World number one converts sixth match point while Rybakina, Andreeva and Swiatek secure convincing victories in windy conditions

CINCINNATI: World number one Aryna Sabalenka survived a determined challenge from Australia’s Talia Gibson on Sunday, converting her sixth match point to reach the third round of the Cincinnati Masters.

Sabalenka secured a 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) victory in nearly two hours on a windswept Grandstand Court. Gibson saved five match points during the 12th game of the second set before the Belarusian finally dominated the tiebreak.

Sabalenka admitted the difficult weather tested her physically, while praising Gibson for becoming more aggressive and applying greater pressure in the second set.

Rybakina, Andreeva and Swiatek Cruise Through

Meanwhile, world number two Elena Rybakina defeated Taylor Townsend 6-3, 6-4 after finishing runner-up to Iga Swiatek in Toronto.

Roland Garros champion Mirra Andreeva produced an even more dominant display, crushing Oleksandra Oliynykova 6-1, 6-0. She converted five break points while saving all seven she faced.

Furthermore, defending Cincinnati champion Swiatek swept aside Colombia’s Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-0.

However, Coco Gauff endured a tougher contest before recovering to defeat Liudmila Samsonova 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.

Faria Stuns Shelton as Auger-Aliassime Returns Strongly

In the men’s competition, Portugal’s Jaime Faria produced a major upset by defeating sixth-ranked American Ben Shelton 6-4, 6-4. Faria rallied from 4-1 behind in the second set to claim his first victory over a top-10 opponent.

Elsewhere, Felix Auger-Aliassime made an impressive return from back trouble, defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-5 in 88 minutes.

Daniil Medvedev also advanced with a 6-4, 7-5 victory over Marco Trungelliti.

Meanwhile, Taylor Fritz overcame early frustration and difficult winds to beat fellow American Alex Michelsen 6-3, 6-4, keeping his Cincinnati campaign firmly on track.