Alcaraz advances in Madrid; Medvedev and Rublev lose

MADRID — Carlos Alcaraz made positive he wouldn’t be among the many prime seeds being upset on the Madrid Open on Tuesday, enjoying properly from the begin to safe his spot within the quarterfinals with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Alexander Zverev.

After each second-seeded Daniil Medvedev and fifth-seeded Andrey Rublev misplaced their fourth-round matches on the clay-court event, Alcaraz cruised previous Thirteenth-seeded Zverev to remain on observe to defend his title at house.

It was a rematch of final 12 months’s Madrid ultimate, which Alcaraz additionally comfortably received in opposition to the previous two-time champion within the Spanish capital.

“For me it’s amazing to play the level that I played today,” Alcaraz mentioned. “I feel really good right now and this match gives me a lot of confidence.”

Alcaraz didn’t concede any break alternatives in opposition to Zverev and transformed on 4 of the ten break probabilities he had. The 19-year-old Spaniard ended with 21 winners and 12 unforced errors. Zverev had solely 9 winners and 22 unforced errors.

“This is not a normal result, Zverev is a great player and has great shots, it would be more normal to be a tighter match and I was prepared for it,” the second-ranked Alcaraz mentioned. “I played well. I kept attacking and didn’t let him take control, especially on his serve. I played a complete match, that’s why the result was like that.”

PHOTOS: Medvedev upset by Karatsev in Madrid; Khachanov advances

Alcaraz, coming off the title in Barcelona, has received 18th straight matches in Spain.

Women’s second seed Aryna Sabalenka reached the final 4 after trailing Mayar Sherif by a set and a break. Sabalenka rallied to beat the Egyptian 2-6, 6-2, 6-1. The Australian Open champion reached her fifth semifinal in seven tournaments. She received Madrid in 2021.

The 59th-ranked Sherif was the primary Egyptian to make it to the quarterfinals in a WTA 1000 occasion.

“It was crazy match. I think she played unbelievable tennis. It was really tough today,” Sabalenka mentioned. “I just couldn’t adjust for her game, and I was really going crazy. I’m really happy that I was able to stop myself, to take a little breath and just like start everything from the beginning.”

Medvedev misplaced to 121st-ranked qualifier Aslan Karatsev, a fellow Russian, 7-6 (1), 6-4. It was Karatsev’s first victory in opposition to a top-10 opponent since 2021.

Medvedev complained of the small dimensions of the Arantxa Sanchez Vicario courtroom, saying he ought to have performed on middle courtroom because the No. 2 seed.

Karatsev is a former No. 14 on the earth and has received three tour titles, the final in Sydney final 12 months. He was a semifinalist on the Australian Open in 2021.

“I’m feeling great,” mentioned Karatsev, who will play both Taylor Fritz or Zhang Zhizhen within the quarterfinals.

Rublev misplaced to his doubles associate and likewise fellow Russian Karen Khachanov 7-6 (8), 6-4. Khachanov saved two set factors within the tiebreaker in his first win in opposition to a top-10 opponent on clay since 2019.

The Twelfth-ranked Khachanov believed their tiebreaker was essential after shedding to Rublev in Monte Carlo three weeks in the past, when Rublev went on to seize his first Masters 1000 title.

“It’s always tricky to play against each other because, on one side, we know each other’s games perfectly because we’ve been training together for so many years,” Khachanov mentioned. “At the same time, we know what to expect, but also of course a bit nervous to play against each other. We are good friends.”

Khachanov, who improved to 19-0 after successful the primary set in 2023, will face Alcaraz within the quarterfinals.

Khachanov and Rublev made it to the doubles quarterfinals, the place Jamie Murray and Michael Venus await.

“This (singles) match is over,” Khachanov mentioned. “We need to have some time maybe to absorb it. That’s how it was in Monte Carlo. The day before, we played doubles, we lost a very tight match, and then the next day he beat me. After one day, life goes on. He’s doing well this year, I’m doing well, I’m just happy.”

Daniel Altmaier reached the quarterfinals by defeating Jaume Munar 6-3, 6-0.

Munar was upset with a name that put him down 3-0 within the ultimate set. He challenged it and was irate when the ruling in opposition to him stood, saying: “I will destroy this machine. How is it possible? The mark is clear.”