Alcaraz stages sensational comeback against Hurckacz and book spot in Cincinnati Open final
ATPSunday, 20 August 2023 at 00:56
Carlos
Alcaraz once again staged a comeback to defeat Hubert Hurckacz and advance to
his first Cincinnati Open final.
The world
No. 1 has faced challenges in progressing through the rounds of the Western
& Southern Open, engaging in three three-set battles against Jordan
Thompson, Tommy Paul, and Max Purcell. While the Spanish player has showcased
moments of his best form, he hasn't maintained consistency throughout the
entirety of matches.
Hurckacz
reached the semifinal with his strongest performance in a 2023 Masters 1000
event, securing victories against Thanasi Kokkinakis, 15th seed Borna Coric,
4th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Alexei Popyrin. His last semifinal appearance
was at the 2022 Canadian Open, where he overcame the semifinal stage against
Casper Ruud but ultimately lost in the final to Pablo Carreno Busta.
For the
second consecutive week, Hubert Hurckacz and Carlos Alcaraz faced each other
after their quarterfinal clash in the Canadian Open, which saw the Spanish
player emerge victorious with a score of 3-6, 7-6(2), 7-6(3).
Similar to
their previous encounter, the Polish player started with his service and
secured an early break to establish a 3-0 lead over Alcaraz. The 2-time Grand
Slam champion diligently sought to regain the break and had five break points
in the set, but Hurckacz managed to save each one.
A new break
from the Polish player in the eighth game granted him the set 6-2. Alcaraz
struggled with his first serve, landing only 43% of them and winning just 50%,
along with 46% on his second serve.
On the
other hand, Hurckacz had a 65% first-serve accuracy and won 75% of those
points, though he faltered with his second serve, winning 38%.
The second
set was closely contested. Alcaraz attempted to extend rallies in his return
game and earned three break points in the third game, but he couldn't
capitalize on them. Both players remained composed, defending their service
games. World No. 20 had a match point opportunity, but a forehand error allowed
Alcaraz to level at 5-5. In the tie-break, Hurckacz led 4-1, but the world No.
1 scored six consecutive points to even the match at 7-6(4).
In the
fourth game of the deciding set, Alcaraz secured the decisive break and
showcased increasing conviction. He maintained his service game for the
remainder of the set, ultimately sealing victory with a score of 2-6, 7-6(4),
6-3.
In the
final, he will face the winner of the last match of the session between
Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic. The Spaniard has already secured his
position as the world No. 1, regardless of the outcome, and he will be playing
in his seventh final of the year with a record of 6-1 so far.
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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