Defending Champion Coco Gauff Stunned By Yulia Putintseva At Cincinnati Open

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Yulia Putintseva delivered a stunning upset by defeating defending champion Coco Gauff in the Cincinnati Open's second round. The 29-year-old triumphed in three sets, securing a 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 victory within two hours. Putintseva set the pace early, breaking Gauff's serve twice in the first three games. Although Gauff levelled at 4-4, Putintseva clinched another crucial break to win the first set.

Gauff aimed to become only the second player to win back-to-back titles at this event. However, she faced difficulties again, committing nine double faults against an impeccable opponent. This defeat follows her early exits from both the Olympics and the Canadian Open. Despite showing promise by winning three consecutive games in the second set, she couldn't maintain her momentum.

In contrast, Putintseva is competing in her first tournament since Wimbledon, where she reached the fourth round after eliminating Iga Swiatek. Before this year, she had never advanced past the first round in Cincinnati. Now, she joins an elite group of players ranked outside the WTA's top 20 who have defeated top-two players on multiple surfaces within a season.

The match saw Putintseva immediately taking control by breaking Gauff’s serve twice early on. Although Gauff managed to equalise at 4-4 in the first set, Putintseva secured another break to take it. In the second set, Gauff rallied with a three-game streak to force a decider. Leading 4-2 in the final set, it seemed like Gauff had found her rhythm. However, Putintseva turned it around by winning four consecutive games.

Putintseva’s victory sets up a clash with Paula Badosa in the next round. Her performance here marks a significant improvement from previous years when she struggled to get past the initial rounds of this tournament.

The world number two showed determination in the second set by stringing together three consecutive wins to push for a deciding set. Despite leading 4-2 in what appeared to be a comeback moment for Gauff, Putintseva’s resilience shone through as she won four straight games to seal her victory.

This win is particularly notable as it marks Putintseva’s first tournament appearance since Wimbledon. Her journey to this point has been impressive given that she had never progressed beyond the first round in Cincinnati before this year.

Putintseva’s achievement of defeating top-ranked players on different surfaces within one season places her among only four players who have done so over the past four decades while being ranked outside the WTA's top 20.

The upcoming match against Paula Badosa will be another test for Putintseva as she continues her remarkable run at this year's Cincinnati Open.