Cincinnati, Aug 14(HS): Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka showcased clinical performances on Wednesday to book their spots in the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals, while World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz also marched into the last eight in commanding fashion.
Sinner overcame a rain-disrupted clash to defeat France’s Adrian Mannarino 6-4, 7-6 (7/4). The match was halted for nearly three hours due to heavy showers, but the Italian stayed composed. Mannarino pressed hard in the second set, forcing a tiebreaker, only for Sinner to deliver back-to-back aces to seal the win. He now faces Canada’s Félix Auger-Aliassime in the quarterfinals.
In women’s action, top seed Sabalenka breezed past Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-1, 7-5. After enduring a three-set battle against Emma Raducanu in the previous round, the Belarusian switched to full throttle, wrapping up the match in straight sets. She will next face former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who battled past Madison Keys 6-7 (3/7), 6-4, 6-2.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz powered past Italy’s Luca Nardi 6-1, 6-4. The Spaniard burst out of the gates in the first set but found himself trailing 2-4 in the second. A strong comeback saw him take four straight games and close out the match. His next challenge will come from Russia’s Andrey Rublev.
The day’s biggest shock came courtesy of French qualifier Terence Atmane, who stunned fourth seed Taylor Fritz 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. Overcome with emotion, Atmane dropped to his knees in tears after the win. He will now face seventh seed Holger Rune, who advanced after Frances Tiafoe retired mid-match.
In other men’s results, third seed Alexander Zverev booked his quarterfinal slot by finishing off a rain-delayed match against Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 6-4, and then progressing after Karen Khachanov was forced to retire.
On the women’s side, third seed Iga Swiatek cruised past Sorana Cirstea 6-4, 6-3 to secure a place in the last eight.
With the quarterfinals shaping up, Cincinnati is bracing for some high-voltage clashes as the road to the title narrows.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
