On Thursday, reigning Cincinnati Open champion Coco Gauff introduced one of the tournament's early upsets.
Gauff, who carried the US flag in the 2024 Paris Olympics opening ceremony, was eliminated from the round of 32 by Yulia Putintseva.
The World No. 2 fell in three sets − 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 − to World No. 34 Putintseva of Kazakhstan.
After the defeat, Gauff told WTA official website: "It was not the best match for me," adding: "She (Putintseva) mixes up the ball. She has drop shots, slice. She's kind of someone that makes you earn the match."
With Gauff's defeat, Serena Williams record of being the last WTA player to win back-to-back Cincinnati Open titles (2014-2015) remains.
Gauff will begin another title defence next week at the U.S. Open in New York.
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