The American tennis dream in Cincinnati turned into a nightmare Friday as both Ben Shelton and Coco Gauff saw their promising runs end in devastating fashion. After carrying the hopes of a nation following impressive victories at the National Bank Open, the duo faced a harsh reality check that left fans wondering if the pressure had become too much to handle.
How Did Ben Shelton and Coco Gauff’s Cincinnati Dreams Come Crashing Down?
Coco Gauff’s semifinal hopes crumbled Friday night, undone by the same demon that has haunted her all season: her serve. The World No. 2 looked unstoppable early, dominating Jasmine Paolini 6-2 in the opening set with sharp returns and a commanding first serve that had fans believing this could be her breakthrough moment.
But tennis has a cruel way of humbling even the most confident players. Paolini stayed patient while Gauff’s serve began to betray her. What started as precision quickly turned into chaos as her first-serve percentage plummeted and double faults mounted.
THREE ACES IN A SINGLE GAME FOR COCO GAUFF
UNSTOPPABLE
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Despite Gauff’s trademark speed and defensive grit that has carried her through so many battles, Paolini seized control with the composure of a veteran. The Italian broke serve repeatedly, claiming the next two sets 6-4, 6-3 in a stunning reversal that shocked the Cincinnati crowd.
In just over two hours, the French Open champion’s quest for a Cincinnati semifinal spot ended with 16 double faults scattered across the court like fallen dreams. Those serving struggles now cast serious doubt over her preparation for the upcoming US Open.
MORE: Ben Shelton Makes His Feelings Known on Being Halted in Cincinnati Ahead of US Open
Meanwhile, the men’s side delivered its own dose of American heartbreak as Alexander Zverev dismantled Ben Shelton with surgical precision Friday night, winning 6-2, 6-2 in just 77 minutes to end the American’s impressive nine-match winning streak.
Controlling every rally and punishing Shelton’s second serve, Zverev booked his fourth consecutive Cincinnati semifinal, where he’ll face Carlos Alcaraz. Once winless in his first six matches at this tournament, the World No. 3 has transformed into a Cincinnati specialist, winning 16 of his last 18 matches here.
How Did Gauff Handle the Weight of Fan Expectations?
Gauff understood exactly what her Cincinnati defeat meant to the fans who had invested so much hope in her run. After the unexpected loss to Paolini, she offered a dose of reality about what tennis players endure throughout their grueling 11-month seasons.
“Sometimes, tennis fans want us to win like every week. But we’re playing 11 months. It’s not that easy, so it’s completely normal for a player to have a good 3-4 weeks, then maybe a not so good 3-4 weeks just because the way our season is built,” she explained in her post-match press conference.
Coco Gauff perspective
“Sometimes tennis fans want us to win like every week. But we’re playing 11 months. It’s not that easy, so its completely normal for a player to have a good 3-4 weeks, then maybe a not so good 3-4 weeks just bcuz the way our season is built”
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Now, with Cincinnati behind her, Gauff has a crucial window to address those serving issues before the US Open arrives. The tournament where she captured her first Grand Slam title in 2023 will test whether she can reclaim that magic when it matters most.