The Cincinnati Masters is back in full swing, and all eyes are on Carlos Alcaraz as he continues his quest for a maiden title on the North American hard-court circuit ahead of the US Open. Despite his meteoric rise and Grand Slam success, the Spanish sensation has yet to lift a trophy at either the Canadian or Cincinnati Masters, a fact that adds a layer of intrigue to his 2025 campaign. The stakes are high, the pressure is palpable, and the tennis world is watching to see if this will finally be Alcaraz’s breakthrough summer on American soil.
Alcaraz’s journey in Cincinnati this year began with a stern test against Bosnia’s Damir Dzumhur. The match was anything but a walk in the park. Alcaraz stormed through the first set 6-1, but Dzumhur, never one to back down, rallied to take the second 6-2. For a moment, it looked like the upset could be on. Yet, as champions do, Alcaraz found another gear in the decider, closing out the third set 6-3 and booking his ticket to the next round. The win was gritty, not glamorous, but it’s often these early battles that set the tone for a deep tournament run.
Dzumhur, a three-time singles titlist whose career has been marked by both resilience and adversity, later reflected on the encounter with genuine admiration for his opponent. "He has a plan A, B, C and D, and probably the whole alphabet of plans that he can play. He’s one of the fastest players and has so many variations in his game that he can execute on the highest level," Dzumhur said, according to the ATP Tour. The Bosnian, who survived a life-threatening bout of acute pancreatitis and draws motivation from veterans like Novak Djokovic, Gael Monfils, and Stan Wawrinka, knows firsthand the challenge of facing Alcaraz. Their recent clash at Roland Garros left a lasting impression on Dzumhur, who described the atmosphere on Court Philippe-Chatrier as "one of the best" he has ever experienced.
For Alcaraz, the Cincinnati Masters has been a mountain he’s yet to conquer. Last year, he suffered a surprising early exit at the hands of Gael Monfils, leaving him with no points to defend this time around. The memory of that loss still lingers, but it also means the path is open for Alcaraz to make a significant leap in the ATP rankings. With Jannik Sinner currently holding the top spot, a strong showing in Cincinnati could bring Alcaraz tantalizingly close to reclaiming the world number one ranking—a goal that has become even more urgent after his defeat to Sinner in the Wimbledon final earlier this summer.
Alcaraz’s approach to this critical stretch of the season has been shaped by a newfound emphasis on rest and recovery. The relentless 11-month tennis calendar has come under fire in recent months, with Alcaraz among the most vocal critics. "For me, it has been great days after Roland Garros, my days in Ibiza, and then I came back stronger to the grass season…title, and making the final…and then yeah, I had a week completely off. I went to southern Spain, which was great, and then two weeks at home were unbelievable," Alcaraz shared with Tennis Channel’s Prakash Amritraj. The Spaniard skipped the Canadian Open, prioritizing physical and mental recovery over another grueling tournament. On social media, he explained, "After many consecutive weeks of competition without rest, I will not be able to play in Toronto this year. I have small muscles issues and I need to recover physically and mentally for what comes next. To the tournament and to my fans in Canada I am very sorry, I will see you next year!"
This strategy has sparked broader conversations about the demands placed on tennis’s elite. Lindsay Davenport, a former Wimbledon champion, weighed in during a recent Tennis Channel Live Podcast, supporting the decision of top players like Alcaraz, Sinner, Gauff, Sabalenka, and Swiatek to tailor their schedules and avoid an "unhealthy amount" of tennis. "Sometimes when you go back to back between Roland Garros and Wimbledon, it is exhausting. You feel empty. I just don’t feel like you got to push these players to play an unhealthy amount throughout the season and I support them when they need to take some time," Davenport remarked. Her perspective echoes a growing consensus that player longevity and peak performance require thoughtful scheduling and adequate downtime.
Looking ahead, Alcaraz faces another formidable challenge in the form of Serbia’s Hamad Medjedovic. The young Serbian, mentored by Novak Djokovic and coached by Jorge Aguirre, has made significant strides in 2025, reaching his first ATP final and notching a victory over Daniil Medvedev. Medjedovic’s aggressive, high-risk style—built around a potent serve-forehand combination—can be devastating on a good day, but it’s also prone to producing unforced errors if an opponent can force him to move laterally and stay patient in rallies. Despite battling physical setbacks earlier in the year, Medjedovic arrives in Cincinnati at full fitness, having dispatched Aleksandar Kovacevic and Tallon Griekspoor in straight sets to earn his shot at Alcaraz.
The Alcaraz-Medjedovic clash is set for Tuesday, August 12th, around 1:00 p.m. local time on Center Court. Fans in Spain can catch the action live on Movistar+, while viewers across Latin America can tune in via ESPN and Disney+. For those seeking digital access, Bet365 offers live streaming with a minimum deposit, ensuring that tennis enthusiasts won’t miss a single moment of this high-stakes encounter.
Alcaraz’s record against Medjedovic is untested, adding an extra layer of uncertainty and excitement to the matchup. Will Alcaraz’s tactical versatility—his much-lauded "alphabet of plans"—be enough to neutralize Medjedovic’s firepower? Or will the Serbian’s bold approach rattle the Spaniard and create another Cincinnati surprise? One thing’s for sure: the tennis world will be watching closely.
Beyond the immediate drama, the implications for the ATP rankings loom large. With no points to defend from last year, every match Alcaraz wins in Cincinnati brings him closer to overtaking Sinner and reclaiming the world number one spot. It’s a tantalizing prospect for a player who, despite his youth, has already tasted Grand Slam glory and seems destined for even greater heights.
The road to the US Open is never easy, and for Carlos Alcaraz, the Cincinnati Masters remains both a proving ground and a potential launchpad. As he gears up for his next test against Medjedovic, the question isn’t just whether he can win—it’s whether this summer will mark the moment he truly conquers the North American hard courts. Stay tuned, because the action is far from over, and the story of Alcaraz’s Cincinnati campaign is still being written.
