The Spanish Carlos Alcaraz, number one in the world, assured this Friday that he was able to carry out a very difficult match against Australian Max Purcell (4-6, 6-3 and 6-4) in the quarterfinals of the Cincinnati Masters 1,000 thanks to the experiences that he lived in the past and “for all the times” that he did not succeed on other occasions.
“Those types of experiences help a lot, the ones I lived for example in the quarterfinals last year here in Cincinnati, the experiences I have lived during this last year also help a lot to live these situations in another way, to feel experienced”, Alcaraz told EFE in Cincinnati, where they qualified for the semifinals.
“Today I have been able to get it for all the times that I did not get it in recent years, in years ago, the truth is that I am very happy to be able to improve little by little with the passage of time,” added the Murcian.
Alcaraz found himself in a familiar situation. Last year, on this same track and in this round, he was a break ahead with the British Cameron Norrie. He failed to take advantage of it and ended up eliminated. This year, with two more ‘greats’ to his credit and as number one in the world, he did not make the same mistake. He waited for his chance and this time he sealed the ticket to the semifinals.
Now the Polish Hubert Hurkacz awaits him, who forcefully eliminated the Australian Alexei Popyrin (6-1 and 7-6 (8)). Alcaraz played with Hurkacz last week in Toronto and considered that facing the same opponent so often helps him improve.
“It helps. For example, with Tommy Paul, he helped me for this tournament, having lost (in Toronto) and facing him in this tournament helps you improve your game, to do things that I didn’t do well in Toronto,” he said.
“With Hurkacz, even though I won, it was 7-6 in the third, with which I could have lost perfectly, so I will try to take the things that I did not do well in Toronto and try to win again”, concluded.
2023-08-19 07:48:35
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