Carlos Alcaraz faced a tough defeat against Gael Monfils at the Cincinnati Open, with Monfils emerging victorious in a hard-fought battle. The match, which was suspended due to rain, saw Monfils clinch the win by taking the last two sets from the second-seeded Alcaraz.
Alcaraz expressed his disappointment, labeling the match as his 'worst ever.' Despite feeling confident and well-prepared, he struggled to find his rhythm on the court, leading to visible frustration and racket-smashing incidents.
Alcaraz, ranked No. 3 in the ATP rankings, admitted to losing control of his emotions during the match, a rare occurrence for him. He acknowledged his subpar performance and expressed a desire to move past this setback as he looks ahead to the upcoming U.S. Open in New York.
Monfils, on the other hand, continued his winning streak and advanced to face Holger Rune in a bid to become the oldest men's quarterfinalist in Cincinnati in the professional era.
Women's Action
In the women's category, top-ranked Iga Swiatek showcased her dominance with a convincing victory over Marta Kostyuk. Swiatek's strong performance highlighted her unwavering intensity and focus on her game, leading to a smooth progression to the quarterfinals.
Meanwhile, Aryna Sabalenka secured her spot in the next round with a solid win over Elina Svitolina. However, Jasmine Paolini, the fifth seed and a finalist at both the French Open and Wimbledon, suffered a defeat at the hands of Mirra Andreeva.
Men's Results
On the men's side, top players like Jannik Sinner, Alex Zverev, and Andrey Rublev advanced in the tournament. Sinner received a walkover on his 23rd birthday, while Zverev and Rublev displayed their prowess on the court to secure victories.
As the Cincinnati Open progresses, the stage is set for more thrilling matches and intense competition as players vie for coveted titles and rankings ahead of the U.S. Open.
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