Cincinnati Open 2024: Top five most shocking results ft. Carlos Alcaraz, Coco Gauff & more

Defending champion Coco Gauff crashed out from the tournament in the second round.

The Cincinnati Open 2024 had no shortage of drama and action with some of the biggest names in the tennis world competing, in what served to be the perfect opportunity for one final preparation before the much-anticipated US Open.

Most of the top seeds apart from the 2023 winner Novak Djokovic took part and contrary to expectations, many of them didn’t make it to the semi-finals. The nature of upsets, shocking defeats and controversies made this edition of the Cincinnati open- a memorable and exciting one.

On that note, let’s take a look at some of the biggest upsets at Cincinnati this year.

Bopanna/Ebden lost to Fils/Jarry in the round of 16 match

Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden started the year on a high note by winning their first major Grand Slam title together at the 2024 Australian Open. However, their success has since dwindled. They had a respectable run at the French Open, reaching the semifinals, but have since encountered a series of disappointing results.

Ebden, alongside his Australian partner, secured the gold in men’s doubles at the Olympics. In contrast, Bopanna has struggled to find his best form, which was evident in Paris, where, despite playing alongside the inexperienced Balaji, he was the second-best player on the court, raising concerns about the veteran’s form.

Consecutive first-round exits at the Canadian and Cincinnati Open are certainly worrying signs. However, given the vast experience of the Indian-Australian pair, they are expected to come out all guns blazing in New York.

Also Read: Cincinnati Open full list of title winners

Elena Rybakina lost to Leylah Fernandez in round of 32

Fourth seed Elena Rybakina was stunned by Canada’s Leylah Fernandez in the first round of the 2024 Cincinnati Open. The Kazakh had earlier withdrawn from Paris Olympics, pulling out at the last minute from the quadrennial event. Before that, she lost in the semifinals of Wimbledon to eventual champion Barbora Krejcikova.

Historically, Rybakina’s record on hard courts has not been strong. She has never reached the semifinals of the US Open, despite competing in the event for the past eight years. The 25-year-old’s struggles on these surfaces are puzzling, given her strengths—powerful serving and blazing forehands—are ideally suited for fast-paced courts.

While the fourth seed hopes to turn things around at this year’s US Open, she couldn’t get the head start she was looking for in Cincinnati, losing to the 26th seed in her very first match.

Daniil Medvedev lost to Jiri Lehecka in round of 32

Fifth seed Daniil Medvedev would have been overjoyed over the transition from clay to hard courts, especially considering the Russian’s incredible record in America, having won his maiden Grand Slam at the US Open in 2021. Medvedev had a disappointing turnout at the Paris Olympics and with Djokovic not playing this event, the 28-year-old had his best chance of reaching the Cincinnati final for the very first time.

Contrary to the Russian’s hopes, after being handed over a bye in the first round, he was stunned by Lehecka in straight sets. The first set went into a nail biting tiebreak in which the Czech managed to edge past the Russian before breaking Medvedev’s serve in the second to claim a remarkable victory. Despite the early exit, the 2021 US Open champion, who’s known to produce his best tennis at the biggest stage, will be one of the favourites at the US Open.

Coco Gauff lost to Yulia Putintseva in round of 32

A shocking series of months for Coco Gauff continued at the Cincinnati Open. The environment and surroundings might have changed but the American continues to struggle for form and unfortunately for her, this was her last opportunity to regain her mojo before she commences her campaign in Queens, with the goal of defending her crown.

Yulia Putintseva continued her habit of eliminating the top-seeds having beaten Iga Swiatek at the Wimbledon earlier and now Gauff.

Carlos Alcaraz lost to Gael Monfils in round of 32

The biggest upset at the Cincinnati Open was the early exit of reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz. The 2023 semifinalist was left fuming after an uncharacteristically poor performance from the usually formidable Spaniard.

In a rain-hit and delayed match, Alcaraz won the first set, and the match entered a tiebreak when heavy rain forced officials to postpone the clash. However, the following day, the Spaniard struggled, committing a series of unforced errors, losing the tiebreak, and eventually the third set. This marked the first time Gael Monfils had ever defeated Alcaraz, making it a memorable occasion for the Frenchman, who is set to retire after the US Open.

This marks the second consecutive disappointment for Alcaraz, following his loss in the Olympic final. The tennis community witnessed a rare display of frustration from the 21-year-old as he smashed his racquet in anger—a side of him the world had never seen before. With the US Open less than 10 days away, Alcaraz will be eager to bounce back in style.

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