Cincinnati, August 13, 2025 — Italy kept a strong showing alive at the Western & Southern Open as three Italian players advanced to the round of 16. Luca Nardi, Jasmine Paolini and Lucia Bronzetti all moved through on Tuesday, while Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz were also in action on the schedule, with Alcaraz’s win setting up a high-profile clash against Nardi.
Luca Nardi earns round of 16 spot after late drama
– Nardi, who came through qualifying as a lucky loser, benefited from Jakub Mensik’s withdrawal while leading 6-2, 2-1. The heat and demanding conditions were a talking point around the grounds, but Nardi pressed on.
– He now faces Carlos Alcaraz, the second seed, who defeated Novak… er, Medjedovic 6-4, 6-4. Nardi’s post-match comments reflected a mix of relief and focus: “I got a little lucky losing in the second qualifying round, but now I’m just trying to enjoy the moment. The heat doesn’t help anyone, but I like the courts, and the ball bounces high, just the way I like it.”
Paolini survives a tough test to reach last 16
– Jasmine Paolini fought back to defeat American Kruger 7-6(5), 6-1, pulling away in a first-set breaker after four breaks and saving set points at 6-5. She’ll take on Krejcikova in the next round.
Bronzetti keeps good momentum, advances to face a big name
– Lucia Bronzetti also booked a place in the round of 16 with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-4 win over Jelena Ostapenko. Bronzetti moved ahead early in the decider, endured a comeback from Ostapenko, and closed out in the ensuing game. She now meets Coco Gauff, the American and No. 2 seed, in the next round.
Timeouts and looming matchups
– On the men’s side, Jannik Sinner, the world No. 1, is scheduled to play Adrian Mannarino on Wednesday evening. In the round of 16, Paolini will face Krejcikova, Bronzetti will attempt to upset Gauff, and Nardi will square off with Alcaraz, who is bidding to extend his Doha form into Cincinnati.
What this means for Italy
– With three players through to the round of 16 in Cincinnati, Italy continues to show depth and resilience ahead of the US Open build-up. Paolini and Bronzetti reaffirmed their status as top competitors on the WTA tour, while Nardi’s lucky-loser run demonstrates how opportunities can arise even in tough conditions. The upcoming matchups, including Sinner’s bid to stay at the top and the high-profile Alcaraz-Nardi clash, should provide more excitement for Italian tennis fans.
Quick takeaway and outlook
– Three Italians in the round of 16, one of them facing a big-name opponent in Alcaraz, and two intriguing WTA battles with Gauff looming for Bronzetti and Krejcikova awaiting Paolini. Momentum is building for Italian players as the tournament progresses toward the late rounds and the ongoing US Open lead-up.
Summary
– Italian progress at the Western & Southern Open is highlighted by Nardi’s lucky-loser win to set up a clash with Alcaraz, Paolini’s straight-set win over Kruger targeting Krejcikova, and Bronzetti’s three-set win over Ostapenko that paves the way for a Gauff showdown. Sinner and Mannarino also feature on the singles schedule, adding to a day of notable results for Italy.
Additional comments
– This event serves as a strong indicator of Italian depth entering the late summer hard-court swing. If the players maintain form, Italy could carry notable momentum into the US Open, with multiple players capable of deep runs. The heat factor noted by players is a reminder that conditioning and endurance will be as crucial as shot-making in the coming rounds.
Note: This rewrite presents the information clearly for publication without sources or markup. If you’d like, I can tailor a version with quotes, player bios, or a focused spotlight on the Italian players for a dedicated section on your site.