Jannik Sinner swamps Felix Auger-Aliassime in Cincinnati power display
CINCINNATI - Jannik Sinner 'felt great on the court' as he annihilated Felix Auger-Aliassime 6-0, 6-2 on Aug 14 to reach the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open semi-finals with his 25th straight hardcourt match victory.
The world number one powered through a rapid-fire opening set and overcame a wobble as he started the second set by dropping serve.
The defending champion prevailed in a brief 71 minutes as he claimed an eighth victory in a row at this event and his 30th this season.
'I felt great on the court today, you could see that,' said the Italian, who turns 24 on Aug 16.
'But every day can be different. Let's see what I can do in the semis.'
Sinner, playing his first tournament since his Wimbledon triumph, will face either French qualifier Terence Atmane or Danish seventh seed Holger Rune for a place in the final.
Auger-Aliassime meekly lost the opening set after less than 30 minutes, delivering three double-faults in the final game.
Top stories
Swipe. Select. Stay informed.
Singapore Over 100 people being investigated for vape offences, say MOH and HSA
Singapore Bukit Merah fire: Residents relocated as town council carries out restoration works
Singapore askST: What to do in the event of a fire at home
Singapore Jalan Bukit Merah fire: PMD battery could have started fatal blaze, says SCDF
Singapore askST: What are the fire safety rules for PMDs?
Asia AirAsia flight from KL to Incheon lands at wrong airport in South Korea
Asia India and China work to improve ties amid Trump's unpredictability
Singapore From quiet introvert to self-confident student: How this vulnerable, shy teen gets help to develop and discover her strength
After dropping his serve early in the second Sinner broke back to level at 2-all, eventually advancing as Auger-Aliassime coughed up his eighth double fault on match point.
'I served well today, that was the key for me,' Sinner said. 'I had a small drop in the second set and I'm happy that I broke back. He moves and serves well, he's difficult to play.'
In women's action, French Open champion Coco Gauff beat Lucia Bronzetti 6-2, 6-4 to reach the quarter-finals.
The second-seeded American's game showed minor rust after a bye in the previous round.
'I could have maybe made some more first serves in that second set, but overall, I had a lot of aces and unreturnables,' said Gauff, the 2023 Cincinnati champion who went on to win the US Open title that year.
'I'm happy considering where (my serve) was last week. I'm always trying to get better, but also just trying to take the little wins along the way.'
'I'm just trying to be happy with where I'm at now, but still doing the things I need to do to improve.'
Gauff, who was broken once in each set herself, finally secured a spot in the last eight with a concluding break of the 61st-ranked Italian's serve as Bronzetti hit long after 79 minutes on court.
Gauf next takes on seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, who crushed 2024 Wimbledon champion Barbora Krejcikova 6-1, 6-2.
Krejcikova had treatment on her left foot in the second set and her movement was clearly hampered.
Paolini, the 2024 Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist, won seven straight games on the way to a 4-0 second-set lead and rallied from 0-30 down in the final game to advance.
'She's a great player and can do anything she wants with the ball,' Paolini said. 'But I don't think she was at 100 per cent today.
'I'm glad I stayed in the match mentally to the last point.'
