The WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open has already delivered a whirlwind of drama, upsets, and emotional farewells, with some of the world’s best women’s tennis players battling it out under the Ohio summer sun. For Ukrainian tennis, the tournament has been bittersweet, with both Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk making early exits, leaving Dayana Yastremska as the nation’s last hope in the singles draw. Meanwhile, American stars Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula have advanced confidently, while a host of rising talents and seasoned veterans keep the competition fierce and unpredictable.
Elina Svitolina, Ukraine’s top-ranked player and world No. 13, entered Cincinnati with high hopes of breaking an unfortunate streak against Czech opponent Barbora Krejčíková. The two had met twice before, including a memorable clash at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, with Krejčíková emerging victorious each time. This time, the script seemed poised for a rewrite when Svitolina stormed through the first set, winning 6-2 with her trademark aggression and precision. The Ukrainian served four aces and converted five of fourteen break points, showcasing her fighting spirit in the early stages of the match.
But as the contest wore on, Krejčíková, last year’s Wimbledon champion and currently ranked No. 80, ramped up her intensity and began to dictate the rallies. The Czech player’s experience and tactical acumen shone through, particularly as Svitolina began to make uncharacteristic errors. In a tightly contested second set, Krejčíková seized her opportunity, taking it 6-4. The third set saw Svitolina’s form dip further, with simple mistakes creeping into her game. Krejčíková capitalized, punishing every misstep and eventually sealing the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 after two hours and four minutes on court. This marked the third consecutive head-to-head victory for Krejčíková over Svitolina, a tough pill for the Ukrainian to swallow.
"Earlier, Elina lost twice to the opponent, most recently a year ago at the Olympics in Paris. This time, there was hope that Svitolina could break this unfortunate tradition. Especially after the first set, which the Ukrainian won quite confidently. However, things did not go according to the Ukrainian player's scenario," reported RBC Ukraine, capturing the sense of frustration felt by Svitolina and her supporters.
As Svitolina bowed out, attention turned to Marta Kostyuk, Ukraine’s second-ranked player, who had looked strong in her opening round, defeating German Tatjana Maria. However, a lingering right wrist injury sustained at the previous WTA 1000 tournament in Montreal forced her to withdraw ahead of a much-anticipated third-round clash with world No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Kostyuk addressed her withdrawal on Instagram, stating: "The wrist injury I got in Montreal has been a challenge for me the last few days. I did everything to be ready for the tournament in Cincinnati. With the help of my incredible team, I managed to get on the court and finish the first match. It was very important for me to compete despite the pain, but I have to listen to my body. I will focus on treatment, strengthening my health, and returning in good form." She added a message of gratitude: "Thank you, Cincinnati. See you, New York." Kostyuk now sets her sights on the US Open, which begins August 24.
With Svitolina and Kostyuk out, the Ukrainian flag in Cincinnati is carried solely by Dayana Yastremska, who advanced to the third round after a gritty 6-4, 2-6, 6-2 win over Bulgaria’s Viktoriya Tomova. Yastremska’s next challenge is a formidable one, as she faces the No. 2 seed and local favorite, Coco Gauff, on August 12. The matchup promises fireworks, with Gauff in strong form and eager to impress her home crowd.
For the American contingent, the Cincinnati Open has been a stage to shine. Coco Gauff, the 2023 US Open champion and youngest Cincinnati winner two years ago, overcame early serving woes to dispatch China’s Wang Xinyu 6-3, 6-2 in just 70 minutes. Gauff served eight double faults in her first three service games, but quickly found her rhythm and didn’t face a single break point in the second set. “It feels great to be back in Cincinnati,” Gauff said on court. “Obviously, two years ago I won, and it set me up for a great two weeks in New York [winning the US Open], so it means a lot to me, this tournament.”
Jessica Pegula, another top American and last year’s Cincinnati finalist, also advanced to the third round with a composed 6-4, 6-3 victory over Australia’s Kimberly Birrell. Pegula, currently ranked No. 4 in the world, continues to build on a stellar season, with only Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek having won more WTA matches this year. Her next opponent is Poland’s Magda Linette, who upset Slovakia’s Rebecca Sramkova to reach this stage.
Jasmine Paolini, the Italian No. 7 seed, added to the excitement with a dramatic win over Greece’s Maria Sakkari, prevailing in two tense tiebreak sets, 7-6(2), 7-6(5). Paolini, who captured her second WTA 1000 title in Rome earlier this year, continues to search for consistency after a rollercoaster season. “I think I’ve played a good season,” she told reporters. “Not like last year, last year was maybe more consistent every week. This year, there are more ups and downs. But still, I think my level is there, I just need to find the consistency in every tournament… to be focused in every tournament, to take some rest when I need it, to practice when I need it, and to step on court focused—I think that’s the key.”
The tournament has also seen its share of surprises. Emma Navarro, the No. 11 seed and daughter of tournament backer Ben Navarro, suffered a shock defeat to 20-year-old German qualifier Ella Seidel, 6-4, 1-6, 6-4. Seidel, ranked 125, recorded her first win over a Top 20 player, continuing a remarkable run through qualifying and into the main draw. Navarro’s early exit was a blow to the home crowd, especially given her family’s deep investment in the Cincinnati event.
Other notable results include Russian Veronika Kudermetova’s upset of Swiss 17th seed Belinda Bencic, and the progress of teenage American Iva Jovic, who stunned 20th seed Linda Noskova. The tournament, held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio, serves as a crucial warm-up for the US Open, with players fine-tuning their games and seeking momentum ahead of the year’s final Grand Slam.
As the action continues, all eyes will be on the remaining stars and emerging talents, each looking to make their mark before the bright lights of New York. For Ukraine, the hopes now rest with Yastremska, as she prepares for her toughest test yet against Coco Gauff. For the Americans and other international contenders, the Cincinnati Open remains wide open, with every match promising new twists and unforgettable moments.
With the tournament still unfolding and plenty of tennis yet to be played, fans can expect more upsets, comebacks, and headline-grabbing performances as the road to the US Open heats up in Cincinnati.
