Coco Gauff, the tournament’s fourth seed and defending champion from 2023, booked her place in the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open with a convincing 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) victory over fellow American Ann Li. The win not only extended Gauff’s flawless 4-0 record against Li but also marked their first encounter on a WTA hard‑court, as both players sharpen their games ahead of the US Open, which kicks off on August 30 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The 22‑year‑old Gauff displayed dominance in the opening set, cruising to a 6-1 scoreline without dropping a single service game. She faced two break‑point opportunities from Li, but held firm, even navigating a game that featured four deuces midway through the set.
Gauff’s first‑serve efficiency was impressive, landing 68% of her initial service points, which helped her maintain pressure and dictate play throughout the set. The second set unfolded with a different rhythm. Li managed to break Gauff’s serve in the very first game, signalling that the match could become more competitive.
However, Li quickly responded by securing a break of her own, leveling the set and creating a tense atmosphere. At 5-3, Li appeared poised to push the contest to a deciding set after gaining another break, but Gauff’s resilience shone through as she reclaimed the break and forced a tiebreak. In the breaker, Gauff’s composure and precision prevailed, allowing her to seal the set 7-3 and move into her sixth WTA 1000 quarterfinal appearance of the season. With this triumph, Gauff now awaits the winner of the Iva Jovic versus Marie Bouzkova match to determine her next opponent in the quarterfinals.
Her performance so far underscores her readiness for the upcoming US Open, where she will look to translate her hard‑court success into a deep run. Meanwhile, the tournament’s top seed and world number one, Aryna Sabalenka, delivered a similarly dominant display.
Sabalenka dispatched China’s Wang Xinyu in just 54 minutes, cruising to a 6-1, 6-3 win that secured her spot in the fourth round. This victory marked Sabalenka’s 50th triumph at the WTA 1000 level while holding the world’s top ranking—a milestone achieved by only two other players in the Open Era: Serena Williams, who boasts 104 such wins, and Iga Swiatek, with 58. After the match, Sabalenka reflected on her performance, saying, "I cannot complain.
She’s a tough opponent, and to win in straight sets and under an hour is an insane result. I’m super happy to be through.
I think I really trusted myself, playing my shots without overthinking, and that was the weapon of tonight’s match. I’m super happy I was able to stay focused and be in every point." The Belarusian’s season record improved to 40-7 as she fine‑tunes her game for the US Open later this month. Her next challenge will be against unseeded Czech player Sara Bejlek in the round of 16. The tournament also saw a notable withdrawal.
World number nine Elina Svitolina pulled out of the event before her scheduled third‑round clash with Wang Xiyu due to a lingering right‑ankle injury. The Ukrainian had previously taken a medical timeout to treat her right foot during a second‑round match against Tereza Valentova, which she ultimately won 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-0. Svitolina’s statement explained that the injury sustained in Toronto, compounded by the demands of the second‑round match, prevented her from recovering sufficiently to compete further.
She expressed disappointment, noting the fond memories she holds of the Cincinnati Open and lamenting her forced exit. As a result of Svitolina’s withdrawal, China’s Wang Xiyu advances to the round of 16 via a walkover and will face Madison Keys. The tournament continues to showcase high‑level competition as players vie for valuable ranking points and preparation ahead of the US Open. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports, which will also broadcast the US Open from August 30 onward.
For those without a Sky subscription, the matches are available to stream contract‑free via the NOW platform, ensuring broad access to the excitement of professional tennis. Overall, the Cincinnati Open has delivered a blend of dominant performances, surprising upsets, and injury‑related withdrawals, setting the stage for an intense final stretch before the season’s Grand Slam finale. Both Gauff and Sabalenka have demonstrated the form and confidence needed to contend for the title, while the rest of the field looks to capitalize on any opening to make a deep run. The upcoming quarterfinals promise high‑stakes tennis as the players sharpen their games for the hard‑court showdown at Flushing Meadows, where the world’s best will converge for one of the sport’s most prestigious events.