Cincinnati (USA) – For the second consecutive week, Carlos Alcaraz and Tommy Paul competed for a Masters 1000 preparatory to the US Open. But after American victory in Torontothe world number 1 deceived Cincinnati and secured a place in the quarterfinals after winning by 7/6 (8-6), 6/7 (0-7) and 6/3 at 3:09 a.m. of the start, in addition to two stops due to rain.

The result also equals the history of clashes between Alcaraz and Paul on the circuit, with now two victories for each side. This year, the Spaniard had already beaten his rival in Miami. The current 13th in the standings has won the last two editions of the Canadian Masters.

It was the second 3h game that Alcaraz played in the tournament, repeat the match against Australian Jordan Thompson at the start. In the quarter-finals, he faces the Australian Max Purcell, ranked 70th, who is having a good campaign in the tournament. Executioner of world number 7 Casper Ruud in the second round, Purcell also knocked out Swiss Stan Wawrinkaformer top 3 and current 58th place, by 6/4 and 6/2.

Carlos replies 💥@carlosalcaraz avenges last week’s loss to Tommy Paul with a 7-6 6-7 6-3 win at #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/USbEzV8aDX

—Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 18, 2023

In a first set with a break on each side, Alcaraz needed to have reaction power. He was down 5/2, but returned the break when Paul served to close and managed to win the partial tie-break. The Spaniard went 14-12 on the winners and committed 19 unforced errors against 20 for his rival.

The second set was a festival of breaks, three on each side, with many exchanges in mind. Alcaraz saved a set point while trailing 5/4 and even had three match points while leading 6/5, but Paul confirmed the serve and forced the tiebreaker. In the tie-break, the American was much superior and equalized the match. The world number 1 went 19-13 on the winners, but made 26 errors to 23.

Rivals. Friends. 😜@carlosalcaraz And @TommyPaul1 wait for the rain together #CincyTennis pic.twitter.com/sRQ8ZjWEw0

—Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 17, 2023

Lost match points in the second half will keep the Spaniard waiting 3:15 until he has another chance to close. The missed chances and the reaction of the opponent did not shake the confidence of Alcaraz, who managed to break from the opener of the third set. And he had confirmed his service games until he led by 4/3. The match was interrupted by rain for about an hour.

On the restart, the Spaniard won another match, but it still rained. After another hour of waiting, Alcaraz returned to the field ready to attack a lot in the returns and succeeded in the aggressive tactic to get another break and finally close the match. Alcaraz had 40 winners against 29 and committed 61 unforced errors, against 58 for their rival.