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Carlos Alcaraz. File | Photo credit: Reuters
Carlos Alcaraz unleashed his frustrations with a violent racket smash during a 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 loss to RR at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open on Friday (August 16, 2024) in what he called the “worst match” of his career.
The reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion could not match the finesse of 37-year-old French opponent Gael Monfils, who has been in the game for two decades and is a threat to any younger player.
“It was the worst match of my career. I couldn’t play,” Alcaraz said.
“I don’t know what happened. Honestly, I couldn’t control myself. I couldn’t get better. It was impossible to win, and that’s it.”
The Spaniard added: “I came here thinking I would feel good. I would play good tennis, because I know how to play on this court.”
Alcaraz said he had never broken a racket in anger before but this match was an exception.
The ATP number three and 2023 Cincinnati runner-up will head into the US Open, which starts a week from Monday, without a hardcourt win and with just one second-round summer cement match in his legs.
“It’s really hard to take some good things out of this match – I just want to forget it and go to New York,” he said.
“I will try to practice well to get used to those courts. And I will forget this match.”
Monfils began his third-round catch-up match just hours after his victory, but was thwarted as Holger Rune came back to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
While disappointed second seed Alcaraz was upset with his form and at times shouting at his team, world number one Jannik Sinner had a quiet 23rd birthday celebration, and fate handed him a gift in the form of a walkover.
The Italian eased into the quarter-finals after Australian opponent Jordan Thompson withdrew early from the match with a rib injury.
Sinner now has to play a rematch of last week’s quarterfinal in Canada, where he lost to Andrey Rublev. The Russian beat Brandon Nakashima 7-6 (7/5), 6-1 in a match delayed by rain.
Third seed Alexander Zverev reached the last eight by beating Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 7-5, 7-6 (8/6).
Fifth seed Hubert Hurkacz continued his rapid comeback from knee surgery in July, beating Italy’s Flavio Cobolli 6-3, 3-6, 6-1.
Seventh seed Casper Ruud’s poor form continued as the Norwegian lost 6-3, 6-1 to Felix Auger-Aliassime in 68 minutes with the Canadian hitting 14 aces.
Swiatek Cruises
Women’s top seed Iga Swiatek reached the quarterfinals for the second time this season by beating Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-2.
The Polish player defeated the Ukrainian in Indian Wells last March and now leads the rivalry 3-0 without dropping a set.
Top seed Swiatek managed to beat Varvara Gracheva after struggling in three sets in the previous round.
Swiatek won the first set in 31 minutes and had no trouble in the second set as well.
“I’m glad I kept my intensity, it was a bit off in the first match,” Swiatek said. “But I was ready for every game.
“I’m glad I was determined. I was disciplined about all the things I wanted to take care of.”
Three-time semifinalist and third seed Aryna Sabalenka defeated Monfils’ wife Elina Svitolina 7-5, 6-2 in her fourth quarter-final here.
Sixth seed Jessica Pegula defeated 2023 runner-up Karolina Muchova 5-7, 6-4, 6-2 in a second-round match.
Pegula’s second win of the day was a 6-2, 6-3 victory over American compatriot Taylor Townsend, sending her into the quarterfinals against former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez.
Caroline Wozniacki, a mother of two, lost to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-4.
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen defeated Poland’s Magdalena Frech 6-1, 7-5 but then lost to Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-1 in her third round match.
Teenager Mira Andreva defeated Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini of Italy 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.
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