Coco Gauff Upset in Cincinnati Open, Alcaraz Match Suspended

Defending champion Coco Gauff was defeated in her opening match at the Cincinnati Open by Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva. In other matches, the women's No. 4 seed was also eliminated, while men's players Ben Shelton and Brandon Nakashima progressed. No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz had his match suspended due to rain.

Defending champion Coco Gauff lost in her opening match at the Cincinnati Open, falling to Kazakhstan's Yulia Putintseva 6-4, 2-6, 6-4.

Gauff, who became the youngest Cincinnati champion last year at 19, faltered after a first-round bye. She blew a 4-2 lead in the third set, losing to Putintseva for the first time in their four career meetings.

Putintseva, fresh off a win against Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon, will face Spain's Paula Badosa in the next round. Elsewhere, the women's No. 4 seed Elena Rybakina was eliminated, and No. 3 Aryna Sabalenka triumphed over Elisabetta Cocciaretto. Taylor Townsend continued her impressive run by defeating No. 9 Daria Kasatkina.

In men's action, No. 12 seed Ben Shelton edged past Tomas Martin Etcheverry, while American Brandon Nakashima advanced to meet No. 6 seed Andrey Rublev. No. 2 seed Carlos Alcaraz's match against Gael Monfils was suspended due to rain after the first set.

Additionally, fifth-seeded Hubert Hurkacz reached the round of 16, but No. 8 Grigor Dimitrov and No. 9 Stefanos Tsitsipas were both eliminated. Dimitrov lost to Hungary's Fabian Marozsan, and Tsitsipas was ousted by Britain's Jack Draper.

(With inputs from agencies.)