Sabalenka, Gauff, Fritz advance in Cincinnati; Medvedev eliminated after losing control

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka continued her title defense at the Cincinnati Open, advancing to the round of 16 with a dominant 6-1, 6-3 victory over China's Xinyu Wang in just 54 minutes. Sabalenka remains under pressure from Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina, who could potentially overtake her for the top ranking after 96 weeks.

Sabalenka is set to face Sara Bejlek of the Czech Republic in the next round, while Rybakina will play Russia's Diana Schneider. In the men's draw, American Taylor Fritz, the recent Washington champion, defeated Spain's Daniel Mérida 6-4, 6-3 to reach the round of 16. Canadian Félix Auger-Aliassime also advanced, beating Argentina's Juan Manuel Cerúndolo 7-5, 6-1.

The notable upset of the day saw American Brandon Nakashima defeat Russian Daniil Medvedev, the world No. 7. Medvedev lost a hard-fought match 6-7(3), 7-6(4), 6-1 after squandering three match points. Known for his temper, Medvedev was seen smashing an LED screen with his racket after a ball bounced off his head during a second-set tiebreak.

In doubles action, the veteran pair of Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos advanced, defeating James Tracy and Francisco Cabral. The reigning French Open and U.S. Open champions will next face Austin Krajicek and Nikola Mektic.

“

Medvedev, known in the circuit for losing his nerve when things go wrong, broke one of the LED screens at the back of the court with a racket swing after a ball bounced off his head during the second tie-break.