The latest exciting chapter of Carlos Alcaraz and Tommy Paul’s new rivalry was interrupted by rain Thursday at the Western & Southern Open where World No. 1 topped the American 7-6(6), 6-7(0), 4-3 in Cincinnati.
The rain came where Alcaraz took the lead in the third set after three hours and two minutes of absorbing action on the Cincinnati center court. With Alcaraz serving at 15/15 with one break, the Spaniard is on course to avenge his quarter-final loss to Paul in Toronto just seven days ago. The 20-year-old had three chances to claim a straight-sets victory at the ATP Masters 1000 in Ohio, but Paul held off three match points in the 12th game with nine deuces before racing to the tie- break to force a decision.
Alcaraz is looking to level his Lexus ATP Head2Head series with Paul at 2-2 by completing the win in Ohio, where whoever comes out on top will face Australian qualifier Max Purcell in the quarter-finals.