Defending Champions Sinner and Sabalenka Make Winning Starts in Cincinnati

Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, the defending champions, began their title defences strongly by advancing into the third round of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on Saturday.

Both the men’s and women’s top seeds — and currently world number ones — were competing for the first time since Wimbledon, where Sinner lifted the trophy and Sabalenka exited in the women’s semi-finals.

In sweltering afternoon conditions, Sinner dismantled Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan 6-1, 6-1 with 17 winners and just four unforced errors.

Sinner stormed through the opening five games in only 15 minutes, allowing little respite for his 144th-ranked opponent, who had qualified for the tournament.

The victory marked Sinner’s quickest ATP career win, trimming one minute off his previous best, and extended his winning streak on hard courts to 22 matches — his last defeat coming in the Beijing final last September against rival Carlos Alcaraz.

Reflecting on his return, Sinner said, “I didn’t know what to expect. I’m happy because it’s not easy to play here. The ball is flying and you have to serve very precisely if you want to go far in the tournament. Today I was finding my spots but there is still a little room to improve. For a first match, it could not have gone better.”

After taking the first set, Sinner broke early in the second before Galan fought back with a seven-minute hold, saving five break points. However, Sinner quickly regained control, firing three aces to hold for 3-1 and raced away to seal the victory.

Meanwhile, under the lights of the night session, Sabalenka defeated 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 7-5, 6-1.

She took 54 minutes and a crucial service break in the final game to clinch the opening set with a stinging winner.

The second set was more contested than the score suggested; Sabalenka saved five break points while leading 4-1 and recovered from 0-30 down in the final game to secure the win.

Sabalenka commented, “It’s always a tough match against her. She pushed me to the limit. If you lose focus even a little bit it can cost you a set. I had to fight for every point against her.”

She will next face Britain’s Emma Raducanu, who comfortably defeated Olga Danilovic 6-3, 6-2.

Other Notable Matches

In the men’s draw, eighth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti and 11th-seeded Casper Ruud were both eliminated by French opponents.

Benjamin Bonzi edged Musetti 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7-4), while Arthur Rinderknech defeated Ruud 6-7 (5-7), 6-4, 6-2, capitalising on Ruud’s 34 unforced errors.

Rinderknech expressed satisfaction with his performance, saying, “I stayed aggressive throughout the match. You cannot let Casper start to dictate.”

Seventh seed Holger Rune won his opener 7-5, 7-6 (7-5) against Russian Roman Safiullin and will next face American Alex Michelsen, who beat France’s Corentin Moutet 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

Women’s Action

Reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek secured a convincing win over Anastasia Potapova, 6-1, 6-4, advancing to the third round in 74 minutes.

Poland’s Swiatek, seeded third, has reached the semifinals in the last two editions but has yet to reach the final at Cincinnati, one of only two WTA 1000-level tournaments — alongside Canada — where she has never played a final.

Swiatek saved four of five break points faced and reflected, “I wanted to play solid — but intense as well. It was up and down in the second set. But in the important moments I got my level up to close out the win.”

Australian Open champion Madison Keys also progressed, overcoming Germany’s Eva Lys in a marathon 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-1). Keys saved two match points at 5-6 in the deciding set before prevailing.