Sonego and Berrettini advance in Cincinnati, five Italians in action today

Lorenzo Sonego beat China's Shang Juncheng 6-3, 6-3 in one hour and 28 minutes in the first round of the Cincinnati Masters 1000, while Matteo Berrettini came back to beat French qualifier Titouan Droguet 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 after almost two hours on court.

It's Sonego's first Masters 1000 win of the season, coming against the player who beat him in Hong Kong earlier in 2026. The Turin native closed out the match with seven aces and 18 winners. Berrettini hadn't won a match in Cincinnati since 2021: after dropping the first set, he raised his level in the second and broke Droguet's serve in the seventh game of the third, closing it out 6-4.

5 ITALIANS ON THE COURT TODAY

Today it's five Italians' turn. Berrettini is back on court against Jiri Lehecka, the No. 9 seed, in a first-ever meeting between the two. Mattia Bellucci, who yesterday eliminated American Zachary Svajda 7-6(0), 7-6(4) in two hours and six minutes, faces Jakub Mensik, the No. 14 seed.

The Italian seeds also enter the tournament, making their debuts. Flavio Cobolli draws Miomir Kecmanovic, who beat Camilo Ugo Carabelli 6-3, 6-3. Matteo Arnaldi takes on Spaniard Martin Landaluce, who eliminated Jack Draper 6-3, 7-5 in the first round. Luciano Darderi faces Rinky Hijikata, No. 93 in the rankings, fresh off a comeback win over Gael Monfils 2-6, 7-6(5), 6-3 in two hours and 33 minutes.

The first round has already knocked Draper and Monfils out of the draw, and it's Landaluce and Hijikata who now stand in front of Arnaldi and Darderi with that scalp fresh in their pocket.