Joe McConnell
Defending champion Coco Gauff suffered a shock defeat to Yulia Putintseva in her opening match of the Cincinnati Open.
Gauff, who also won last year’s US Open to secure her first Grand Slam title, did not react as Putintseva won the final four games of the match, claiming a 6-4 2-6 6-4 victory.
Putintseva, who eliminated world No. 1 Iga Swiatek at Wimbledon this year, will face Spain’s Paula Badosa in the round of 16.
That wasn’t the only shock in the Cincinnati women’s draw on Thursday, as fourth seed Elena Rybakina also crashed out in the second round, losing to Leyla Fernandez 3-6 7-6 (7-3) 6-4.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Leylah Fernandez vs Elena Rybakina Highlights from Cincinnati Open
Fernandez, runner-up to Britain’s Emma Raducanu at the 2021 US Open, has been at her best on hard courts as the Canadian ramps up preparations for another stop at Flushing Meadows.
Fernandez will face again Diana Schneider in the third round after easily beating American Ashlyn Krueger on Thursday.
Third seed Aryna Sabalenka She secured a place in the round of 16 in Cincinnati with a 6-3 6-4 victory over Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto.
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Aryna Sabalenka vs Elisabetta Cocciaretto Highlights from Cincinnati Open
Awaiting the two-time Australian Open champion in the third round is Elina Svitolina after the popular Ukrainian easily defeated Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro with a landslide 6-4 6-1 victory.
Elsewhere, 17 years old Myrrha Andreeva She beat Czech veteran Karolina Pliskova 6-2 6-3 and continued to progress.
What’s happening on Vscek Tennis?
Ahead of the final Grand Slam of 2024, the US Open, you’ll be able to see all the biggest tennis stars in action Live on Sky Sport as they compete during the season on the hard courts.
- Cincinnati Open (ATP 1000) – August 12-19
- Cincinnati Open (WTA 1000) – August 13-19
- Winston-Salem Open (ATP 250) – August 18-24
- Tennis in the Land, Cleveland (WTA 250) – August 18-24
- GNP Seguros Open, Monterrey (WTA 500) – August 19-24
- US Open (ATP/WTA) – August 26 – September 8
Vscek+ has officially launched and will be integrated into Sky TV, the NOW streaming service and the Vscek app, giving Vscek customers access to over 50% more live sport this year, at no extra cost.
