Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka Sail Into Cincinnati Open Quarter-Finals
Sabalenka had to work after surrendering a second-set break, but she broke Bouzas Maneiro in the final game to seal the victory.
"The key was to focus and put as much pressure as possible on her serve," Sabalenka said. "I was up a break, made a couple of mistakes and she broke me back.
"I'm glad to win in straight sets - I didn't want to stay for three hours."
World number one Sinner, playing his first tournament since lifting the trophy at Wimbledon, notched his 24th consecutive hardcourt match win to gain his fifth quarter-final of the season.
The victory required patience, with the Italian who turns 24 on Saturday passing some of the afternoon weather pause by playing cards with his team.
Sinner had won the first set and they were on serve in the second when they returned, but Frenchman's tricky game took a toll as Sinner was broken while trying to serve out the match.
The second set instead went to a tiebreak, with the Italian firing his 11th and 12th aces to clinch victory.
"He's a very difficult opponent, different from the other payers," Sinner said. "He can read the opponent well.
"It was a struggle to close it out, but I'm happy to be in the quarter-finals."
Earlier former champion Alexander Zverev polished off a weather-hit third-round victory, winning the final four points of a 6-4, 6-4 win over Brandon Nakashima.
The entire one-game exercise, with 2021 Cincy winner Zverev leading 6-4, 5-4 when play resumed, took less than two minutes, with the third seed set for a later fourth-round encounter against Toronto finalist Karen Khachanov.
Fifth seed Ben Shelton, last week's Toronto winner, reached the fourth round with a 7-6 (7/3), 6-3, victory over Roberto Bautista Agut in a match rescheduled from Tuesday.
Swiatek advances
Women's third seed Iga Swiatek and men's seventh seed Holger Rune both booked quarter-final berths before afternoon showers struck.
Wimbledon champion Swiatek beat Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-3, overcoming 33 unforced errors in a 95-minute victory.
"I wanted to be more solid than in my last match," Swiatek said. "I'm happy with the level of my focus and the consistency."
Rune advanced as 2024 finalist Frances Tiafoe retired with lower back pain with Denmark's Rune up 6-4, 3-1.
The match was a re-run of a quarter-final here a year ago, won by the American who went on to fall to Sinner in the final.
Tiafoe received treatment on his back but it didn't seem to help as Rune gained control.
The American walked dejectedly off court, carrying only a pair of shoes while an official carted away his massive tennis bag.
Rune, bothered this season by his own injury worries, secured his 100th career hard-court win and his first defeat of a top 20 opponent since he beat Carlos Alcaraz in the Barcelona final in April.
In another match interrupted on Tuesday, Magda Linette reached the fourth round at Cincinnati for the first time with a 7-6 (7/5), 3-6, 6-3 upset of fourth-seeded American Jessica Pegula.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
2 hours ago
- NDTV
Chelsea To Sign Another Defender? After Levi Colwill Injury, Manager Enzo Maresca Drops Big Hint
Enzo Maresca is keen for Chelsea to a sign a centre-back to cover the absence of the injured Levi Colwill. England international Colwill is set to miss most of the new season after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament injury in training. Tosin Adarabioyo and Trevoh Chalobah are poised to start in central defence at home to London rivals Crystal Palace in the Blues' Premier League opener on Sunday. Chelsea manager Maresca, however, has doubts over whether he can replace the 22-year-old Colwill, a key figure at Stamford Bridge, from within his current squad and has been linked with a move for Antonio Silva of Benfica. "You know how important Levi has been for us last season, for the way we want to play," Maresca told reporters on Friday. "We said many times that we are able to create chances and to attack in the right way if we are able to build in the right way. Levi was a huge part of our build-up and now he's out. "We are trying to find a solution internally, but the club know exactly what I think and we'll see what happens." The Italian boss added: "I think we need a central defender. We are looking for an internal solution but as I said, the club know exactly what I think. "We have a fantastic squad. We are happy with the squad. we are, no doubt. But we said many times that when the transfer window is open, anything can happen." Liverpool manager Arne Slot has tipped Chelsea as title contenders, having also said he expected the west Londoners to beat his side to the Premier League trophy last season. Chelsea finished fourth last term, 15 points behind champions Liverpool, and Maresca was adamant he had no interest in any so-called 'mind games' from rival managers. "I don't pay attention to what the other people say about us," he said. "Also because it's easy to say that more clubs are involved. I don't like to play this kind of game. "I like to be focused on players, try to improve and then what they say, they can say what they want." Chelsea have just returned to pre-season training following their triumphant World Club Cup campaign. "We guess we are ready," said Maresca. "It has been quite a short break, but we will try to be ready.
