On a balmy August evening at the 2025 Cincinnati Open, Carlos Alcaraz, the electrifying world No. 2, delivered a performance that was equal parts thrilling and turbulent, outlasting Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur in a three-set battle, 6-1, 2-6, 6-3, on August 10. The 22-year-old Spaniard, returning to hard courts after a clay and grass season that saw him clinch Roland Garros and Wimbledon titles, weathered a storm of unforced errors and a resurgent opponent to advance to the third round. “It was just a rollercoaster,” Alcaraz reflected post-match, capturing the emotional highs and lows of the one-hour, 41-minute clash. “Lots of good feelings, bad feelings, back to the good ones. All I can say is I am happy to get the win at the end and just have another chance to be better.”
The match, staged on the P&G Centre Court at the newly renovated Lindner Family Tennis Center, began with Alcaraz in devastating form. Fresh off a 2025 season boasting five titles, including Masters 1000 victories in Monte-Carlo and Rome, he dismantled Dzumhur in the first set, breaking serve three times to claim a 6-1 rout in just 28 minutes. His explosive forehands and relentless court coverage left the world No. 56 reeling, unable to counter the Spaniard’s early dominance. But the second set told a different story. Alcaraz’s focus wavered, and 44 unforced errors across the match began to surface, handing Dzumhur an opening. The Bosnian, a crafty 33-year-old with three ATP titles, shifted gears, attacking the net and dictating rallies to break Alcaraz twice and level the score at 6-2. “Damir plays really smart tennis, which I have to be focused on and ready for,” Alcaraz acknowledged, giving credit to his opponent’s tactical nous.
The decisive third set showcased Alcaraz’s championship mettle. Regrouping after a shaky second set, he broke Dzumhur early to build a 4-1 lead, his aggressive baseline game resurfacing. A late hiccup saw him squander a game point and lose serve, but Alcaraz responded with a critical break in the eighth game, capitalizing on Dzumhur’s double fault. Serving for the match at 5-3, he sealed the victory when Dzumhur’s backhand sailed long, sparking roars from the Cincinnati crowd. “It was a relief to get this win,” Alcaraz said, noting the challenge of the tournament’s slower courts compared to the lightning-fast US Open surfaces. “Here it is difficult to play such great tennis. The ball flies a lot, goes super fast. You have to be ready to be in a good position for each shot and that is really difficult to do.”
Alcaraz’s victory, his 12th straight in ATP Masters 1000 events, strengthens his bid for a maiden Cincinnati title, a feat he narrowly missed in 2023 when he fell to Novak Djokovic in a dramatic final. His 2025 season, with a 48-6 record and a commanding lead in the ATP Live Race to Turin, underscores his dominance, though the match against Dzumhur exposed areas for improvement. Failing to save any of the three break points he faced, Alcaraz admitted, “I will try tomorrow to have my confidence back because today it was a bit tricky.” His next challenge awaits against either Tallon Griekspoor or Hamad Medjedovic, as he aims to fine-tune his game before the US Open, where he triumphed in 2022.
The Cincinnati faithful, electrified by Alcaraz’s flair—including a viral 360-degree spin shot—rallied behind their young star. Social media buzzed with praise, with one fan declaring, “Carlitos turns chaos into magic!” His head-to-head edge over Dzumhur now stands at 2-0, following a four-set win at Roland Garros earlier this year. As Alcaraz prepares for his third-round match on August 11, 2025, his ability to navigate the Cincinnati courts’ unique challenges signals his readiness for the hard-court swing. With the US Open looming, Alcaraz’s blend of grit, talent, and charisma continues to captivate, setting the stage for what could be another defining moment in his meteoric career.
Leave a Reply