Contributed
Coco Gauff’s defense of her Cincinnati Open title didn’t get past the first round as the American was surprisingly defeated 6-4 2-6 6-4 by Yulia Putintseva.
The world No. 34 was trailing 2-4 in the final set, but won four straight games to see out the match in spectacular fashion and claim her first career win over Gauff.
The American world No. 2, who only reached the second round of the Canadian Open last week, hit nine double faults in an error-strewn performance.
Yulia Puintseva. Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Taylor Townsend. Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Jessica Pegula and Aryna Sabalenka. Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Credit: Michael Mitchell 
Coco Guff. Credit: Michael Mitchell
Putintseva faced Spain’s Paula Badosa in the next round.
Gauff heads into the U.S. Open, which begins on Aug. 26, as the defending champion after winning the first grand slam title of her career last year on home soil.
The 20-year-old recently represented Team USA at the Olympics in Paris, losing to Croatia’s eventual silver medalist Donna Vekić in the third round.