Defending champs Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka make winning starts in Cincinnati

Straits Times

3 days ago

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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.
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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