Cincinnati Open: Coco Gauff impresses in win over Ann Li to make last 16 as Elina Svitolina pulls out injured
Coco Gauff and top seed Aryna Sabalenka progress in straight sets at Cincinnati Open to make last 16; Elina Svitolina forced to pull out of event due to ankle injury; watch the US Open live on Sky Sports Tennis from August 30
Wednesday 19 August 2026 08:58, UK
Coco Gauff, the No 4 seed and 2023 Cincinnati Open champion, secured her spot in the fourth round courtesy of a 6-1 7-6 (7-3) win over fellow American Ann Li.
Gauff now improves to 4-0 in terms of her all-time against Li, though Tuesday was the first WTA Tour hard-court meeting as preparations ramp up for the US Open from August 30, live on Sky Sports.
The 22-year-old now awaits the winner of Iva Jovic and Marie Bouzkova for a place in the quarter-finals.
The 29-minute first set was flawless for Gauff, who held her serve during all her service games, including withstanding two break point chances for Li in a game that saw four deuces midway through the first set. Gauff won 68 per cent of her first service points in the match.
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The second set would be a different story, and though Li dropped her serve the opening game, she bounced back with a break of her own.
Eventually, Li seemed on her way to forcing a decider by going up a break at 5-3, but the service woes reappeared as Gauff got the break back.
In the tiebreak, it was smooth sailing for Gauff who moves to her sixth WTA 1000 fourth round of the season.
Top seed Sabalenka celebrates 'insane' victory to reach last 16
Top seeed and world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka cruised past China's Wang Xinyu in just 54 minutes, winning 6-1 6-3 to reach the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open.
The win was Sabalenka's 50th WTA 1000 victory as the world's top-ranked player, joining Serena Williams (104) and Iga Swiatek (58) as the the only other players with 50 or more 1000 victories while occupying top spot in the rankings.
"I cannot complain," Sabalenka said afterwards. "She's a tough opponent and to get this win in straight sets and under an hour, it's an insane result. I'm super happy to be through.
"I think I really trusted myself. I was just going from my shots without overthinking and I think that was the the weapon of tonight's match.
"I'm super happy I was able to stay focused and to be in every point."
The 2024 Cincinnati champion Sabalenka improved to 40-7 on the season as she tunes up for the US Open starting later this month.
She'll next face unseeded Czech Sara Bejlek in the last 16.
Svitolina withdraws from Cincinnati Open with ankle injury
Elsewhere, world No 9 Elina Svitolina withdrew from the Cincinnati Open ahead of her third-round match against Wang Xiyu due to a right ankle injury.
China's Wang will advance to the final 16 via a walkover and will face Madison Keys.
"Unfortunately I tried my best to recover, but the injury I sustained in Toronto and also pushed by the second round match, I didn't recover as I wish I could to get ready for my next round," Svitolina said in a statement.
"Have of course great memories of playing here and going deep in the tournament. Had a great match here two nights ago. Very sad to pull out this round."
The Ukrainian took a medical timeout to address her right foot during the second set of her second-round match against Tereza Valentova on Sunday but continued to win 3-6 7-6 (7-5) 6-0.
Svitolina is next scheduled to play at the US Open, which begins later this month.
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