Alcaraz gets payback by overcoming Paul in exhilarating match, moves on to Cincinnati Open quarterfinals.
ATP
Carlos
Alcaraz defeated Tommy Paul in an intriguing match at the Western &
Southern Open with a score of 7-6(6), 6-7(0).
The world
No. 1 began the tournament with a bye and directly entered the second round. He
faced a tough challenge against Jordan Thompson, eventually winning 7-5, 4-6,
6-3.
Alcaraz's
last match before the Cincinnati Open was against the American Paul, who
surprised him in the quarterfinals of the Canadian Open last week with a score
of 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Despite
Paul's strong performance in Toronto, he couldn't overcome Jannik Sinner in the
next match, losing 6-4, 6-4 and allowing Sinner to advance to the final. This
time, Paul defeated Miomir Kecmanovic and Ugo Humbert to set up a clash with
Alcaraz in the third round.
Coming into
the match, Paul held a 2-1 advantage in their head-to-head record, making this
their fourth encounter in Masters 1000 tournaments.
In the
first set, Alcaraz was the first to give up a break to his opponent in the
sixth game, allowing Paul to take a 5-2 lead with his serve. However, the world
No. 1 didn't falter and won three consecutive games to level the score at 5-5.
With the
score tied at 5-5, Paul faced three break points against him at 0-40, but
managed to save them. Alcaraz then comfortably held his service to take the set
to a tie-break. Both players held their serves to keep the tie-break even until
6-6, but Alcaraz secured a mini-break and took the set 7-6(6).
The second
set had more fluctuations in service for both players. Paul achieved the first
break in the third game, but Alcaraz quickly responded to level the score. The
same scenario occurred in the seventh game: the world No. 12 secured a break,
but the Spanish player swiftly broke back on his fourth opportunity in the
game.
Paul
intensified the tension by breaking to go up 5-4 and serve for the set. Just
like before, Alcaraz mounted a comeback and secured another break. Alcaraz held
his service to take a 6-5 lead, and in an incredible over 15-minute service
game by the American, he extended the set to another tie-break. With an
impeccable performance, Paul secured the 7-0 tie-break and extended the
uncertainty.
The final
set was a battle of nerves between both players. In the first game, the 2-time
Grand Slam champion claimed a break that gave him a partial advantage. At 3-2
in favor of Alcaraz, the game was halted for three minutes due to a light
drizzle, and upon resumption, both players held their service.
At 4-3,
15-15, play in Cincinnati was once again halted due to rain, and after a pause
of an hour and a half, they resumed the match. Another rain delay sent the
players to the locker room with the score at 5-3, 15-15 in favor of Alcaraz.
The match
resumed with Paul's service, and the Spaniard quickly secured the break that
gave him the victory 7-6(6), 6-7(0), 6-3.
In the
quarterfinals, Alcaraz will play against Max Purcell, who came through the
qualifying rounds and eliminated Lloyd Harris, the 5th seed Casper Ruud and
Stan Wawrina. The 25-year-old tennis player ensured his entry into the top 50
for the first time in his career and his first quarterfinals of a Masters 1000
tournament.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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