Tennis, Alcaraz beats Rublev in Cincinnati

Carlos Alcaraz flies in the semifinal of the Cincinnati ATP 1000, defeating an Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals who, as had happened in Wimbledon, put the number two in the world in difficulty, but without being able to beat him. The Spaniard imposed himself with the score of 6-3 3-6 7-5 in two hours and 15 minutes, returning to the seeds in Ohio after 2 years, and now he waits for the winner of the other quarter final, the one between Alexander Zverev and Ben Shelton, on the field on the Italian night. For the Iberian champion, it is the thirteenth career final in a 1000, the third consecutive in 2025 after those of Montecarlo and Rome, tournaments that in the end won. The record in the 1000, this year, for the n.2 of the world, is 15-0. With this victory Alcaraz is sure to earn, at the end of the tournament, at least 400 points to Jannik Sinner, thus bringing it closer to the standings, even if the detachment between the two is still quite large (2240 points at this time).

The game

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It was not a sumptuous Alcaraz, but in front of him he had an opponent who in Cincinnati has always found herself well as Andrey Rublev (finalist in Ohio in 2021, defeated by Zverev). In the first set, the Spaniard managed the match well, practically never suffering on the service, making the most of the only break ball of the partial in the third game, with the advantage easily held up to 6-3 that decided the set. However, started from the great rhythm, where winnings and errors also took turns in the second set, but this time I was Rublev to take the opportunity in the seventh game, after an infinite game of joke, snatching the Spanish service for the first time in the match and then winning the set 6-3. In the third Alcaraz first had two break balls in the fourth game, not exploited (not very decided, here, the Iberian), then torn the joke on 4-3 in his favor from the Russian going to serve for the match. Finished? Not at all. Usually, a wretched joke for the Spaniard, Rublev thanks but the joy for the Russian does not last long. On the 5-6 40-30, Andrey’s black out at the most wrong moment, and closed game with a very bloody double foul. Alcaraz thanks and goes on, but without too much shine.