Alcaraz, in Cincinnati ‘semis’ after learning how to suffer against Purcell

“We always try to be happy, it is our way of being. I have always dreamed to be here, being in this type of situation. I have arrived and we have to enjoy, take everything that comes in the best way . . When I show a smile, it means I’m enjoying myself and when I present my best version on the track.” Words of Carlos Alcaraz. He was all smiles this morning, after winning a tough, dramatic match, in which he was able to get revenge against the tennis player who knocked him out last week in Toronto, Tommy Paul. And he did it again this Friday against an unknown rival to many, Australian Max Purcell. It was not easy. Again, he had to suffer. win by suffering, something key for every champion. On big days you have to destroy. And on less bright days, like this Friday, it’s also a duty to win. And he did.

Alcaraz lost the first set, recovered quickly, but had to win again to win 4-6, 6-3 and 6-4 new a tennis player with a different style from others and tremendous faith. The game could have been complicated at times for Carlos. But he redefined at key moments, as the greatest do. He did not disappoint and is now in the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters 1000, where he will be looking for a ticket to the final against the Polish Hubert Hurkacz.

Purcell began by counseling

Carlos started with good feelings. It was a testament to the left where he raised the crowd’s applause in the first game. I pressed start. He seemed to want to put it straight without exaggerating his rival. It gave the sensation that as much as possible wanted to avoid the agony and epic of the previous day. At 1-0 on the scoreboard, on the first contact of Purcell’s serve, Alcaraz earned his first break point. But then Purcell made it clear he wasn’t going to make it that easy.

The Australian has been in a state of grace leading up to this clash, evidenced by the five consecutive victories he has achieved in recent days: two in the qualifying phase and three in the main draw against players of the stature of Lloyd Harris (6-4, 6-4), Casper Ruud (6-4, 3-6, 6-4) and Stan Wawrinka (6-4, 6-2). Carlos knows this, highlighting his opponent’s talent in the previous press conference. After his complex victory against Paul, he made it clear that he needs to study his opponent’s game to avoid surprises. But it is difficult to analyze the anarchic and eccentric game of a Purcell who saved a break point against a huge personality, with a great serve.

Max is starting to grow by showing a remarkable, unique game, from another era, based entirely on his insistence on going over the net again and again. He made it clear that with this style you can also go too far and make things difficult for the world number 1. Alcaraz didn’t feel bad at first, but neither did a very focused Purcell with few mistakes. The set is defined by specifications. Purcell converted his only break point to take the set 4-6.

come back

Carlos Alcaraz has to come back and He once again showed his mental strength in the best way: quickly went into sixth gear. No doubt. He went on the attack. They started 3-0 and took the set without discussion 6-3 to tie the game at one. And in the third and final set, the Murcian started by breaking his rival’s serve.

Everything seemed to be heading for a comfortable victory, but the Australian, number 70 in the world, did not give up and kept believing. Purcell saved another break ball that could have been the final and broke Alcaraz’s serve to make it 2-2. So began a new match with 3-2 in favor of Purcell in the final set. There, the 20-year-old from El Palmar knew how to suffer, again against a Max who kept pressing his uploads to the net, until decanting the game at his highest quality.

Alcaraz, superior at the decisive moment

The one from Sidney, 25 years old, did not fall, playing to the limit of his possibilities against a Carlos who seemed to have survived, with more versatile tennis and greater resources. Alcaraz had a lot of aces and brought out some of them. Left, balloon and consistency to force 4 equals. And in the exchanges behind the track, outside of Purcell’s comfort zone, the Australian suffered a long ball and received one of Alcaraz’s magical rights. A double fault from Purcell left Alcaraz with 3 break balls that put the game on a plate. He took advantage of them to mark a blank serve at the decisive moment. He had to finish. Purcell will get up again when he seems hurt. He made it spicy by having a break ball in that last game. Carlos saved him and finished for the final 6-4, closing out the encounter with a direct kick. It did not become famous, but it won. He finished smiling again.