It was a birthday with a difference for world No.1 Jannik Sinner on Saturday. The Italian celebrated turning 24 in style, beating qualifier Terence Atmane 7-6 6-2 to set up a clash with Carlos Alcaraz in the final of the Cincinnati Open.

Unless you’re a tennis die-hard, you probably didn’t know much about Terence Atmane before this week. The 23-year-old Frenchman is ranked as the World No. 136 and has played just 14 matches on the ATP Tour in the last calendar year.

(Reuters) -World number one Aryna Sabalenka cruised into the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals with a 6-1 7-5 win over Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Wednesday, while defending champion Jannik Sinner beat Adrian Mannarino following a lengthy rain delay.

Jannik Sinner was subjected to an unusual chant from the Cincinnati Open crowd before his match against Terence Atmane. The young Italian was pitted against his French rival in the semi-finals, having won all of his previous matches without dropping a set.

Jannik Sinner scored three victories at the Cincinnati Masters for a place in the quarter-final. The defending champion passed Daniel Elahi Galan, Gabrial Diallo and Adrian Mannarino to remain on the title course.

The fans initially answered questions, unaware of the presence of tennis stars Iga Swiatek, Jannik Sinner, and Aryna Sabalenka.

The two top seeds, Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, are both safely through to the quarter-finals after winning yesterday while Carlos Alcaraz also progressed in the early hours. The Italian will now face Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime tonight for a place in the final four. Elsewhere, Coco Gauff and Jasmine Paolini both play last-16 matches.