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Auger-Aliassime, Diallo shine at Cincinnati Open

Avery — Sun, 10 Aug 2025 12:25:43 +0000

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriel Diallo advance to round three in Cincinnati; Leylah Fernandez exits, Victoria Mboko withdraws.

Canadians Impress in Cincinnati

Felix Auger-Aliassime and Gabriel Diallo have both advanced to the third round of the Cincinnati Open in men’s singles, marking a strong showing for Canada on Saturday. The tournament, part of the ATP Masters 1000 series, saw the pair overcome their opponents in straight sets, while Leylah Fernandez exited the women’s draw.

Strong Wins for Auger-Aliassime and Diallo

Auger-Aliassime, seeded 23rd, secured a 6-2, 7-6(3) victory over Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry. The 25-year-old from Montreal delivered 14 aces and 30 winners, saving all four break points he faced. It was his first win since Wimbledon, breaking a short losing streak.

Fellow Montrealer Gabriel Diallo, seeded 30th, defeated Argentina’s Sebastian Baez 7-5, 6-4. The 24-year-old struck nine aces and capitalized on four break opportunities, continuing his solid form after reaching the third round in Toronto last week.

Next Match Challenges

Diallo will now face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner of Italy, while Auger-Aliassime meets France’s Arthur Rinderknech. Both Canadians received byes into the second round, helping them conserve energy ahead of these key matches.

Fernandez Falls in Straight Sets

Leylah Fernandez, seeded 21st, was eliminated after a 6-3, 6-3 loss to Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro. The Laval, Que., native struggled to convert opportunities, extending her losing streak to two matches since winning the D.C. Open in July.

Doubles Success for Dabrowski

In women’s doubles, Ottawa’s Gabriela Dabrowski and New Zealand partner Erin Routliffe, seeded second, opened with a 7-5, 7-5 win over Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei and Japan’s Ena Shibahara. The duo’s consistent play has them among the favorites for the title.

Mboko Withdraws to Rest Injury

Victoria Mboko, fresh off her National Bank Open women’s singles title, withdrew from Cincinnati due to a right wrist injury. The 18-year-old, now ranked 24th in the world, is expected to return for the U.S. Open later this month, where she will be seeded in a Grand Slam for the first time.

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Venus Williams Earns Wild Card for Cincinnati Open

Avery — Thu, 24 Jul 2025 07:08:08 +0000

Veteran Star Continues Comeback with Cincinnati Opportunity
Tennis legend Venus Williams, 45, has received a wild-card entry into the 2025 Cincinnati Open, organizers confirmed Wednesday, July 23. This announcement follows her successful return to the court at the Mubadala Citi DC Open in Washington, D.C., marking her first tournament appearance in over a year.

Triumphant Return Sets the Stage
Williams made headlines Tuesday night after a straight-sets win over 23-year-old Peyton Stearns, defeating the rising American 6-3, 6-4. The match not only secured her a spot in the second round but also placed her in the history books as the second-oldest woman to win a tour-level singles match — behind Martina Navratilova’s 2004 victory at age 47.

Momentum Builds Ahead of U.S. Open Prep
Set to face Poland’s Magdalena Frech on Thursday, Williams is using the DC Open as a warm-up for the upcoming Cincinnati Open, which kicks off August 5. The Cincinnati event is a key hard-court lead-in to the U.S. Open, making her participation a critical move in her extended return to competitive tennis.

Strategic Wild Card Offers Fans More Venus Magic
Tournament officials awarded Williams the wild card based on her exceptional performance and enduring popularity. With seven Grand Slam singles titles — five at Wimbledon and two at the U.S. Open — plus 16 Grand Slam doubles and mixed doubles titles, Williams remains a beloved figure in global tennis, drawing fan enthusiasm and media attention.

Impact on Tennis and Inspiration Beyond the Court
Williams’ return brings renewed attention to longevity in sport and women’s tennis. Her performance and determination resonate beyond rankings, representing resilience and passion for the game. Her continued play not only excites fans but also boosts the visibility of WTA events heading into the 2025 U.S. Open.

Looking Ahead in Cincinnati
Alongside Williams, American player Caty McNally also received a wild card for the Cincinnati tournament. With McNally gaining prominence after taking a set off Wimbledon champion Iga Świątek, and Williams making a resurgent push, the Cincinnati Open promises a thrilling preview of tennis veterans and rising stars on North American courts.

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