Cincinatti Open: Novak Djokovic eases past Gael Monfils, Carlos Alcaraz defeats Tommy Paul in round of 16
23-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic made easy work of French tennis star Gael Monfils, defeating him in straight sets in the round of 16 of the ongoing Cincinnati Open.
Djokovic, winner of this tournament twice before, danced across the court and dominated the baseline rallies in a breathtaking 6-3 6-2 victory over Monfils. This win extended Djokovic’s unbeaten record against the Frenchman to an astounding 19-0 – a triumph that etches his name in the annals of the Open Era’s most one-sided ATP head-to-head encounters.
Seizing the opportunity presented by Monfils’ errant service game, the Serbian maestro claimed a flawless break to love at 5-3 in the first set, elegantly sealing the deal. With the second set’s winds of fortune firmly at his back, he swiftly soared to a commanding 5-0 lead.
A momentary stumble on his initial attempt to serve out the match failed to faze him, as Djokovic resolutely composed himself and triumphantly wrapped up the victory just two games later, leaving the clock ticking at a mere hour and eight minutes.
Now, the Serbian will face the cherished home favorite, Taylor Fritz in the last-eight stage of the competition.
Alcaraz fends off Paul
World number one Carlos Alcaraz downed Tommy Paul 7-6(6) 6-7(0) 6-3 in the round of 16 stage to exact revenge for his loss against the American earlier this month in Toronto.
A cascade of errors from the 14th seed provided Alcaraz with the upper hand in a hard-fought 7-6(6) 6-7(0) 6-3 victory. Remarkably, Alcaraz resurfaced from a break down not once, not twice, but an astonishing four times in the first two sets, only to falter on three match points in the second set.
With the score at 4-3 and holding a break in the deciding set, a sudden downpour forced an hour-long pause in play. Undeterred, the Spaniard returned with determination, breaking Paul’s serve once again in a climactic final game to secure his place in the quarter-finals, where he will face off against the formidable Australian, Max Purcell.
