In a stunning turn of events at the Cincinnati Masters 1000, world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz suffered an unexpected defeat against Gael Monfils in the second round. The match, which had been interrupted by rain, resumed with Monfils securing a 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 victory over the Spanish star. This loss is particularly significant for Alcaraz, as it not only disrupts his US Open preparations but also prevents him from surpassing Novak Djokovic in the ATP rankings, leaving him 1,500 points behind Jannik Sinner.The defeat was marked by a rare display of frustration from Alcaraz, who is typically known for his calm demeanor. After failing to capitalize on four break points in the third set, Alcaraz was seen smashing his racket multiple times. This outburst, described by Sky Sports commentators as ‘shocking,’ highlighted the pressure Alcaraz was under.Meanwhile, world No. 1 Jannik Sinner advanced to the quarterfinals without playing, benefiting from Jordan Thompson’s withdrawal due to a back injury. Sinner, who celebrated his 23rd birthday, will face Russian Andrey Rublev in the next round.In other tournament news, Iga Świątek dominated her match against Marta Kostyuk, winning 6-2, 6-2 in just 31 minutes. Alexander Zverev also showed improved form, defeating Pablo Carreño Busta in two close sets, 7-5, 7-6 (8-6).As the Cincinnati Masters 1000 progresses, these results have set the stage for intriguing quarterfinal matchups. The tournament continues to serve as a crucial preparation ground for the upcoming US Open, with players aiming to fine-tune their form on hard courts.
Key points
- Carlos Alcaraz lost to Gael Monfils in a surprising upset at the Cincinnati Masters 1000.
- Alcaraz displayed rare frustration, smashing his racket after failing to convert break points.
- Jannik Sinner advanced to the quarterfinals without playing due to Jordan Thompson’s withdrawal.
- The loss impacts Alcaraz’s US Open preparation and his chances of surpassing Novak Djokovic in the ATP rankings.
Contradictions👾Some sources report the match score as 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4, while others state it as 4-6, 6-7(5), 6-4.
This minor discrepancy in reporting the tiebreak score does not significantly affect the overall outcome or narrative.
