Carlos Alcaraz Survives Scare, Ben Shelton Advances in Cincinnati Masters
Carlos Alcaraz battled past a second-set slump to register a 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 victory over Damir Dzumhur in his opening encounter at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open on Sunday, 10 August.
The Spaniard, playing his first tournament since finishing runner-up to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, stormed through the opening set but completely lost momentum in the second, conceding his serve twice to the 33-year-old Bosnian.
However, in the deciding set, Alcaraz rediscovered his rhythm and reduced his errors. He sealed the match with his seventh ace, earning match point, and advanced to the third round moments later as Dzumhur sent a shot wide.
Seeded second, Alcaraz extended his winning streak at Masters 1000 events to 12 matches, having earlier lifted trophies in Monte Carlo and Rome this season.
“It’s a relief to come through this one,” said Alcaraz, who committed 44 unforced errors. “It was a rollercoaster with both good and bad moments. I know I can play better and I’ll use tomorrow to regain my confidence. It was tricky, and I need to play smart tennis.”
Last year’s Cincinnati runner-up, Alcaraz will now face Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic, who defeated Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 7-6 (7/3).
Meanwhile, American Ben Shelton, fresh off his maiden Masters 1000 title in Toronto, eased into the next round with a 6-3, 3-1 win over Camilo Ugo Carabelli, who was forced to retire due to a right knee injury.
The Argentine, who had beaten Kei Nishikori in the first round, pulled up early in the second set and sought medical attention. Although he returned, he lasted only three more points.
Shelton, who spent less than an hour on court, welcomed the shorter match after a gruelling Toronto campaign that ended just two days earlier. “It’s never easy to play so soon after winning a title,” he said. “I feel for Camilo and hope he recovers quickly. I came here wanting to compete hard and see what I could do.”
In other men’s results, sixth seed Alex de Minaur was ousted by American Reilly Opelka 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, with Opelka firing 14 aces and saving all seven break points he faced. Australian Adam Walton shocked former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev 6-7 (0/7), 6-4, 6-1, earning his first career win over a top-50 opponent. Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut beat Britain’s Cameron Norrie 6-4, 6-3, while ninth seed Andrey Rublev defeated American Learner Tien 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.
Coco Gauff Battles Through
In the women’s draw, second seed and French Open champion Coco Gauff overcame a tough opening set to defeat China’s Wang Xinyu 6-3, 6-2.
Gauff, who won the Cincinnati title in 2023 before lifting her maiden Grand Slam at the US Open, endured a first set riddled with five service breaks. She steadied her game in the second set to wrap up victory in 71 minutes.
“It was a rough start,” Gauff admitted. “I just had to trust myself and the work we’ve put in during practice. In the second set, I was able to let go and play freely.”
Third seed Jessica Pegula, last year’s runner-up, beat Australia’s Kimberly Birrell 6-4, 6-3, while seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, a finalist at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon this year, saved her final match point to edge past Greece’s Maria Sakkari 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5).
