(Reuters) -Carlos Alcaraz bounced back from a mid-match slump to down Bosnian Damir Dzumhur 6-1 2-6 6-3 in the second round of the Cincinnati Open on Sunday, as American Coco Gauff overcame early problems on serve to cruise past China’s Wang Xinyu 6-3 6-2.
Second-ranked Spaniard Alcaraz has been on an extraordinary run, reaching the finals of his last six tournaments, and next faces Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor or Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic.
After a routine start, Alcaraz racked up an uncharacteristic number of unforced errors in the second set before regaining his composure, outfoxing his opponent at the net before closing it out with a solid forehand shot.
Second seed Gauff kept her composure despite eight double faults in the first set to book a meeting with Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska in the third round.
The 2023 champion converted on all five break point chances she got on Center Court and was firing on all cylinders as she won 20 of her last 23 points on serve.
“I had a shaky start with the serve but I was able to push through and figure that out,” Gauff told the Tennis Channel.
“Just taking my time and remembering the things we worked on in practice and just trying not to, I guess, fall into the same old patterns.”
American Reilly Opelka upset Australian sixth seed Alex de Minaur 7-6(6) 6-4, while Gauff’s former doubles partner, fourth seed Jessica Pegula, eased past Australian Kimberly Birrell 6-4 6-3.
Highlights of the evening programme for the U.S. Open tune-up tournament include fifth-seeded home hope Ben Shelton against Argentine Camilo Ugo Carabelli and third-seeded German Alexander Zverev taking on American Nishesh Basavareddy.
(Reporting by Amy Tennery in New York; Editing by Ken Ferris)
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