Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Double Blow in Cincinnati Open 2025 – Alejandro Davidovich Fokina Retires, Leolia Jeanjean Withdraws in Round Two

Exits shake the Western & Southern Open as Fokina and Jeanjean bow out.

Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

The 2025 Cincinnati Open saw two sudden exits on Saturday, as Alejandro Davidovich Fokina retired mid-match and Leolia Jeanjean withdrew before taking the court. Fokina, ranked No. 18 in the world, left while in control of his second-round contest against Joao Fonseca, while Jeanjean pulled out ahead of her third-round clash with Amanda Anisimova due to injury.

Such a shame 😞

Davidovich Fokina is forced to retire, sending Joao Fonseca through 6-7 5-4 RET.#CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/kt6rXtdLnT
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 9, 2025

Fokina’s Cincinnati Collapse in the Heat

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina’s week in Cincinnati mirrored a troubling trend. The Spaniard, who had retired from his fourth-round match against Andrey Rublev in Toronto just days earlier due to physical discomfort and exhaustion, bowed out again, this time without visible injury signs. In the humid Cincinnati conditions, the 26-year-old seemed to “hit the wall” in dramatic fashion. However, no official statement has been given by Fokina.

Up a set and leading 4-0 with a double break in the second, Fokina looked destined for the third round. But after a grueling rally in the fifth game, his energy reserves appeared to vanish. Fonseca seized the moment, winning five straight games to turn the set on its head. With the score at 6-7(4), 5-4, Fokina retired, handing the Brazilian teenager his first ATP Masters 1000 third-round spot.

João Fonseca advances to the 3rd round in Cincinnati as Alejandro Davidovich Fokina is forced to retire from their match.

He was leading 7-6, 4-0 and went on to lose 5 consecutive games… he just couldn’t continue.

He’s been playing so well lately… hopefully he’s alright for… pic.twitter.com/tCtaQ0fC38
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) August 9, 2025

This latest setback casts fresh doubt on Fokina’s physical durability, despite a season that’s included a Washington runner-up finish and a string of deep runs. His two wins in Toronto had hinted at a mental edge, but back-to-back retirements suggest the physical toll is catching up fast. Fonseca will next face qualifier Terence Atmane, who upset No. 15 seed Flavio Cobolli in a tense three-set battle decided by a final-set tiebreak.

Jeanjean’s Breakthrough Halted by Injury

For Leolia Jeanjean, Cincinnati was supposed to be a momentum-building stop. The Wimbledon semifinalist earned her first WTA 1000 main-draw win earlier in the week, defeating Yuliia Starodubtseva 7-5, 1-6, 6-4. But a right calf injury sustained during that match proved costly, forcing her to withdraw ahead of her meeting with Amanda Anisimova.

Jeanjean uploaded an Instagram story, saying, “Due to a calf injury, I am sad to announce that I have to retire from tonight’s match. It is heartbreaking, as I was really excited to face such a good player, @amandaanisimova, on such a great court here @cincytennis. Now it is time for me to get back in shape and ready for the next challenges ahead! Apologies to everyone that wanted to watch us compete.”

🚨 Cincinnati Open Round 2 🎾

Léolia Jeanjean withdrew from the match due to injury, which resulted in Amanda Anisimova advancing by walkover without playing.@WTA @WTA_insider #WTACincinnati pic.twitter.com/6KJa8lFeuf
— Sportify (@Sportify9095) August 10, 2025

Anisimova, who had a first-round bye, advanced without hitting a ball and will meet Anna Kalinskaya for a place in the last 32. Kalinskaya booked her spot by defeating Peyton Stearns 7-6, 4-6, 6-1.

Mandatory Image Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Amanda Anisimova

Cincinnati Open 2025

Joao Fonseca

Leolia Jeanjean

Rudra Dubey

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.