Until the 1st of May world number 3 Vs world number 8 clash of behemoths match in the quarter finals of the Madrid Open, Carlos Alcaraz had been on a 14-game winning streak in the competition, stretching back to 2022.
Alcaraz became the first player to successfully defend his Madrid Open title since Rafael Nadal did so in 2014. Nadal’s 2017 win proved to be his last trophy, as his defeat to Jiri Lehecka officially retired the 37-year-old from the tournament.
At the age of 18, Alcaraz won the Miami Open, which was his first Masters 1000 title. In the same year, he won the Madrid Open, which was his second Masters 1000 title. Here, he had had to defeat Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Alexander Zverev in consecutive matches.
Comeback Win Cancels Alcaraz’s Routine First Set Win
Carlos Alcaraz has won every first set of the nine consecutive matches he’s played in the tournament since his second round match against Emil Ruusuvuori in the 2023 Madrid Open.
Against Rublev, Alcaraz hit a first set break of serve after Rublev hit a shot that went long. Alcaraz went on the see out the set.
Rublev then went on to secure a break of Alcaraz’s serve in the second game of the second set and held on to see out the set. He also started the third and deciding set the way he started the second. A powerful forehand shot to Alcaraz’s backhand made the young Spaniard hit the ball into the net and give Rublev the break of serve in the first game of the set.
Alcaraz kept the charge on but Rublev caught a lob that had too much air and broke Alcaraz’s serve again in the fifth game of the set to lead 4-1. Three games later and Alcaraz hit a return of serve into the net to end his 14-match unbeaten streak in Madrid.
Injury Makes Sinner Withdraw From Madrid Open
Very sad to have to withdraw from my next match here in Madrid. My hip has been bothering me this week and has slowly been getting more painful. Taking the advice from the doctors we decided it’s best to not play further and make it worse. pic.twitter.com/QJX9WVA4Np
— Jannik Sinner (@janniksin) May 1, 2024
Jannik Sinner has withdrawn from his quarter-final clash with Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime, which means the Canadian has earned automatic qualification to the semifinals of the tournament.
In his statement, which was released on social media, the world number 2 said:
“Very sad to have to withdraw from my next match here in Madrid. My hip has been bothering me this week and has slowly been getting more painful. Taking the advice from the doctors we decided it’s best to not play further and make it worse.”
As a result, Felix Auger-Aliassime will compete with Daniil Medvedev or Jiri Lehecka for a place in the Madrid Open final.
Fritz Overcomes Cerundolo In Three Sets
The first set between Taylor Fritz and Francisco Cerundolo ended in 28 minutes, with Cerundolo earning his first and only hold of his serve in the sixth game.
The second set was different. The Argentine won the second set to level the match, but it was not enough as Fritz took the third set to book a semifinal with Andrey Rublev.
The Manolo Santana court will host the last quarterfinal match of the Madrid Open on the 2nd of May between world number 4, Daniil Medvedev, and world number 31, Jiri Lehecka.
Also Read: 3 Top Seeds Knocked Out In Breathtaking Madrid Open Encounters
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