Carlos Alcaraz, the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, experienced a shocking defeat at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open on Friday, losing to Gael Monfils in straight sets. The Spaniard called the match the “worst” of his career, expressing his frustration with a violent racquet smash. Alcaraz struggled to match the wily skills of the 37-year-old French veteran, highlighting the challenge younger players face against experienced opponents.
Despite entering the tournament with high hopes, Alcaraz couldn’t find his rhythm. He admitted to losing control and being unable to play his best tennis. This disappointing result comes as Alcaraz prepares for the US Open, where he will be seeking to regain his form. He is eager to move on from the Cincinnati experience and focus on the upcoming Grand Slam.
Meanwhile, Jannik Sinner celebrated his 23rd birthday with an unexpected gift – a walkover to the quarterfinals. His Australian opponent, Jordan Thompson, withdrew before their match due to a rib injury. This gives Sinner a chance for revenge against Andrey Rublev, who defeated him in the Canadian Open quarterfinals last week.
The other quarterfinal matchups in the men’s draw include Andrey Rublev versus Brandon Nakashima, Alexander Zverev versus Pablo Carreno Busta, Hubert Hurkacz versus Flavio Cobolli, and Felix Auger-Aliassime versus Casper Ruud.
In the women’s draw, top-seed Iga Swiatek continued her dominant run, securing a comfortable victory over Marta Kostyuk. The Polish star, who recently won the US Open 2024, showcased her consistency and intensity, making a statement ahead of the upcoming Grand Slam. She aims to maintain her strong form and continue her quest for the championship.
Other notable women’s matches saw Aryna Sabalenka defeat Elina Svitolina in straight sets, Jessica Pegula overcome Karolina Muchova and Taylor Townsend, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeat Caroline Wozniacki. The remaining quarterfinal match-ups include Jessica Pegula versus Leylah Fernandez, Aryna Sabalenka versus Madison Keys, and Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova versus Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen. The tournament continues with the quarterfinal matches, setting the stage for the final showdown and the determination of the Cincinnati Open champions.
