PHOTOS: 2025 Cincinnati Open Rd 1 Stearns vs Wang

Mason's hometown player in the Cincinnati Open took to the P&G Center Court Thursday night, seeking her first main draw win at this event. Her opponent was no stranger to her. Peyton Stearns and Yafan Wang met previously in the 2024 Miami Open. Stearns came out on top in that one, but the question was, could she do it again?

For Stearns, it as been a rough summer. She has only won one match heading into Cincinnati since her semifinal appearance back in May in the Rome WTA 1000 event.

For Wang the story wasn't any better. Entering Thursday, she had not won a WTA Tour level main draw match since the 1st round of the Australian Open in January.

Stearns jumped out early in the 1st set taking a 2-0 lead before Wang cam back and jumped up 3-2. A few game later at 4-4, Stearns would hold serve to go up 5-4, then would get the break to take the first set. The second set didn't get better for Wang. Stearns would take a couple more service breaks, and win her first Cincinnati Open main draw match 6-4,6-3.

Stearns moves on to the 2nd round where she will face Anna Kalinskaya of Russia on Saturday.

Check out photos from this match below.