Top five performers in Cincinnati last week

After the just concluded ATP and WTA 1000 event in Cincinnati last week.

We looked at the tournament and compiled a list of the top five players who performed incredibly well and beyond expectations. While not all of them went on to win a title, we are nonetheless proud of their performance in the lead-up to the US Open.

5. Gael Monfil

French’s Gael Monfils entered the list after notching the biggest win of his career in more than two years, stunning World No.3 and 2024 Paris Olympics silver medalist Carlos Alcaraz in a round of 32 clash.

The 37-year-old Frenchman who was a former world no. 6 in September 2016, defeated Alcaraz 4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4 despite the Spaniard leading the game  6-4, 6-6(1/3).

The victory brings back days of Monfils, where he was named the ATP Newcomer of the Year in 2005. He also won twelve ATP Tour singles titles and has been runner-up twenty-two times.

4. Paula Bodosa

Paula Bodosa bow out of the Cincinnati Open semi-finals after losing to Jessica Pegula 6-2, 3-6, 6-3, but nevertheless, played one of her best WTA tournament in over three years since she won the WTA 1000 Indian Wells Open in 2021.

The 26-year-old Spanish player who is currently dating doubles partner and ATP World No.11 player Stefanos Tsitsipas, will see her performance in Ohio as a good test ahead of the US Open main draw in few days time.

3. Jessica Pegula 

American Jessica Pegula, after back to back titles at the Canadian Open also known as the National Bank Open last month, became the first woman to register 10 consecutive singles wins at the competition since Serena Williams won 14 straight matches from 2011 through 2014, and entered Cincinnati as no. 6 seed lost the final match to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka.

Despite losing the final to her very lose friend Sabalenka, the 30-year-old American right handed player who claimed her third WTA 1000 crown, crashed out in style, knowing she had a remarkable first two weeks in America.

2. Jannik Sinner 

World No.1 stepped up preparations for a second appearance at the US Open last week as he emerged as champion in Ohio at the Cincinnati Open.

The 23-year-old Italian and top ranked player won his fifth title of the season and 15th career title overall, after beating home favourite Frances Tiafoe in straight sets and less than two hours of play on centre court 7-6,6-2.

1. Aryna Sabalenka 

Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka was the biggest winner at the Cincinnati Open last week. She got one the best victories of her career as she defeated World no.1 Iga Swiatek in straight sets for the very first time to win her maiden Cincinnati Masters title and 15th career title.

Sabalenka who is having an back-and-forth year, after two final loses to Swiatek despite her second title of 2024 after the Australian Open in February will aim to improve on her Cincinnati triumph at the US Open.

Cincinnati crown for Sabalenka means she has also joined Iga Swiatek as the only WTA players to have won over 10 singles titles since 2020.

Every August, the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio hosts the Cincinnati Open, also called the Cincinnati Masters, a professional tennis tournament played on outdoor hard courts in Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Open, which was first held in its home city on September 18, 1899, is the oldest tennis competition in the country. in the year 1899 in the United States.