Carlos Alcaraz navigated the stifling Cincinnati heat to reach the fourth round of the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open on Tuesday, delivering a straight-sets win over Hamad Medjedovic in 95 minutes. The world No. 2, chasing a strong 2025 run, took the match 6-4, 6-4, notching his 50th tour-level win of the year. He told reporters he aimed to move Medjedovic around since the Serb doesn’t like to run much, though the ball was flying and Medjedovic’s shots came at pace.
Alcaraz now advances to the round of 16 to face Luca Nardi, who swept Jakob Mensik aside before the Czech retired after 42 minutes with the Italian leading 6-2, 2-1.
In other men’s action, action was interrupted by weather. American Alexander Zverev led Brandon Nakashima 6-4, 5-4 when lightning halted play, forcing the night session to be suspended. Toronto finalist Ben Shelton also never took the court as rain postponed his match with Roberto Bautista Agut.
Elsewhere in the field, Karen Khachanov closed out Jenson Brooksby 6-3, 6-3, while Francisco Comesana fought off a rain-delayed start to edge Reilly Opelka in a long battle, 6-7 (4/7), 6-4, 7-5. Opelka, known for his heavy serve, fired 27 aces but endured almost 60 unforced errors as Comesana converted four of 13 break chances. Comesana moves on to meet Rublev, who defeated Alexei Popyrin 6-7 (5/7), 7-6 (7/5), 7-5.
In the women’s draw, Coco Gauff moved into the fourth round after Dayana Yastremska withdrew before their match with illness. The two-time Cincinnati finalist will await the winner of Jelena Ostapenko and Lucia Bronzetti. Jasmine Paolini, a Roland Garros and Wimbledon finalist last season, beat Ashlyn Krueger 7-6 (7/2), 6-1, while German qualifier Ella Seidel upset McCartney Kessler 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (8/6). Barbora Krejcikova outlasted American Iva Jovic 6-4, 3-6, 6-2.
What to watch next: Alcaraz keeps aiming for a deep run as he eyes crunch matches in the desert of the American summer swing, with Nardi awaiting after withdrawing Mensik. Rublev’s clash with Comesana looms as a potential highlight in the late rounds. On the women’s side, Gauff’s path opens wider thanks to Yastremska’s withdrawal, with Ostapenko or Bronzetti standing in the way of a deep Cincinnati run.
Summary: Carlos Alcaraz continued his strong 2025 form by reaching the Cincinnati fourth round with a straight-sets win, while weather interruptions reshaped several matches. Several seeds advanced in both draws, and a notable medical moment lingered in the Opelka-Cominga thriller. The tournament remains on track to deliver high drama as players push toward the US Open.
Positive angle: Alcaraz’s consistent form and his ability to win tight, physical matches under hot conditions underscore his readiness for the demanding late-summer schedule. The weather delays also highlighted the resilience and depth across both draws, with young players like Nardi, Seidel, and Paolini seizing opportunities as the season progresses toward the Grand Slams.