Joe McConnell
Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek, the best male and female tennis players in the world, respectively, both had to recover from a one-set deficit to reach the semifinals of the Cincinnati Open.
Sinner overcame brutal windy conditions to secure a hard-fought 4-6 7-5 6-4 victory over sixth seed Andrey Rublev, avenging the Italian champion’s quarter-final defeat at the Canadian Open last week.
Sinner decisively saved two break points on serve when trailing 4-3 in the second set, while also holding off a mini-resurgence from Rublev in the deciding set after leading twice with two breaks of serve.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Jannik Sinner produced this magnificent winning point during his quarter-final match at the Cincinnati Open
The reigning Australian Open champion will face one of the two Alexander Zverev OR Ben Shelton for a place in the final.
In the feminine singular, Swiatek defeated lively 17-year-old starlet Mirra Andreeva, despite losing the first set 6-4.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from the quarterfinal match between Iga Swiatek and Mirra Andreeva at the Cincinnati Open
The Pole missed four breakback opportunities, including two when Andreeva was serving for the set.
However, the teenager was immediately broken early in the second set, when Swiatek leveled the match and forced the deciding set.
With the match tied at 5-5 in the final set, Swiatek earned what appeared to be the decisive break.
But Andreeva came back, earning a break point chance in the next game that would have forced a deciding tie-break, only to see Swiatek hold on for a hard-fought victory three points later.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Iga Swiatek says they play too many tournaments during the season and this makes her appreciate the sport less
“She’s playing and acting like she’s older,” five-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek said of Andreeva. “We were playing on equal terms, at a similar level, so it was very close and every point counted in the end. .
“I’m happy I played solidly. It wasn’t easy, for sure.”
Swiatek will face the world number 2 Aryna Sabalenka in the semi-finals after her comfortable 6-3 6-2 victory over Liudmila Samsonova.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Highlights from the quarterfinal match between Aryna Sabalenka and Liudmila Samsonova at the Cincinnati Open
Sabalenka is the third seed at the tournament, but is set to overtake defending Cincinnati champion Coco Gauff in the women’s rankings after her disappointing second-round exit.
Sixth American seed Jessica Pegula She also booked her place in the final four with a 7-5 6-7 (1-7) 7-6 (7-3) victory over Canadian Leylah Fernandez, who had eliminated fourth seed Elena Rybakina earlier in the tournament.
What’s happening on Vscek Tennis?
Ahead of the final Grand Slam of 2024, the US Open, you’ll be able to see all the biggest tennis stars in action Live on Sky Sport as they compete during the season on the hard courts.
- Cincinnati Open (ATP 1000) – Until August 19
- Cincinnati Open (WTA 1000) – Through August 19
- Winston-Salem Open (ATP 250) – August 18-24
- Tennis in the Land, Cleveland (WTA 250) – August 18-24
- GNP Seguros Open, Monterrey (WTA 500) – August 19-24
- US Open (ATP/WTA) – August 26 – September 8
Watch the WTA and ATP tours throughout 2024 on Vscek Tennis. Watch Vscek Tennis and more with a NOW Sports Month subscription. No contract, cancel anytime.
