Kostyuk edges out Kenin in three-set Cincinnati thriller – video

Marta Kostyuk, currently ranked world No. 11, advanced to the next round of the WTA 1000 tournament in Cincinnati after a hard-fought three-set victory over former Australian Open champion Sofia Kenin. The Ukrainian player dropped only one service game in the first set, but ultimately needed to break Kenin's serve three times to claim a 7-5 triumph in the decisive third set, despite dropping two service games in that set.

This marks the second time these two players have faced each other, with their career record now tied at 1-1. The match concluded after two hours and 24 minutes. Kostyuk dominated the point count with nine aces and converted four of her six break point opportunities. In her next match, Kostyuk will take on Sloane Stephens, who defeated Anastasia Potapova earlier.

Ukraine's singles main draw also featured Anhelina Kalinina, Daria Snigur, Yuliia Starodubtseva, and Oleksandra Oliynykova. Elina Svitolina, another Ukrainian player, received a first-round bye and will play in the second round. Svitolina earned $297,315 in prize money after her semifinal loss to Poland's Iga Świątek in Toronto.