Defending Champion Gauff Exits Early in WTA Cincinnati Opener

Cincinnati Open: In her opening match at the Cincinnati Open, second-ranked defending champion Coco Gauff was knocked out by Yulia Putintseva, losing 6-4, 2-6, 6-4. The surprise defeat, occurring just before the U.S. Open where Gauff is the reigning champion, shocked the local crowd. Putintseva, ranked 34th, has been making a habit of upsets, having recently defeated world No. 1 Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon.

Putintseva expressed pride in her performance, noting the crowd’s fair treatment despite their support for Gauff. She attributed her success to playing instinctively on the fast courts. Gauff, who won the Cincinnati title last year at age 19, had carried her success into a U.S. Open victory.

Putintseva will next compete against Paula Badosa, who won her match against Anna Kalinsyaka 6-3, 6-2. In other matches, third seed Aryna Sabalenka improved her record at the event by defeating Elisabetta Cocciaretto 6-3, 6-4. Sabalenka, who missed Wimbledon and the Paris Olympics due to a shoulder injury, is pleased with her performance.

Cincinnati Open: German second seed Alexander Zverev also progressed, defeating Karen Khachanov 6-3, 6-2 to notch his 50th win of the season. Zverev, who had struggled with form recently, felt better on the court and is hopeful for continued improvement.

In other results, Pablo Carreno Busta advanced by beating Max Purcell 6-3, 6-3, and fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz won his match against Yoshihito Nishioka 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-1. Hurkacz will face Flavio Cobolli in the next round.

In the WTA draw, Leylah Fernandez upset fourth seed Elena Rybakina 3-6, 7-6 (3), 6-4, with Rybakina struggling with double faults. Elina Svitolina defeated Jessica Bouzas Maneiro 6-4, 6-1 and will face Sabalenka next. Newly Armenian Elina Avanesyan staged a comeback to defeat eighth seed Jelena Ostapenko 2-6, 6-2, 6-2.

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