Novak Djokovic crushed Taylor Fritz whereas Carlos Alcaraz needed to push exhausting to get previous Max Purcell Friday as the highest two seeds reached the semi-finals on the ATP/WTA Cincinnati Open. Tournament quantity two Djokovic confirmed no mercy towards Fritz, hammering the highest American 6-0, 6-4 to enhance to 7-0 towards him. World primary Alcaraz rallied to carry off Australian qualifier Purcell 4-6, 6-3, 6-4.

After pocketing the opening  set towards Fritz in a mere 21 minutes, two-time match winner Djokovic was damaged to begin the second set as a backhand landed lengthy. The 23-time Grand Slam champion regained the break within the eighth recreation when Fritz drove a forehand into the online. Djokovic broke once more two video games later, securing the match on his first match level after simply 62 minutes.

“I managed to get out of the blocks with a flawless start,” the Serb star mentioned. “I started the second set poorly, handing him the break.

“But from 2-4 down I performed 4 stable video games, general it was an ideal efficiency. I’ve performed three good matches right here up to now, each day I increase the bar a bit increased.

“I’m feeling better on court. I hope the same trajectory can continue,” added Djokovic, who subsequent faces German Alexander Zverev. Zverev, the 2021 Cincy champion, beat France’s Adrian Mannarino 6-2, 6-3 to achieve his first Masters semi-final since Rome final yr —  earlier than a horror ankle harm in Paris ended his 2022 marketing campaign. Alcaraz, in the meantime, was caught off-guard by Seventieth-ranked Purcell, dropping the primary set in 44 minutes.

Alcaraz steadied the ship to drive a 3rd, struggling by means of an alternate of service breaks earlier than breaking for a 5-4 lead and serving out the victory. The reigning Wimbledon champion, chasing a seventh title of the season, polished off the win in two and 1 / 4 hours with an ace amongst his 29 winners.

“It was really tough and tricky today, he serves really well,” Alcaraz mentioned. “He played well at the net. I returned well, that was the key to the win.”

Alcaraz booked a semi-final conflict with Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz, who wanted seven match factors to lastly put away Australian Alexei Popyrin 6-1, 7-6 (10/8).

Swiatek tops Vondrousova

In the WTA draw, top-seeded Iga Swiatek proved to be a fast learner as she ousted Marketa Vondrousova 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 in a battle of Grand Slam champions. Swiatek, the reigning US Open and French Open champion, mentioned she utilized the teachings from her first-set struggles within the second to comb previous Wimbledon winner Vondrousova.

She had misplaced serve twice within the opening set as she struggled with Vondrousova’s lefty recreation, however broke because the Czech served for the set and ultimately received the tiebreaker. Swiatek dominated the second set to say the victory in 93 minutes.

“It’s not easy to adjust to her spin,” Swiatek mentioned. “After the first set, I was determined to fight for every ball.

“I used to be extra centered and I knew what labored,” she added. “I discovered from the primary set. I knew precisely how I ought to play.”

The Polish star will play for a place in the final against seventh-seeded American Coco Gauff — who tossed a racquet in anger on the way to a 6-3, 6-2 victory over Italian qualifier Jasmine Paolini. “Usually they are saying do not throw your racquet however I received six video games in a row,” Gauff said. “What are you able to do? At least nobody bought harm.”

Second-seeded Aryna Sabalenka beat Ons Jabeur 7-5, 6-3 in 85 minutes. Sabalenka had nine aces and broke Jabeur nine times as the Tunisian struggled with a foot injury in the second set. Sabalenka lined up a French Open semi-final rematch against Czech Karolina Muchova, who advanced to the final four as compatriot Marie Bouzkova retired injured after losing all three games they played.

Australian Open champion Sabalenka will be out to turn the tables on Muchova, who saved a match point on the way to her upset win over the world number two in the semis at Roland Garros.