Indian Express
3 hours ago
- Indian Express
‘Needed someone who knew my body better': Jannik Sinner defends decision to rehire fitness trainer a year after doping scandal
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner on Friday defended his decision to rehire fitness coach Umberto Ferrara, whom the 23-year-old had fired from his team following two failed dope tests in March 2024. Only days after thwarting Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon 2025 final, Sinner's team announced the decision to reunite with Ferrara last month, citing key preparations for the Cincinnati Open and the US Open. Sinner had tested positive for the banned anabolic steroid, clostebol. He was, however, later cleared by an independent tribunal after he appealed that the failed tests were a result of accidental contamination. The Italian's version was that his physiotherapist, Giacomo Naldi, had used an over-the-counter spray which contained clostebol to treat a cut on his finger and then gave him a massage, which resulted in transdermal contamination. Sinner was cleared by the tribunal in August last year, but sacked both Naldi and Ferrara, claiming he did not feel 'confident to continue' with them after 'their mistakes'. He would later serve a three-month ban between February and May after settling the case with the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). 'It was a different situation. Now everything is different. I felt like, at this point, I needed someone who knew my body better,' Sinner told repoters after thumping Canada's Felix-Auger Aliassime 6-0, 6-2 in the Cincinnati quarter-finals on Friday. 'We worked together for about two years before this break. His work has brought me a lot of benefits,' he explained. 'We worked on every area of my body: mobility, stability, and even my body's endurance has improved. I think he did a great job. In Ferrara and Naldi's absence, Sinner worked with trainer Marco Panichi and physiotherapist Ulises Badio (a former long-time member of Novak Djokovic's team), lifting titles at last year's US Open and this year's Australian Open, and also reaching the French Open final. However, Sinner conceded that he had better options before him. 'I also got along well with Marco [Panichi], but maybe he wasn't the best choice. I've always had a good feeling about Umberto,' he added. In Cincinnati, Sinner joined an elite group of players this century by achieving 25 consecutive wins on hard courts, a feat previously accomplished only by Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray, and Rafael Nadal. He is also currently on an 11-match winning streak. Sinner will take on impressive French qualifier Terence Atmane, who has already defeated Flavio Cobolli, Joao Fonseca, Taylor Fritz, and Holger Rune through his way up the tournament.
Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
D Gukesh drops to joint sixth after enduring four draws at St. Louis Rapid and Blitz
D Gukesh is now joint sixth overall after blitz round 9 (TOI Photo) India's world champion D Gukesh endured a mixed day at the St. Louis Rapid and Blitz, finishing with one win and four draws to slip to joint sixth spot after the first nine rounds of blitz. With only nine games left, the teenager faces an uphill task to stage a late comeback. His sole victory came against American Leinier Dominguez Perez, but four losses over the day dented his chances. Gukesh now sits on 13 points, tied with Vietnam's Liem Le Quang, and three points ahead of Dominguez in eighth place. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! At the top, Levon Aronian of the United States regained the sole lead, collecting 6/9 in the blitz to move to 19 points overall. He is two points clear of overnight leader and compatriot Fabiano Caruana, who endured a tough day, going winless in the blitz and losing three games. Frenchman Maxime Vachier-Lagrave remains in third place with 16.5 points, just half a point behind Caruana, after staying unbeaten with two wins and seven draws. Uzbek Grandmaster Nodirbek Abdusattorov bounced back strongly, matching Aronian's blitz score to climb to joint fourth with Wesley So of the US, both on 15 points. American Grigoriy Oparin also improved his standing to ninth with nine points, while Sam Shankland is last on 7.5. D Gukesh is joint sixth in the standings alongside Liem Le (Screengrab) Aronian's day included four wins, four draws, and just one loss, keeping him at the summit. Abdusattorov impressed with wins over Aronian, Gukesh, Dominguez, and Shankland, while So scored crucial victories against Gukesh, Abdusattorov, and Liem. Poll Will D Gukesh be able to make a comeback in the remaining rounds? Yes, he will bounce back! No, it's too late for him. With the $175,000 prize (Over ₹1.5 crore) event now heading into its final nine blitz rounds, Gukesh will need a dominant run to challenge the leaders. His ability to convert chances in the fast-paced format will be key if he hopes to climb back into contention. Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
