This Week in Tennis: North American Swing Moves to Cincinnati

Djokovic Ousted Early in Cincy

Novak Djokovic’s stay in Cincinnati was a short one, as he was stunned by Thiago Agustin Tirante 2-6, 6-4, 6-4 in the second round. 

The former world No. 1 hadn’t played a match since Wimbledon, and struggled with the heat and humidity in Ohio due to a health condition he has been dealing with for years. 

“Congrats to my opponent,” Djokovic told the media. “It was not an enjoyable match for me, for sure. The way I felt. Not the first and I guess not the last time, but it is what it is.

“It’s just a condition that I have, health-wise, that has been bothering me for the past couple of years. [It causes] a lot of issues, especially when it is humid and it is hot.”

The 25-year-old Tirante has been a giant killer on tour and is now 4-1 against Top 10 opponents, including wins over Ben Shelton in Munich in April, and Taylor Fritz earlier this month at the National Bank Open in Montreal. 

Read also: Shelton goes back-to-back at NBO, hitting the heights against gutsy Nakashima

Swiatek Opens Cincinnati Defence With Win

Iga Swiatek won her first title of the year last week in Toronto and seemingly has no plans on slowing down. The defending Cincinnati champion began her campaign by breezing past Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-0.

Swiatek went down a break at 2-1 in the first set but quickly found her footing on the much different Cincinnati courts, rallying to win 11 of the next 12 games for the victory.

"I'm happy that I was patient and came back in the second set knowing what to improve,” she said after the victory. 

Swiatek now sits at 99 career WTA 1000 wins and would become the fifth active player to reach 100 - joining Aryna Sabalenka, Karolina Pliskova, Elina Svitolina, and Serena Williams - should she beat Maria Sakkari in the third round,

Read also: Swiatek Claims NBO Title with Straight-Sets Win Over Rybakina

All Winners This Week:

ATP 1000 - Montreal

• Men’s Singles: Ben Shelton* (4/7) d. Brandon Nakashima
• Men’s Doubles: Orlando Luz and Rafael Matos d. Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic

WTA 1000 - Toronto

• Women’s Singles: Iga Swiatek* (1/26) d. Elena Rybakina
• Women’s Doubles: Katerina Siniakova and Shuai Zhang d. Sara Errani and Nicole Melichar-Martinez

* 2026 Titles/Career Titles

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Feature Photo: Sarah-Jade Champagne