Washington, August 19 (QNA) – World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus reached the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open, a WTA 1000 tournament in the United States, with a 6-1, 6-3 victory over China’s Wang Xinyu.

Sabalenka will next face Czech player Sara Bejlek, who came from behind to beat Russia’s Ekaterina Alexandrova 4-6, 6-1, 6-2.

World No. 4 Coco Gauff of the United States also advanced after defeating compatriot Ann Li. The 2023 champion dominated the opening set, closing it out in just half an hour.

Russia’s Mirra Andreeva, ranked fifth in the world, overcame Indonesia’s Janice Tjen 6-1, 7-6 to secure her place in the next round.

In the men’s draw, American Brandon Nakashima stunned Russia’s Daniil Medvedev, the world No. 7, 6-7, 7-6, 6-1 to reach the fourth round. He will meet Portugal’s Nuno Borges, who earlier eliminated Russia’s Andrey Rublev 6-3, 6-4.

Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime also moved through after beating Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo 7-5, 6-1, while American Taylor Fritz, the world No. 9, booked his spot in the next round with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Spanish youngster Daniel Merida.

Fritz will face Australia’s Christopher O’Connell in the last 16 after Brazil’s Joao Fonseca withdrew because of an abdominal injury. (QNA)