Shots of the day: Sloane soars, Rafa cruises

Wednesday at Cincinnati was the day that the big guns officially came out to play. Rafael Nadal cruised through his opening encounter with Richard Gasquet, while world No.1 Karolina Pliskova made short work of her opponent. But it wasn’t all plain-sailing – Alexander Zverev was stunned in his first match since winning Montreal, Venus Williams lost to qualifier Ash Barty, and Angelique Kerber lost a nailbiter to Ekaterina Makarova. These are the best photos of the day.

REALTED: Tiafoe ends Zverev’s streak
RELATED: Barty stuns Venus

: Sloane Stephens has found her form once again. She dismissed Petra Kvitova 6-2 6-3. Photo: Getty Images

: Rafael Nadal is marching towards the No.1 (whether or not he wins Cincinnati). Photo: Getty Images

: That moment that Richard Gasquet realised he had had a shocker of a second round draw. Photo: Getty Images

: Nadal made short work of Gasquet, easing into the third round 6-3 6-4. Photo: Getty Images

: After earlier collapsing on the floor with cramps, Makarova seemed relatively sprightly after winning the match. Photo: Getty Images

: Angelique Kerber can’t get a break at the moment. The former No.1 lost 13-11 in the deciding set breaker to Makarova. Photo: Getty Images

: Venus Williams suffered a shock three set defeat to Aussie qualifier Ash Barty. Photo: Getty Images

: Juan Martin del Potro was a 6-4 6-4 winner over Mitchell Krueger. Photo: Getty Images

: Alexander Zverev backed up his Montreal win with a… first match exit to Frances Tiafoe. Photo: Getty Images

: Tiafoe scored the biggest win of his career, taking down Zverev 4-6 6-3 6-4. Photo: Getty Images

: Karolina Pliskova needs a deep run at Cincinnati if she is to hold on to the No.1. She started strongly with 6-2 6-3 over Vikhlyantseva. Photo: Getty Images

: Nick Kyrgios might be injured, but that didn’t stop him taking down Dolgopolov in straight sets. Photo: Getty Images

Australian Open photographer’s favourites

15 January 2018

The stars step out

3 October 2017

Gallery: China Open player party

26 September 2017