Sinner beats Mannarino to reach Cincinnati last eight

Jannik Sinner has won four Grand Slam titles

World number one Jannik Sinner reached the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals with a 6-4 7-6 (7-4) victory over a stubborn Adrian Mannarino.

Sinner quickly took control of the match when he broke the 37-year-old Frenchman in the third game.

Mannarino, ranked 89th in the world, saved a break point in the seventh game with an ace but the left-hander could not stop his opponent going on to claim the first set.

Play was suspended for rain with Sinner 40-30 on serve and 2-1 down in the second set, before the players resumed about two hours and 45 minutes later.

Mannarino proved a more obdurate competitor in the second set but, despite saving three break points at 5-5, eventually succumbed to the fourth when he netted a backhand to go 6-5 down.

Sinner was 30-0 up when serving for the match but some inspired tennis earned Mannarino his first break point which he took with a stunning forehand return.

However, Sinner produced back-to-back aces to win the tie-break 7-4 and extend his record to four wins in as many matches against Mannarino.

"He's a tough opponent," said Sinner. "Very different to all the other opponents. Not only because he is a leftie but also how he hits the ball - it's very low.

"I struggled a bit to close it out but this can happen in this sport and I'm very happy to be in the next round."

Elsewhere, second seed Carlos Alcaraz booked his 18th Masters 1000 quarter-final by beating Italian Luca Nardi in straight sets 6-1 6-4.

Five-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz, 22, has won 36 of his last 38 matches and will face Russian Andrey Rublev, who defeated Argentine Francisco Comesana 6-2 6-3, next.

"This match was the best so far for me in this tournament," Alcaraz said.

"I'm really happy with the way I felt the ball today and the way that I moved. I got used to the conditions, the humidity and heat. I'm happy to get through."

Alexander Zverev, meanwhile, needed just one game to complete his victory over Brandon Nakashima after rain had forced their match to be suspended overnight with the score 5-4 in the second set. He then advanced to the last eight as Russian Karen Khachanov withdrew during their fourth-round match.

Seventh seed Holger Rune is also through to the quarter-finals after his opponent, American 10th seed Frances Tiafoe, retired with a back injury while trailing 6-4 3-1.