney, and Gaël Monfils lost to rising American Learner Tien. World No. 1 Jannik Sinner remains absent throughout with a knee injury.

Amid the carnage, the favourites who matter most are still standing. Top seed Alexander Zverev, defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Flavio Cobolli have all progressed smoothly. On the women's side, Aryna Sabalenka remains on course for a historic three-peat, alongside Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and a resurgent Naomi Osaka.

One name arrives with genuine momentum heading into the second week: Arthur Fils. The Frenchman claimed the biggest title of his career at the Cincinnati Open just before the tournament began, beating Frances Tiafoe in a wild final for his first ATP Masters 1000 crown. What makes his run notable is recent history — the last three Cincinnati champions have gone on to win the US Open in the same year: Djokovic in 2023, Sinner in 2024, and Alcaraz in 2025. With Djokovic already out, all eyes are on whether the 21st-seeded Fils can extend that remarkable streak to four as the tournament enters its business end.

Round of 16: Sunday, 6 – Monday, 7 September · Quarter-Finals: 8-9 September · Semi-Finals: 10 September · Women's Final: 12 September · Men's Final: 13 September · USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, Flushing Meadows, New York

September's front-loaded fixture list delivers its first true blockbuster weekend. In England, Arsenal host Chelsea at the Emirates on Sunday in Matchweek 3 — a London derby between the defending champions, unbeaten through two games, and a Chelsea side also on a 100% start under new manager Xabi Alonso. The same afternoon sees Everton host Manchester United at the Hill Dickinson Stadium in another standout Premier League tie.

Germany offers a genuinely emotional storyline a day earlier: Schalke 04 host Bayern Munich on Saturday for Bundesliga Matchday 2, marking a potential final competitive return to Schalke's Veltins-Arena for club legend Manuel Neuer before retirement — a fixture that carries far more weight than the table alone suggests.

In Spain, Valencia host Barcelona on Sunday. Hansi Flick's side have won every game of their delayed campaign so far — 5-0 against Elche, 2-0 against Athletic Club and 5-2 against Rayo Vallecano — with Lamine Yamal's goal in the last of those his 50th for the club, making him the youngest player in Europe's top five leagues to reach that milestone. Struggling Valencia, by contrast, have taken just a single point from three games.

And in Italy, one of Serie A's oldest rivalries returns as Juventus host AC Milan at the Allianz Stadium on Sunday night for Matchday 3 — a fixture Italian media have been previewing for weeks, with both sides looking to build early momentum in the title race.

Schalke 04 vs. Bayern Munich: Saturday, 5 September, 18:30 CEST · Veltins-Arena
Everton vs. Manchester United: Sunday, 6 September, 15:00 CEST · Hill Dickinson Stadium
Valencia vs. Barcelona: Sunday, 6 September, 16:15 CEST · Mestalla
Arsenal vs. Chelsea: Sunday, 6 September, 17:30 CEST · Emirates Stadium
Juventus vs. AC Milan: Sunday, 6 September, 20:45 CEST · Allianz Stadium

European club ice hockey's biggest competition dropped the puck on its 2026-27 campaign this week, with 24 teams from across the continent's top leagues embarking on a "groupless" round-robin — each side playing six games against six different opponents before the top 16 advance to the knockout rounds. The tournament opened on Thursday with Czech side HC Plzeň hosting Rögle Ängelholm and Finnish champions Tappara Tampere hosting Bílí Tygři Liberec, headlining a six-game opening night across the continent.

Reigning champions Frölunda began their title defence on Friday at home to Finnish side SaiPa Lappeenranta, having beaten domestic rivals Luleå 3-2 in overtime to win last season's final in Gothenburg — a result that means Luleå, despite reaching the final, failed to qualify for this season's edition entirely. Frölunda captain Nicklas Lasu, the CHL's all-time leader in games played, will be central to a title defence that also includes fixtures against Skellefteå, Fribourg-Gottéron and Davos among others.

One of the tournament's most heartwarming storylines belongs to Kölner Haie, who return to the CHL for the first time since 2014-15. After opening with away trips to Red Bull Salzburg and Tappara, the German club will play its first home European game in twelve years on 10 September — against Frölunda themselves. "The fans are thirsty for European hockey," said Haie captain and Olympic silver medallist Moritz Müller, who also featured in the club's last CHL campaign over a decade ago.

Regular Season: Now underway, running through 14 October · Round of 16: 10-18 November · Final: 23 February 2027