Sabalenka Survives Gibson, Reaches Cincinnati Open Third Round

Sabalenka survived a tense Cincinnati match, needing six match points to edge Talia Gibson 6-2, 7-6 (2) on a windswept Grandstand Court and advance to the third round. She joined reigning Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Mirra Andreeva, who also progressed in straight sets, as the event pushed toward a strong buildup to the US Open. Sabalenka acknowledged the weather and said Gibson’s aggression in the second set amplified the pressure, but she kept calm to finish in a tiebreak. Rybakina, coming off a Toronto final, defeated Taylor Townsend 6-3, 6-4, while Andreeva overwhelmed her opponent 6-1, 6-0, continuing their championship-form runs. The day also featured Swiatek, the defending champion, cruising past Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-0, and other notable results shaping the tournament’s competitive landscape. Overall, Sabalenka’s resilience underscored her status as a top contender as Cincinnati rounds into its deeper rounds ahead of the US Open, with several top seeds balancing form and pressure.