The women’s singles draw at the Cincinnati Open delivered a day of drama, shocks, and high-quality tennis as big names fought to secure their place in the later rounds.
Linette Topples Pegula in Three-Set Battle
Poland’s Magda Linette stunned World No. 4 Jessica Pegula in a gripping three-set encounter, winning 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-3. The match, stretched over two days due to persistent rain delays, saw Linette rise to the occasion in the decider with aggressive returns and steady baseline play. It marked her second Top-10 win of the season and a confidence boost heading into the final stretch of the hard-court swing.
Sabalenka Holds Off Bouzas Maneiro
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka had to work hard against Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, eventually prevailing 6-1, 7-5. After cruising through the opening set, Sabalenka faced a spirited challenge in the second as Bouzas Maneiro broke her rhythm with fearless shot-making. The Belarusian’s power and composure, however, proved decisive in the closing stages.
Swiatek Powers Past Cirstea
World No. 3 Iga Swiatek kept her campaign on track with a straight-sets 6-4, 6-3 win over Sorana Cirstea. The Polish star dominated from the baseline, using precise groundstrokes and swift court coverage to secure her place in the quarterfinals without dropping a set in the tournament so far.
Rybakina Outlasts Keys in Physical Contest
Elena Rybakina battled past Madison Keys in a three-set duel, winning 6-7(3), 6-4, 6-2. After losing a tight first set, the Kazakh star raised her level, using her serve and aggressive returns to wear down the American and book her spot in the next round.
Why These Results Matter
- Linette’s upset reshapes the women’s draw and highlights the unpredictability of the tournament.
- Sabalenka showed she can handle early-round pressure against rising talents.
- Swiatek continues her consistent form, reinforcing her status as one of the top contenders.
- Rybakina’s fightback confirms her resilience and big-match pedigree.
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