Zverev and Jodar Shine at Cincinnati Open
Zverev Advances in Cincinnati
File image of the German veteran player Alexander Zverev (Photo: @Zverevturkiye/X)
Cincinnati, Aug 18: Alexander Zverev has moved into the fourth round of the Cincinnati Open after a thrilling match against Terence Atmane, winning 7-6 (4), 7-6 (8).
The German player had two match points at 6/4 during the second-set tie-break. Atmane saved the first with an impressive ace, while Zverev's double fault on the second point brought the tie-break to a 6/6 tie.
However, the 29-year-old regained his composure, winning the next two points to secure the victory in two hours and nine minutes, according to ATP reports.
Rafael Jodar's Impressive Performance
In another match, 19-year-old Rafael Jodar triumphed over Alejandro Tabilo with a score of 6-2, 6-1, advancing to the fourth round of the ATP Masters 1000 event and continuing his remarkable 2026 season.
With his 75-minute win, Jodar joins Carlos Alcaraz and Ben Shelton as the only teenagers to reach the Round of 16 in Cincinnati this decade.
Next, he will face World No. 10 Flavio Cobolli, who also made it through after a hard-fought match against Alexander Blockx, winning 7-5, 4-6, 7-5. Cobolli rallied from 3-5 down in the final set to secure his place in the fourth round for the fourth time in his career.
Arthur Fils Upsets Ninth Seed
In other matches, Arthur Fils faced a tough challenge from Jiri Lehecka, managing to upset the ninth seed with a score of 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-3. Fils had a match point at 7/6 in the second-set tie-break, but Lehecka fought it off to push the match into a third set.
Ultimately, the Frenchman overcame the pressure to clinch the win in two hours and one minute.
Fils will next compete against fifth seed Alex de Minaur, who also had a dramatic match earlier, defeating Arthur Fery 7-5, 7-6(3). The match was interrupted by rain delays three times, and despite leading 5-1 in the second set, De Minaur had to fend off a comeback from Fery, who won six consecutive games to lead 6-5. Nevertheless, De Minaur maintained his composure and won the tie-break decisively.