In Cincinnati, the American hard-court Masters 1000 event, Carlos Alcaraz from Spain advanced to the last 16 after a tense three-set victory that stretched his morning session. He defeated Jordan Thompson of Australia in a match that concluded with a scoreline of 7-5, 4-6 and 6- sets, marking the seventh Masters 1000 tournament of the year for Alcaraz. The atmosphere was electric as a packed crowd watched two young talents trade power and precision across the court, with Alcaraz carving out opportunities through disciplined baseline play and timely net approaches.
Thompson, ranked 55 in the world and coming through the earlier rounds, faced a familiar opponent for the first time in Alcaraz, who was seeded in the tournament. The Australian pressed hard, and the two players endured nearly three hours of high-stakes tennis. The Spaniard faced discomfort on the forehand and his first serve at times, yet he found moments of brilliance that kept him within striking distance as the set progressed. The opening frame, though tightly contested, tilted in Alcaraz’s favor as he pounced on errors at crucial moments and executed clean winners when it mattered most.
In a match that swung with momentum, Murcian style—marked by aggressive returns and relentless defense—pushed Thompson to hold his nerve in pivotal sequences. Alcaraz faced a rough patch in the third game when his serve faltered, and Thompson capitalized by applying pressure with deep groundstrokes and effective returns. The momentum shifted briefly toward the Australian in the middle portion of the set, but Alcaraz demonstrated resilience, mounting a response that included a stretched baseline rally and a well-timed serve to steady his service games, eventually sealing the first set in one hour and twenty-four minutes.
As the second set unfolded, the rhythm changed. Alcaraz was less fluid at the start, with serve-and-volley chances limited and Thompson’s serve driving plays that kept the pressure on. The Luxembourging moments of the opening frame gave way to a more compact, service-dominant phase for Thompson, who refused to blink even after facing a critical break point in the early stages. He converted when necessary, building a lead that reflected his confidence and tempo, and closed the second set 6-4. The crowd clearly felt the shift, sensing that this contest might hinge on the next chapter rather than a quick finish.
During the third set, Alcaraz demonstrated his championship instincts by racing to the front early. He aimed to finish the match promptly, establishing a foothold in the opening game and pressing forward with aggressive returns and decisive serves. Thompson, never backing down, found a way to counter with extended rallies that tested Alcaraz’s endurance and mental fortitude. The tension of the decider built as both players traded punches, with Alcaraz eventually weathering the late pressure to claim the decisive advantage. In a week already loaded with intense battles, this win added another notable chapter to Alcaraz’s season as he continued his bid for a deep run at one of the sport’s most competitive Masters events.
The path ahead for the winner of this encounter will be decided by a forthcoming clash between the Frenchman Ugo Humbert and American Tommy Paul, a matchup that will determine who advances to the next round in Toronto’s Masters 1000 stop. Alcaraz’s next challenge will be watched closely by fans and analysts alike, eager to see how the Spanish prodigy translates his hard-court prowess to the tougher rounds and whether he can sustain the momentum that has colored his recent season. The tournament continues to unfold with high expectations as Alcaraz positions himself as a leading contender in the Masters circuit, driven by a blend of youthful energy, strategic variety, and a taste for dramatic wins on the world stage.