CINCINNATI, AUG 19 (IANS): Brandon Nakashima produced one of the biggest shocks of the Cincinnati Open, saving three match points to topple former champion Daniil Medvedev 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-1 and secure his place in the fourth round.
Nakashima’s heroics
The 25-year-old American, trailing 0/40 at 4-5 in the second set, looked on the verge of elimination. However, he responded with fearless ballstriking and composure, turning the match around in dramatic fashion. After levelling the contest in a second-set tiebreak, Nakashima dominated the decider to complete a two-hour, 51-minute victory. With this win, he equalled Medvedev’s tally of 20 hard-court wins this season, second only to Jakub Mensik’s 21. Nakashima will next face Portugal’s Nuno Borges, who upset 13th seed Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-4 to reach his sixth Masters 1000 fourth round.
Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime advanced with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Juan Manuel Cerundolo, marking his fifth fourth-round appearance in Cincinnati in six years. He will next meet 2024 finalist Frances Tiafoe, who overcame compatriot and close friend Learner Tien 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in a two-hour battle.
American No. 1 Taylor Fritz extended his winning streak on home soil to seven matches, defeating Spain’s Daniel Merida 6-3, 6-4. The 28-year-old, fresh off his Washington ATP 500 triumph, has now reached the Cincinnati Round of 16 for the fourth time in five years. He will face Australian qualifier Christopher O’Connell next.
Meanwhile, Portuguese qualifier Jaime Faria, who stunned Ben Shelton earlier, continued his breakthrough run by rallying past Adam Walton 4-6, 6-4, 7-6(3). The 23-year-old reached the fourth round of a Masters 1000 event for the first time in his career.
Sabalenka, Andreeva, Gauff progress
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka cruised past Wang Xinyu 6-1, 6-3 in just 54 minutes. The victory marked her 50th career win at WTA 1000 events as the top-ranked player, joining Serena Williams (104) and Iga Swiatek (58) in achieving the feat since 2009. Sabalenka has now reached the Round of 16 or better at 45 WTA 1000 tournaments, the most among active players.
No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva battled past No. 32 seed Janice Tjen 6-1, 7-6(5), converting her fourth match point after a tense second set. The Roland Garros champion, who was a quarterfinalist in Cincinnati in 2024, will next face No. 10 seed Marta Kostyuk in their fourth meeting this year. Kostyuk leads 2-1, though Andreeva won their most recent clash in Paris.
Defending champion Coco Gauff also advanced, defeating fellow American Ann Li 6-1, 7-6(3). The 22-year-old is now into her 36th career WTA 1000 fourth round, including six this season. Among active players, only Sabalenka (44), Karolina Pliskova (44), Elina Svitolina (43), Swiatek (38), and Jessica Pegula (38) have more. Gauff will next face Marie Bouzkova, who overcame Iva Jovic.
