![\"Erratic](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/ht-generic_sports1_1751287339069_1751287350653.jpg\" "\\"Erratic")
Erratic Alcaraz battles through in Cincinnati opening match <\/p>\nCarlos Alcaraz had to fight his way out of a second-set slump on Sunday to escape with a 6-1, 2-5, 6-3 victory over Damir Dzumhur in his opening match at the ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open. <\/p>\n
Erratic Alcaraz battles through in Cincinnati opening match <\/p>\n
The Spaniard, playing his first tournament since a runner-up finish to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, raced through the first set but completely lost his way in the second set, dropping his serve twice against the 33-year-old Bosnian. <\/p>\n
But he regained his intensity and cut down his errors, in the third. Alcaraz fired his seventh ace to set up a match point and advanced to the third round seconds later as his opponent fired wide. <\/p>\n
Alcaraz, seeded second claimed his 12th consecutive match at the Masters 1000 level after titles in Monte Carlo and Rome. <\/p>\n
“It was a relief to get this win,” Alcaraz said after committing 44 unforced errors. “It was a rollercoaster of good feelings and bad feelings. <\/p>\n
“I was happy to get the win in the end. I know that I have chances to do better. <\/p>\n
“I will use the day off tomorrow to get my confidence back. It was a little tricky, I need to play smart tennis.” <\/p>\n
Alcaraz, runner-up in Cincy in 2023, added: “It can be difficult to play great tennis here. The ball really flies and goes super fast. There will be some points where you don’t feel so good. <\/p>\n
“You must maintain positive thoughts and keep going in the right way.” <\/p>\n
Sixth seed Alex de Minaur, the Washington champion and a Toronto quarter-finalist last week, was bounced by American Reilly Opelka 7-6 , 6-4, who crushed 14 aces and saved all seven break points he faced. <\/p>\n
“I didn’t serve as well as I’d have liked to, but everything else was working,” said Opelka, who had lost five prior matches against the Australian. “My serve fluctuated and it was a bit of a surprise that the other things came through well for me today.” <\/p>\n
Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut dismissed Briton Cam Norrie 6-4, 6-3 while number nine seed Andrey Rublev beat American Learner Tien 7-6 , 6-3.<\/p>\n
In women’s action, second-seeded French Open champion Coco Gauff battled through a tough first set to beat China’s Wang Xinyu 6-3, 6-2. <\/p>\n
Gauff, who lifted the trophy in Cincinnati in 2023 and went on to claim her first Grand Slam title at the US Open that year, grinded through a first set marred by five service breaks. <\/p>\n
But the seed steadied in the second set to run out the winner in 71 minutes on a first match point. <\/p>\n
“It was a rough start,” Gauff said. “But it was about just trusting myself and the work we’ve done in practice. <\/p>\n
“I was able to let it all go in the second set.” <\/p>\n
Third seed Jessica Pegula, runner-up last year to Aryna Sabalenka, defeated Kimberly Birrell 6-4, 6-3. <\/p>\n
Seventh seed Jasmine Paolini, finalist last season at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, needed her last-chance match point to cement a 7-6 , 7-6 win over Greek Maria Sakkari. <\/p>\n
The Italian winner blew her first five match points and advanced to the third round when Sakkari delivered a double-fault. Paolini also needed five chances to win the opening set. <\/p>\n
“It was a rollercoaster,” Paolini said. “It’s better to go in a straight line in these matches, not up and down,” she said. “The key for me was trying not to be in a rush, I tried to hit winners and move her around. <\/p>\n
“I served well on the important points but this was not the best performance for me.” <\/p>\n
Olympic champion Belinda Bencic was upended 6-4, 7-6 by Veronika Kudermetova. Eighth seed Emma Navarro was eliminated 6-4, 1-6, 6-4 by German qualifier Ella Seidel. <\/p>\n
str\/bb <\/p>\n
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