Tommy Paul advanced to the fourth round of the ATP Cincinnati Open after a hard-fought match against Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, as the American, who previously lost to Hubert Hurkacz at Wimbledon, showed improved form in a match riddled with unforced errors. Paul’s composure in the third set proved decisive, and he is expected to continue his strong performance in the next round.

Zverev Overcomes Fehlstart to Reach Achtelfinale

Alexander Zverev, the top seed and former French Open champion, overcame a shaky start to defeat Terence Atmane of France in a two-set thriller; the match ended 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (8-6) after 2 hours and 9 minutes. Zverev faced early deficits in both sets but rallied to force tiebreaks and eventually claimed the win; After the match, Zverev apologized for accidentally hitting Atmane in the torso with a shot, a moment that drew laughter from both players.

“That was a step up from my first match,” Zverev said, referring to his initial match against Cameron Norrie, where he struggled — “Atmane played fantastic tennis, played incredibly aggressive, with an incredible serve and forehands that landed everywhere on the court,” Zverev added. His next opponent will be Tommy Paul, setting up a major clash ahead of the US Open.

Vallejo’s Breakthrough at Masters 1000

Adolfo Daniel Vallejo, a Paraguayan player, made history with his first career victory over a Top-20 player by defeating Valentin Vacherot in the second round, though this marked his first appearance in the third round of a Masters 1000 event, and he entered the match against Tommy Paul with great confidence. The match took place on the Grandstand court on Monday, August 17, 2026, in front of 11,400 spectators, as the encounter was broadcast in Paraguay and South America on Disney Plus Premium.

Vallejo’s match against Paul was his second significant test of the tournament after his earlier win over Vacherot, and the two had previously faced each other in Houston, adding an extra layer of intrigue to the match. Paul, however, was expected to emerge victorious, according to predictions, due to his better form and experience on the ATP circuit.

Build-Up to US Open

The Cincinnati Open serves as a key tune-up event for the US Open, which begins on August 30 in New York; Zverev, who had an unexpected second-round exit at the Montreal Masters, is looking to build momentum ahead of the Grand Slam. The match against Paul will be a important test for the German, who has already secured 46 wins this season, including 20 at Masters events.

For Tommy Paul, the match against Vallejo was a continuation of his strong performance in 2026. Paul, who previously lost to Hurkacz at Wimbledon, has been improving his consistency and adaptability on the ATP circuit. His next challenge will be facing a top-ranked player in Zverev, a test that will prepare him for the high-stakes environment of the US Open.