In women's action, second-seeded French Open champion Coco Gauff battled through a tough first set to beat China's Wang Xinyu 6-3, 6-2.
Gauff, who lifted the trophy in Cincinnati in 2023 and went on to claim her first Grand Slam title at the US Open that year, grinded through a first set marred by five service breaks.
But she steadied in the second set to run out the winner in 71 minutes on a first match point.
COCO 🤝 CINCY@CocoGauff moves past Wang in straight sets for a spot in Round 3, 6-3, 6-2.#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/I3zfZg78p6
— wta (@WTA) August 10, 2025
"It was a rough start," Gauff said. "But it was about just trusting myself and the work we've done in practice. "I was able to let it all go in the second set."
Third seed Jessica Pegula, runner-up last year to Aryna Sabalenka, defeated Kimberly Birrell 6-4, 6-3.
Seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, finalist last season at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, needed her last-chance match point to cement a 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5) win over Greek Maria Sakkari.
"It means a lot to me, this tournament." 💚@CocoGauff | #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/3wlTxEkDEP
— wta (@WTA) August 10, 2025