(Paris) Carlos Alcaraz qualified with difficulty on Friday for the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Masters 1000 by winning against Australian Max Purcell, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, in 2 hours 13 minutes, as did American Coco Gauff and world number one Iga Swiatek in the women’s draw at the Ohio tournament.
The Spaniard, leader of the world ranking, however conceded a set to his opponent of the day, amateur of services and volleys, ranked 70th, and from the qualifications, surprising faller of Stan Wawrinka and N.7 Casper Ruud in the previous rounds.
Among the women, Coco Gauff validated her ticket for the semi-finals by making short work of the Italian Jasmine Paolini (43rd) 6-3, 6-2, despite a lackluster start to the match for the American , current N.7 of the WTA.
Earlier, Iga Swiatek had also qualified for the last four by dominating the Czech Marketa Vondrousova 7-6 (7/3), 6-1. The winner of Wimbledon (N.10) will be able to harbor regrets after having served twice to win the first set, without managing to materialize, against the Pole who only had to unwind in the second round.
Swiatek and Gauff will face each other for a place in the final on Saturday, while Alcaraz will face Pole Hubert Hurkacz (20th) in the next round.