Paul Upsets Zverev, Pegula Survives Thriller as Americans Dominate Cincinnati Open

American tennis enjoyed a memorable day at the Cincinnati Open as Tommy Paul stunned top seed Alexander Zverev, while four US women advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2004.

Paul produced one of the biggest upsets of the tournament, recovering from a set down to defeat French Open champion Zverev 4-6, 7-6, 6-4. The match was delayed by nearly 90 minutes because of rain during the second set, but Paul held his nerve to complete the comeback. He will face Flavio Cobolli in the quarterfinals.

Jessica Pegula also survived a tough three-set contest, overcoming Romania’s Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 4-6, 7-5. The victory was Pegula’s 43rd of the 2026 season, the most on the WTA Tour, and secured her fourth Cincinnati quarterfinal appearance. She will meet fellow American Amanda Anisimova, who defeated Wimbledon champion Linda Noskova 6-1, 6-4.

World No. 4 Coco Gauff continued her campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Marie Bouzkova. Despite serving six double faults, the 2023 champion completed the victory in one hour and 33 minutes.

Madison Keys became the fourth American woman into the last eight after beating Xiyu Wang 7-6, 6-4. The four American quarterfinalists mark the country's best showing at Cincinnati since 2004.

Among the men, Taylor Fritz defeated Australia’s Christopher O'Connell 6-4, 6-3, while Brandon Nakashima beat Nuno Borges 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals for a second consecutive year.

Defending champion Iga Swiatek extended her winning streak to nine matches with a 6-3, 6-3 victory over Diane Parry. She will face second seed Elena Rybakina, who remains unbeaten in sets.

Argentina’s Thiago Tirante, who stunned Novak Djokovic earlier in the tournament, also advanced, becoming the first Argentine since Juan Martin del Potro in 2018 to reach the Cincinnati quarterfinals.