Coco Gauff, seeded fourth and the defending champion of the 2023 Cincinnati Open, comfortably booked her place in the tournament's fourth round by defeating fellow American Ann Li with a scoreline of 6-1, 7-6 (7-3). The victory not only extended Gauff's perfect 4-0 record against Li but also marked their inaugural meeting on a hard court on the WTA Tour, 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 displayed a dominant performance in the opening set, holding serve in every one of her service games and fending off two break points that Li created during a game that featured four deuces. Gauff's first‑serve efficiency was impressive, as she won 68% of those points throughout the match.
After a swift 29‑minute first set, the second set unfolded with greater drama. Li managed to break Gauff’s serve early, but the American quickly responded by reclaiming the break, ultimately forcing a tiebreak at 6-6. In the decisive tiebreak, Gauff held her nerve and closed out the match, securing her sixth WTA 1000 fourth‑round appearance of the season. With this win, Gauff now awaits the outcome of the clash between Iva Jovic and Marie Bouzkova to determine her quarter‑final opponent.
Both Jovic and Bouzkova have shown solid form in Cincinnati, and the winner will present a fresh challenge for the American star as she continues her quest for back‑to‑back titles. Meanwhile, the top‑seeded world number one Aryna Sabalenka delivered a masterclass in efficiency, dispatching China's Wang Xinyu in just 54 minutes with a 6-1, 6-3 victory. 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 reach the half‑century mark while holding the world No.1 ranking. After the match, Sabalenka expressed satisfaction with her performance, noting, "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 I think 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’s victory lifted her season record to 40-7 as she fine‑tunes her game for the upcoming US Open. In the round of 16, Sabalenka is slated to face unseeded Czech player Sara Bejlek, a matchup that promises a contrast of styles—Sabalenka's power‑driven baseline play against Bejlek's crafty, defensive tactics. The tournament also saw a notable withdrawal when world number nine Elina Svitolina pulled out of her third‑round match against Wang Xiyu due to a lingering right ankle injury. The Ukrainian had previously battled through a medical timeout in her second‑round win over Tereza Valentova, where she rallied from a set down to claim a 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-0 victory.
Svitolina’s statement reflected disappointment: "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 set to meet Madison Keys, another former top‑10 player with a powerful baseline game. This unexpected development reshapes the draw, offering both players a clearer path toward the later stages of the event.
Beyond the on‑court action, tennis fans can enjoy live coverage of both the ATP and WTA tours on Sky Sports, with the US Open also featured from August 30 onward. For those seeking a contract‑free streaming option, NOW provides a viable alternative to watch the Grand Slam and other major tournaments. Overall, the Cincinnati Open continues to serve as a crucial warm‑up for the US Open, allowing players to adapt to North American hard‑court conditions, test their physical readiness, and fine‑tune strategies.
Gauff’s blend of aggressive shot‑making and composure under pressure, coupled with Sabalenka’s relentless power and mental focus, exemplify the high‑level competition that fans can anticipate in New York later this month. As the field narrows, each match becomes a stepping stone toward the ultimate goal of Grand Slam glory, and the narratives forged in Cincinnati will undoubtedly echo throughout the remainder of the season.