Alcaraz shuts out distraction to reach another Cincy semi

A heat illness pause for a fan in the stands in steamy Cincinnati failed to distract Carlos Alcaraz from reaching his second semi-final here as the second seed overcame Andrey Rublev 6-3, 4-6, 7-5 on Friday.

The second seed had more important matters to worry with after losing serve while trying to serve out victory leading 5-4 in the final set.

But the optimistic Spaniard quickly re-grouped and advanced to the final four three games later as a frustrated Rublev fired a double-fault on an Alcaraz match point to lose.

Alcaraz next plays third seed Alexander Zverev.

The Spaniard now owns 14 straight Masters 1000 wins after trophies last spring in Monte Carlo and Rome, among his fie titles this season.

“I maintained the positive thoughts even if I lost focus a bit in the second set,” he said. “Against Andrey, if you lose focus it can cost you the set – or the match.

“In the third set I wasn’t hitting the first serve, lost focus and he broke. (Fighting back) is what I’m most proud of.”

Alcaraz added: “I had to be accepting of the moment (in tight situations). But I love that, playing in extreme conditions with all of this (crowd) energy.

“I’m happy to be living this experience.”