Gauff will play Paolini - whom she beat here two years ago on the way to the title - in her third 1000-level quarter-final of the season after Madrid and Rome. AFP
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
22 minutes ago
- Straits Times
Ellie Kildunne confident Women's Rugby World Cup ‘heartbreak' can inspire England to glory
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox England star Ellie Kildunne believes the tournament hosts are "more than ready" to put an end to their Women's Rugby World Cup "heartbreak". LONDON – England star Ellie Kildunne believes the tournament hosts are 'more than ready' to put an end to their Women's Rugby World Cup 'heartbreak' as they seek to win the one trophy that has eluded them for so long. Host nation England head into the event as favourites, having lost only once in their past 58 matches – a defeat by New Zealand in the Covid-delayed 2022 World Cup final in which Kildunne played. England, top of the world rankings, have won six successive Six Nations Grand Slams and also defeated New Zealand's Black Ferns in each of the teams' past three meetings. Yet they have lost five of the last six World Cup finals to New Zealand, with 2014 – when England beat Canada in the showpiece match – their most recent global 15-a-side title. But for 25-year-old full-back Kildunne, this year's edition is an opportunity to put things right, with England launching the tournament against the United States in Sunderland on Aug 22. 'We've been building to this moment for the past three years since the last World Cup and we're more than ready,' she told AFP in an interview in London. Kildunne, now fully recovered from a leg injury, added: 'When the last World Cup happened, obviously it was heartbreak, it was heavy and that's only because we wanted it, that's because we cared about it so much. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 280 vapes seized, more than 640 people checked by police, HSA in anti-vape raids at nightspots Singapore 5 new walking trails allow hikers to explore heritage sites and win supermarket vouchers World Trump advises Ukraine's Zelensky to 'make a deal' with Russia after meeting Putin World Did Putin just put one over Trump at the US-Russia summit on Ukraine? Life Meet the tutors who take O-level exams every year to create a 'war mate' bond with their students Singapore Nowhere to run: Why Singapore needs to start protecting its coasts now Life Switching careers in middle age and beyond: How these Singapore professionals did it Opinion Revitalise nightlife? Let's get the crowds out first 'And when you're out in New Zealand you have no idea what else is going on outside of the world. 'I felt a bit of guilt that I thought we were going to change women's sports, women's rugby if we won and it felt heavy when we didn't. 'But when we came back to England, I realised it was already changed, we'd already made an impact.' Professional women's sport is on the rise in England and in June, the Lionesses – the women's national football team – retained their European Championship title by beating world champions Spain in a penalty shoot-out in the final in Basel. 'We've learned so much from that and how much hard work and how sometimes it doesn't look pretty,' said Kildunne , a brand ambassador for leading rugby kit supplier Canterbury . 'But if you believe, if you've got that grit about you, if you really want something, you can make anything achievable. And that's something that I definitely learned from (them).' Kildunne, the reigning women's World Rugby Player of the Year, has scored an exceptional 41 tries in 53 Tests for England and is one of the most high-profile figures in her sport , as reflected by a large following on Instagram . But the charismatic Kildunne was clear on how she maintained a balance between her life on and off the field. 'When I'm in rugby mode, I'm in rugby mode,' she said. 'When I'm away from rugby, I'm away from rugby, and I still have the rugby thoughts are going on in my head. 'Sometimes it might be nine o'clock at night and suddenly I think of a new move and I'm like I need to message the coach because I've just thought of this move because I'm obsessed. 'Rugby is the priority, always will be the priority and I wouldn't have the social media following that I have got if it wasn't for the rugby.' The Red Roses, as the England women's rugby team are known, appointed New Zealand's John Mitchell as their coach in 2023 in a bid to help them take the elusive last step to World Cup glory. Mitchell, a former head coach of the men's All Blacks, has a reputation for being a stern disciplinarian but Kildunne said she had seen another side of the 61-year-old's character. 'I love him... he is not afraid to be unapologetically himself and what that does is it creates an environment that's safe to be yourself, authentically yourself,' she explained. 'He'll tell you straight if you're getting something wrong and he wants the best for you.' Kildunne added: 'You trust what he's saying, you trust when he's been lighthearted and when he's been serious for a reason. 'I love what he's done for the team. Coming in with such an open heart and vulnerability, that he's shown, allows us as players to give that back to him.' AFP
