Carlos Alcaraz Credits Positive Attitude for Prevailing Against Andrey Rublev in Cincinnati

Carlos Alcaraz defeated Andrey Rublev in a fiery three-set battle to reach his second semifinal in Cincinnati.

Carlos Alcaraz Credits Positive Attitude for Prevailing Against Andrey Rublev in Cincinnati

Carlos Alcaraz (image via Instagram/Carlos Alcaraz)

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Carlos Alcaraz has had a roller coaster ride at the Cincinnati Open. His quarterfinal clash with Andrey Rublev was a fiery and tightly contested battle, with the Russian giving everything against the five-time Grand Slam champion. Both hit an equal number of aces (11), winners (27), and Alcaraz, with 32 unforced errors, was narrowly away from Rublev with 34.

Alcaraz was steady in the first set, not facing a break point or making a double fault. With a beautiful volley, the Spaniard took the opening set 6-3. However, things took a turn in the second set, where Rublev became more aggressive on his first and second serves, facing no break points and being minimal with his unforced errors as he took the set 6-4.

Albeit hitting 15 unforced errors and three double faults in the third set, Alcaraz held firm to seal the victory 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 as the Russian made a double fault on match point. Speaking about his performance to Tennis Channel, the World No. 2 remarked:

Today I kept positive thoughts all the time, despite losing focus at some moments, and when you lose focus against a player like Rublev, it can cost you the match. When I served to win in the third set, I didn’t play with my first serve, but at that moment, I kept strong and positive, and that’s what I’m most proud of.

The 22-year-old has now reached his 12th ATP Masters 1000 semi-final. This marks the 10th time this year that after claiming the first set, Alcaraz has dropped the second set in a best-of-three-set match. He has won nine of those matches. With this victory, Alcaraz leads Rublev 4-1.

Carlos Alcaraz’s upcoming match in Cincinnati

Carlos Alcaraz will next face World No. 3 Alexander Zverev in the semifinal in Cincinnati. The German reigned champion in this tournament in 2021, where he defeated Andrey Rublev in straight sets in the final. Zverev has a narrow 6-5 edge in his head-to-head record over Alcaraz. Zverev also leads the record 5-2 in their hard court meetings.

Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz
Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Swish Tennis, ATP Tour)

The two last met at the 2024 Nitto ATP Finals, where Zverev defeated Alcaraz in straight sets. Although Zverev had a rough season after losing the Australian Open final, he has now regained momentum, reaching his second Masters 1000 semifinal of the year, having played in the semifinal of the Canadian Open as well.

Meanwhile, the other semifinalists include defending champion Jannik Sinner, who will face qualifier Terence Atmane for the first time. It has been an incredible run for the Frenchman, who defeated several seeded players like Taylor Fritz and Holger Rune en route to his maiden Masters 1000 semifinal.

Carlos Alcaraz will play the US Open mixed doubles next week with Emma Raducanu

Shortly after the Cincinnati Open finals on Monday, the US Open mixed doubles will take place from 19 to 20 August. This leaves very little time for rest for the players who make it to the final in Cincinnati. Jannik Sinner’s partner, Emma Navarro, recently withdrew from the event. The Italian is allowed to repair for the event until 2 p.m. on Sunday and could maintain direct entry on the basis of the combined team singles ranking with his new partner.

Emma Raducanu, Carlos Alcaraz
Emma Raducanu, Carlos Alcaraz (Image via X/Lorenzo MUSANGAMFURA)

Carlos Alcaraz and his mixed doubles partner Emma Raducanu have a wildcard entry. Among the WTA semifinalists in Cincinnati, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Jasmine Paolini will also be competing for the US Open mixed doubles. It will be worth noting to see if these players, after their deep run in Cincinnati, choose to play the upcoming mixed doubles event.

Also Read: Serbian Tennis Pro Not Worried About Novak Djokovic Playing US Open Without Warm-up Events