Aryna Sabalenka and Alexander Zverev start Cincinnati campaigns with convincing wins

Aryna Sabalenka enhanced her record in opening matches at the Cincinnati Masters on a cloudy Thursday by defeating Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto with a score of 6-3, 6-4, while the men's second seed, Alexander Zverev, also progressed in the tournament.

As the third seed, Sabalenka, who was sidelined from Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics due to a shoulder injury, has now achieved victory in six of her last seven opening matches at this American Midwest venue, which serves as a preparatory event for the US Open.

Sabalenka's advancement came as rain loomed after three days of sunny weather, concluding the match on her third match point, marking her 15th win in Cincinnati.

"I am pleased with my performance during challenging moments," stated the victor. "Elisabetta is a tough competitor who fought until the very end."

Cocciaretto received treatment for a left hip issue midway through the second set and was attended to by the trainer for a thigh tape adjustment during changeovers.

Zverev managed to avoid the rain late in the second set before securing his 50th match victory of the season, the highest in the ATP.

The German player, who claimed the title here in 2021 after initially losing his first six matches at this venue, advanced to the third round with a score of 6-3, 6-2 against Karen Khachanov.

This victory, which took 76 minutes, mirrored the outcome of the Tokyo Olympic final that Zverev won.

Khachanov recorded 26 unforced errors in his defeat against a long-standing rival, now trailing Zverev 5-2 in their head-to-head encounters.

Zverev, who admitted to feeling unwell last week in Montreal despite reaching the quarterfinals, expressed that his current form has significantly improved.

"I felt good on the court. When you feel well in practice, it is easier to translate that into matches," he remarked. "I just hope my performance continues to improve. I am pleased with today's win."

Zverev could not pinpoint the reasons behind his successful run in 2023, stating, "It has simply been a good year, although I have also faced some challenging losses."

Pablo Carreno Busta of Spain is set to face the German player next, following his victory over Australian Max Purcell with a score of 6-3, 6-3.

Fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz, who made an unexpected return to competition after undergoing knee surgery in July, successfully won his opening match against Yoshihito Nishioka, finishing with scores of 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-1.

The Polish player engaged in a match lasting over two hours, delivering 16 aces while saving 17 out of 19 break points against his Japanese rival.

Hurkacz will aim for a place in the quarter-finals as he prepares to compete against Italian Flavio Cobolli, who progressed after his compatriot Luca Darderi retired while trailing 7-6(4), 3-1 due to illness.

In the WTA draw, Elena Rybakina faced disappointment in her first match since Wimbledon, losing to Canadian Leylah Fernandez with scores of 3-6, 7-6(3), 6-4, as Fernandez saved two match points in a surprising upset against the fourth seed.

Rybakina, who was unable to participate in the Paris Games due to acute bronchitis, struggled with 17 double faults, including on match points, and despite hitting 20 aces, she could not secure a victory.

Elina Svitolina, a semi-finalist at this event nine years ago, defeated Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro with a score of 6-4, 6-1 and will next face Aryna Sabalenka.

Sabalenka has triumphed in their last two encounters, which included a quarter-final match at Roland Garros in 2023 and a three-set match in Rome three months prior.

In a surprising turn, newly naturalized Armenian Elina Avanesyan, who recently switched her tennis nationality, achieved a remarkable comeback against eighth seed Jelena Ostapenko, winning 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.