Cincinnati, USA – The ATP-WTA Cincinnati Open kicked off with a mix of gritty battles and straightforward wins on Sunday. Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz survived a “rollercoaster” opening match, while third seed Alexander Zverev enjoyed a more serene passage, and American Ben Shelton benefited from an early retirement.
Alcaraz Endures Three-Set Rollercoaster
Carlos Alcaraz, playing his first tournament since his runner-up finish to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, faced a tricky test against the 33-year-old Bosnian Damir Dzumhur. The Spaniard started explosively, racing through the first set 6-1. However, he completely lost his rhythm and intensity in the second set, dropping his serve twice to lose it 2-6.
Despite committing 44 unforced errors and failing to save any of the three break points he faced throughout the match, Alcaraz regrouped in the decider. He regained his focus, cut down on mistakes, and sealed the victory 6-3 with his seventh ace. The match point was converted when Dzumhur hit wide, allowing Alcaraz to escape a challenging opener
Zverev Cruises, Shelton Benefits from Retirement
In contrast, third seed Alexander Zverev had a far more straightforward outing in the night session. The German dispatched US wild card Nishesh Basavareddy, a 20-year-old ranked 109th, with a dominant 6-3, 6-3 victory in just 66 minutes. Zverev showcased excellent serving, putting 41 of his 50 first serves in play and never facing a break point. He closed out the match with his 12th ace, despite Basavareddy saving one match point with a strong return.
American Ben Shelton, fresh off his first Masters 1000 title in Toronto, had an easier night than expected. He was leading 6-3, 3-1 against Camilo Ugo Carabelli when the Argentine was forced to retire due to a knee injury. This early finish was a welcome boost for Shelton after his physically demanding tournament in Toronto, which concluded just a few days prior. Shelton will now face Spanish veteran Roberto Bautista Agut in the next round.
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