Cincinnati Open: Novak Djokovic topples Taylor Fritz to setup semifinal clash with Zverev; Carlos Alcaraz wins too

SportsTak

In the high-profile tennis showdown at the Cincinnati Open, Grand Slam stalwart and 23-time champion Novak Djokovic showcased his dominance by swiftly taking down American sensation Taylor Fritz. As the tennis world watched closely, Djokovic's exquisite form ensured a semi-final berth, setting up an anticipated clash with World no.17 and German talent, Alexander Zverev.

 

Seeded second, the Serbian maestro Djokovic demonstrated his mastery, not dropping a single break point opportunity out of the five presented. A symphony of more than a dozen winners was on display as he maintained unyielding command of his game, concluding a definitive victory with a scoreline of 6-0, 6-4 against Fritz.

 

Emphasizing his supremacy, Djokovic wrapped up the initial set in a mere 21 minutes, leaving Fritz clearly flustered and off-balance. Fritz, a normally reliable server, grappled with significant issues on court, evidenced by three unforced double faults, a rare misstep for the American.

Completing the match in just under an hour, Djokovic's final break in the 10th game culminated with a crosscourt forehand — a testament to his precision — leaving Fritz scrambling and unable to counter.

 

Awaiting Djokovic in the battle for the championship is 16th seed Alexander Zverev. Earlier in the day, Zverev breezed past France's Adrian Mannarino, establishing himself as another key player to watch in the tournament.

 

Meanwhile, in another significant matchup, world number one Carlos Alcaraz stamped his authority by overcoming Australian qualifier Max Purcell. While Purcell, ranked 70th globally, has been in the form of his life with wins over notable names such as French Open finalist Casper Ruud and three-time Grand Slam victor Stan Wawrinka, his journey met a formidable opponent in Alcaraz. Despite a setback in the opening set, the two-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz displayed resilience, rallying to deliver an astounding 30 winners, ensuring a captivating performance on Centre Court.

 

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