Coco Gauff Upset in Cincinnati Open, Alcaraz Match Suspended

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.)