Disappointing News: from Coco as she loses in the first round as defending champion in Cincinnati against Yulia Putintseva (WTA 33) 4-6, 6-2, 4-6

Disappointing News: from Coco as she loses in the first round as defending champion in Cincinnati against Yulia Putintseva (WTA 33) 4-6, 6-2, 4-6

Defending Champion Coco Gauff Crashes Out of Cincinnati Open

In a stunning upset, Coco Gauff’s title defense at the Cincinnati Open came to an abrupt end as she lost to Yulia Putintseva in the first round. The 19-year-old American, who won the title last year, was expected to make a strong start but was outplayed by the 33rd-ranked Putintseva.

Gauff started strong, taking the first set 6-4, but Putintseva fought back, winning the second set 6-2. The decisive third set saw Putintseva emerge victorious, taking it 6-4.

This loss marks a disappointing start to Gauff’s US Open preparation. Despite her talent and potential, Gauff has struggled with consistency this season, and this early exit will only add to her concerns.

Putintseva, on the other hand, has been in impressive form, reaching the quarterfinals in Toronto last week. Her win over Gauff marks a significant upset and sets her up for a potential deep run in the tournament.

Gauff’s loss is a reminder that defending a title is never easy, and she will need to regroup and refocus for the US Open later this month.

_Highlights:_

– Gauff struggled with her serve and movement throughout the match.
– Putintseva’s victory marks her first win over a top-10 player this season.
– Gauff’s early exit marks a significant upset in the tournament.

_Post-Match Reaction:_

Gauff acknowledged that she didn’t play her best tennis, saying “I didn’t execute my game plan well.” Putintseva praised Gauff’s talent, saying “Coco is an amazing player, and I knew it would be a tough match.”

The loss is a setback for Gauff, but she remains one of the most promising young players in the game. She will look to regroup and come back stronger at the US Open.