Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner Face Mixed Fortunes at Cincinnati Open

Posted : 17 August 2024

Carlos Alcaraz expressed his frustration with a dramatic racquet smash following his 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 loss to Gael Monfils at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open on Friday. Alcaraz, the reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion, described the match as the "worst" of his career, admitting he was unable to control his performance or emotions. Despite his strong start to the season, the Spaniard struggled against the experienced 37-year-old French player, who proved to be a formidable opponent.

Alcaraz, who had hoped to find his form on the hardcourts leading up to the US Open, was visibly disappointed by his lackluster performance and the rare instance of breaking his racquet in anger. He acknowledged that he had never before acted out so violently and hoped to move past this defeat quickly. With the US Open starting in just over a week, Alcaraz plans to focus on his practice to better adapt to the courts in New York and to put this frustrating match behind him.

In contrast, world No 1 Jannik Sinner enjoyed a more serene progression, celebrating his 23rd birthday with a walkover into the quarterfinals after Jordan Thompson withdrew due to a rib injury. Sinner will face Andrey Rublev next, who overcame Brandon Nakashima in a rain-delayed match. Alexander Zverev also advanced to the last eight with a win over Pablo Carreno Busta, while Hubert Hurkacz continued his comeback from knee surgery with a victory against Flavio Cobolli. Casper Ruud's struggles continued as he was defeated by Felix Auger-Aliassime in straight sets.

On the women's side, top seed Iga Swiatek cruised past Marta Kostyuk to reach the quarterfinals, maintaining her unbeaten record against the Ukrainian. Swiatek, who had struggled in a previous round, managed to keep her intensity high and secure a decisive victory. Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula also advanced, with Sabalenka defeating Elina Svitolina and Pegula winning both her matches on the day to move forward. Meanwhile, Caroline Wozniacki and Zheng Qinwen experienced setbacks, with Wozniacki losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Zheng being defeated by the same player after an earlier win.

Teenager Mirra Andreeva emerged victorious against Jasmine Paolini, showcasing her potential as she continues to make strides on the tour. The Cincinnati Open continues to provide a platform for players to fine-tune their games and prepare for the upcoming US Open, with both seasoned veterans and rising stars looking to make their mark.

Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner Face Mixed Fortunes at Cincinnati Open

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