Carlos Alcaraz survives Hubert Hurkacz scare to reach Cincinnati final

Carlos Alcaraz saved a match point to survive a thrilling three set battle against Hubert Hurkacz and reach the Western & Southern Open final.

Alcaraz was far from his best in the opening set but recovered just in time, saving a match point at 4-5 in the second set to go on and claim a 2-6, 7-6(4), 6-3 win over the Pole in two hours and 16 minutes.

The match was the Spaniards sixth consecutive three-setter and he revealed afterwards that the key to staying alive is ‘staying positive’.

‘’It was a mental semi-final, I had to stay there," Alcaraz said in his on court-interview.

"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.’’

With the win, Alcaraz extended his lead in his Lexus ATP Head2Head series against Hurkacz to 3-0.

"It's been a really tough tournament, all matches [have gone] three sets," Alcaraz continued.

"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 meet either Novak Djokovic or Alexander Zverev in Sunday’s final as he bids to secure a third Masters 1000 title of the season.