In a riveting day of action at the Cincinnati Open, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz showcased their prowess to advance to the quarter-finals, while top seeds Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas faced unexpected exits from the tournament.
Novak Djokovic, a two-time Cincinnati Open victor, displayed a commanding performance as he dispatched Gael Monfils in a resounding 6-3, 6-2 victory. Djokovic dominated the baseline rallies, exploiting Monfils’ vulnerabilities to maintain an unbeaten record against the Frenchman, now standing at 19-0 – an unparalleled feat in the Open Era. The Serbian capitalized on Monfils’ loose service game, securing a break to love at 5-3 in the first set, which he closed out with confidence. Despite a momentary falter when serving for the match at 5-0 in the second set, Djokovic regained his composure to clinch the win in an hour and eight minutes. The world number one will face local favorite Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals.
“We’ve been playing each other in different parts of the world, also in juniors,” Djokovic reflected on his upcoming opponent. “Early on, I struggled with him physically. We haven’t played for quite a few years. It’s great to see him back playing at a high level.”
Meanwhile, young sensation Carlos Alcaraz asserted his presence on the court, showcasing his powerful forehand to overcome a determined Tommy Paul in a rain-interrupted duel. Alcaraz, the world number one, had been somewhat off-form in his third-round match but rebounded fiercely to secure a hard-fought victory. His mighty forehand dismantled Paul’s defenses, propelling him to a 7-6(6), 6-7(0), 6-3 triumph. Despite squandering several match points, Alcaraz’s tenacity and skill persevered. The Spanish player expressed his satisfaction, stating, “Really, really happy with the level and think I’m getting better and better.” He sets up a quarter-final clash against Australian Max Purcell.
The tournament witnessed surprising upsets as top seeds Daniil Medvedev and Stefanos Tsitsipas were eliminated from the competition. Alexander Zverev, the 16th seed, overcame third seed Medvedev in a dramatic three-set encounter, triumphing 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. Zverev showcased his resilience, breaking the Russian’s serve three times and saving six of eight break points. Reflecting on his victory over Medvedev, Zverev commented, “He is somebody that gives you absolutely nothing. You have to win the match yourself and that’s what I did today and I am pleased with that.” Zverev’s next challenge will be France’s Adrian Mannarino.
Poland’s unseeded Hubert Hurkacz emerged as another unexpected victor, breezing past Stefanos Tsitsipas with a commanding 6-3, 6-4 scoreline. Displaying an impressive performance marked by 11 aces and 27 winners, Hurkacz secured his spot in the quarter-finals in just one hour and five minutes. He sets up an encounter with Australian lucky loser Alexei Popyrin.
As the Cincinnati Open quarter-finals loom, the tournament continues to serve up thrilling battles and unexpected outcomes, underscoring the unpredictable nature of professional tennis competition.
