Carlos Alcaraz’s tumultuous journey at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open took a dramatic turn on Friday as the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion faced a crushing defeat, leading to a rare display of frustration. Alcaraz, who had high hopes for a strong performance on the hard courts, described his 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 loss to Gael Monfils as the “worst match” of his career. The Spaniard’s disappointment was palpable, with a violent racquet smash highlighting his emotional struggle.
“It was the worst match that I ever played in my career,” Alcaraz lamented post-match. “I couldn’t play. I don’t know what happened. Honestly, I couldn’t control myself. I couldn’t be better. It was impossible to win, and that’s all.” Despite his previous successes, including his title at Wimbledon and Roland Garros, Alcaraz found himself unable to handle the crafty play of the 37-year-old French veteran. The defeat came as a bitter blow as he heads into the US Open next week without a hardcourt win and only one second-round match to build his form.
Adding to the day’s drama, Monfils’ brief celebration was interrupted by a third-round encounter against Holger Rune. After his victory over Alcaraz, Monfils faced fatigue and was ultimately defeated by Rune in a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback. This match showcased the wear and tear of a grueling schedule and the unpredictability of the sport.
In contrast to Alcaraz’s frustrations, world number one Jannik Sinner enjoyed a serene 23rd birthday. Fate offered him a walkover into the quarter-finals when Australian Jordan Thompson withdrew due to a rib injury. Sinner’s next challenge will be a rematch against Andrey Rublev, who had just completed a rain-delayed match against Brandon Nakashima, securing a 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 victory. This sets up a compelling quarter-final, especially following Rublev’s victory over Sinner in Canada.
Third seed Alexander Zverev also advanced to the last eight, overcoming Pablo Carreno Busta 7-5, 7-6 (8/6). Meanwhile, Hubert Hurkacz continued his swift recovery from knee surgery with a 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 win over Italy’s Flavio Cobolli. However, the poor form of seventh seed Casper Ruud persisted as he fell 6-3, 6-1 to Felix Auger-Aliassime, who served 14 aces in a dominant display.
On the women’s side, top seed Iga Swiatek continued her strong form with a decisive 6-2, 6-2 victory over Marta Kostyuk. Swiatek’s efficient performance came after a three-set battle in her previous match, showcasing her ability to bounce back and maintain intensity. She remains unbeaten in her rivalry with Kostyuk, having won all three encounters without dropping a set.
Aryna Sabalenka, the third seed, secured her place in the quarter-finals with a 7-5, 6-2 win over Elina Svitolina. Meanwhile, sixth seed Jessica Pegula overcame a delayed second-round match against 2023 runner-up Karolina Muchova, winning 5-7, 6-4, 6-2. Pegula then defeated Taylor Townsend 6-2, 6-3 to set up a quarter-final clash with Leylah Fernandez.
In other notable results, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-4, while Zheng Qinwen’s earlier win over Magdalena Frech was overshadowed by her subsequent loss to Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-1. Teen sensation Mirra Andreeva also made headlines with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 victory over Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini.
As the Cincinnati Open progresses, the contrasting fortunes of players like Alcaraz and Sinner highlight the unpredictable nature of tennis and set the stage for an exciting lead-up to the US Open.
