2023-08-19 06:30:18
Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev qualified for the Cincinnati Tennis Masters 1000 semifinals on Friday, joining Carlos Alcaraz and Hubert Hurkacz, as did Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova in the women’s draw.
The Serbian Novak Djokovic, N.2 in the world, easily dominated the American Taylor Fritz (6-0, 6-4), but the Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, N.1, had to fight a little more to come to end of the Australian Max Purcell (4-6, 6-3, 6-4).
Djokovic did not spare Fritz, winning his seventh match against the American N.1 for none conceded. After winning the first set in just 21 minutes, “Absent“, double winner of the tournament (2018, 2020), was however broken at the start of the second.
The Serb with 23 Grand Slam titles regained the upper hand in the eighth game when Fritz sent a forehand into the net. Djokovic broke again two games later, concluding the confrontation on his first match point after 62 minutes.
“I started the second set badly, leaving him the break. But from 2-4 I played four solid games, overall it was a great performance. I’ve played three matches so far, every day I’m raising the bar a little higher.“
“I feel better on the court. I hope the same trajectory will continue“, added Djokovic, who will face Zverev in the semi-finals on Saturday.
The German, who won the tournament in 2021, beat Frenchman Adrian Mannarino (6-2, 6-3), advancing to his first semi-final of a Masters 1000 since the Rome tournament in 2022 – before A serious ankle injury in Paris in 2022 will keep him away from the courts for more than six months.
Carlos Alcaraz beat Australian Max Purcell, although he dropped the first set in 44 minutes against the 70th player in the world.
The recent Wimbledon winner, in search of a seventh title this season, managed to get back on track to play a third set where he broke and finally qualified in two and a quarter hours.
“It was really difficult and complex today, he serves really well“, said Alcaraz. “He played well at the net. I fired well, that was the key to winning.“
Alcaraz has an appointment in the semi-finals with the Pole Hubert Hurkacz (N.20), who needed seven match points to dismiss the Australian Alexei Popyrin 6-1, 7-6 (10/8).
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