In an unexpected twist at the Cincinnati Open, defending champion Coco Gauff 🇺🇸 was knocked out in the second round by Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva 🇰🇿 with a score of 4-6, 6-2, 4-6. The stadium was buzzing as Gauff, ranked world No. 2, faced a tough challenge from Putintseva, who broke her three-match losing streak against the American star.
\"It was not the best match for me,\" Gauff admitted in a post-match interview with the WTA Tour. \"I made a lot of errors, especially when I was up 4-2 in the third. I think most of the points she won were off my errors. She's always a tricky opponent to play. She mixes up the ball. She has drop shots, slice. She's kind of someone that makes you earn the match.\"
Gauff's candid reflection highlighted the intense showdown, where Putintseva's crafty playstyle kept fans on the edge of their seats. Known for her variety and tenacity on court, Putintseva proved once again that she's a force to be reckoned with.
This victory marks Putintseva's first win over Gauff and adds to her impressive track record this season, including her stunning upset against world No. 1 Iga Swiatek 🇵🇱 at Wimbledon last month. Up next, she'll face Spain's Paula Badosa 🇪🇸 in the Round of 16.
\"Belief is never an issue for me. Since I was a kid, I remember that only my parents believed in me,\" Putintseva shared with Tennis Channel after her triumph. \"They were the only ones who thought I would be able to do well due to my height. I was the smallest person in the group, and my father was like, 'You're the best. You have to believe that you're the best, otherwise it's not going to work.'\"
Meanwhile, the tournament's No. 3 seed, Aryna Sabalenka 🇧🇾, kicked off her campaign with a solid 6-3, 6-4 win over Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto 🇮🇹. \"I'm happy with my level in the tough moments,\" Sabalenka said. \"Elisabetta is a difficult opponent. She fought to the last point.\" Sabalenka is set to face Ukraine's Elina Svitolina 🇺🇦 next.
The Cincinnati Open continues to deliver thrilling matches and unexpected outcomes, keeping tennis fans worldwide hooked! Who else is excited to see what happens next? 🎉
Reference(s):
Gauff's Cincinnati Open defense ends after she's upset by Putintseva
cgtn.com
