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CINCINNATI: Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka got their title defenses off to smooth starts as they powered into the third round of the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on Saturday.

The men’s and women’s top seeds, each ranked number one in the world, were both competing for the first time since Wimbledon – where Sinner lifted the title and as Sabalenka bowed out in the women’s semifinals.

Sinner crushed Colombian Daniel Elahi Galan 6-1, 6-1 in steamy afternoon weather while Sabalenka beat 2023 Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 7-5, 6-1 under the lights of the night session.

Sabalenka needed 54 minutes and a service break in the final game to clinch the opening set with a stinging winner.

The second set was more of a grind than the score suggested as she saved five break points for a 4-1 lead and recovered from 0-30 down in the final game before securing the win.

“It’s always a tough match against her,” Sabalenka said of the Czech opponent she has faced nine times.

“She pushed me to the limit. If you lose focus even a little bit it can cost you a set. I had to fight for every point against her,” added Sabalenka, who next faces Britain’s Emma Raducanu, a 6-3, 6-2 winner over Olga Danilovic.

Meanwhile Sinner outclassed Colombia’s Galan with 17 winners and just four unforced errors.

Sinner won the opening five games in 15 minutes as he allowed his 144th-ranked opponent, who came through qualifying, little breathing room.

The victory in 59 minutes was the fastest of Sinner’s ATP career, beating his previous quickest by one minute.

Sinner claimed his 22nd consecutive win on hardcourt, last losing the Beijing final in September to rival Carlos Alcaraz.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” Sinner said of his return to tournament action. “I’m happy because it’s not easy to play here.

“The ball is flying and you have to serve very precise if you want to go far in the tournament.

“Today I was finding my spots but there is still a little room to improve. For a first match it could not have gone better.”

After snapping up the first set Sinner broke to start the second before Galan clawed out a hold in a seven-minute game in which he fought off five break points.

But it was only a momentary reprieve. Sinner fired three aces to hold for 3-1 as he roared away again for the victory.

Fourth-seeded American Taylor Fritz eased past qualifier Emlilio Nava 6-4, 6-4 and seventh-seeded Holger Rune won his opener 7-5, 7-6 (7/5) over Russian Roman Safiullin.

But eighth-seeded Lorenzo Musetti and 11th-seeded Casper Ruud bowed out to French opponents.

Benjamin Bonzi defeated Musetti 5-7, 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) while Artur Rinderknech beat Ruud 6-7 (5/7), 6-4, 6-2 – taking full advantage of Ruud’s 34 unforced errors.

Rinderknech was pleased with his success so far at his Cincinnati debut. “I stayed aggressive throughout the match,” he said. “You cannot let Casper start to dictate.”

In other women’s action, reigning Wimbledon champion Iga Swiatek earned an efficient opening win over Anastasia Potapova 6-1, 6-4.

Poland’s Swiatek has reached the final four at the last two editions but Cincinnati remains one of the two 1000-level tournaments – along with Canada – where she has never played a final.

The third seed moved into the third round in just 74 minutes, saving four of the five break points she faced.

“I wanted to play solid – but intense as well,” Swiatek said. “It was up and down in the second set. But in the important moments I got my level up to close out the win.”

Australian Open winner Madison Keys needed more than two hours to advance with a 1-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7/1) over German Eva Lys, saving two match points at 5-6 in the deciding set.

LONDON: Egypt and Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah has called out UEFA for omitting the circumstances surrounding the killing in Gaza of a footballer known as the “Palestinian Pele.”
Suleiman Al-Obeid, a former Palestine national team star, was killed on Wednesday when Israeli forces opened fire on a group of people waiting to access humanitarian aid in southern Gaza, the Palestinian Football Association said.
On Friday, European football’s governing body posted a two-sentence tribute to the midfielder on X that said: “Farewell to Suleiman Al-Obeid, the ‘Palestinian Pele.’ A talent who gave hope to countless children, even in the darkest of times.”
Salah replied to UEFA’s post on Saturday saying: “Can you tell us how he died, where, and why?”

Al-Obeid played 24 international matches for Palestine, scoring more than 100 goals. The PFA said his long career, which included playing for Khadamat Al-Shati club in Gaza and Al-Amari Youth Center Club in the occupied West Bank, made him one of the brightest stars of Palestinian football.
UEFA’s post sparked a largely angry reaction, with many among the 12,000 comments questioning why the tribute appeared to play down Israel’s role in Al-Obeid’s death.
The BBC’s former “Match of the Day” presenter Gary Lineker shared Salah’s message and said: “We can’t hear you UEFA.”

Salah has made large financial donations toward aid efforts in Gaza, and in 2023 urged world leaders to ensure enough aid could reach the Palestinian territory.
Speaking shortly after Israel began its devastating military campaign, Salah said: “All lives are sacred and must be protected. The massacres need to stop. Families are being torn apart.”

Al-Obeid, who was born in Gaza City, was married and had five children, AFP reported. The midfielder was among the more than 1,300 Palestinians killed near aid distribution points since the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which is backed by the US and Israel, took over aid operations in the territory earlier this year.
Israel’s invasion has killed more than 61,000 people in Gaza, including more than 600 from the sport and scouting sector, the PFA said.