This archive report was first published on 15 August 2019.
On Wednesday, the second round of the Cincinnati Masters saw top-seeded Ash Barty overcome a slow start to defeat Maria Sharapova 6-4 6-1, while Simona Halep battled past Ekaterina Alexandrova 3-6 7-5 6-4.
Barty, the French Open champion, double-faulted to give Sharapova a 2-1 lead in the first set, but Sharapova ultimately bowed out after producing six double faults and squandering six of her seven break point opportunities.
“Overall it was a pretty clean performance,” Barty said. “It’s difficult to come out against a player like Maria. She’s an incredible champion, she knows how to fight and she makes you earn every single point.
Barty earned an early break in the second set when she rifled a crosscourt forehand that caught Sharapova flat-footed for a 2-0 lead. She cruised to the finish from there, winning 11 of the last 13 games.
Meanwhile, Halep had her back against the wall against the big-serving Alexandrova when she dropped the first set and trailed 5-4 in the second but won the next three games and elevated her play again in the decider.
Fourth seed Halep is searching for her first title at the event after three runner-up finishes in 2015, 2017, and 2018. “I feel confident every time I come here but the conditions are very tough. The court is very fast,” the Romanian said.
World number one Naomi Osaka improved to 4-0 lifetime against Aliaksandra Sasnovich with a 7-6(3) 2-6 6-2 win. Osaka faces Hsieh Su-Wei in the third round.
