Jannik Sinner, Sascha Zverev, Frances Tiafoe and Holger Rune will battle in Sunday’s semi-finals in Cincinnati after they progressed out of Saturday’s quarter-finals in Ohio.
Sinner was the first man to book his spot, avenging his loss in Montreal to Andrey Rublev with a hard-fought victory in very breezy conditions.
Sascha Zverev then had to deal with rain delays and Ben Shelton’s aggressive play to make his third consecutive semi-final in Cincy, where he’ll face Sinner.
In the later matches, Holger Rune proved too strong for Jack Draper, while Frances Tiafoe received a mid-match retirement as Hurkacz couldn’t continue after dropping the first set.
Full match stats and highlights from each quarter-final are below.
Cincinnati Open 2024 Quarter Final Results
| Winner | Loser | Scoreline |
|---|---|---|
| Jannik Sinner (1) | Andrey Rublev (6) | 4-6 7-5 6-4 |
| Alexander Zvverev | Ben Shelton (12) | 3-6 7-6(3) 7-5 |
| Frances Tiafoe | Hubert Hurkacz | 6-3 RET |
| Holger Rune (15) | Jack Draper | 6-4 6-2 |
Sinner Avenges Rublev Defeat
Jannik Sinner battled through harsh, windy conditions and an in-form Andrey Rublev on Saturday, landing a hard-earned 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 victory to advance to the semi-finals.
The Italian World No. 1, who had lost to Rublev in the quarter-finals in Montreal last week, found himself in trouble again in Ohio when he dropped the first set.
However, Sinner saved two critical break points while serving at 3-4 in the second set, a pivotal moment that shifted the momentum. He withstood a late surge from Rublev in the third set to book his spot in the last four.
In tricky conditions that weren’t conducive to the highest level of tennis, Rublev took control early, breaking Sinner’s serve twice to claim the first set.
Sinner responded by tightening his game, hitting 17 winners in the second set, while Rublev struggled, committing 20 unforced errors.
Sinner eventually gained an early break in the third set and, despite some late resistance from Rublev, served out the match on his second attempt after two hours and 25 minutes.
“It took a lot of mental strength today. It was very tough conditions, very windy. In the first set he started very well and I didn’t play my best tennis but in the second set, I felt I had a lot of chances. I waited for my chance. I am very happy to make the semis. Sinner on his win over Rublev.
Match Stats
| Jannik Sinner | Andrey Rublev | |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 10 | 4 |
| Double Faults | 5 | 7 |
| 1st Serve Percentage | 48% | 59% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 84% (36/43) | 65% (47/72) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 43% (20/47) | 40% (20/50) |
| Break Points Saved | 44% (4/9) | 63% (10/16) |
| 1st Return Points Won | 35% (25/72) | 16% (7/43) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 60% (30/50) | 57% (27/47) |
| Break Points Converted | 38% (6/16) | 56% (5/9) |
| Winners | 32 | 15 |
| Unforced Errors | 28 | 23 |
| Net Points Won | 87% (13/15) | 56% (5/9) |
| Max Points In Row | 8 | 6 |
| Service Points Won | 62% (56/90) | 55% (67/122) |
| Return Points Won | 45% (55/122) | 38% (34/90) |
| Total Points Won | 52% (111/212) | 48% (101/212) |
| Max Games In Row | 6 | 3 |
| Service Games Won | 69% (11/16) | 63% (10/16) |
| Return Games Won | 38% (6/16) | 31% (5/16) |
| Total Games Won | 53% (17/32) | 47% (15/32) |
Highlights
Zverev Sees Off Shelton
Alexander Zverev is closing in on the number 2 world ranking after seeing off Ben Shelton in a rain-affected match. The German came through a 3-6, 7-6(3), 7-5 victory on Saturday, and he’s into the semi-finals in Ohio for the third consecutive time.
Shelton’s game is highly effective on quick, hard courts, and Zverev had to dig deep against his powerful, aggressive play, retrieving the ball from deep behind the baseline.
The match was interrupted by rain twice, but Zverev was more consistent when it mattered; his serve is also a real weapon.
A few years ago, he was considered a sub-par server for a man of his height. While he still has those double-fault days, when he lands his first serve, it’s difficult to make any headway on return, as Shelton found out, winning just 19% of return points.
It was very difficult in the windy conditions when you don’t have any rhythm, and when someone’s serving like he does, it’s really tough to get into the games. The first set and a half I had no idea what I was doing, so I’m very happy I got there in the end. To be interrupted twice by rain in the third set, once at 3-4 and once at 4-5, with me serving both times, that isn’t easy. You want to be in a rhythm and that takes you out of your comfort zone. Zverev on dealing with the rain delays.
