Elena Rybakina overcame a stern test from Magdalena Frech to reach the Cincinnati Open round of 16 in straight sets.

Though Rybakina came out on top, things did not all go her way during the two-hour contest, but she triumphed 6-4 7-6 (7-2) in a rain-hit match on Monday.

Frech started strongly, getting a break in the opening game, but that was quickly cancelled out as Rybakina clawed back to 2-2.

The Kazakh did not give up another opening on her serve, and after the players were forced off the court by the weather for an hour after the ninth game, Rybakina took the first set with another break straight away.

The pair were evenly matched in the second set, though Rybakina failed to convert nine break points as Frech held her nerve to make it 4-4.

Another rain delay hit after the seventh game of the second set, and the match did open up a bit from there with Frech again getting the first break.

Rybakina immediately cancelled that out and then held off four break points to take a 6-5 lead, though she failed to convert any of her first three match points as the Pole forced a breaker.

But the second seed regained her rhythm when it mattered, reeling off the final six points to reach the fourth round.

Rybakina Round of 16

Elena Rybakina comes through a tough test against Frech 6-4, 7-6(2)!#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/mcnCXuxFDw

— wta (@WTA) August 17, 2026

Rybakina keeps perfect WTA-1000 record alive

Rybakina is the only player to reach the round of 16 at each of the eight WTA-1000 events so far this season.

She has also claimed 27 wins in straight sets in WTA main draws this season; only Aryna Sabalenka (34) and Mirra Andreeva (28) have claimed more. 

It was not straightforward, though, with Rybakina lamenting the lengthy delays, saying: "It was a crazy day, to be honest, coming out every time into clouds and humidity. I felt that I was on top of the ball in the tie-break, but it was a difficult one.

"I had the opportunities on the three match points, but when you are tired it's difficult to keep concentration."

But it is no surprise she managed to get over the line given her strong hard-court record in 2026. Rybakina has claimed the most WTA-1000 match wins (24) and the most WTA-level match wins on hard court (28) of any player this season.