Coco Gauff’s Cincinnati Open title defense was over quickly after the World No. 2 fell in three sets − 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 − to World No. 34 Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan Thursday afternoon on Center Court.

Putintseva, who entered Thursday 0-3 all-time against Gauff (all on clay), had the reigning champ on the ropes early, winning the opening set. Gauff stormed back in the second with a strong serve that produced eight aces throughout the match.

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In the third set, it was Putintseva’s only ace − which followed a dazzling cross-court backhand with Gauff at the net to force match point in the 10th game − that ended Gauff’s time in Cincinnati early.

“It was not the best match for me,” Gauff told the WTA in an exclusive interview that was made available to the media afterward. “She (Putintseva) mixes up the ball. She has drop shots, slice. She’s kind of someone that makes you earn the match.”