Coco Gauff, the tournament's fourth seed and defending champion from 2023, earned her place in the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open with a convincing 6-1, 7-6 (7-3) victory over compatriot Ann Li. The win not only extended Gauff's flawless 4-0 record against Li but also marked their inaugural meeting 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 American dominated the opening set, serving flawlessly and never allowing Li any break points beyond two fleeting chances.
Gauff's serve was especially effective, as she secured 68% of her first‑serve points and held serve in every game of the first set, which lasted just 29 minutes. The second set proved more competitive.
After dropping the first game on serve, Li responded by breaking Gauff later in the set and even surged ahead 5-3 with a second break, appearing poised to force a deciding set. However, Gauff steadied her nerves, reclaimed a crucial break, and ultimately clinched the set in a tiebreak where she displayed composure and precision.
This victory moves Gauff into her sixth WTA 1000 quarter‑final appearance of the season. With the win secured, Gauff now awaits the outcome of the match between Iva Jovic and Marie Bouzkova to determine her next opponent in the round of 16. Both Jovic and Bouzkova have been in solid form, and the winner will present a fresh challenge for Gauff as she continues her preparation for the US Open.
Meanwhile, world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka also made a statement in Cincinnati, dispatching China's Wang Xinyu in just 54 minutes with a 6-1, 6-3 scoreline. The win marked Sabalenka's 50th triumph at the WTA 1000 level, placing her in an elite company that includes Serena Williams (104 titles) and Iga Swiatek (58 titles) as the only players to have amassed at least 50 WTA 1000 victories while holding the top ranking. Sabalenka reflected on the performance, saying, "I cannot complain.
She's a tough opponent and to get this win in straight sets and under an hour, it's an insane result. I'm super happy to be through. I think I really trusted myself, I was just going from my shots without overthinking and that was the weapon of tonight's match.
I'm super happy I was able to stay focused and to be in every point." The Belarusian, who entered Cincinnati as the 2024 champion, improved her season record to 40‑7 and is now gearing up for the US Open later this month. Her next challenge will be against unseeded Czech player Sara Bejlek in the round of 16, a match that promises to test Sabalenka's consistency and tactical versatility. The tournament also saw a notable withdrawal: world No.
9 Elina Svitolina pulled out of her third‑round match against Wang Xiyu due to a lingering right‑ankle injury sustained in Toronto and aggravated in her second‑round win over Tereza Valentova. Svitolina, who had taken a medical timeout to treat her foot during that match, ultimately secured a 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-0 victory before deciding she could not continue. Her statement explained, "Unfortunately I tried my best to recover, but the injury I sustained in Toronto and also pushed by the second round match, I didn't recover as I wish I could to get ready for my next round. Have of course great memories of playing here and going deep in the tournament.
Had a great match here two nights ago. Very sad to pull out this round." Wang Xiyu will advance to the final 16 via a walkover and is slated to meet Madison Keys. The withdrawal underscores the physical toll the summer swing can take on players, especially as they balance the grind of back‑to‑back tournaments with the looming Grand Slam.
Overall, Cincinnati has delivered high‑quality tennis and set the stage for compelling narratives heading into the US Open. Both Gauff and Sabalenka demonstrated why they are considered top contenders for the major title, while injuries and withdrawals remind fans of the sport's demanding nature. Sky Sports will continue to broadcast the remaining matches live, and fans can also stream the US Open without a contract through NOW, ensuring broad access to the next chapter of the summer tennis season.