World number ones Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek both turned around losing situations on Saturday to move into the semi-finals of the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open. Sinner prevented rival Andrey Rublev from repeating a triumph from last Saturday in Montreal as he defeated the sixth seed in a 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 fightback. Swiatek did the same in the women's draw as she worked to overcome teen Mirra Andreeva 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
Sinner will square off in the semis against third-ranked 2021 champion Alexander Zverev, who got past rain interruptions in the final set to defeat Ben Shelton 3-6, 7-6 (7/3), 7-5. The third set was start-stop but the German advanced to his third consecutive Cincinnati final-four spot. "Conditions and the interruptions were tough, but Ben was the toughest part of the match," Zverev said.
"He has played amazing tennis all week. It was tough to find my comfort zone today, but it's great to get the win." In the bottom of the draw Fances Tiafoe will play Holger Rune.
The American advanced 6-3 after half an hour when fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz who underwent knee surgery a month ago, had to retire with a calf injury. "At 2-2 I felt he was a little off," said Tiafoe, who claimed his 200th Tour match win. "I know how it feels dealing with pain, rehab.
.. he did come back pretty quick.
" Rune, who had never won a match here until this week beat Briton Jack Draper 6-4, 6-2 in 75 minutes. Rune broke twice in the second set to take the win in 75 minutes. "The scoreboard was not how.