Tennis: Liang En-shuo, Aoyama reach Cincinnati doubles round of 16 after saving set points

The "Taiwan-Japan" doubles team of Liang En-shuo and Shuko Aoyama has advanced to the round of 16 at the Cincinnati Open. The pair battled through a tough second set, saving four set points before defeating their opponents Ingrid Neel and Giuliana Olmos 6-2, 7-5.

This victory marks a strong start for Liang and Aoyama at the WTA 1000 event, serving as an important warm-up for the upcoming US Open. After a first-round exit in Toronto, the duo showed resilience and determination in Cincinnati. They established an early lead in the first set with two breaks of serve, securing the set 6-2.

The second set proved more challenging, with both teams exchanging breaks. However, in a crucial tenth game, Liang and Aoyama held their nerve, saving four set points to ultimately break their opponents' serve again and clinch the match. Despite their smaller stature, standing under 160 cm, Aoyama and Liang are known for their speed and aggressive play, which has propelled them to the semifinals of both the French Open and Wimbledon this year. Their current world rankings are 23rd and 24th, respectively, making Liang the second-highest ranked Taiwanese female player after Hsieh Su-wei.