CINCINNATI — Jannik Sinner overcame power outages and persistent distractions to defeat Gabriel Diallo 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open.
The top-seeded defending champion faced a resilient Canadian ranked 35th, who struggled with eight double faults and 49 unforced errors throughout the match against one of the world’s best.
After an early break deficit, Sinner regained control and battled through a tense second-set tiebreak, saving a set point before sealing the win with an ace on match point, advancing to the fourth round.
Play was briefly halted at 4-2 in the first set when the electronic line-calling system’s audio malfunctioned. Both players had also contended with flickering LED screens courtside earlier.
Despite the technical issues, the competitors agreed to continue without the system, relying on the chair umpire to relay calls from his tablet as a reboot was performed. This minor glitch came two hours after a widespread power outage paused all play at the venue for 75 minutes.
Shortly after Sinner took a 1-0 lead in the second set, play was again interrupted by a stadium alarm, which blared faintly in the background before eventually being silenced.
Unfazed, Sinner maintained focus and secured his 23rd consecutive hardcourt victory in under two hours. “It was a very difficult day at the office,” the Italian said according to AFP. “You have to find the balance against these big servers. I struggled with that at times.
“But I need tough matches like this, I’m happy I got one before the Grand Slam… I’m happy about today, but I know I can do things better.”
US fourth seed Taylor Fritz endured a one-hour delay after the first set before defeating Lorenzo Sonego 7-6 (7/4), 7-5 for a 21st win in 25 matches.
“I can play better, but there has been no time to really train and get ready,” Fritz said. “I’m looking forward to fine tuning the week before the US Open.”
Compatriot Frances Tiafoe advanced past Ugo Humbert of France 6-4, 6-4 in 82 minutes and lines up next against Holger Rune, who beat Alex Michelsen 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.
In the WTA event, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka fought through a three-hour battle to hold off an inspired Emma Raducanu 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 7-6 (7/5) for a fourth-round spot in a repeat of a victory from the Wimbledon third round in July.
Defending champion Sabalenka endured a struggle but finished with two aces in the closing stages.
“I’m happy to get through this difficult match,” Sabalenka said. “I need time to recover from such a great battle.”
British No 1 Raducanu survived a 25-minute eighth game of the final set, which went to 13 deuces, with Raducanu saving four break points before finally holding for 4-all and eventually into a tiebreaker.
Sabalenka squeezed out victory with a sixth ace for 5-4 in the breaker and delivered her seventh on her second match point to win in three hours and nine minutes.
“It was all about momentum,” Sabalenka said. “I took some risks at the end, went for crazy shots, went to the net.”
Sabalenka is bidding for her 10th trophy at the 1000 level and second this season after winning at Madrid.
“I can take lessons from this,” Raducanu said. “With work and practice I think I can hold my level higher for longer.
“She’s world No 1 for a reason. We had a three-hour match and I felt pretty good out there for the most part.”
Raducanu was called out by the chair umpire on unauthorized conversations with new Spanish coach Francisco Roig.
Australian Open champion Madison Keys lost just four games in defeating Japan’s Aoi Ito.
Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro ousted American wild card Taylor Townsend 6-4, 6-1 and faces Sabalenka on Wednesday.
