Jannik Sinner continued his dominant run in the Cincinnati Open with a commanding victory over Felix Auger-Aliassime, securing his place in the semi-finals. The world number one delivered a masterclass performance, defeating Auger-Aliassime 6-0, 6-2 in a match that lasted just over an hour.

Sinner, who has already claimed four Grand Slam titles this year, including the Australian Open and Wimbledon, was in imperious form from the outset. He took the first set in a mere 27 minutes, leaving Auger-Aliassime struggling to find his rhythm. The Canadian, ranked 28th in the world, managed to win only nine points in the opening set, which was marred by back-to-back double faults.

The second set saw a brief resurgence from Auger-Aliassime, who broke Sinner’s serve early on. However, the Italian quickly regained control, breaking back immediately and cruising through the remainder of the set. Sinner’s aggressive returning and precise serving were key to his victory, as he consistently put pressure on his opponent.

Sinner’s Reaction:

"I felt like I was returning very well," Sinner said after the match. "That was my key point, which gave me the confidence to serve well. I had a small drop in the second set when he broke me, but I’m happy I broke him back quite early. I felt like I was performing some great tennis."

Next Challenge:

Sinner’s next opponent in the semi-finals will be Terence Atmane, a French qualifier who stunned seventh seed Holger Rune in straight sets. Atmane, ranked 136th in the world, became the first qualifier in a decade to reach the men’s semi-finals in Cincinnati. The 23-year-old left-hander expressed his joy and disbelief at his achievement, stating, "I don’t think any words can describe how I feel right now."

Other Matches:

Meanwhile, Ben Shelton continued his impressive run in the tournament with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Jiri Lehecka. The 22-year-old American, seeded fifth, will face third seed Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals. Both players have yet to drop a set in the tournament, setting up an intriguing clash.

Conclusion:

Sinner’s performance in Cincinnati has further cemented his status as one of the top players in the world. With his sights set on another title, the Italian will be looking to maintain his high level of play as he faces Atmane in the semi-finals. The Cincinnati Open continues to deliver thrilling matches, with the semi-finals promising more high-quality tennis.