Sabalenka, Andreeva, Gauff reach Cincinnati Open fourth round
Synopsis
Sabalenka needed just 54 minutes to dispatch Wang Xinyu and become only the third player — after Serena Williams and Iga Swiatek — to record 50 WTA 1000 wins as world No. 1. Andreeva ended a post-Roland Garros winless streak, while defending champion Gauff moved to her 36th career WTA 1000 fourth round.
Key Takeaways
Aryna Sabalenka beat Wang Xinyu 6-1, 6-3 in 54 minutes to reach the Cincinnati Open fourth round on 19 August .
Sabalenka now has 50 WTA 1000 wins as world No.
1 — only Serena Williams (104) and Iga Swiatek (58) have more since 2009.
Mirra Andreeva defeated Janice Tjen 6-1, 7-6(5) in 1 hr 42 mins ; her next opponent is Marta Kostyuk .
Andreeva's win is her first back-to-back victory since her Roland Garros title in June 2026 .
Coco Gauff beat Ann Li 6-1, 7-6(3) and will face Marie Bouzkova in the fourth round.
Gauff has now reached 36 WTA 1000 fourth rounds in her career, including six this season.
Aryna Sabalenka dismantled Wang Xinyu 6-1, 6-3 in a clinical 54-minute display on 19 August to advance to the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open, extending her dominance at the WTA's premier tier. The world number one was barely tested, converting the win into another landmark in an already record-breaking career.
Sabalenka Rewrites WTA 1000 History
The victory was Sabalenka's 50th career win at WTA 1000 events as world No. 1 — a feat achieved by only three players since the format was introduced in 2009. She joins Serena Williams (104 wins) and Iga Swiatek (58 wins) in that exclusive club. The win also pushed her to 45 WTA 1000 Round of 16 appearances or better, moving her past Karolina Pliskova for the most among active players.
Andreeva Grinds Through After Roland Garros Glory
No. 5 seed Mirra Andreeva needed 1 hour and 42 minutes to see off No. 32 seed Janice Tjen 6-1, 7-6(5), converting her fourth match point to close out a stern second set. The contrasting sets underlined just how hard-fought the win was, despite the scoreline suggesting a comfortable outing.
For Andreeva, the win carries added significance — it is her first run of consecutive victories since claiming her maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in June. She had reached the quarterfinals in Cincinnati during her only prior appearance at the tournament in 2024. Next up for Andreeva is No. 10 seed Marta Kostyuk, who leads their head-to-head 2-1 this year, though Andreeva won their most recent clash in the Roland Garros semifinals.
Gauff Marches On as 2023 Champion
No. 4 seed and defending 2023 champion Coco Gauff also punched her ticket to the fourth round, defeating fellow American Ann Li 6-1, 7-6(3). The win takes Gauff to her 36th career WTA 1000 fourth round, including six this season alone. Among active players competing in Cincinnati singles, only Sabalenka (44), Pliskova (44), Elina Svitolina (43), Swiatek (38), and Jessica Pegula (38) have reached that stage more often.
Gauff will face Marie Bouzkova in the fourth round after Bouzkova defeated Iva Jovic.
What's Next
With three of the tour's biggest names advancing without major disruption, the Cincinnati Open is shaping up for a blockbuster second week. The Andreeva-Kostyuk clash promises to be the standout fourth-round fixture, given their charged rivalry this season.
Point of View
She is now in territory occupied only by Williams and Swiatek, two of the sport's all-time greats. Andreeva's progression matters beyond the scoreline: her inability to string consecutive wins post-Roland Garros had quietly become a talking point, and Cincinnati may be the reset she needed. Gauff, meanwhile, is quietly building one of the most consistent WTA 1000 records of her generation, yet the conversation rarely starts with her — a gap between her results and her narrative that the sport has not fully reckoned with.
NationPress
19 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did Sabalenka perform in her Cincinnati Open third-round match?
Aryna Sabalenka beat Wang Xinyu 6-1, 6-3 in just 54 minutes on 19 August to advance to the fourth round. It was a dominant display that required minimal effort from the world No. 1.
What record did Sabalenka set at the Cincinnati Open?
Sabalenka reached 50 WTA 1000 wins as world No. 1, making her only the third player to achieve that milestone since the format began in 2009, after Serena Williams (104) and Iga Swiatek (58). She also surpassed Karolina Pliskova for the most WTA 1000 Round of 16 appearances among active players, with 45.
How did Mirra Andreeva win her third-round match?
Andreeva defeated No. 32 seed Janice Tjen 6-1, 7-6(5) in 1 hour and 42 minutes, converting her fourth match point to close out the second set. It was her first run of consecutive wins since her Roland Garros title in June 2026.
Who does Coco Gauff face in the Cincinnati Open fourth round?
Gauff will face Marie Bouzkova, who beat Iva Jovic. Gauff reached the fourth round by defeating fellow American Ann Li 6-1, 7-6(3).
Who does Mirra Andreeva play next at the Cincinnati Open?
Andreeva will face No. 10 seed Marta Kostyuk in the fourth round. Kostyuk leads their head-to-head 2-1 this year, though Andreeva won their most recent encounter in the Roland Garros semifinals.
