Carlos Alcaraz will face Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals of the Cincinnati Open on Saturday, with the Spaniard handed the perfect opportunity to silence the German
Carlos Alcaraz has a golden chance to shut down Alexander Zverev’s recent claim at the Cincinnati Open.
Last month, Zverev insisted that the gap between himself, Alcaraz, and world No. 1 Jannik Sinner isn’t as large as many assume. “Maybe it hasn’t been my best year, but I don’t think I’m as far away as some people might think,” he told Tennis365.
“At the moment, Carlos is the star boy. He just brings great energy to the court, and along with Jannik, they are the players to beat. I just hope to spoil their party a little bit, and I think I can do that.”
His remark represented a clear shift from his previous statement that Alcaraz and Sinner were performing on an entirely different level. After losing to Sinner in the Australian Open final back in January, Zverev admitted: “I’m just not good enough. It’s as simple as that. I don’t know if I’ll ever be able to lift the trophy but I’ll keep coming back, I’ll keep trying.”
Zverev’s recent comments show a renewed sense of self-assurance. His results this year, including a strong run at the French Open and an appearance in the final in Melbourne, give credibility to his words.
Still, five-time Grand Slam winner Alcaraz has repeatedly shown why he’s considered one of the game’s greats – most notably with two Wimbledon final wins over Novak Djokovic and a dramatic comeback victory against Sinner in the Roland Garros final earlier this season.
His explosive speed, adaptable shot-making and mental resilience distinguish him, and Saturday’s matchup with Zverev provides an ideal platform to confirm his supremacy. Both competitors have enjoyed relatively straightforward routes to the Cincinnati Open semi-finals, with Alcaraz losing just two sets all week, while Zverev hasn’t dropped a single one.
The victor will face either Sinner or Terence Atmane in Sunday’s final. If Sinner advances, the showdown gains extra intrigue, as both Alcaraz and Zverev have unfinished business with him.
Sinner defeated Alcaraz in last month’s Wimbledon final to secure his first SW19 crown, and earlier this season, he overcame Zverev in straight sets to win the Australian Open. For Zverev, that loss represented his third defeat in a major final, extending his frustrating wait for a breakthrough Grand Slam.
Head-to-head, Alcaraz and Zverev are relatively balanced, with the Spaniard winning five of their 11 matches and the German taking six. Zverev also holds a favorable record against Sinner, winning four encounters to the Italian’s three.
A Cincinnati win over Alcaraz would provide Zverev a major confidence boost heading into this month’s U.S. Open. The German will be among the favorites in New York, though he has not gone past the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows since 2021.
The 28-year-old must find a way to match the relentless intensity and consistency of both Alcaraz and Sinner to contend for the title. Even then, the road to victory is paved with potential obstacles, with Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz and Ben Shelton all lurking in a stacked draw.
For now, however, Zverev’s focus must be on Cincinnati and Alcaraz – and proving he can back up his words. But Alcaraz will be leaving everything on the court to make sure that doesn’t happen.
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