Svitolina withdraws hurt in Cincinnati, handing Wang a walkover into a last-16 date with in-form Keys

Ukrainian Elina Svitolina, the No 8 seed, withdrew from her third-round match against Chinese qualifier Xiyu Wang at the Cincinnati Open on Tuesday, an injury sustained in Toronto having flared up again after her second-round win two nights earlier. Wang advanced to the last 16 by walkover.

She will face American Madison Keys, the No 20 seed, who eached the last 16 by beating Czech Katerina Siniakova, the No 33 seed, 6-1, 6-3.

Svitolina explained the decision afterward. “Unfortunately I tried my best to recover, but the injury I sustained in Toronto, and also pushed by the second-round match, I didn’t recover as I wish I could to get ready for my next round,” she said.

“I’ve been advised by the doctors to take a little bit of time to rest and recover completely. I was looking forward to playing here. I have of course great memories of playing here and going deep in the tournament, and had a great match here two nights ago. I’m very sad to pull out this round.”

Cincinnati WTA 1000, 3rd Round (Round of 32)

• A. Sabalenka (1) vs X. Wang
• S. Bejlek vs E. Alexandrova (16)
• M. Keys (19) d. K. Siniakova (33): 6-1, 6-3
• X. Wang d. E. Svitolina (8): W.O.
• C. Gauff (4) vs A. Li (28)
• M. Bouzkova (22) vs I. Jovic (15)
• M. Kostyuk (10) vs S. Stephens
• J. Tjen (32) vs M. Andreeva (5)
• L. Noskova (6) d. O. Tauson (27): 7-6, 6-2
• A. Anisimova (9) d. A. Eala (17): 4-6, 6-4, 6-2
• S. Cirstea (16) vs A. Kalinskaya (19), 6-7, 6-1, 5-0, ret.
• J. Pegula (3) d. E. Navarro (25): 7-5, 6-2
• I. Swiatek (7) vs M. Sakkari (29): 4-6, 6-1, 6-1
• D. Perry d. L. Boisson: 4-6, 6-4, 6-3
• D. Shnaider (14) vs M. Chwalinska (19): 6-2, 7-6
• E. Rybakina (2) vs Frech: 6-4, 7-4