(Mason) Carlos Alcaraz and Iga Swiatek, the best rackets in the world, overcame adversity and weather conditions on Thursday, advancing to the quarter-finals of the Cincinnati Open.
Alcaraz went through two rain delays, totaling two hours 35 minutes, to beat the 14e seeded in the American Tommy Paul 7-6 (6), 6-7 (0), 6-3, he who defeated him last Friday in Toronto. The match lasted three hours nine minutes.
“You have to stay focused,” said Alcaraz, the defending US Open and Wimbledon champion. It’s not easy to play, quit, play and quit again. All you can really do is get ready to play. »
Alcaraz got three match points in the 12e game of the second inning, a game that lasted 24 points and over 15 minutes.
“The big difference is he won and I lost,” Paul said of the difference between Thursday’s game and the one in Toronto. It was a good game. The conditions weren’t ideal at all, but he handled the situation like a professional. »
Swiatek adjusted to strong winds and earned her place in the next round where Marketa Vondrousova, 10, awaits here first in the series.
PHOTO KAREEM ELGAZZAR, USA TODAY SPORTS
Iga Swiatek,
Swiatek beat China’s Zheng Quiwen 3-6, 6-1, 6-1, who knocked out Venus Williams on Wednesday.
Vondrousova reached the next round with a 7-5, 6-3 win over American Sloane Stephens.
Third seed Daniil Medvedev was eliminated against the 16e seeded Alexander Zverev 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. Hubert Hurkacz won 6-3, 6-4 against the tournament’s fourth seed, Stefanos Tsitsipas.
After a title in Montreal last week, American and third seed Jessica Pegula was eliminated 6-4, 6-0 by Marie Bouzkova.
Karolina Muchova also surprised with a 6-3, 2-6, 6-2 victory over eighth seed Maria Sakkari.
Elena Rybakina and Ons Jabeur advanced to the next round due to withdrawals from their rivals, for health reasons.
