Carlos Alcaraz battled through a challenging second set to defeat Damir Dzumhur 6-1, 2-5, 6-3 in his Cincinnati Open 2025 opener. Playing his first event since finishing runner-up to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon, the Spaniard breezed through the first set before struggling with errors in the second. Dzumhur capitalised by breaking him twice, but Alcaraz regrouped to dominate the decider.
The match ended with Alcaraz’s seventh ace, which set up match point before Dzumhur sent a forehand wide. The win extended Alcaraz’s Masters 1000 winning streak to 12 matches after lifting trophies in Monte Carlo and Rome.
“It was a relief to get this win,” Alcaraz admitted after hitting 44 unforced errors. “It was a rollercoaster of good feelings and bad feelings. I was happy to get the win in the end. I know that I have chances to do better. Will use the day off tomorrow to get my confidence back. It was a little tricky, I need to play smart tennis.”
The second seed and 2023 Cincinnati runner-up will meet Hamad Medjedovic next, following the Serbian’s 6-4, 7-6 (7/3) victory over Tallon Griekspoor.
Key Results from Day’s Action in Cincinnati
Ben Shelton, fresh from winning his first Masters 1000 title in Toronto, advanced after Camilo Ugo Carabelli retired due to a knee injury. Leading 6-3, 3-1, Shelton saw his opponent halt play after the first point of the second set’s third game. A medical timeout couldn’t save the Argentine’s campaign, as he lasted just three more points.
“It’s not easy to play a couple of days after winning any title,” Shelton said. “I feel for Camilo. Hope he has a quick recovery. I wanted to compete and be a warrior this week – see what I could do.”
Reilly Opelka shocked sixth seed Alex de Minaur 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, firing 14 aces and saving all seven break points. Adam Walton celebrated his first career win over a top-50 player by beating 2019 champion Daniil Medvedev 6-7 (0/7), 6-4, 6-1.
Roberto Bautista Agut defeated Cam Norrie 6-4, 6-3, while ninth seed Andrey Rublev got past Learner Tien 7-6 (7/4), 6-3.
In women’s play, defending champion Coco Gauff began her campaign with a 6-3, 6-2 win over Wang Xinyu. “It was a rough start,” Gauff said. “But it was about just trusting myself and the work we’ve done in practice.”
Jessica Pegula beat Kimberly Birrell 6-4, 6-3, and Jasmine Paolini edged Maria Sakkari 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/5) after failing to convert five match points earlier.
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