Carlos Alcaraz secures a significant reward following his dramatic escape in the Cincinnati semi-finals.

Carlos Alcaraz faced an intense showdown in the Cincinnati Masters semi-final against Hubert Hurkacz, and his recent hard-fought victory ensures that he will retain the world No. 1 ranking heading into the US Open.

Hurkacz had a crucial match point in the latter stages of the second set, but faltered when the moment arrived, providing Alcaraz with an opportunity to stage a comeback.

The Spaniard had to rely on his tenacity to secure a 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 triumph against his formidable Polish adversary, securing a spot in his eighth final of the season.

With Hurkacz’s powerful serve causing Alcaraz considerable trouble throughout the match, he acknowledged the need to maintain mental strength as he narrowly avoided a surprising exit.

“It was a mental battle and I had to stay there to wait for my chance,” said Alcaraz.

“I had a lot of break points, it was really tough. Obviously saving a match point is never easy but with my coach, we were talking about staying positive all the time and to stay there.

“We knew I was going to have my chances and I tried to take it. Every match against Hubi is really, really tough but I’m really, really happy that I was able to win.

“It’s been a really tough tournament, all matches have been three sets, but I’m really happy to win these kind of matches and stay strong mentally.

“These matches are really good for me. I grow up a lot thanks to these matches.”

Alcaraz will enter Sunday’s final with the assurance of retaining his position atop the ATP rankings. However, there may be some apprehension about the amount of energy he’s expended in Cincinnati just ahead of the US Open.

Consecutive ATP Masters 1000 tournaments pose a challenge for any player, and that’s precisely what Alcaraz has undertaken. Following his grueling matches in Canada last week, he’s been engaged in a series of exhausting battles in Cincinnati.

Alcaraz has clocked in a demanding 10 hours and 38 minutes on the court over his four matches in Cincinnati. Although the 20-year-old should possess the youthful vitality to recover from these lengthy matches in time for the US Open in New York, commencing on August 28th, he might feel the effects of this week’s exertions when he competes in the Cincinnati final on Sunday.

“He found a way,” was the summation from respected coach and Amazon Prime analyst Mark Petchey.

“Credit for Hubi Hurkacz. We need more people like him in our sport. He is an incredible player and person and has come out of it on the wrong side again.

“That is because he is so flexible and what he is doing at just 20 years of age is just extraordinary.

“It’s his composure, it’s his creativity, it is such charismatic tennis and he is going to make people care about this sport on an emotional level. You can’t ask for any more than that.”

Carlos Alcaraz’s accomplishment in retaining the world No. 1 slot means he’ll enter the defense of his US Open title with significant expectations resting on his shoulders.

Nevertheless, this remarkable young sports hero doesn’t appear to be affected by pressure, effortlessly smiling his way through battles that would overwhelm most players of his age.

For now, there seems to be no halting the ascent of Carlos Alcaraz.