Straits Times
an hour ago
- Straits Times
Heavyweights begin 2027 World Cup squad build in Rugby Championship
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus (pictured) has continued to innovate tactics and the influence of attack coach Tony Brown on their style of play has become evident. – With two years to go until the Rugby World Cup in Australia, the 2025 Rugby Championship offers an early glimpse into the plans of the Southern Hemisphere heavyweights as they start shaping their squads for the 2027 tournament. South Africa and Australia open the championship at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Aug 16, while Argentina and New Zealand clash in Cordoba later in the day. South Africa are the current world champions and Rugby Championship holders, and look the team to beat again, despite a tough two-Test visit to New Zealand, including at their nemesis' Eden Park in Auckland, where they have not won since 1937. The All Blacks swept their three-match July Series against an understrength France and will have eyes on regaining a title they have won a record 20 times, boosted by facing their bitter old rivals at home. Australia finished their British & Irish Lions Series on a high with a victory in the rain in Sydney as coach Joe Schmidt continues their rebuild until he hands over the reins to Les Kiss in mid-2026. Argentina, a threat to any side on their day but also prone to inconsistency, start again as underdogs but with plenty of bite. With the new Rugby Nations Championship to start in 2026, this will be the last Southern Hemisphere tournament until a likely shortened version ahead of the 2027 World Cup. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Over 280 vapes seized, more than 640 people checked by police, HSA in anti-vape raids at nightspots Singapore 5 new walking trails allow hikers to explore heritage sites and win supermarket vouchers World Trump advises Ukraine's Zelensky to 'make a deal' with Russia after meeting Putin World Did Putin just put one over Trump at the US-Russia summit on Ukraine? Life Meet the tutors who take O-level exams every year to create a 'war mate' bond with their students Singapore Nowhere to run: Why Singapore needs to start protecting its coasts now Life Switching careers in middle age and beyond: How these Singapore professionals did it Opinion Revitalise nightlife? Let's get the crowds out first South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus has used close to 50 players in 2025 in easy victories over Italy (twice) and Georgia, but it will be a step up in quality against the Australians in Tests in Johannesburg and Cape Town in the opening two rounds. He has continued to innovate tactics and the influence of attack coach Tony Brown on their style of play has become evident. This Springboks side are vastly improved from the one that lifted the World Cup in 2019 and are arguably also superior to the winning side in 2023. But Erasmus admits a concern as to their battle-readiness after their July canter. 'You can look at battle-readiness in two ways,' he said. 'We haven't lost a player to injury, which bodes well for the Rugby Championship, but none of the matches we played were close. 'We could pick from a full squad and we weren't challenged tactically by Italy and Georgia, but those were physical matches.' New Zealand may have swept France, but the general consensus is they are still a work in progress for coach Scott Robertson after he took over from Ian Foster following the last World Cup. They have talisman Beauden Barrett back from a hand injury and it will be interesting to see who gets the nod at fly-half, with Damian McKenzie also in the mix ahead of the impending return of Richie Mo'unga in 2026. 'You've got an Aussie team that played some great footy at the back of their Test Series (against the Lions),' Robertson said. 'You've got the South Africans. We know how strong they are and the Argentinians on their day are so creative. 'It's a hell of a competition, very tight and just what we need.' Schmidt is juggling several injury concerns for Australia, whose last Rugby Championship title came in 2015, but expects the key trio of loose forward Rob Valetini, lock Will Skelton and prop Taniela Tupou to be fit for Aug 16. Fly-half Tom Lynagh and prop Allan Alaalatoa remain longer-term casualties. Felipe Contepomi's Argentina have several injury concerns too, but welcome back Juan Cruz Mallia, Santiago Chocobares, Marcos Kremer, Bautista Delguy, Mateo Carreras and Ignacio Ruiz from the squad who lost their July Series 2-0 to an understrength England. REUTERS
