Third round closes in Cincinnati as Tiafoe survives Tien, to set up Auger-Aliassime clash in the last 16

No 17 seed Frances Tiafoe closed out the third round in Cincinnati on Wednesday night, edging past No 16 seed Learner Tien 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to set up a last-16 meeting with second seed Felix Auger-Aliassime, who had already booked his own place in the round with a 7-5, 6-1 win over Argentina’s Juan Manuel Cerundolo on Tuesday.

The win over Tien is Tiafoe’s fourth trip to the Cincinnati last 16 and his third Masters 1000 last-16 of the season, and comes two years after he reached the final at this venue. He has come out swinging through his first two matches of the week. The result also swung his 2026 series with Tien back in his favour, avenging a loss to the American at Delray Beach earlier this year.

The match ended with a heated exchange at the net. “You’re not injured bro. You’re not injured. You’re lying. That surgery was fake. That surgery was fake. Your wrist is fine. Stop lying,” Tien said to hilarious Tiafoe after the handshake. Tiafoe underwent surgery less than a week ago to remove a cyst from his right hand.

Auger-Aliassime, ranked No 4, was rarely troubled against Cerundolo on is side, reaching the Cincinnati last 16 for the fifth time in the last six editions of the tournament and his third Masters 1000 last-16 of the season, taking his 2026 win total to 32.

He had beaten Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-5 in the previous round, while Cerundolo, ranked No 51, needed three tiebreak-heavy sets to see off Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech, the No 25 seed, 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (5), following an earlier win over Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal, 6-4, 6-4.

Tiafoe and Auger-Aliassime will meet for a place in the quarterfinals.

Cincinnati Masters 1000 3rd Round

• A. Zverev (1) vs T. Atmane: 7-6, 7-6
• T. Paul (18) vs A/ Vallejo: 3-6, 6-3, 6-4
• R. Jodar (12) vs A. Tabilo (22): 6-2, 6-1
• F. Cobolli (7) vs A. Blockx (28): 7-5, 4-6, 7-5
• T. Tirante vs M. Arnaldi (31): 7-6, 7-6
• Mensik (14) vs R. Hijikata: 6-3, 6-4
• A. Fils (21) vs J. Lehecka (9): 6-1, 6-7, 6-3
• A. de Minaur (5) vs A. Fery (32): 7-5, 7-6
• T. Fritz (6) vs D. Merida: 6-1, 6-7, 6-3
• C. O’Connell d. Fonseca (23): WO
• N. Borges d. A. Rublev (13): 6-3, 6-4
• B. Nakashima (27) d. D. Medvedev (4), 6-7, 7-6, 6-1
• J. Faria d. A. Walton: 4-6, 6-4, 7-6
• L. Musetti (10) d. M. Zheng: 6-1, 6-3
• F. Tiafoe (17) d. L. Tien (16): 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
• F. Auger-Aliassime (2) d. J. Cerundolo: 7-6, 6-4

Cincinnati Masters 1000, round of 16

• A. Zverev (1) vs T. Paul (18)
• R. Jodar (12) vs F. Cobolli (7)
• T. Tirante vs Mensik (14)
• A. Fils (21) vs A. de Minaur (5) 
• T. Fritz (6) vs C. O’Connell
• N. Borges vs B. Nakashima (27)
• J. Faria vs L. Musetti (10)
• F. Tiafoe (17) vs F. Auger-Aliassime (2)