Paul Stuns Zverev, Bejlek Upsets Sabalenka as Cincinnati Quarterfinals Take Form

The high seeds on each the boys’s and girls’s facet went dwelling inside hours of one another Wednesday, as Tommy Paul knocked off Alexander Zverev, saving a match level alongside the best way, and Sara Bejlek upset world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, headlining a Day 9 on the Cincinnati Open that reshaped each attracts heading into the quarterfinals — the ultimate Masters 1000-level tune-up earlier than the U.S. Open.

Paul saved a match level within the second-set tiebreak earlier than rallying to beat Zverev 4-6, 7-6(6), 6-4, bettering to 3-1 in his profession towards the German. The American mentioned a rain delay at 4-all labored in his favor.

“At that 4-all game, it might have helped me a little bit — just that little break, and then I got that double break,” Paul informed Tennis Channel. “For the most part, I thought I played a pretty solid match.”

Paul credited a sport plan constructed round attacking Zverev’s second serve. “His first serve is undeniably one of the best on tour,” he mentioned. “But I think taking advantage of the second serve — I try to make him a little uncomfortable, changing my court position … trying to extend points and make him run a lot.”

On the ladies’s facet, Bejlek’s win over world No. 1 Sabalenka — a late-night match that began at 10:15 p.m. and stretched previous midnight — was the largest shock of the event to date, whereas No. 5 Mirra Andreeva additionally fell, to Marta Kostyuk, 4-6, 6-0, 6-2.

It’s Paul’s first Cincinnati quarterfinal, the place he’ll face Flavio Cobolli, who outlasted Twelfth-seeded Rafael Jódar 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 in a match nearing three hours. “Sometimes I have to remind myself that I’m really good,” Cobolli mentioned afterward. “I had a great match today, a great level for almost three hours with one of the best right now on tour.”

Elsewhere, Arthur Fils upset fifth-seeded Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-4 and can face Thiago Agustín Tirante, who surprised 14th-seeded Jakub Menšík 5-7, 6-4, 6-4 for his first profession Masters 1000 quarterfinal berth. It capped a breakout week for Tirante, who additionally upset Novak Djokovic within the second spherical. Tirante started the 12 months ranked outdoors the highest 100. “I started the year at 104, 105 … the goal was to finish the year in the top 70,” he informed Tennis Channel. “Now I think I have to think about it again with my team.”

Iga Świątek reached the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-3 win over Diane Parry and can meet No. 2 Elena Rybakina, who beat Diana Shnaider 6-4, 6-4. Świątek pointed to a psychological reset since Wimbledon.

“I needed that week after Wimbledon where I just didn’t see a tennis court and could relax and live a different life a little bit,” she mentioned. “When I came back on court I came back much fresher … I feel good with my game and with my mentality on court.”

Jessica Pegula outlasted Sorana Cîrstea 6-4, 4-6, 7-5 in windy circumstances and can face Amanda Anisimova, a 6-1, 6-4 winner over Linda Nosková, for a semifinal spot. Coco Gauff and Madison Keys additionally superior and await Marta Kostyuk and Sara Bejlek, respectively, in matchups but to be scheduled.

Cincinnati Open quarterfinals (all instances ET):

• Tommy Paul [18] vs. Flavio Cobolli [7] — not earlier than 3 p.m., P&G Center Court
• Thiago Agustín Tirante vs. Arthur Fils [21] — not earlier than 8:30 p.m., P&G Center Court
• Taylor Fritz [6] vs. Brandon Nakashima [27] — time TBD
• Lorenzo Musetti [10] vs. Frances Tiafoe [17] — time TBD
• Amanda Anisimova [9] vs. Jessica Pegula [3] — not earlier than 1 p.m., P&G Center Court
• Iga Świątek [7] vs. Elena Rybakina [2] — not earlier than 7 p.m., P&G Center Court
• Sara Bejlek vs. Madison Keys [20] — time TBD
• Coco Gauff [4] vs. Marta Kostyuk [10] — time TBD

Times are topic to vary.