The Cincinnati Open delivered high drama and major upsets on Wednesday as two of America’s top tennis stars — Taylor Fritz and Jessica Pegula — were sent packing earlier than expected, just weeks before the US Open.
Atmane’s Breakthrough Victory
French qualifier Terence Atmane, ranked 136th in the world, produced the performance of his career to eliminate fourth-seeded Taylor Fritz in the Round of 16. After dropping the first set 3-6, Atmane rallied with fearless shot-making to take the next two sets 7-5, 6-3. His booming serve delivered 13 aces, and a crucial break at 4-2 in the final set sealed his first-ever win over a Top-10 opponent.
Before arriving in Cincinnati, Atmane had just five tour-level victories. This week alone, he has doubled that tally, including wins over 15th seed Flavio Cobolli and rising star João Fonseca. The victory guarantees him a debut in the Top 100 rankings. He now faces seventh seed Holger Rune in the quarterfinals.
Linette Ousts Pegula
On the women’s side, Poland’s Magda Linette stunned World No. 4 Jessica Pegula in a weather-interrupted match. Linette came from behind to secure the win, closing out the decider 6-3. This marks her second Top-10 victory of the season and a major confidence boost heading into the final Grand Slam of the year.
Pegula, a finalist in Cincinnati last year, will now regroup for the US Open after a patchy summer season.
Tournament Turbulence
Persistent rain delays disrupted the schedule, forcing several matches to be completed over two days. Despite the interruptions, top names like Iga Świątek, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, and Ben Shelton all advanced to the next round, keeping the draw unpredictable.
Looking Ahead: Who’s Still Standing?
Cincinnati Open Shocks: Atmane Defeats Fritz, Linette Upsets Pegula Ahead of US Open
Why It Matters
The early exits of Fritz and Pegula have reshaped pre-US Open storylines. Atmane’s breakthrough run marks him as a dangerous new contender, while Linette’s win reinforces her ability to take down big names on the biggest stages.
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