Carlos Alcaraz, the 20-year-old Spanish sensation, aimed to etch his name in history by becoming the first player to secure three consecutive Madrid Open singles titles. However, his aspirations were thwarted by Andrey Rublev, the seventh seed from Russia, in a gripping quarter-final encounter.
Rublev displayed remarkable resilience as he battled back from a set down to claim victory with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-3, 6-2. This triumph not only ended Alcaraz’s impressive 14-match winning streak in the Spanish capital but also propelled Rublev into the semi-finals.
Despite his valiant efforts, Alcaraz, who had been sidelined by a right arm injury, struggled to find his usual form against the relentless onslaught from Rublev. The Russian’s aggressive play, coupled with his 30 winners, proved too much for the defending champion to handle.
The defeat marked a disappointing end to Alcaraz’s title defense and dealt a blow to Spain’s home hopes in Madrid, following Rafael Nadal’s earlier exit from the tournament.
Meanwhile, Rublev’s resurgence comes after a recent dip in form, ending a four-match losing streak and rejuvenating his campaign at the Madrid Open. His victory sets up an intriguing semi-final clash against American Taylor Fritz, who secured his spot with a hard-fought win over Francisco Cerundolo.
As the tournament progresses, tennis enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the thrilling matches and potential upsets that lie ahead in the Madrid Open. Stay tuned for more updates and analysis as the action unfolds on the courts.
Credit: BBC Sport
