Carlos Alcaraz let free his frustrations with a violent racquet smash in a 4-6, 7-6 (7/5), 6-4 defeat on Friday on the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open that he known as the “worst match” of his profession.
The reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon champion couldn’t match the wily expertise of 37-year-old French opponent Gael Monfils, 20 years within the recreation and a menace to any younger gun.
“It was the worst match that I ever performed in my profession,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I couldn’t play.”
“I don’t know what occurred. Actually, I couldn’t, I couldn’t management myself. I couldn’t be higher. It was inconceivable to win, and that’s all,” he summarised.
The Spaniard added: “I got here right here considering I’m going to really feel good. I’m going to place in an excellent tennis, as a result of I understand how to play on this court docket.”
Alcaraz mentioned he had by no means earlier than damaged a racquet in anger however this match was the exception.
The ATP quantity three and 2023 Cincinnati runner-up heads to the US Open beginning every week from Monday with no hardcourt win and just one second-round summer time cement match in his legs.
“It’s actually troublesome to search out some goodstuffs from this match — I would like to overlook it and attempt to transfer on to New York,” he mentioned. “I’ll attempt to observe properly, to get used to these courts. And I’ll overlook this match.”
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Monfils then began a third-round catch-up match solely hours after his victory, however ran out of puff as Holger Rune scraped out a 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 comeback victory.
Whereas annoyed second seed Alcaraz was fuming at his type and infrequently screaming at his staff, world primary Jannik Sinner celebrated a quiet twenty third birthday, with destiny handing him a gift within the type of a walkover.
The Italian superior effortlessly into the quarters when Australian opponent Jordan Thompson withdrew earlier than their match with a rib harm.
Sinner subsequent will get a rematch of final week’s quarter-final in Canada, which he misplaced to Andrey Rublev. The Russian completed a rain-delayed match over Brandon Nakashima 7-6 (7/5), 6-1.
Third seed Alexander Zverev superior into the final eight over Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta 7-5, 7-6 (8/6).
Quantity 5 Hubert Hurkacz continued his fast return from July knee surgical procedure with a 6-3,3-6, 6-1 defeat of Italy’s Flavio Cobolli.
The poor run of type for seventh seed Casper Ruud continued because the Norwegian went down 6-3, 6-1 to Felix Auger-Aliassime in 68 minutes, with the Canadian sending down 14 aces.
No.1 Swiatek cruises
Ladies’s high seed Iga Swiatek defeated Marta Kostyuk for the second time this season, powering into the quarterfinals 6-2, 6-2.
The Pole backed up her win over the Ukrainian at Indian Wells final March and now stands 3-0 within the rivalry with out the lack of a set.
Because of morning rain, Swiatek stepped onto the court docket with out her normal pre-match routine, however confirmed no sick results.
High-ranked Swiatek was capable of end off victory effectively after struggling by way of three units within the earlier spherical to defeat Varvara Gracheva.
Swiatek secured the opening set in 31 minutes and was untroubled as she rolled by way of the second.
“I’m completely happy that I stored my depth, within the first match, it bought a little bit bit down,” Swiatek mentioned. “However I used to be prepared in each recreation.
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“I’m completely happy I used to be stable. I used to be disciplined with all of the issues that I wished to deal with,” she added.
Three-time semifinalist and third seed Aryna Sabalenka beat Monfils’s spouse, Elina Svitolina, 7-5, 6-2 for her fourth quarterfinal right here.
Sixth seed Jessica Pegula received a delayed second-round match over 2023 runner-up Karolina Muchova 5-7, 6-4, 6-2.
Pegula’s second win of the day was a 6-2, 6-3 conquer US compatriot Taylor Townsend to guide a quarterfinal in opposition to former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez.
Mom-of-two Caroline Wozniacki continued her WTA comeback effort however misplaced to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-5, 6-4.
Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen beat Poland’s Magdalena Frech 6-1, 7-5. Teenaged Mirra Andreeva put out Italy’s Wimbledon finalist Jasmine Paolini 3-6, 6-3, 6-2.