Sabalenka races through Cincinnati in 54 minutes as Medvedev kicks microphones in stunning collapse

Aryna Sabalenka needed just 54 minutes to dismantle China's Wang Xinyu 6-1 6-3 and reach the last 16 of the Cincinnati Open, in one of the most lopsided scorelines of the tournament so far. The world No.1 did not face a single break point, struck 17 winners against five unforced errors, and won 12 of her 13 second-serve points — the best single-match rate on the WTA Tour this season.

"To get this win in straight sets, under an hour, it's an insane result," Sabalenka said afterwards, mindful that Wang had taken a set off her when the pair last met at the Australian Open four years ago.

At a glance

• Sabalenka beat Wang Xinyu 6-1 6-3 in 54 minutes without facing a break point
• She hit 17 winners against just five unforced errors and won 12 of 13 second-serve points
• The win was her 45th run to the last 16 or better at WTA 1000 level, the most among active players
• Daniil Medvedev lost 6-7(3) 7-6(4) 6-1 to Brandon Nakashima after holding three match points
• Medvedev kicked courtside microphones during the deciding set as his frustration boiled over

A statement performance

The numbers behind the scoreline were as one-sided as the result. Sabalenka dropped only six points in eight service games and converted four break points, never allowing Wang a foothold. Wang's afternoon ended with a double fault on match point.

The win extended two notable records: it was Sabalenka's 45th appearance in the last 16 or better at a WTA 1000 event, the most among active players, and her 50th career match win at that level while holding the world No.1 ranking.

Medvedev's collapse

If the women's draw produced the day's cleanest tennis, the men's produced its ugliest scene. Fourth seed Daniil Medvedev held three match points against American Brandon Nakashima and lost all of them, going down 6-7(3) 7-6(4) 6-1 in the third round.

As the deciding set unravelled, Medvedev began kicking the courtside microphones and at one point knocked another over with his hands. The third set lasted barely half an hour as Nakashima, suddenly the steadier player by a distance, ran away with it 6-1.

Why it matters for New York

Cincinnati is the last significant hard-court test before the US Open, and the fortnight tends to sort contenders from pretenders. Sabalenka's form line — ruthless service games, a nearly error-free ledger and quick matches that preserve energy — is exactly what a No.1 seed wants to carry into a major.

For Medvedev, the questions are more awkward. Squandering three match points is recoverable; the manner of the collapse, and the temper that accompanied it, will renew scrutiny of a player whose relationship with his own frustration has often decided matches as surely as his opponents have.

What happens next

Sabalenka faces Sara Bejlek, the unseeded Czech, in the last 16 — the first meeting between the pair. Nakashima advances to a quarter-final that his ranking suggested was out of reach, while Medvedev heads to New York with extra practice time he did not want and a fortnight of questions about his temperament to answer.