Murray, Azarenka get wildcards for Cincinnati Masters

LOSANGELES: Former world number ones Andy Murray and Victoria Azarenka have been handed wildcards to compete at the Cincinnati Masters next month, the tournament’s organisers have said.

Murray pulled out of this year’s Wimbledon saying his right hip was still not ready for the demands of a Grand Slam.

That was after the former world No. 1 Scot made a comeback in June at Queen’s Club following almost a year out with the injury that required surgery in Australia in January.

Two-times Grand Slam winner Azarenka, who won the Cincinnati Open in 2013, will return to the women’s draw for the first time since 2016 as she continues her comeback following a prolonged legal battle over the custody of her son Leo last year.

“The resumes for Vika and Andy really speak for themselves,” tournament Director Andre Silva said.

“I think many tennis fans are eager to see each of them back on the court, and we are pleased to offer them both wild cards to play the Western & Southern Open.”

A further seven players - three men and four women - will be handed wild cards for the tournament, which begins on August 11, around two weeks before the U.S. open starts on August 27.

KYRGIOS , BAGHDATIS ADVANCE

ATLANTA: Nick Kyrgios defeated American qualifier Noah Rubin in straight sets to reach the Atlanta Open quarter-finals on Thursday. Kyrgios needed just 56 minutes to dismantle Rubin 7-5, 6-2 at the ATP 250 tournament.

Champion in 2016, Australian star Kyrgios hit 15 aces and won 83 per cent of his service points to move through to the last eight.

In another match, Marcos Baghdatis got better of Frances Tiafoe 7-5, 6-1 to set up a quarterfinal game against Matthew Ebden.