Coco Gauff Loses to Yulia Putintseva in Cincinnati

Defending US Open champion Coco Gauff has been eliminated from the Cincinnati Open after a hard-fought match against Kazakhstan’s Yulia Putintseva. Gauff, who was also the defending champion in Ohio, initially struggled, losing the first set 6-4. However, she rallied to take the second set 6-2, showcasing her resilience. In the decisive third set, Gauff held a 4-2 lead on her serve but was unable to maintain her advantage. Putintseva, ranked No. 34 in the world, broke back and ultimately secured the set 6-4, marking Gauff's fifth consecutive defeat to players ranked within the top 50. This latest loss raises concerns about Gauff's form as she prepares to defend her title at the US Open, which begins on August 26. Following this defeat, Gauff will be seeded No. 3 at the tournament, dropping below Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA rankings. This change means she may face world No. 1 Iga Swiatek earlier in the tournament, against whom she has a challenging 1-11 record. Putintseva's victory is notable as she has recently defeated both the world No. 1 and No. 2 players, having previously knocked Swiatek out of Wimbledon in July. Gauff's recent struggles include losses to Diana Shnaider, Donna Vekic, and Emma Navarro, raising questions about her readiness for the upcoming Grand Slam. In the next round of the Cincinnati Open, Putintseva will face Paula Badosa, as she continues her impressive run in the tournament.