Straits Times
2 hours ago
- Straits Times
Scotland's Robert MacIntyre fires a 64 to stay atop BMW Championship
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Leader Robert MacIntyre of Scotland playing his shot from the eighth tee during the second round of the BMW Championship 2025 at Caves Valley Golf Club on Aug 15, 2025 in Owings Mills, Maryland. WASHINGTON – Robert MacIntyre fired a bogey-free six-under 64 to seize a five-stroke lead over top-ranked Scottie Scheffler after the Aug 15 second round of the BMW Championship. The 29-year-old Scotsman, who fired a PGA Tour career-low 62 on Aug 14 as he closed with six straight birdies, birdied six in all for round two to stand on 14-under 126 after 36 holes at Caves Valley in suburban Baltimore. 'Great two days' work,' MacIntyre said. 'If you leave yourself in the right positions, you can be aggressive with the putts... I feel like my iron play has been top drawer this week and just continue to do that.' Scheffler, the season points leader, was next on 131 after a 65 in his PGA-best 13th bogey-free round of the season. 'It was nice to have a clean card today, no bogeys,' Scheffler said. 'Did some good things out there. Five shots back going into the weekend is not too bad with the way Bob is playing right now. Did a good job to keep within shouting distance of him.' Sweden's Ludvig Aberg birdied three of the last five holes to shoot 64 and stand second on 132, one stroke ahead of Japan's Hideki Matsuyama with England's Tommy Fleetwood and Americans Maverick McNealy and Michael Kim on 134. MacIntyre, runner-up to J.J. Spaun at June's US Open, managed his lowest opening 36-hole score to par in a PGA event, three strokes better than 2024 at Myrtle Beach. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore 5 new walking trails allow hikers to explore heritage sites and win supermarket vouchers World Trump advises Ukraine's Zelensky to 'make a deal' with Russia after meeting Putin World Did Putin just put one over Trump at the US-Russia summit on Ukraine? Singapore Nowhere to run: Why Singapore needs to start protecting its coasts now Life Meet the tutors who take O-level exams every year to create a 'war mate' bond with their students Life Switching careers in middle age and beyond: How these Singapore professionals did it Opinion Revitalise nightlife? Let's get the crowds out first Asia 11,000 properties without power after 4.9-magnitude quake strikes near east coast of Australia 'I've been working hard,' MacIntyre said. 'I've been putting really well for a long time now. It was just finding the confidence in the tee to green game and I feel like I've done that.' MacIntyre, who began the day with a three-stroke lead over England's Tommy Fleetwood, with top-ranked Scottie Scheffler another stroke adrift, started strong again. He sank a birdie putt from just inside five feet at the first hole and rolled in a 17-footer for birdie at the par-five fourth. 'The way I've been rolling it, it's not a surprise,' MacIntyre said of his strong start. He sank another birdie putt from just beyond seven feet at the seventh and at 11, MacIntyre rolled it to within three feet of the hole and sank his short birdie putt. MacIntyre drained a 28-foot birdie putt at the 14th and reached the green in two at the par-five 16th to set up a tap-in birdie. 'A low drive to stay short of the bunker and then probably hit the longest three-wood I've had on tour, it was 281 (yards) to the front edge and I absolutely smashed it,' MacIntyre said of his effort at 16. 'Left quite a tricky putt but the job is not to make three, the job is to make four and just nudged it down to the hole and knocked it in.' MacIntyre, whose two PGA wins came in 2024 at the Canadian and Scottish Opens, is projected to jump from 20th to third on the season points list, with only the top 30 advancing from the BMW, the second FedExCup play-off event, to next week's Tour Championship in Atlanta. Scheffler, whose four victories this season include Major triumphs at the PGA Championship and Open Championship, hopes to next week become the first back-to-back FedExCup winner. Matsuyama birdied four of the last eight holes to also shoot a bogey-free 64 and stand on 133 while Fleetwood only managed a 69 and fell eight off MacIntyre's pace. 'Disappointing finish,' Fleetwood said. 'Felt like I played good again. I'm in fifth place, so it's hard to moan too much about it.' World No. 2 Rory McIlroy, second in the play-off standings, fired a 66 to stand 11th on 136, 10 off the pace. 'I just want to try to play a good weekend and feel a little bit better about my game going into the Tour Championship,' McIlroy said. AFP
