Australian underdog Max Purcell has continued his sizzling 2023 campaign in a cruisy victory at the Cincinnati Open, ousting three-time grand slam champion Stan Wawrinka and surging into the top 50 in the live rankings.
Purcell will face Spanish prodigy Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals of the Cincinatti tournament after defeating Wawrinka 6-4, 6-2 on Friday morning (AEST).
Australia’s Alexei Popyrin has also booked a quarter-final berth by overcoming Finland’s Emil Ruusuvuori 7-6 (10), 5-7, 7-6 (3) on Friday morning, setting up a clash with Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz.
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Purcell entered 2023 ranked 220th and has since rocketed to 47th in the live rankings. When the rankings are recalculated on Monday, the 25-year-old could be in the top 50 for the first time in his career.
Since the beginning of August he’s beaten former world No.6 Felix Auger-Aliassime, 2023 Roland-Garros finalist Casper Ruud and Wawrinka.
The Swiss great had trumped world No.10 Frances Tiafoe to set up his match against Purcell, and described the victory over the American as his best performance of the season, but Purcell proved too strong with his chip-and-charge game.
Purcell saved both break points he faced and broke three times, while he also hit 27 winners.
A Saturday morning quarter-final against Alcaraz, the world No.1 and a two-time grand slam champion, now awaits.
Purcell, 25, is in brilliant form as he zeroes in on the US Open, beginning on August 28.
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