Cincinnati Open: Sabalenka takes six match points to defeat Gibson

World number one Aryna Sabalenka needed six match points to subdue Talia Gibson and join reigning Grand Slam champions Elena Rybakina and Mirra Andreeva in the third round of the Cincinnati Masters.

Australia’s Gibson saved five match points in the 12th game of Sunday’s second set before Sabalenka came through in the tiebreaker, managing a final winner to get the job done 6-2, 7-6 (7/2) in just under two hours on a windswept Grandstand Court in the US state of Ohio.

“I’m super tired. This is crazy weather,” Sabalenka said. “Talia played great tennis and was more aggressive in the second set.

“She put more pressure on my service games. I’m glad I stayed calm and pulled it out in straight sets.”

Sabalenka won Cincinnati in 2024 and is hoping for a deep run to carry her into the US Open, where she’ll be seeking her first Grand Slam title of the year.

The Belarusian has won three titles in 2026 but none since Miami in March.

She advanced along with Australian Open winner Rybakina and Roland Garros champion Andreeva, who powered on in convincing style.

US hope Coco Gauff, seeded fourth, had to work harder for a 2-6, 6-4, 6-1 victory over 43rd-ranked Russian Liudmila Samsonova, and fellow American Ben Shelton – up to sixth in the world rankings after his Montreal Masters triumph last week – was sent packing by 79th- ranked Jaime Faria of Portugal.