Jannik Sinner reached the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals with a rain-delayed 6-4, 7-6(7-4) win over Adrian Mannarino, advancing to a high-stakes clash with Felix Auger-Aliassime. As the tournament’s top seed and world No. 1, Sinner is competing in his first event since capturing Wimbledon, looking to extend his strong form on the US hard courts.
In a match that weathered a stoppage, Sinner outlasted Mannarino after the Frenchman had progressed through Jordan Thompson, Tomas Machac and Tommy Paul on his Cincinnati run. Sinner took the opening set 6-4 and closed it out in a timely tiebreak, 7-6(7-4), to book a place in the last eight.
Ahead of his next opponent, Sinner spoke about facing Auger-Aliassime, acknowledging a tough head-to-head with the Canadian. “I have never beaten Felix. We played a very tough match here, I had match point and I lost it, but it was a great match,” Sinner said on Tennis Channel. He added that Auger-Aliassime has huge potential, especially when he’s serving well, and that raising his own level will be essential to contest the match.
The two-time meetings between Sinner and Auger-Aliassime both came in 2022, with Auger-Aliassime winning in Madrid and in Cincinnati. Sinner remains confident about the challenge, stressing his readiness to elevate his game in what promises to be a defining quarterfinal.
On his serve, Sinner indicated improvements: “Yeah, I felt like today I was serving very well.” He reflected that wind and changing conditions can complicate play, but he felt his chances were well-used and his overall approach was positive as he prepares for the Auger-Aliassime clash after a earlier service wobble against Gabriel Diallo.
Auger-Aliassime’s path to the quarters saw him defeat Tomas Martin Etcheverry, Arthur Rinderknech and Benjamin Bonzi. The Cincinnati quarterfinals now pit the world No. 1 against a player who has repeatedly tested him in 2022, setting the stage for another high-octane matchup on the hard courts.
Overall, Sinner’s Cincinnati campaign reinforces his intent to carry Wimbledon momentum into the US swing. If he can continue to serve well and maintain the level he showed in the Mannarino match, he’ll be aiming to push deeper into the tournament and strengthen his grip at the top of the rankings.
Summary: Jannik Sinner advances to the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals with a 6-4, 7-6(7-4) victory over Adrian Mannarino and will face Felix Auger-Aliassime, a rematch from their 2022 meetings. Sinner, the top seed and Wimbledon champion, emphasized the need to elevate his level again against the dangerous serving of Auger-Aliassime, while noting improvements in his own serve and a positive mindset for the next round. A hopeful sign for fans is Sinner’s continued readiness to meet tough challenges as the US hard-court season unfolds.