China Open—Beijing, China
Sinner Books Quarterfinal Spot in Beijing; Rune Reaches Final Eight in Tokyo
World No. 1 and two-time Major winner Jannik Sinner advanced to the quarterfinals of the China Open on Saturday, defeating Roman Safiullin 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
After dropping the first set, Sinner stormed back to dispatch his lucky loser opponent in two hours and 21 minutes.
Slamming four aces and hitting 25 winners, Sinner broke the serve of his Russian opponent on four occasions.
The 23-year-old Italian will next face Jiri Lehecka for a place in the semifinals. Lehecka ousted veteran Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6, 6-2, 6-1 earlier in the day.
Other winners on the day included Flavio Cobolli over Pavel Kotov 6-4, 6-2.
Cobolli will await the winner of tonight’s encounter featuring No. 3 seed Daniil Medvedev vs. Adrian Mannarino.
Sabalenka Reaches Round of 32
On the women’s side, three-time Grand Slam winner Aryna Sabalenka coasted into the round of 32 after defeating Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4, 6-1.
Sabalenka, who has cemented herself as the best hard-court player on Tour, added three aces and won 75 percent of her first serve points won during the one hour and 16 minute contest.
The Belarusian will next face Ashlyn Krueger for a quarterfinal birth.
Other winners on the day saw No. 3 seed Jasmine Paolini, No. 5 seed Qinwen Zheng, No. 9 seed Daria Kasatkina, No. 11 seed Liudmila Samsonova, No. 13 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia and No. 18 seed Madison Keys all reached the round of 32.
Reigning Wimbledon winner Barbora Krejcikova was defeated by Jaqueline Cristian 1-6, 6-4, 7-5.
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Kinoshita Group Japan Open Tennis Championships—Tokyo, Japan
No. 6 seed Holger Rune reached the quarterfinals of the Japan Open on Saturday, ousting home-country favourite Yoshihito Nishioka 6-2, 6-4.
Rune, who has been struggling this year to find his top form, will take on another Japanese star in Kei Nishokori in the next round.
Nishikori dismissed Jordan Thompson 6-2, 6-3 earlier in the day.
Rune added 11 aces, 26 winners and won six points at net during the one hour and eight minute affair.
Other results on Saturday saw No. 5 seed Tommy Paul crash out of the event. The American was defeated by Czechia’s Tomas Machac 2-6, 6-3, 7-6(4). Machac needed two hours and 35 minutes to advance.
Other results on the day saw Alex Michelsen dismiss fellow qualifier Christopher O’Connell 6-1, 6-4 in just under 80 minutes.
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