Cincinnati, August 19, 2026 (Yes Punjab News) — World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, fifth seed Mirra Andreeva and fourth seed Coco Gauff advanced to the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open with convincing victories on Tuesday.
Sabalenka needed just 54 minutes to dispatch Wang Xinyu 6-1, 6-3 and book her place in the Round of 16.
The victory saw Sabalenka reach the fourth round or better at 45 WTA 1000 events in her career, moving ahead of Karolina Pliskova for the most such appearances among active players.
She also recorded her 50th career win at WTA 1000 tournaments as the world No. 1. Sabalenka is only the third player since the format was introduced in 2009 to achieve the milestone, following Serena Williams, with 104 wins, and Iga Swiatek, with 58.
Andreeva, meanwhile, overcame a stern challenge from 32nd seed Janice Tjen before prevailing 6-1, 7-6(5) in one hour and 42 minutes.
The 19-year-old converted her fourth match point to seal the victory and reach the fourth round for the second time in Cincinnati. She had reached the quarterfinals in her only previous appearance at the tournament in 2024.
The win also marked Andreeva’s first back-to-back victories since she captured her maiden Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in June.
She will next face 10th seed Marta Kostyuk for the fourth time this season. Kostyuk leads their head-to-head record 2-1, although Andreeva won their most recent encounter in the Roland Garros semifinals.
Fourth seed and 2023 Cincinnati champion Coco Gauff also advanced after defeating fellow American Ann Li 6-1, 7-6(3).
The victory took Gauff into the fourth round of a WTA 1000 event for the 36th time in her career, including six appearances this season.
Among active players competing in Cincinnati, only Sabalenka and Pliskova, with 44 each, along with Elina Svitolina and Swiatek, with 43 and 38 respectively, and Jessica Pegula, with 38, have reached more WTA 1000 fourth rounds.
Gauff will next meet Marie Bouzkova, who advanced after defeating Iva Jovic.
The Cincinnati Open continues to provide crucial preparation ahead of the US Open, with several of the world’s leading players battling for momentum in the final major tournament of the North American hard-court swing.
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