Djokovic Rolls To 19th Straight Win Over Monfils, Alcaraz Gets Rainy Revenge On Paul At Cincinnati Masters
In the big match of the day at the Cincinnati Masters world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz had his revenge on American Tommy Paul with a bruising 7-6(8-6), 6-7(0-7), 6-3 victory.
The first two sets took well over two hours alone, and then the rains came as the match was stopped and then nearly started 3 more times before finally getting completed.
Paul had break leads in the first and the second but neither player could consistently hold serve and both played punishing points from the baseline.
Alcaraz, who lost to Paul last week at the Canadian Open Masters in Toronto, had three match points slip in the second, but before the rains got a break in the third and then held on.
“It was a really tough match. We were playing a really close match before the rain came. But I think I did pretty well the wait in the gym, warming up,” Alcaraz said to the ATP after the 3 hour, 10 minute win.
“I told everyone that I really wanted [to win], since I lost in Toronto. I came here in Cincinnati and I’m really happy with the level. I think I’m getting better and better. I’m really happy to be in the quarterfinals here.”
In the evening, Novak Djokovic rolled to his 19th straight win with no defeats against Gael Monfils 6-3, 6-2 in just 68 minutes.
Monfils won just four of 26 points on second serve.
“I just managed to hold my serve really comfortably. I think I was hitting the spots well, and just made him play,” said Djokovic. “He made a few unforced errors at 4-3 in the first set to hand me the break. After that it was no looking back for me. I started to raise the level more and more, almost a flawless second set. I guess his game suits me. It’s nice to see him back. We haven’t played for quite a few years. It’s great to see him back playing at a high level.”
Stan Wawrinka had one of his best wins Wednesday, but fell flat Thursday going down to an in-form qualifier Max Purcell 6-4, 6-2. Purcell will now face Alcaraz.
In a big showdown between two 6-foot-6 rivals, Alexander Zverev got a double fault give him the break in the third and then closed out former champion Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.
“It was very difficult conditions against a very difficult opponent,” Zverev said. “He gives you nothing and you have to win the match yourself and that is what I did today and I am pleased with that.”
Huburt Hurkacz moved on past Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4. Taylor Fritz got a retirement from qualifier Dusan Lajovic up 5-0 in the first and Adrian Mannarino had the same luck as Mackenzie McDonald retired down 6-4, 3-0.
Speaking of luck, lucky loser Alexie Popyrin moved in the quarters besting fellow 24-year-old Emil Ruusuvuori in three 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.
Tomorrow’s big match features Djokovic against American No. Fritz. Djokovic has won all six of tour-level head-to-head meetings with Fritz most recently at the 2022 Tour Finals semis.
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