Diego Schwartzman failed to qualify for the main draw at the
Cincinnati Open, breaking his 52-tournament streak playing in ATP Masters 1000 events.
31-year-old Schwartzman made it to the second round of qualifiers for the Western & Southern Open in Ohio, opening his campaign for the main draw by defeating Marcos Giron in straight sets 6-4, 6-4.
However, the Argentine player, currently ranked at world No. 98, proceeded to lose to Alexander Shevchenko in his next match after a three-set battle, with Shevchenko winning 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
Schwartzman feels mixed emotions after defeat
Following his defeat, Schwartzman took to Instagram to share his mixed emotions of pride at his achievement in building up such a huge streak and disappointment at finally losing it.
"7 years... 52 masters 1000 playing the main draw in a row. Today I cut that streak, a mixture of sadness and happiness of having achieved things in these years that I never imagined," he wrote.
The former world No. 8 made his main draw debut at a Masters 1000 event at the 2015
Indian Wells, where he reached the second round after defeating Jerzy Janowicz 6-4, 3-6, 7-6 (3). He then had the monumental task of facing Roger Federer in his next match, losing to the tennis legend 6-4, 6-2.
Schwartzman then went on to thank those that had supported him over the past seven years and highlighted his enthusiasm to continue playing despite his recent defeat.
"Thanks to all and each one of those who brought me here as a kid and all of you on the other side [...]. [It] is the nicest thing of the sport, to reach so many people and when I do it right enjoy watching me play. This keeps going! Let's go let's go," he wrote.