Walkover for Swiatek; Gauff and Pegula win in Cincinnati

Wimbledon winner Iga Swiatek of Poland advanced to the fourth round of the WTA Cincinnati Open on Sunday as upcoming opponent Marta Kostyuk was forced to withdraw.

The 27th-ranked Ukrainian cited a right wrist injury for the pullout, which came a day after six-time Grand Slam winner Swiatek, seeded third, advanced to the third round with the loss of just five games.

Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 Roland Garros champion, also benefited from a walkover as Camila Osorio withdrew with an abdominal injury.

GAUFF BATTLES THROUGH

In other women's action, second-seeded French Open champion Coco Gauff battled through a tough first set to beat China's Wang Xinyu 6-3, 6-2.

COCO 🤝 CINCY@CocoGauff moves past Wang in straight sets for a spot in Round 3, 6-3, 6-2.#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/I3zfZg78p6

— wta (@WTA) August 10, 2025

Gauff, who lifted the trophy in Cincinnati in 2023 and went on to claim her first Grand Slam title at the US Open that year, grinded through a first set marred by five service breaks.

But the seed steadied in the second set to run out the winner in 71 minutes on a first match point.

"It was a rough start," Gauff said. "But it was about just trusting myself and the work we've done in practice.

"I was able to let it all go in the second set."

Third seed Jessica Pegula, runner-up last year to Aryna Sabalenka, defeated Kimberly Birrell 6-4, 6-3.

Through in two ✌️

No.4 seed Jessica Pegula makes her way to the third round with a 6-4, 6-3 win against Birrell.#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/YKPiRqo8yX

— wta (@WTA) August 10, 2025

Seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, finalist last season at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, needed her last-chance match point to cement a 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5) win over Greek Maria Sakkari.

The Italian winner blew her first five match points and advanced to the third round when Sakkari delivered a double-fault. Paolini also needed five chances to win the opening set.

Up and running in Cincy 🏃‍♀️@jasminepaolini defeats Sakkari 7-6(2), 7-6(5). #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/T6Pgewpceb

— wta (@WTA) August 10, 2025

"It was a rollercoaster," Paolini said. "It's better to go in a straight line in these matches, not up and down," she said. "The key for me was trying not to be in a rush, I tried to hit winners and move her around.

"I served well on the important points but this was not the best performance for me."

Olympic champion Belinda Bencic was upended 6-4, 7-6 (7/0) by Veronika Kudermetova.

Eighth seed Emma Navarro was eliminated 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 by German qualifier Ella Seidel.