Atmane shocks Fritz to reach Cincinnati quarterfinals, set for Rune showdown

Atmane shocks Fritz to reach Cincinnati quarterfinals, set for Rune showdown

Atmane storms into Cincinnati Open quarterfinals with upset of Fritz, set to face Rune

Mason, Ohio — Terence Atmane, the 23-year-old Frenchman, reached the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals by stunning fourth seed Taylor Fritz in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 comeback on Thursday. The history-making win came after a dramatic first round, where Atmane edged Flavio Cobolli in three sets and even donned a Cincinnati Reds jersey for fan selfies at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.

The victory guarantees Atmane a spot in the quarterfinals on Center Court for Aug. 14 night session, where he will face No. 7 seed Holger Rune, World No. 9. It’s a matchup that caps a whirlwind week for the 136th-ranked entrant who has climbed to No. 93 in the ATP rankings, his first time breaking into the Top 100.

Atmane’s run marks several milestones: he is the first Frenchman to reach Cincinnati’s quarterfinals since 2019, and his progression makes him the fourth-lowest-ranked player to reach the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1000 event since it became Masters 1000 in 1990.

“Work, work, work. I think there are no secrets about it. I think I’m doing a good job with my coaches right now and I have a great team around me,” Atmane told The Tennis Channel after the Fritz victory. “What a week, huh? Absolutely crazy.” He also joked about learning baseball rules, saying he’ll pick them up as soon as he lands in New York for the U.S. Open.

A Cincinnati moment

Atmane’s Cincinnati debut has been a breakout moment. He celebrated Fritz’s loss with a forehand winner, tossing his racket in triumph and covering his mouth in disbelief, a reaction that captured the excitement surrounding his unlikely run.

Outlook

If Atmane can build on this momentum, his rapid rise could carry into the U.S. Open and beyond. His fresh Top 100 status and ongoing confidence boost from bold upsets position him as one of the week’s notable stories, with plenty of eyes on how far he can push the highest-ranked players in the draw.

Notes and context for readers

– This week’s performance marks a significant leap for Atmane, who arrived in Mason with just five tour-level wins and leaves with nine.
– His ascent to No. 93 marks a first-time break into the ATP Top 100, signaling potential for continued impact on hard courts this season.
– The upcoming match against Rune is a high-stakes test, but it also offers a platform to showcase Atmane’s growth against one of the tour’s rising stars.

Summary

French standout Terence Atmane has delivered a breakthrough Cincinnati run by defeating Taylor Fritz to reach the quarterfinals, where he will face Holger Rune. The emotional and symbolic moment — including his Reds jersey moment and the fan engagement — underscores a season turning point as he climbs into the ATP Top 100 for the first time. If he can continue to ride this momentum, Atmane could become a notable rising name heading toward the US Open and the late-season swing.

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