Match Stats
| Alexander Zverev | Ben Shelton | |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 10 | 14 |
| Double Faults | 8 | 4 |
| 1st Serve Percentage | 61% | 68% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 81% (44/54) | 73% (54/74) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 69% (24/35) | 57% (20/35) |
| Break Points Saved | 75% (3/4) | 88% (7/8) |
| 1st Return Points Won | 27% (20/74) | 19% (10/54) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 43% (15/35) | 31% (11/35) |
| Break Points Converted | 13% (1/8) | 25% (1/4) |
| Winners | 22 | 25 |
| Unforced Errors | 21 | 23 |
| Net Points Won | 73% (11/15) | 60% (18/30) |
| Max Points In Row | 5 | 8 |
| Service Points Won | 76% (68/89) | 68% (74/109) |
| Return Points Won | 32% (35/109) | 24% (21/89) |
| Total Points Won | 52% (103/198) | 48% (95/198) |
| Max Games In Row | 3 | 3 |
| Service Games Won | 94% (15/16) | 94% (16/17) |
| Return Games Won | 6% (1/17) | 6% (1/16) |
| Total Games Won | 48% (16/33) | 52% (17/33) |
Highlights
Rune Downs Draper
Holger Rune is into his first Masters 1000 semi-final of the season, efficiently dispatching Jack Draper with a 6-4, 6-2 victory in just one hour and 15 minutes.
Rune has had a lacklustre 12 months but has shown resilience this week. He neutralised Draper’s game effectively, converting all three break points he created and making nine unforced errors.
I said after the first round that I would need to get better to go deep and here I am playing some very, very good tennis. It’s just about the process and I’ve been working hard from the first match. The scoreboard was not really how it felt out there. I had to play some very aggressive tennis because Jack was going after it, especially in the second set. But I managed to stay tough and raise my level as well, so it was a great match from my side. Rune on his play in Cincinnati.
Match Stats
| Jack Draper | Holger Rune | |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 3 | 1 |
| Double Faults | 2 | 3 |
| 1st Serve Percentage | 49% | 52% |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 83% (19/23) | 80% (24/30) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 46% (11/24) | 57% (16/28) |
| Break Points Saved | 0% (0/3) | 100% (3/3) |
| 1st Return Points Won | 20% (6/30) | 17% (4/23) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 43% (12/28) | 54% (13/24) |
| Break Points Converted | 0% (0/3) | 100% (3/3) |
| Winners | 13 | 17 |
| Unforced Errors | 18 | 9 |
| Net Points Won | 73% (11/15) | 76% (13/17) |
| Max Points In Row | 7 | 7 |
| Service Points Won | 64% (30/47) | 69% (40/58) |
| Return Points Won | 31% (18/58) | 36% (17/47) |
| Total Points Won | 46% (48/105) | 54% (57/105) |
| Max Games In Row | 1 | 3 |
| Service Games Won | 67% (6/9) | 100% (9/9) |
| Return Games Won | 0% (0/9) | 33% (3/9) |
| Total Games Won | 33% (6/18) | 67% (12/18) |
Highlights
Tiafoe Tops Hobbled Hurkacz
Frances Tiafoe advanced to the Cincinnati Open semi-finals after Hubert Hurkacz was forced to retire due to a calf injury after the American had taken the first set 6-3.
Hurkacz, who had recently undergone meniscus surgery on July 15, struggled with his movement, and it was a bridge too far for the Pole, who also made the quarter-finals in Montreal despite his earlier prognosis suggesting he would be out for a couple of months.
After 2-all, I noticed he was a bit off. Coming back so quickly after surgery and making two quarter-finals [in Montreal and Cincinnati] shows what a great player he is. I hope he’ll be ready for the US Open. Tiafoe on Hurkacz’s injury.
Match Stats
| Hubert Hurkacz | Frances Tiafoe | |
|---|---|---|
| Aces | 3 | 4 |
| Double Faults | 1 | 0% |
| 1st Serve Percentage | 46% | 0.6 |
| 1st Serve Points Won | 58% (7/12) | 80% (12/15) |
| 2nd Serve Points Won | 57% (8/14) | 60% (6/10) |
| Break Points Saved | 50% (2/4) | 100% (2/2) |
| 1st Return Points Won | 20% (3/15) | 42% (5/12) |
| 2nd Return Points Won | 40% (4/10) | 43% (6/14) |
| Break Points Converted | 0% (0/2) | 50% (2/4) |
| Winners | 15 | 10 |
| Unforced Errors | 11 | 2 |
| Net Points Won | 100% (6/6) | 50% (3/6) |
| Max Points In Row | 0 | 1 |
| Service Points Won | 58% (15/26) | 72% (18/25) |
| Return Points Won | 28% (7/25) | 42% (11/26) |
| Total Points Won | 43% (22/51) | 57% (29/51) |
| Max Games In Row | 0 | 2 |
| Service Games Won | 60% (3/5) | 100% (4/4) |
| Return Games Won | 0% (0/4) | 40% (2/5) |
| Total Games Won | 33% (3/9) | 67% (6/9) |
Cincinnati Open 2024 Semi-Finals
- Jannik Sinner (1) vs Alexander Zverev (3)
- Frances Tiafoe vs Holger Rune (15)