Alcaraz overcomes scare as Gauff shines at Cincinnati Open
CINCINNATI,Ohio: Carlos Alcaraz overcame a shaky second set to defeat Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 in the second round of the Cincinnati Open on Sunday. The world No. 2 looked sharp early on but briefly lost rhythm before recovering with strong net play and a powerful forehand to close out the match. He now awaits the winner of Tallon Griekspoor and Hamad Medjedovic.
On the women’s side, defending champion Coco Gauff battled through early serving issues, including eight double faults in the first set, to beat China’s Wang Xinyu 6-3, 6-2. Gauff was clinical on break points, converting all five chances, and dominated the latter stages by winning 20 of her last 23 service points.
“I had a shaky start with the serve but I was able to push through and figure that out,” Gauff said after the match.
Elsewhere, American Reilly Opelka produced an upset by defeating sixth seed Alex de Minaur 7-6(6), 6-4, while fourth-seeded Jessica Pegula cruised past Australia’s Kimberly Birrell 6-4, 6-3 to advance.
