English NewsSportsTommy Paul Upsets Alexander Zverev; Iga Swiatek Reaches Cincinnati Open QF
Due to rain, the match was halted for 90 minutes in the 7th game of the second set. After this, two 5-minute breaks also had to be taken to dry the drops on the court.
In the Cincinnati Open, there were two huge upsets in men’s and women’s singles.
America’s Tommy Paul defeated world number 3 and 2026 French Open champion Alexander Zverev in the fourth round. In the rain-affected match, Paul saved a match point to defeat Zverev 4-6, 7-6 (6), 6-4. With this, he reached the quarter-finals of this tournament for the first time.
In the Women’s singles round of 16 clash, world number 1 Aryna Sabalenka was dumped out by 18-year-old Sara Bejlek from Czech Republic. Sabalenka lost the match 6-7 (7/9), 4-6 despite leading 5-1 in the first set.
Defending champion Iga Swiatek defeated France’s Diane Parry 6-3, 6-3 to secure a spot in the last-8.
On the other hand, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka was defeated by 18-year-old Czech Republic player Sara Bejlek 7-6 (9/7), 6-4. Sabalenka had taken a 5-1 lead in the first set. Meanwhile, defending champion Iga Swiatek defeated Diane Parry 6-3, 6-3 to book her place in the quarter-finals.
Match halted for about 90 minutes due to rain
Zverev and Paul’s match was halted for about 90 minutes in the second set due to rain. After this, small breaks were also taken to prepare the court. When the match resumed, Paul made a comeback and won the second set tie-breaker, taking the match to a decisive set.
Won the second set by saving a match point
Zverev won the first set 6-4. In the second set, Paul fought hard and saved Zverev’s match point in the tie-breaker to win the set 7-6 (6). In the deciding set, Zverev was leading 4-2, but Paul won four consecutive games to take the set and match 6-4.
Zverev hit 14 aces in the match but also made 9 double faults. Paul registered this victory in front of the home crowd. With this win, he reached the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open for the first time.
Quarter-final clash with Cobolli
Tommy Paul’s next match will be against Italy’s Flavio Cobolli. Cobolli defeated Spain’s Rafael Jodar 4-6, 7-6 (3), 6-3 to reach the quarter-finals.
Tirante, who defeated Djokovic, also in the last-8
Argentina’s Thiago Tirante defeated Jakub Mensik 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 to reach his first career ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final. Tirante had earlier caused a major upset by defeating Novak Djokovic in the second round.
Sabalenka crashes out ahead of US Open
In the women’s category, Sára Bejlek pulled off the biggest upset. World No. 1 Sabalenka had built a 5–1 lead in the first set, but Bejlek staged a comeback to push the set to a tie-breaker, winning it 9–7.
In the second set as well, Bejlek broke Sabalenka’s service three times. Winning the set 6–4, she registered the first top-10 victory of her career.
Bejlek will now face America’s Madison Keys in the quarterfinals.
This loss adds to Sabalenka’s growing concerns ahead of the US Open. She was defeated in the fourth round in Toronto last week. Prior to that, she also suffered losses in the fourth round of Wimbledon and the quarterfinals of the French Open.
Swiatek’s ninth consecutive win
In women’s singles, No. 7 seed and defending champion Iga Swiatek defeated Diane Parry 6-3, 6-3. This is her ninth consecutive win. With this, Swiatek reached the quarterfinals for the 30th time in a WTA 1000 tournament.
Will Face Rybakina in Quarterfinals
Swiatek will face Elena Rybakina in the quarterfinals. The two also met in last week’s Toronto final, where Swiatek emerged victorious. Swiatek has continued her excellent performance in Cincinnati after winning the Toronto title.