Carlos Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev through to Cincinnati quarters, Stefanos Tsitsipas crashes out
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Updated 18/08/2023 at 08:09 GMT
Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic remain on course for a meeting in the final after beating Tommy Paul and Gael Monfils respectively. Alexander Zverev managed tricky conditions in Cincinnati to advance to the quarter-final after beating Daniil Medvedev in three sets. Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas crashed out after losing in straight sets to Poland's Hubert Hurkacz.
Highlights as Zverev beats Medvedev for first time this season at Cincinnati Open
Carlos Alcaraz beat Tommy Paul while Novak Djokovic defeated Gael Monfils to reach the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open.
The world No.1 defeated his American opponent in a hard-fought 7-6(6) 6-7(0) 6-3 three-set victory in the third round.
After losing to Paul in Toronto last week, Alcaraz was the winner over the course of a three-hour match-up hampered by interruptions from rain.
"It was a really tough match. We were playing a really close match before the rain came. But I think I did pretty well [dealing with] the wait in the gym, warming up," said Alcaraz after his victory.
"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 quarter-finals here."
Djokovic defeated Monfils 6-3 6-2 for his 19th win from his 19th tie against the Frenchman.
"It was kind of an evolution of both players over the past 15-plus years that we've been playing each other in different parts of the world, also in juniors," Djokovic said of their rivalry.
"I think early on I struggled a lot with him, I think physically as well. When you play on of the most athletic guys on the Tour, you have to be ready, every ball comes back. A couple of points today, especially in the first set he showed his athleticism."
Alexander Zverev finally got the better of his nemesis Daniil Medvedev as he advanced to the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open.
Medvedev had won all three meetings with the German this calendar year, but Zverev upped his game against his Russian opponent, winning 6-4 5-7 6-4 after two hours and 32 minutes.
In total, Zverev struck 36 winners in comparison to the 13 registered by Medvedev as the 16th seed mastered the difficult, windy conditions better than the world No. 3.
Zverev saved the two break points he faced at 4-4 before breaking Medvedev's serve in the next game and seeing out the victory.
It’s a disappointing loss for the Russian, who had chances at the business end of the third set and will feel he could have done more to win the match.
Zverev’s delight was evident at the conclusion of a hard-fought win, and asked what pleased him most about his performance, he said: “Just the patience that I had, probably.
“Very difficult conditions but also a very difficult opponent. I think he’s somebody that gives you absolutely nothing, you have to win the match yourself and that’s what I did today. I’m pleased with that.”
Asked how he managed with the conditions so well, Zverev said: “Just trying to be patient, focus on yourself in a way. I mean, you have to kind of take your chances, take your opportunities - you’re not going to get many because we’re both serving quite well.
“But at the end of the day, I lost three very tight matches this year and I’m happy to have finally won one today.”
Zverev has extended his winning streak in Cincinnati to eight matches, after taking the title at the hard-court tournament in his previous appearance in 2021.
“I think it was important especially after last week when in Toronto I probably had a very bad week,” said Zverev who lost in the second round to Alejandro Davidovich Fokina at the Canadian Open.
“I probably had one of the worst weeks since I’m kind of pain-free. So I need to come out, I need to show myself that I can play well and that I can compete again. And yeah, I’m doing that and I’m happy with that.”
He will now play Adrian Mannarino on Friday for a place in the last-four.
Meanwhile, Stefanos Tsitsipas crashed out following a comprehensive straight sets defeat to Hubert Hurkacz after just an hour and four minutes.
Tsitsipas, under new coach Mark Philippoussis, failed to take any of his three break opportunity and struggled to cope with the serve of Hurkacz as he lost 6-3 6-4.
Hurkacz's reward for becoming the first Polish man to reach the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open is a match against Australia's Alexei Popyrin.
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