French Open champion Alexander Zverev survives third-round scare in opposition to Terrance Atmane whereas Venus and Serena Williams lose on their doubles return.
Printed On 18 Aug 2026
Prime seed Alexander Zverev battled into the fourth spherical of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters on Monday whereas Serena and Venus Williams misplaced of their first doubles match collectively in 4 years.
German star Zverev, who gained Roland Garros and completed Wimbledon runner-up this 12 months, gained his ATP season-best forty sixth match of the marketing campaign by defeating Terrance Atmane 7-6 (7/4), 7-6 (8/6).
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Zverev completed off the Frenchman, a 2025 Cincinnati semifinalist, with a scorching backhand down the road.
“He was taking part in extremely aggressively, hitting forehands all around the court docket,” mentioned Zverev. “He made it troublesome so that you can play aggressive your self.”
The Williams sisters, with 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals collectively, have been side-by-side for the primary time for the reason that 2022 US Open however misplaced to American Payton Stearns and Marta Kostyuk of Ukraine 6-2, 1-6, 10-8.
“It was enjoyable and particular. We kicked off a bit rust,” Serena Williams mentioned. “I didn’t come right here to win this match. It’s about having enjoyable and I did need to do the perfect I might.”
The siblings every misplaced serve as soon as within the first set and misplaced six of the ultimate seven video games, however dominated the second set and rallied from 8-2 down within the 10-point tie-breaker third set solely to fall on a Venus double fault.
“It was bizarre to be in a full stadium. This isn’t my typical Monday evening,” mentioned Serena, who famous the reunion is a limited-time attraction.
“This isn’t ceaselessly. It’s… not lengthy,” she mentioned. “We don’t should play each week. It’s a bit totally different.”
Males’s fifth seed Alex de Minaur battled by means of a number of rain interruptions to defeat Arthur Fery 7-5, 7-6 (7/3). The Australian was up a set and 5-1 after a 30-minute stoppage earlier than Wimbledon semifinalist Fery caught hearth, however he took the tie-break to advance regardless of 29 unforced errors.
“You by no means need to go right into a rain delay main 5-1,” he mentioned. “It was a tricky day with all of the interruptions. I can’t keep in mind a match that began and stopped so many occasions. I’m proud of how I discovered a method.”
He subsequent faces France’s Arthur Fils, who dumped Czech ninth seed Jiri Lehecka 6-1, 6-7 (7/9), 6-3.
Spanish teen Rafael Jodar dominated Alejandro Tabilo of Chile 6-2, 6-1 and subsequent faces Roland Garros finalist Flavio Cobolli.
The Italian rallied from a break down within the third set to beat Alexander Blockx 7-5, 4-6, 7-5.
“A Masters 1000 is one thing I dreamed of as a child,” Twelfth-seeded Jodar mentioned. “I’m grateful for the place I’m in now.”
Argentinian Thiago Tirante, who ousted Novak Djokovic within the second spherical, defeated Spain’s Martin Landaluce 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/4).
‘A loopy day’
Two-time Grand Slam champion Elena Rybakina shook off two one-hour rain stoppages to beat Magdalena Frech 6-4, 7-6 (7/2).
“It was a loopy day, to be sincere, popping out each time into clouds and humidity,” Rybakina mentioned. “I used to be on high of the ball within the tie-break nevertheless it was a troublesome one.
“I had the alternatives on the three match factors however if you end up drained it’s troublesome to maintain focus.”
There have been additionally wins for Iga Swiatek and match quantity three Jesica Pegula.
Former world primary and defending champion Swiatek was carried out hours earlier than the poor climate, turning the tables after shedding the primary set in defeating Maria Sakkari 4-6, 6-1, 6-1.
Pegula, a 2024 finalist, dispatched US compatriot Emma Navarro 7-5, 6-2, ending with an ace.
