Olympians hope to shake off Paris hangover at US Open

NEW YORK : Paris Olympians in New York might need a little extra effort to bring their A-game to the U.S. Open, after a tight turnaround and quick switch from the clay of Roland Garros to the hardcourts of Flushing Meadows.

The U.S. Open this year could be the ultimate test of endurance, as players who competed at the Games had to squeeze in their preparation for the year's final major into a slim few weeks between Paris and New York.

"I don't think I have too much problem transitioning (from) clay to hard. I just think maybe the time is not enough," said Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen.

The Chinese player said she was forced to miss practice after arriving sick in Cincinnati, where she exited in the last 16.

"I was, like, maybe four days without practising and two days with fever," she told reporters. "If you don't practice, the performance can't be well. I mean, if you really put hours on court, I think the transition will be fine."

American world number six Jessica Pegula collected a title in Toronto after competing in the Olympics but said it took a tremendous fight to hoist the trophy.

"I wasn't feeling that great going into Toronto. It was a tough transition," said Pegula, who also reached the Cincinnati final.

"It's a little tricky this year people coming from Paris. People are just a little bit maybe, I don't know, not as prepared, just with the surface change as well."

Defending U.S. Open champion Coco Gauff - who played Olympic doubles with Pegula - exited in the third round of the Paris singles competition and struggled after returning from the Games, suffering early exits from Toronto and Cincinnati.

"I wanted to go into Cincinnati and win but I had more realistic things in my head just coming from Olympics and