Alcaraz’s US Open preparations were dealt a blow when he lost to Gael Monfils in the second round of the Cincinnati tournament. The match was delayed due to rain, and although Alcaraz had won the first set, he ultimately lost 4-6, 7-6, 6-4 to the French player.
This defeat means that Alcaraz will enter the US Open with only one hard-court match under his belt. While Alcaraz has proven to be adaptable to different surfaces, having won a Grand Slam on all three, it is still not the ideal preparation for the final major of the year. It’s worth noting that Alcaraz won the US Open two years ago, so expectations are high for him.
One possible explanation for Alcaraz’s loss could be a hangover from his recent defeat in the Olympic final against Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros. It’s not uncommon for players to experience a dip in form following a major tournament, and this may have contributed to his performance against Monfils, who is currently ranked 46th in the world and has been struggling with his form.
Interestingly, the Cincinnati tournament has seen several upsets and surprise defeats, further highlighting the unpredictable nature of tennis. For example, Daniil Medvedev, the world number two, lost to Jiri Lehecka, a relatively unknown player. Tommy Paul and Taylor Fritz, both highly ranked players, also suffered unexpected losses to Flavio Cobolli and Brandon Nakashima, respectively.
These surprising results serve as a reminder that in tennis, anything can happen on any given day. It’s a sport where even the top-ranked players can be vulnerable to upsets, making it all the more exciting and unpredictable for fans.
In conclusion, Alcaraz’s loss to Monfils in the Cincinnati tournament has affected his preparations for the upcoming US Open. While he has proven himself to be adaptable in the past, having won on different surfaces, it’s still not the ideal situation heading into a major tournament. However, tennis is a sport where surprises are common, as seen in the upsets at the Cincinnati tournament. Therefore, it’s important to approach each match with caution and expect the unexpected.