Aryna Sabalenka gets low for a backhand on the way to an opening victory over Marketa Vondrousova at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open
Aryna Sabalenka, the world No. 1 and defending Cincinnati Open champion, showcased her powerful backhand in a commanding 7-5, 6-1 victory over 2023 Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová in the second round of the 2025 ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on August 9, 2025, at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. The match, described by MSN as featuring Sabalenka getting “low for a backhand” to clinch key points, marked her first competitive outing since Wimbledon and advanced her to the third round against Emma Raducanu, per tennisuptodate.com.
Sabalenka’s resilience was evident as she saved all 12 break points faced, a statistic hailed as “absolutely unreal” by @Livieparis2024 on X. Despite Vondroušová’s aggressive start, pressuring Sabalenka’s serve with three break points in the opening game, the Belarusian found her rhythm, converting her first break chance at 6-5 to take the first set after a tight 12 games, per wtatennis.com. The second set saw Sabalenka dominate, breaking Vondroušová twice early and winning the last five games, capitalizing on the Czech’s fading serve, which yielded only 22% second-serve points, per tennisuptodate.com.
Vondroušová, ranked No. 63 after a 2024 shoulder injury, showed flashes of her 2023 Wimbledon form but couldn’t sustain her intensity, per TheTennisLetter on X. Sabalenka’s efficiency in crucial moments—converting three of three break points—underscored her poise, as noted by @prince_chas_cca: “Not a vintage performance, but she’s through.” Her backhand, a weapon highlighted by MSN’s Dylan Buell, was pivotal in defensive and offensive transitions, saving five break points in a single second-set game.
This victory, Sabalenka’s 19th in Cincinnati (second only to her 23 in Madrid), sets up a rematch with Raducanu, whom she defeated 7-6, 6-4 at Wimbledon 2025, per tennisuptodate.com. With a 34-10 record and three titles in 2025, including the US Open, Sabalenka’s hard-court prowess (71% win rate) makes her a favorite to defend her title, per tennisfansite.com. Vondroušová, despite the loss, displayed resilience in her return, setting her sights on the US Open. Sabalenka’s backhand-driven performance, lauded by @TennisChannel on X, signals her readiness for a deep run and a potential No. 1 ranking defense.
