Aryna Sabalenka shared her tennis mindset on Tuesday, disclosing that she swiftly moves on from defeats. "Each week brings a new tournament," stated the two-time Australian Open winner as she geared up for her second-round match at the WTA and ATP Cincinnati Open, the final major event before the US Open commences on August 26. "Having a short memory is beneficial. It aids in maintaining momentum, working diligently, and making progress." The third seed has reached the semifinals at the US Midwest venue in the last two editions and in 2018. She aims to enhance her record soon as she recovers from a shoulder injury that led her to miss Wimbledon. "Every loss fuels extra motivation to work harder and improve—just to keep pushing forward," she explained. "If you fight for every point and give your all in practice and matches, you'll seize your chances. You just need to capitalize on them." Sabalenka noted that her tennis offers a refreshing escape from real-life challenges. The 25-year-old has endured significant personal losses, including her father and a former boyfriend who died this year in Miami. Meanwhile, the WTA number three is focused on improving her Cincinnati performance. "I'm working out what I need to do to reach the finals. But I don't want to concentrate on that," she said. "I prefer to take things step by step and deliver my best tennis every time I step onto the court. If I do that, I'll secure that semifinal victory." The top-eight seeds awaited their first-round opponents, with matches filling the courts on Tuesday. Ninth-seeded Daria Kastkina secured a 6-4, 6-2 win over Ekaterina Alexandrova, delivering over six aces and breaking serve four times. The victory was a relief after consecutive first-round exits in Washington and Toronto. Number 15 Marta Kostyuk advanced to the second round with a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory over Elise Mertens, overcoming nearly two and a half hours and a dozen double faults. "I'm unsure how I won today," the Ukrainian admitted. "Many things didn't go as planned." Karolina Pliskova, the tournament champion eight years ago, started her WTA campaign with a 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/3) win against Bulgarian Viktorija Tomova, while France's Varvara Gracheva defeated Australian Ajla Tomljanovic 6-3, 2-6, 7-6 (7/5). Wimbledon quarter-finalist Lulu Sun, who qualified for the event, progressed to the second round with a 6-4, 7-6 (7/4) win over Czech Linda Noskova. In men's play, 12th seed Ben Shelton triumphed in a serving duel against Reilly Opelka, winning 7-6 (7/3), 7-6 (7/3). The towering Opelka, returning after a two-year injury layoff, fired 19 aces in his defeat to Shelton. Shelton prepared for the match by practicing against his father Bryan's powerful serves, a former ATP player. "It's challenging to mimic the angle and bounce of Reilly's serve," Shelton remarked. "I've never faced a ball like that. Some of his serves seem to break the laws of physics." However, it's encouraging to see him return, even if not at full strength. I'm satisfied with how I closed it out." Shelton secured his second-round spot on the second of four match points with a leaping return winner. He concluded with 20 winners, while his opponent had 31 in the 97-minute match. American Alex Michelsen moved past Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-1, 5-7, 6-2. China's Zhang Zhizhen defeated France's Giovanni Mpetishi Perricard 6-3, 7-6 (7/4). Frances Tiafoe celebrated a home victory, overcoming Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-3, 7-6 (8/6).