Novak Djokovic
Carlos Alcaraz survives another three-setter in Cincinnati
World No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz rallied past upset-minded Australian qualifier Max Purcell 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Friday to reach the semifinals of the Western & Southern Open in Mason, Ohio.
All three of Alcaraz’s matches so far at the Cincinnati-area event have gone three sets. Following a first-round bye, he beat Jordan Thompson of Australia 7-5, 4-6, 6-3 in the second round and took down No. 14 seed Tommy Paul 7-6 (6), 6-7 (0), 6-3 in the Round of 16.
Per the ATP Tour, Alcaraz has spent eight hours and 22 minutes on the court across his three matches this week.
Purcell, ranked No. 70 in the world, hit 10 aces with seven double faults, comparing favorably to Alcaraz’s six aces and eight double faults. Purcell also saved six of nine break points, but it wasn’t enough after he let a 4-3 lead in the third set slip away, losing his serve in the ninth game.
“It was really tough,” Alcaraz said. “It was tricky today. He served really well. I think he played well at the net, but I think I played well. I returned well on court and that was the key to getting the win today, to return very well and t
o focus.”
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