To the fight, once again. This is how Carlos Alcaraz has been tracing his route since the start of this Cincinnati tournament. Pushed in three sets by Jordan Thompson and Tommy Paul in his first two matches, the world No. 1 still had to fight three sets against Max Purcell. And the Spaniard once again qualified (4-6, 6-3, 6-4). He will play his semi-final on Saturday against Hubert Hurkacz.
Coming from the qualifications, the Australian had a strange journey in Ohio where he almost never arrived in time for his first match. But the player was able to seize his chance perfectly and that’s exactly what he did against Alcaraz. Ultra-offensive and precise on the fly, Purcell played a funny trick for a set during the boss of the circuit who offered his service on a double fault and a woody forehand.
Date with Hurkacz
The Spaniard never returned in this set but was able, from the start of the second, to increase the pressure on his opponent a little more. With a backhand passing while Purcell had gone up for the umpteenth time in the net, he made his first break of the match which allowed him to take the lead in the game. But Alcaraz had no right to the slightest relaxation and he was thus surprised in the third set by giving up his break in advance.
The duel became tight again for a few minutes, the time for the Spaniard to put a last pressure on the Australian to steal his white serve on a point where Purcell, faithful to his game plan, had rushed to the volley . With an ace, Alcaraz locked his place for the semi-finals where he will find Hubert Hurkacz to compete for a place in the final. The Pole had lost in three sets against the Spaniard last week.
