Refreshed Sinner ready for Cincinnati title defence
The 23-year-old lost a marathon French Open final to rival Carlos Alcaraz in June before gaining revenge over the Spaniard at the All England Club last month to secure his fourth Grand Slam title overall and second of a difficult season in which he served a short ban for an inadvertent doping offence.
Sinner opted to prioritise his health following that victory and will return after a near month-long absence from the circuit when he takes to the court over the weekend in Cincinnati after getting a first-round bye.
"The body and mind need to recover and need to understand what happened," Sinner told reporters in Ohio on Wednesday as he explained his scheduling.
"I'm very happy I took some time off, seeing my family and friends and very important people I have around. In the past, I made some mistakes sometimes, starting too early at times.
"I had conversations with the whole team, trying to understand what's best. When you win big titles, they're very special moments and then you have to leave them."
Sinner sported a protective sleeve on his right elbow when he practised with Christopher Eubanks on Wednesday, sparking concerns that he was still feeling the effects of an injury sustained during his title run at Wimbledon.
The Italian said, however, that he was only using it as it gave him more stability.
"The elbow is good. Today was the first time that I put the sleeve on because I liked the feeling of the sleeve," he said.
"The impact with the ball is slightly more stable and I liked it at Wimbledon. I had to see how it is when it's very hot and humid because it's a bit different.
"It's going to be something I take into consideration, but I really love the feeling of pure striking."
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Straits Times
13 hours ago
- Straits Times
Defending champs Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka make winning starts in Cincinnati
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Jannik Sinner returns a shot to Daniel Elahi Galan of Colombia during the Cincinnati Open. CINCINNATI – Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka got their title defences off to smooth starts, as they powered into the third round of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on Saturday. The men's and women's top seeds, each ranked No. 1 in the world, were both competing for the first time since Wimbledon – where Sinner lifted the title and Sabalenka bowed out in the women's semi-finals. Sinner crushed Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan 6-1, 6-1 in steamy afternoon weather, while Sabalenka beat 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 7-5, 6-1 under the lights of the night session. While Sinner had little trouble, Sabalenka needed 54 minutes and a service break in the final game to clinch the opening set with a stinging winner. The second set was more of a grind than the score suggested, as she saved five break points for a 4-1 lead and recovered from 0-30 down in the final game before securing the win. 'It's always a tough match against her,' Sabalenka said of the Czech opponent she has faced nine times. 'She pushed me to the limit. If you lose focus even a little bit it can cost you a set. I had to fight for every point against her,' added the Belarusian, who next faces Britain's Emma Raducanu, a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Olga Danilovic. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Four men arrested in Bukit Timah believed to be linked to housebreaking syndicates Singapore Criminal trial of Hyflux founder Olivia Lum and five others starts Aug 11 Singapore Profile of Kpod user has shifted from hardcore drug users to young people: Experts Tech Former data analyst creates AI tutor that assesses students based on Singapore schools' criteria Opinion Recognising our imperfections is part of what makes Singapore whole Opinion I used to be impatient. Then I became a granddad Business The risks of using 'decoupling' to own two properties Asia Manila struggles to keep a lasting hawker culture, casts eyes on how Asian nations lifted street food Meanwhile, Sinner outclassed Galan with 17 winners and just four unforced errors. The Italian won the opening five games in 15 minutes as he allowed his 144th-ranked opponent, who came through qualifying, little breathing room. The victory in 59 minutes was the fastest of Sinner's ATP career, beating his previous quickest by one minute. He claimed his 22nd consecutive win on hardcourt, last losing the Beijing final in September to rival Carlos Alcaraz of Spain. 'I didn't know what to expect,' Sinner said of his return to tournament action. 'I'm happy because it's not easy to play here. 'The ball is flying and you have to serve very precise if you want to go far in the tournament. Today I was finding my spots but there is still a little room to improve. For a first match it could not have gone better.' After snapping up the first set, Sinner broke to start the second before Galan clawed out a hold in a seven-minute game in which he fought off five break points. But it was only a momentary reprieve as Sinner fired three aces to hold for 3-1 as he roared away again for the victory. Elsewhere, eighth-seeded Lorenz Musetti and 11th-seeded Casper Ruud bowed out to French opponents. Benjamin Bonzi defeated Musetti 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4) while Artur Rinderknech beat Ruud 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-2 – taking full advantage of Ruud's 34 unforced errors. Rinderknech was pleased with his success so far at his Cincinnati debut. 'I stayed aggressive throughout the match,' he said. 'You cannot let Casper start to dictate.' Seventh seed Holger Rune won his opener 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) over Russian Roman Safiullin and will next play American Alex Michelsen, who defeated Corentin Moutet of France 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. In other women's action, reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek earned an efficient opening win over Anastasia Potapova 6-1, 6-4. Polish star Swiatek has reached the final four at the last two editions but Cincinnati remains one of the two 1000-level tournaments – along with Canada – where she has never played a final. The third seed moved into the third round in just 74 minutes, saving four of the five break points she faced. 'I wanted to play solid – but intense as well,' Swiatek said. 'It was up and down in the second set. But in the important moments I got my level up to close out the win.' Australian Open winner Madison Keys needed more than two hours to advance with a 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-1) over German Eva Lys, saving two match points at 5-6 in the deciding set. AFP
