Carlos Alcaraz returns to action in Cincinnati, squarely focused on advancing to the later rounds as he faces Hamad Medjedovic in the third round of the Cincinnati Open. The world No. 2 is coming off Wimbledon, where he finished runner-up to Jannik Sinner on July 13, and this marks his first tournament since that final.
The match is slated for Tuesday, August 12, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. ET on P&G Center Court in Cincinnati, Ohio. It will be televised on Tennis Channel, with live streams available through DirecTV Stream (free trial) as well as other services such as Sling, fuboTV and Hulu + Live TV.
What you need to know:
– Who: Carlos Alcaraz (No. 2) vs. Hamad Medjedovic
– When: Tuesday, Aug. 12, 2025, at 12:30 p.m. ET
– Where: P&G Center Court, Cincinnati
– Why it matters: Alcaraz aims to bounce back from Wimbledon heartbreak and build momentum toward the U.S. Open, while Medjedovic looks to score another big win on the North American hard courts.
In other hard-court action on the week, Ben Shelton captured the National Bank Open title in Toronto, rallying past Karen Khachanov 6-7(5), 6-4, 7-6(3). Shelton, who rose to a career-high No. 6 in the world with the victory, also defeated Taylor Fritz in the semifinals to reach the final. The win underscored the depth of the American contingent on the North American swing and came as top-ranked Jannik Sinner and No. 2 seed Alcaraz skipped the event to prepare for the U.S. Open. In doubles, Julian Cash and Lloyd Glasspool defeated Joe Salisbury and Neal Skupski in a tight final, extending their winning streak to 19 matches.
Why this matters for fans: The Cincinnati match offers a chance to see how Alcaraz adapts to post-Wimbledon form and how Medjedovic challenges one of the tour’s most dangerous competitors. It’s also part of a broader, high-stakes run of events leading into the U.S. Open, with notable results shaping momentum for American players and the sport overall.
Summary: Alcaraz looks to use Cincinnati as a launching pad after Wimbledon, taking on Medjedovic in a pivotal third-round matchup. The week also featured a major North American win from Ben Shelton in Toronto, signaling a strong competitive landscape as the tour heads toward the U.S. Open.
Positive note: The ongoing surge of rising stars and strong veterans alike bodes well for fans as the season transitions into the final grand slam of the year, with potential for exciting matchups and surprising breakthroughs.