CINCINNATI OPEN: COBOLLI, FILS ADVANCE; PEGULA SURVIVES THRILLER AS RYBAKINA RETIRES

MASON, Ohio — The Cincinnati Open moved into the quarterfinal stage Thursday, Aug. 20, with Flavio Cobolli and Arthur Fils booking spots in the men’s semifinals while Jessica Pegula and Iga Swiatek advanced on the women’s side. Pegula needed a deciding-set tiebreak to survive Amanda Anisimova, while Swiatek’s anticipated showdown with Elena Rybakina ended prematurely because of an ankle injury. (Reuters)

MEN’S SINGLES — QUARTERFINALS

COBOLLI RALLIES PAST PAUL TO REACH FIRST MASTERS 1000 SEMIFINAL

Flavio Cobolli def. Tommy Paul, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4

MASON, Ohio — Flavio Cobolli recovered from a rough opening set to defeat Tommy Paul and reach the first ATP Masters 1000 semifinal of his career. Paul raced through the first set 6-2, but the seventh-seeded Italian changed the momentum in the second, breaking the American and leveling the match 6-3. Cobolli carried that confidence into the deciding set, finding the crucial break and holding his nerve to close out a 6-4 victory. The result made Cobolli only the second Italian man to reach the Cincinnati semifinals, following Jannik Sinner. (Reuters)

Star of the Match: Flavio Cobolli — shrugged off a one-sided opening set and won two straight sets to secure his first Masters 1000 semifinal appearance.

FILS OVERWHELMS TIRANTE IN STRAIGHT SETS

Arthur Fils def. Thiago Agustin Tirante, 6-3, 6-2

MASON, Ohio — Arthur Fils ended Thiago Agustin Tirante’s Cinderella run with a commanding straight-set performance. Tirante entered the quarterfinals as one of the tournament’s biggest surprises, but Fils quickly established control with his combination of pace and aggressive court positioning. The Frenchman captured the opening set 6-3 and became even more dominant in the second, breaking Tirante repeatedly on his way to a 6-2 finish. The match lasted just over an hour and sent Fils into the Cincinnati semifinals, where he will face Flavio Cobolli for a place in the championship match. (Reuters)

Star of the Match: Arthur Fils — surrendered only five games and needed little more than an hour to reach the semifinals.

WOMEN’S SINGLES — QUARTERFINALS

PEGULA SURVIVES ANISIMOVA IN THREE-SET THRILLER

Jessica Pegula def. Amanda Anisimova, 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4)

MASON, Ohio — Jessica Pegula survived a furious comeback from fellow American Amanda Anisimova to earn a place in the Cincinnati semifinals. Pegula took the opening set 6-4, but Anisimova responded emphatically, dominating the second 6-2 and forcing a decider. Pegula moved ahead 5-3 in the third set but couldn’t close the match, allowing Anisimova to battle back and force a tiebreak. With the match hanging in the balance, Pegula regained control and captured the breaker 7-4. The victory preserved Pegula’s unbeaten record against Anisimova and earned her a semifinal meeting with Iga Swiatek. (Reuters)

Star of the Match: Jessica Pegula — recovered after surrendering a 5-3 advantage in the deciding set and delivered under pressure in the final tiebreak.

SWIATEK ADVANCES AS INJURED RYBAKINA RETIRES

Iga Swiatek def. Elena Rybakina, 4-1, retired

MASON, Ohio — One of the most anticipated quarterfinals of the tournament came to an unfortunate early conclusion when Elena Rybakina was forced to retire against Iga Swiatek because of a left ankle injury. Swiatek had established a 4-1 advantage in the opening set when Rybakina determined she could not continue. The retirement sent Swiatek into the Cincinnati semifinals and extended an impressive summer run for the Polish star, but attention quickly shifted to Rybakina’s health with the U.S. Open approaching. Swiatek will face Jessica Pegula in the semifinals after the American’s three-set victory over Amanda Anisimova. (Women’s Tennis Association)

Star of the Match: Iga Swiatek — controlled the early stages and led 4-1 before Rybakina’s injury brought the match to a premature end.

AUGUST 20 RESULTS AT A GLANCE

Men

• Flavio Cobolli def. Tommy Paul — 2-6, 6-3, 6-4
• Arthur Fils def. Thiago Agustin Tirante — 6-3, 6-2

Women

• Jessica Pegula def. Amanda Anisimova — 6-4, 2-6, 7-6 (7-4)
• Iga Swiatek def. Elena Rybakina — 4-1, retired

WHAT’S NEXT

Thursday’s results established two semifinal matchups. Cobolli will meet Fils on the men’s side, while Pegula will face Swiatek in a high-profile women’s semifinal. The remaining quarterfinals — Taylor Fritz vs. Brandon Nakashima and Lorenzo Musetti vs. Frances Tiafoe for the men, along with Sara Bejlek vs. Madison Keys and Coco Gauff vs. Marta Kostyuk for the women — are scheduled for Aug. 21.