Alcaraz routs Zverev to punch Cincinnati Masters finals ticket

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Carlos Alcaraz secured another grand finals seat after outmaneuvering Alexander Zverev, 6-4, 6-3, during the semifinals of the Cincinnati Masters on Aug. 17, 2025, at the Linder Family Tennis Center in Ohio.

For two straight sets, Zverev struggled to keep up with Alcaraz’s blistering pace on the hard court, conceding 66 total points generated mostly from the Spaniard’s down-the-line topspin forehand winners.

Alcaraz stamped his authority early with a quick break and a service hold to seize momentum.

Even when Zverev tried to mix it up with serve-and-volley plays, Alcaraz countered with precision lobs that dropped neatly inside the baseline.

Frustration mounted for the German, who attempted to go shot-for-shot in baseline rallies but managed just two points from the last nine exchanges of the opening set.

Unable to match Alcaraz’s consistency and power, Zverev found himself stuck on defense without rhythm.

Alcaraz surged to a 4-1 lead with forehand passing shots and off-the-bounce net pickups, as Zverev resorted to defensive chops that revealed his fatigue.

From there, Zverev’s return game collapsed, with flat groundstrokes sinking into the net under Alcaraz’s relentless pressure.

Alcaraz sealed the win with 11 aces, an 81 percent first-serve rate, 66 total points won, and 29 receiving points.

The five-time Grand Slam champion now sets up a blockbuster clash against Jannik Sinner in the Cincinnati Open championship round.