Cincinnati Open: Zverev advances as Williams sisters’ doubles reunion ends in defeat
Serena and Venus Williams lose to Stearns and Kostyuk in three sets, marking their first doubles appearance together since the 2022 US Open.
Top seed Alexander Zverev secured his 46th victory of the campaign, a season-best tally, by defeating Terrance Atmane in straight sets to reach the fourth round of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Masters. The German star, who claimed the Roland Garros title and finished as Wimbledon runner-up earlier this year, overcame the aggressive baseline play of the Frenchman, a 2025 Cincinnati semifinalist, with scores of 7-6 (7/4) and 7-6 (8/6). Zverev concluded the match with a precise backhand down the line, noting that Atmane’s intensity made it difficult to impose his own aggressive style.
In the women’s doubles, the reunion of Venus and Serena Williams ended in elimination after they lost to Payton Stearns and Marta Kostyuk. The sisters, who hold 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals together, were side-by-side for the first time since the 2022 US Open. Their partnership, originally scheduled for Wimbledon but delayed due to a knee injury sustained by Serena, concluded with a 6-2, 1-6, 10-8 defeat. The match featured a dramatic third set where the Williams sisters rallied from 8-2 down in the tie-breaker before falling on a double fault by Venus.
Serena Williams, 44, described the event as a “limited-time attraction” focused on enjoyment rather than competitive success. She stated she did not enter the tournament with the aim of winning, emphasising the special nature of returning to the court with her sister after a four-year absence. The sisters lost six of the final seven games in the first set but dominated the second before the tight finish in the decider.
Alex de Minaur advanced past Arthur Fery despite significant weather interruptions and a second-set deficit. The Australian fifth seed led 5-1 in the second set after a 30-minute rain stoppage before Fery erased the advantage. De Minaur ultimately won the tie-break 7-3 to secure a 7-5, 7-6 (7-3) victory, despite committing 29 unforced errors. He expressed satisfaction with his ability to find a way through the disruptions, noting he could not recall a match with so many start-stop intervals.
Other notable results included victories for Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, and Jesica Pegula. Rybakina overcame two one-hour rain delays to defeat Magdalena Frech 6-4, 7-6 (7-2). Swiatek, the defending champion, recovered from losing the first set to beat Maria Sakkari 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, while Pegula defeated Emma Navarro 7-5, 6-2. In the men’s draw, Rafael Jodar defeated Alejandro Tabilo 6-2, 6-1, and Thiago Tirante, who had previously eliminated Novak Djokovic, beat Martin Landaluce in straight sets.
