Carlos Alcaraz uses humor to combat the stifling Cincinnati heat: "I'm from Murcia, I must be used to it."

The sweltering heat has taken center stage these past few days at the ATP 1000 in Cincinnati. After qualifying for the round of 16, Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz joked that he should be used to it, as summers are also very hot in his hometown of Murcia.

"Sometimes tennis players (in the heat) only focus on themselves. We just think we're having problems with the heat and the sun and you feel bad... And sometimes you forget about your opponent, who's also having problems, or even more problems than you," he argued in an interview with Tennis Channel.

"I try to think about the opponent too and try to turn it into a battle, to make it tough. I'm from Murcia and it's very hot in the summer (smiles). So I try to tell myself that I have to get used to (the heat of Cincinnati) because I'm used to (the heat of Murcia). I try not to let it affect me and my game," he added.

Several tennis players have had significant problems in recent days, such as Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech , who retired on Monday due to intense heat in his match against Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime.

This Tuesday, Argentine Francisco Comesaña also had to be treated for high temperatures in his match against American Reilly Opelka, although he was ultimately able to continue and win the match.

In the case of Alcaraz, the El Palmar native took to the court on Tuesday just after 3 p.m., with temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius and 54% humidity . With more skill than brilliance, the Spaniard and world number two defeated Serbian Medjedovic 6-4, 6-4 in the third round in one hour and 34 minutes.

After a debut of light and shade against the Bosnian Damir Dzumhur, the Murcian improved compared to his debut but offered another performance of light and shade against Medjedovic (n.72), with some very solid sections and firm play but also with more hesitant moments.

In any case, Alcaraz achieved his 50th victory of the season with a total record of 50-6. He also has 13 consecutive wins at the ATP 1000 tournaments following his titles in Monte Carlo and Rome.

His next opponent in Cincinnati, a tournament that marks his return to competition after Wimbledon and in which he was runner-up in 2023, will be the Italian Luca Nardi (n.98), who advanced due to the withdrawal of the Czech Jakub Mensik (n.17).