Aryna Sabalenka, Alexander Zverev start Cincinnati Open with convincing wins
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Third seed Aryna Sabalenka missed Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics with a shoulder injury.
PHOTO: AFP
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CINCINNATI – Aryna Sabalenka polished her opening-match record at the Cincinnati Open on an overcast Aug 15 by defeating Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 6-4, while men’s second seed Alexander Zverev also advanced.
Third seed Sabalenka, who missed Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics with a shoulder injury, has now won six of seven opening matches at the American Midwest venue in the ATP and WTA tune-up for the US Open.
The Belarusian advanced as rain threatened play after three days of summer sunshine, finishing on a third match point for her 15th Cincinnati victory.
“I’m happy with my level in the tough moments,” said Sabalenka, who remarkably has not made the final at this tournament despite three semi-final appearances (2018, 2022, 2023).
“Elisabetta is a difficult opponent. She fought to the last point.”
Cocciaretto was treated for a left hip problem midway through the second set and was seen by the trainer for a thigh tape adjustment at changeovers.
Zverev, meanwhile, dodged a few raindrops late on, before wrapping up an ATP-leading 50th match win this season.
The German, who won the title here in 2021 after losing his first six career matches at the venue, advanced to the third round with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Karen Khachanov.
The victory in 82 minutes was a repeat of the Tokyo Olympic final won by Zverev three years ago.
Khachanov committed 15 unforced errors in defeat against a long-time rival whom he now trails 5-2.
Zverev, who confessed to feeling poorly last week in Montreal despite making the quarter-finals, said his form is now much improved.
“I felt well on court. If you feel good in training, it’s easier to bring it to the match,” he said. “I just hope my form can get better. I’m happy I got the win today.”
He also had no explanation for his 2024 form, saying: “It’s just been a good year, but I’ve also had some tough losses.”
Fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz, who made a surprise comeback from knee surgery in July by reaching last week’s Montreal quarter-finals, won his opening match, defeating Yoshihito Nishioka 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-1.
The Pole worked for more than two hours, dropping 17 aces against his Japanese opponent and saving 17 of 19 break points.
In the WTA draw, Elena Rybakina was thwarted in her first match since Wimbledon, going down 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4 as Canadian Leylah Fernandez saved two match points to upset the fourth seed.
The Kazakh star, who missed the Paris Games with acute bronchitis, suffered with 17 double faults – including on match points. Even 20 aces could not save her afternoon.
Elina Svitolina, a semi-finalist here nine years ago, saw off Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-1 to book a date with Sabalenka.
Sabalenka has won their last two matches – a Roland Garros quarter-final in 2023 and a three-setter in Rome three months ago. AFP
