Current:Home > ScamsCarlos Alcaraz destroys his racket during historic loss to Gael Monfils in Cincinnati-Angel Dreamer Wealth Society D1 Reviews & Insights
Carlos Alcaraz destroys his racket during historic loss to Gael Monfils in Cincinnati
View Date:2024-12-23 23:07:29
MASON, Ohio — In a tournament littered with upsets thus far, Friday reached a new level at the Cincinnati Open.
Veteran Gael Monfils (ranked No. 46 in the world), who hadn't won a set in two previous matchups against Carlos Alcaraz, resumed play against the World No. 3 Friday on Center Court having dropped the first set Thursday night.
Monfils quickly won a second-set tiebreaker then held serve throughout the third set to finish off a 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 victory over the reigning Cincinnati Open runner-up.
"I felt like it was the worst match that I've ever played in my career," Alcaraz said in his post-match press conference.
The 37-year-old Monfils is the second-oldest player to defeat a top-3 player this century, trailing only Roger Federer, who at 38 defeated Novak Djokovic in the 2019 Nitto ATP Finals. Monfils was 8-30 all-time against top-3 players heading into the matchup with Alcaraz.
When play resumed Friday, Alcaraz, who is chasing a return to the top of the ATP rankings, couldn't find the form that put him on the doorstep of a quarterfinal berth the night before.
The 21-year-old phenom destroyed a racket after Monfils held serve for a 3-1 lead in the third set and couldn't break the elder Frenchman, who is one victory away from his first Cincinnati Open quarterfinals appearance since 2011.
"I don't know what happened," Alcaraz said, adding that Center Court was faster than the surfaces on previous practice sessions. "I couldn't control myself. I couldn't be better. So this match, it was impossible to win, and that's all."
Alcaraz heads to New York, Monfils plays again Friday
Alcaraz needed at least a quarterfinals berth in Cincinnati to pass Novak Djokovic for the No. 2 spot in the ATP Rankings. Now staying put at No. 3, Alcaraz heads to New York looking to win his second U.S. Open in three years.
Monfils will play during Friday's night session against Holger Rune for a spot in the Cincinnati Open quarterfinals.
► The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news — fast.Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.
veryGood! (6)
Related
- What does the top five look like and other questions facing the College Football Playoff committee
- Lindsay Lohan tells Drew Barrymore she caught newborn son watching 'The Parent Trap'
- Fulton County DA Fani Willis must step aside or remove special prosecutor in Trump case, judge says
- Truck driver accused of killing pregnant Amish woman due for hearing in Pennsylvania
- NY forest ranger dies fighting fires as air quality warnings are issued in New York and New Jersey
- Conferences and Notre Dame agree on 6-year deal to continue College Football Playoff through 2031
- See Exes Phaedra Parks and Apollo Nida Reunite in Married to Medicine Reunion Preview
- See Exes Phaedra Parks and Apollo Nida Reunite in Married to Medicine Reunion Preview
- Spurs coach Gregg Popovich had a stroke earlier this month, is expected to make full recovery
- Kacey Musgraves offers clear-eyed candor as she explores a 'Deeper Well'
Ranking
- As US Catholic bishops meet, Trump looms over their work on abortion and immigration
- Kensington Palace Is No Longer a “Trusted Source” After Kate Middleton Edited Photo, AFP Says
- Brittany Cartwright Reveals How Getting Facial Liposuction Negatively Affected Her Appearance
- Pierce Brosnan pleads guilty to Yellowstone National Park violation, ordered to pay $1,500
- 5-year-old boy who went missing while parent was napping is found dead near Oregon home, officials say
- British Airways Concorde aircraft sails the Hudson: See photos, video of move
- Alec Baldwin Files Motion to Dismiss Involuntary Manslaughter Charges in Rust Shooting Case
- Recall issued for Insignia air fryers from Best Buy due to 'fire, burn, laceration' concerns
Recommendation
-
Chrysler recalls over 200k Jeep, Dodge vehicles over antilock-brake system: See affected models
-
Meghan Trainor announces new album 'Timeless,' tour with Natasha Bedingfield
-
Tractor-trailer goes partly off the New York Thruway after accident
-
Starbucks faces lawsuit for tacking on charge for nondairy milk in drinks
-
Full House Star Dave Coulier Shares Stage 3 Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma Diagnosis
-
'My sweet little baby': Georgia toddler fatally shot while watching TV; police search for suspects
-
James Crumbley, father of Oxford High School shooter, found guilty of involuntary manslaughter
-
AFP says Kensington Palace is no longer trusted source after Princess Kate photo editing