ALCARAZ NO SMASH HIT IN 'WORST MATCH'

Veteran Monfils outfoxes him while Sinner earns walkover; Swiatek solid and disciplined

- Melvyn Teoh

Carlos Alcaraz let loose his frustrations with a violent racket smash in a 4-6, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 defeat at the ATP and WTA Cincinnati Open on Aug 16, a loss that the second seed called the "worst match" of his career.

The reigning French Open and Wimbledon champion could not match the wily skills of 37-year-old French opponent Gael Monfils, two decades in the game and still a threat to any young gun.

"It was the worst match that I ever played in my career," said Alcaraz. "I couldn't play. I don't know what happened. Honestly I couldn't... I couldn't control myself.

I couldn't be better. It was impossible to win." The 21-year-old Spaniard added: "I came here thinking I'm going to feel good. I'm going to put in a good tennis, because I know how to play on this court." He also said he had never before broken a racket in anger but this match was the exception.

The world No. 3 and 2023 Cincinnati runner-up will head to the US Open starting on Aug 26 without a hard-court win since March.