World No. 9 Elina Svitolina has withdrawn from the Cincinnati Open ahead of her third-round match against Wang Xiyu because of a right ankle injury, tournament organizers confirmed on Wednesday.
As a result, Wang Xiyu, who was scheduled to face Svitolina, advances to the round of 16 via walkover. This marks Wang's second career appearance in the last 16 of a WTA 1000 event, following her run at the 2023 Dubai Tennis Championships.
Svitolina, a three-time Grand Slam semifinalist, had previously expressed concerns about her ankle after her second-round match, but the injury worsened, forcing her withdrawal. She will now focus on recovering ahead of the upcoming US Open, which begins on August 24.
Wang, currently ranked No. 42, will face either Ons Jabeur or Veronika Kudermetova in the next round.
