Félix Auger-Aliassime is back in the Cincinnati Open round of 16 after winning via retirement, 7-6(4), 4-2 over Arthur Rinderknech on Monday.
It is the first time Auger-Aliassime has reached the round of 16 of an ATP Masters 1000 event since the 2024 edition of the tournament.
The Canadian No. 1 was solid on both serve and return, winning 87 per cent of his first-serve points while holding eleven break points in the match, converting on two. The 24-year-old also had the same number of winners and unforced errors with 19 each.
Auger-Aliassime put Rinderknech under quite a bit of pressure on serve early on. In the third game, the Canadian held two break points but the Frenchman battled through an over ten-minute game to eventually hold. Then at 2-2, 15-40, the Montrealer held double break point but was unable to convert once again.
That was the last break point either player faced for the remainder of the set as a combined three service points were dropped until the tiebreak.
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Auger-Aliassime managed the early mini-break but was broken back, losing both points on serve as Rinderknech later took a 3-1 lead. However, the Canadian No. 1 dominated the rest of the way, winning six of the next seven points to take the opener.
In between sets, Rinderknech took an over eight-minute toilet break that put a dent into Auger-Aliassime’s momentum heading into the second set.
The Canadian was broken in the first game but, undeterred, the world No. 28 levelled the set in the fourth game with a break of his own after holding four break points. Following the game, the French No. 9 looked to be struggling with an illness as the 30-year-old needed a timeout before continuing in the match.
Auger-Aliassime took the lead with a hold in the fifth game and followed that up with a break to go up 4-2. Rinderknech then opted to retire due to an illness.
The Montrealer awaits the winner of Stefanos Tsitsipas and Benjamin Bonzi in the fourth round.
Diallo Eliminated By Top Seed Sinner in Cincinnati
Gabriel Diallo was unable to overcome the tough task of world No. 1 Jannik Sinner, losing 6-2, 7-6(6) in the Cincinnati Open third round on Monday.
Both players battled through a lighting and fire alarm delay but Sinner wrapped up the match in just under two hours.
The big-serving Montrealer wasn’t at his best on serve, finishing with just as many doubles faults as aces with ten, while being broken four times. The 23-year-old also struggled with minimizing his unforced errors as he finished with 51.
Diallo got off to an ideal start against the four-time major winner. The Canadian saved a break point to hold in his opening service game then managed to break to lead 2-0.
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However, Sinner found another gear, winning twelve of the next 13 points to level the set at 2-2 and hold a double break point at 15-40 in the fifth game. Diallo was able to save both but was eventually broken after committing his third double fault of the evening.
Diallo’s service troubles continued as his double fault count hit eight, already surpassing his ATP career-high tally of six. Sinner later had the opportunity to serve out the set at 5-2 and the 23-year-old did exactly that, fending off two break points.
The Canadian served better to begin the second, winning 88 per cent of his first-serve points and recording three aces in his first four service games. On return, Diallo didn’t hold a break point over that same span despite Sinner only making 38 per cent of his first serves.
The set’s first break point came at 5-5, 30-40, but Diallo fired three-consecutive unreturned serves to hold. A love hold by Sinner then forced a tiebreak.
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From 0-2 down, the Montrealer won four-straight points to lead at the changeover. Sinner levelled and, at 5-5, the Italian hit his backhand into the net to allow Diallo to serve for the set. However, the world No. 1 painted the baseline with his return to even it at 6-6.
Then, at 7-6, it was Sinner’s chance to seal the tiebreak, and the match, on serve. The Innichen-native placed his first delivery out of Diallo’s reach to book his place into the fourth round and extend his hard court win streak to 23.
Feature Photo: Peter Power
