World No. 1 Jannik Sinner arrived at the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals with a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) victory over the stubborn Adrian Mannarino.
Sina quickly took control of the game when she broke the 37-year-old Frenchman in the third game.
Mannarino, who ranked 89th in the world, saved a breakout point in Game 7 with ace, but the lefty couldn’t stop his opponent from continuing to grab the first set.
In Sinner’s 40-30 game, the game was paused and the second set fell 2-1, and the player recovered for about two hours and 45 minutes later.
Mannarino proved a more rash competitor in the second set, but eventually succumbed to a fourth, despite saving three breakout points 5-5, when he beat 6-5 backhand.
Sinner rose 30-0 when he played, but some inspirational tennis won his first breakpoint for Mannarino, who earned him with a stunning forehand return.
However, Sinner won 7-4 in many matches with Mannarino and extended his record to four wins.
“He’s a tough opponent,” Sina said. “It’s a big difference from all the other opponents. Not only because he’s left-handed, but how he hits the ball – very low.
“I kind of tried to turn it off, but that could happen in the sport and I’m so glad to be in the next round.”
Elsewhere, Alexander Zverev only needed one game to complete his victory against Brandon Nakashima as the rain forced their game to pause 5-4 in the second set.
Zverev scored 6-4 6-4 and will be on the Russian Karen Khachanov again on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, the seventh seed Holger Rune reached the quarterfinals after his rival, the 10th seed of the United States, Frances Tiafoe, fell behind a back injury 6-4 3-1.
Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek won the final eight games 6-4 6-3 against Sorana Cirstea.
Poland’s third-ranked Swiatek encountered 33 unmandated mistakes in the Romanians, but managed to finish the race before the rain was delayed.
“I want to be more solid than the last game,” Swiatek said. “I’m happy with my focus and the level of consistency.
“It’s a good match for sure. It’s not easy either – super wet – so I’m glad I don’t let this affect me.”
After the match was suspended on Tuesday, companion Pole Magda Lineette was upset about the 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 6-3 of the fourth-seeded American Jessica Pegula.
