China's 25-year-old tennis star advances with a walkover! Second career appearance in a WTA 1000 round of 16, next faces an Australian Open champion.

As per the WTA website on August 19, Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina, who escaped seven match points in the last round, had to pull out because of an ankle injury. Her opponent, Chinese player Wang Xiyu, moved into the round of 16 of the WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open without stepping onto the court.

This is the 25-year-old Wang Xiyu's first time reaching the women's singles round of 16 at this tournament. It is also the second time in her career she has advanced to the round of 16 in a WTA 1000 event (previously at the 2023 Rome Open).

In this tournament, Wang Xiyu has already earned 150 ranking points, moving up 26 spots to world No. 82. Additionally, she has received $81,752 in prize money.

In the round of 16, Wang Xiyu will face former Australian Open champion and 20th seed, American star Madison Keys. The two have met once before, with Keys winning. Whether Wang Xiyu can achieve a breakthrough again is something Chinese fans eagerly await.

Later, another Chinese player, Wang Xinyu, will also compete for a spot in the round of 16, facing world No. 1, Belarusian star Aryna Sabalenka. The two previously met at the Australian Open, where Sabalenka fought back from a set down to win 2-1.