Alexander Zverev Dominates Karen Khachanov in Cincinnati Masters 1000 Opening Match: Highlights and Upcoming Opponents

German Alexander Zverev, ranked fourth in the world, made a good start in the Cincinnati Masters 1000 tournament with an easy victory over Russia’s Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-2 on Thursday.

The match was a repeat of the final of the Tokyo Olympics 3 years ago, when Zverev won the gold medal.

Zverev finished the match in 76 minutes to secure his fifth victory over his opponent, compared to two defeats.

Zverev, who was ranked third in this tournament, admitted last week that he did not do well in the Montreal tournament, despite reaching the semi-finals there, showed that his level had increased significantly and he said in this regard: “I felt good going forward. When you feel “If you are in good shape in training, it will be easier for you to send the disease to matches.”

He continued: “I hope that my level will gradually rise during the tournament, and I am very happy with this victory.

In the next round, Zverev will meet Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta, who defeated Australian Max Purcell 6-3, 6-3.

Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz defeated Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka in three sets, 3-6, 7-6 (7-4), and 6-1, in a match that lasted more than two hours.

In the women’s division, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, who came in third place, defeated the Italian Elisabetta Coccarito 6-3, 6-4.

Sabalenka missed Wimbledon, the third of the four Grand Slam tournaments, and then a tennis tournament at the Paris Olympic Games due to a shoulder injury, before returning to action in the Toronto tournament last week and published by American Amanda Anisimova.

Sabalenka said: “I’m happy with the level I did in the difficult moments of the game.

She said, “Elisabetta is a strong competitor and she fought to the last point.

On the other hand, Canada’s Laila Fernandez got a surprise by beating Kazakhstani Elena Rybakina, in fourth place, 3-6, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4, after two balls save that her opponent had to decide. the game for her.

Rybakina missed the Olympics due to illness.

Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina defeated Spain’s Jessica Posas Manero 6-4, 6-1 to set up a match with Sabalenka.

Sabalenka defeated Svitolina in her last two matches, notably in the quarterfinals of Roland Garros in 2023 and in the Rome tournament in three sets 3 months ago.