Cincinnati Open: China's Zhang into last 16, Nadal loses on return

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China's Zhang Shuai returns a shot against Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia during the second round at the Cincinnati Open in Ohio, August 17, 2022. /CFP

China's Zhang Shuai advanced to the last 16 for the first time at the Cincinnati Open after knocking out Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-3, 6-4 on Wednesday.

The 33-year-old will next face second-seeded Anett Kontaveit of Estonia, who defeated the Czech Republic's Tereza Martincova 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

"I am happy to win today's match because my opponent was very strong and it was tough every time I played against her in the past," said Zhang, who was eliminated by Alexandrova in April's Stuttgart Open.

China's Zhang Shuai serves to Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia during the second round at the Cincinnati Open in Ohio, August 17, 2022. /CFP

"She is a powerful player with very stable baseline performance, so it was a great test for my ability to move around and change between defense and attack," Zhang went on to say.

"I'm satisfied with my performance today because I saw myself improve in many aspects," she added. Her current ranking has risen to 39 in the world.

Emma Raducanu of Great Britain celebrates her victory over Victoria Azarenka of Belarus in the second round of the women's singles at the Cincinnati Open in Ohio, August 17, 2022. /CFP

Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu crushed Victoria Azarenka 6-0, 6-2, after the young Briton ousted Serena Williams the night before with another love set.

Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur of Tunisia, the fifth seed, defeated Cincinnati's own Caty McNally 6-3, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7).

On the men's side, Rafael Nadal lost 7-6 (11-9), 4-6, 6-3 to world No. 152 Borna Coric in the Spaniard's first match since pulling out of the Wimbledon semi-finals due to an abdominal injury. Nadal is left well short of competitive action ahead of the U.S. Open.

"It has been very, very special," Coric said after his victory over world No. 3 Nadal, who won the Australian and French Open titles despite an injury-plagued season.

Rafael Nadal of Spain celebrates a point against Borna Coric during men's singles second round at the Cincinnati Open in Ohio, August 17, 2022. /CFP

"I was honestly just looking forward to playing this match as I haven't had that in the last two years. Now that I won, it's kind of crazy."

Coric will next play another Spaniard in Roberto Bautista Agut, who defeated home hope Marcos Giron 6-3, 6-3.

Elsewhere in the second round, Andy Murray needed a post-match on-court visit from the trainer after going down 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Cameron Norrie in the second round.

Sixth seed Andrey Rublev advanced past Fabio Fognini 6-7 (7/9), 7-6 (7/3), 6-2 and Canadian seventh seed Felix Auger-Aiiassime beat Australian Alex de Minaur 6-3, 6-2.

(With input from agencies)

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