Carlos Alcaraz pips Max Purcell to reach Cincinnati Open semi-finals, Hurkacz escapes Popyrin scare

Carlos Alcaraz was forced to endure three sets for the third match in a row at the Cincinnati Open as he clinched a semi-final spot after beating Max Purcell.

The Wimbledon champion and world No. 1 triumphed 4-6 6-3 6-4 on Friday in a two-hour-long clash with the Australian qualifier.

The win means he is only two wins away from his third ATP 1000 title of the season, after winning at Indian Wells and in Madrid earlier this year.

“It was really tough. It was tricky today. He served really well. I think he played well at the net, but I think I played well, Alcaraz said after the match. “I returned well on court and that was the key to getting the win today, to return very well and to focus.

“It was not easy but I am really, really happy to reach my seventh Masters 1000 semi-final and first here in Cincinnati.”

Alcaraz will face Hubert Hurkacz in the next round after the Pole avoided an embarrassing turn of events to come through against Alexei Popyrin.

Despite a late charge from Popyrin, Hurkacz edged the Australian to reach the last four.

Hurkacz eventually got over the line, winning 6-1 7-6(8), but only after squandering five match points.

The 26-year-old led 6-1 in the second-set tie-break, but Popyrin produced a relentless flurry to win seven straight points and earn a set point of his own on centre court.

But Hurkacz managed to overcome the late threat, taking control of the tiebreak to win four of the next five points.

“I’m really happy, especially with the way I played the first set,” said Hurkacz. “I was returning really well.

“Alexei raised his level and was serving really good throughout that second set, I just got to the tie-breaker. I got off to a good start, and then Alexei played some good points, but fortunately, I battled through for that one.”