Reactive, but victorious. Carlos Alcaraz managed to come out against Tommy Paul in Cincinnati (7-6 (6), 6-7 (0), 6-3), a few days after losing to the American in Toronto. Once again, Paul caused a lot of problems for the world No. 1, but the Spaniard, supported by a very prolific Juan Carlos Ferrero in advice and encouragement, managed to get out of it thanks to a controlled third set.
In the first two rounds, it was the American who took the lead. He led 5-2 in the first set. After this lackluster start, the Spaniard woke up as his opponent served for the set. Neutral in the first minutes of the match, he regained his striking power and scattered forehands everywhere until snatching the decisive game. He found himself trailing 5-3 but released a forehand crossover winner then a serve and volley to pick up before regaling on a drop shot and concluding.
Launched, the winner of the last Wimbledon nevertheless stammered again at the start of the second set, yielding his service, returning to the score, then losing his face-off again before dismissing a first ball from a set everywhere in favor of Paul . Behind, he had three first chances to conclude the meeting, in vain, before collapsing completely in the second decisive game of the meeting.
But this 7-0 conceded, no more than the numerous interruptions in the third set linked to capricious weather, did not get Alcaraz out of his match and when it came to concluding, he was there. He will face Max Purcell, from qualifications. The 25-year-old Australian beat Stan Wawrinka (6-4, 6-2) and finds himself in the quarterfinals for what is only his second Masters 1000 of his career.
