Defending champions Aryna Sabalenka and Jannik Sinner reached the quarter-finals in Wednesday action at the Cincinnati Open which also experienced its fair share of delays because of rain.
Ranked world No. 1 Sabalenka eased past Jessica Bouzas Maneiro — representing Spain — 6-1, 7-5 in only 1hr 20mins. The defending champ claimed her 50 th tour win of the season on the excitement of her recent triumph against Emma Raducanu.
Sabalenka held a break advantage, committed a few errors and allowed her opponent to break back. I am happy to get it 3-0. I never wanted to be there three hours.”
What will be her test yet? A blockbuster match against 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina who had to overcome a set deficit and beat Australian Open champion Madison Keys 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2.
Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek earlier on the day defeated Sorana Cirstea, 6-4, 6-4, boosting her head-to- head record against the Romanian to 5-0. Fellow Polak Magda Linette does an upset, beating 4th seed Jessica Pegula 76, 3 6, 6 3, in a rain-stalled match that lasted well over two days.
Sinner, Alcaraz Keep Crowds on Edge
Top seed Sinner won the match in the men draw and travelled over French Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 7-6(4) despite a nearly three-hour rain delay. Four-time Grand Slam champion the Italian saved the awkward moments but ran out the winner with consecutive aces to make it 24 wins in succession on the hard court.
Sinner said, of the opponent, “He is really difficult to play — a lefty, weird style.” I was just trying to serve well and be on my toes in the second games.
Next, Sinner will meet Canada Felix Auger-Aliassime in a fifth round of the year quarter-final.
Second seed Carlos Alcaraz was also an earner who defeated Italy Luca Nardi 6-1, 6-4 to make it to its 18 th quarterfinal in a masters 1000 event. The 36-time victor out of the last 38 games, the Spaniard, has said of the game, that it was the best match he has played here. During my stay I got accustomed to heat and moisture, and I am never feeling better.” He will come across the Andrey Rublev of Russia who eliminated Francisco Comesana 6-2, 6-3.
Big Results of others
Ben Shelton had a successful streak going as he defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 7-6(3), 6-3 to face Jiri Lehecka next.
Alexander Zverev beat Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 6-4 and went on to the quarters when Karen Khachanov quit due to injury at 7-5, 3-0.
Unseeded Frenchman Terence Atmane upset Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 to the tune of the biggest win of his career and get his arms to the very first Masters 1000 quarter-final. He will have to play against Denmark Holger Rune who improved after Frances Tiafoe quit due to back injury.