CNA
14 hours ago
- CNA
Defending champions Sabalenka, Sinner cruise through Cincinnati second round
World number one Aryna Sabalenka saved 12 break points to survive her Cincinnati opener against Czech Marketa Vondrousova 7-5 6-1 on Saturday, as the men's defending champion Jannik Sinner cruised past Colombian qualifier Daniel Galan 6-1 6-1. Sabalenka, who had a first-round bye, had not played since her semi-final defeat at Wimbledon and said the downtime served her well as she mounted a tremendous defensive effort to set up a meeting with Briton Emma Raducanu. "I played so many matches this season so I'm quite experienced to handle those key moments," Sabalenka told Tennis Channel. "Key for me is always to go for it without doubting my decisions. So far it's been working really well." Raducanu made easy work of Serbian Olga Danilovic 6-3 6-2 in her first match under new coach Francisco Roig, after a handful of confidence-building performances this summer that included a trip to the semi-finals at the Washington Open. "I'm really building some momentum. I'm really happy with how I've stayed pretty consistent over the last few months," said Raducanu, who lost to Sabalenka in a third-round thriller at Wimbledon this year. "I still feel like there's a long way to go but just working hard behind the scenes, putting a lot of hours in and hoping I can trust in that." Italy's Sinner, who also took a break following his Wimbledon win, was in pristine form as he produced just four unforced errors to swat aside Galan in 59 minutes earlier in the day. He will next play Canadian Gabriel Diallo. "It's very difficult to play here, I feel like the ball is flying, it's very fast," said Sinner. "So when you lose confidence with a couple of shots, it makes it very, very difficult to play." Poland's third seed Iga Swiatek was back on top form after an early exit in Montreal as she sprinted through the first set and fended off four break points in the second to beat Anastasia Potapova comfortably 6-1 6-4. She next plays Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, who she has defeated in all three previous meetings, in the third round of the U.S. Open tune-up tournament. Australian Open winner Madison Keys had a tougher opening to her Cincinnati campaign, saving two match points to survive against German Eva Lys with a 1-6 6-3 7-6(1) win to punch her ticket to the third round where she will play Japan's Aoi Ito. "I just kept trying to listen to everyone here cheering me," said American Keys, who triumphed in 2019 and clinched Saturday's affair with an unreturnable forehand. "It helped me get back into the match and across the finish line." Earlier on Saturday, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech upset Norwegian 11th seed Casper Ruud 6-7(5) 6-4 6-2, while eighth-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti lost to France's Benjamin Bonzi 5-7 6-4 7-6(4). Fourth seed Taylor Fritz sent over a dozen aces to close out the day's programme on Center Court with a routine 6-4 6-4 win over American compatriot Emilio Nava and book a meeting with Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
Straits Times
18 hours ago
- Straits Times
Sinner, Swiatek cruise through in Cincinnati second round
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Aug 9, 2025; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Jannik Sinner (ITA) returns a shot against Daniel Elahi Galan (COL) during the Cincinnati Open at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images Defending champion Jannik Sinner showed no signs of rust after a one-month break as he cruised past Colombian qualifier Daniel Galan 6-1 6-1 in the Cincinnati Open second round on Saturday, while third seed Iga Swiatek thumped Anastasia Potapova 6-1 6-4. World number one Sinner opted to take some time off after his Wimbledon win but was in pristine form at the ATP 1000 event after a first-round bye, producing just four unforced errors. He will next play Canadian Gabriel Diallo. "It's very difficult to play here, I feel like the ball is flying, it's very fast," the Italian told Tennis Channel after closing out the match in 59 minutes. "So when you lose confidence with a couple of shots, it makes it very, very difficult to play." Poland's Swiatek was back on top form after an early exit in Montreal as she sprinted through the first set and fended off four break points in the second. She next plays Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk, who she has defeated in all three previous meetings, in the third round of the U.S. Open tune-up tournament. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 4 men arrested after police search operation in forested area near Rail Corridor Singapore SAF regular serviceman dies after being found unconscious at Hendon Camp swimming pool: Mindef Singapore E-bike rider arrested for rash act causing hurt after accident with pedestrian in Toa Payoh Singapore Man arrested for allegedly stealing from business class passenger on flight to Singapore Asia Manila struggles to keep a lasting hawker culture, casts eyes on how Asian nations lifted street food Singapore Driver taken to hospital after car hits lamp post in Orchard Road Singapore Urban farming, robots, AI exhibitions: Public invited to share ideas for new Science Centre Asia 2 Malaysian tourists critically injured after being set on fire in Bangkok Australian Open winner Madison Keys had a tougher opening to her Cincinnati campaign, saving two match points to survive against German Eva Lys with a 1-6 6-3 7-6(1) win to punch her ticket to the third round where she will play Japan's Aoi Ito. "I just kept trying to listen to everyone here cheering me," said American Keys, who triumphed in 2019 and clinched Saturday's affair with an unreturnable forehand. "It helped me get back into the match and across the finish line." Earlier on Saturday, Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech upset Norwegian 11th seed Casper Ruud 6-7(5) 6-4 6-2, while eighth-seeded Italian Lorenzo Musetti lost to France's Benjamin Bonzi 5-7 6-4 7-6(4). The action continues on Saturday when world number one Aryna Sabalenka plays Czech Marketa Vondrousova and fourth seed Taylor Fritz takes on Emilio Nava in an all-American clash. REUTERS
