Carlos Alcaraz through to Madrid Open quarter-finals after beating Alexander Zverev, Stefanos Tsitsipas through
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Updated 03/05/2023 at 07:52 GMT
Carlos Alcaraz is through to the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open as he continues his title defence. He beat the Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion Alexander Zverev in straight sets inside Manolo Santana Stadium on Tuesday to book his place in the last eight in Madrid for the second time in his career. Alcaraz will play Karen Khachanov in the next round after he beat Andrey Rublev earlier in the day.
Highlights: Alcaraz sweeps past Zverev at Madrid Open
Carlos Alcaraz is through to the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open after a 6-1 6-2 win over Alexander Zverev.
In a repeat of the 2022 final, and last year's French Open quarter-final which Zverev won in four sets, it was Alcaraz who came out on top with a polished performance to beat the No. 13 seed in straight sets.
World No. 2 Alcaraz faces Russia's Karen Khachanov in the last eight as the Spaniard bids to win his fourth title of the season and his third on clay after picking up trophies in Buenos Aires and Barcelona.
"For me it's amazing to play at the level I played today," Alcaraz said after the match.
"It's been a question mark for me, this result is not normal for me. I played great, I feel really good right now and this match is giving me a lot of confidence.
"I did feel it [nervous] a little bit at the beginning but you have to handle the nerves. The best players adapt really well. I want to be like them, trying not to show the opponent that I'm nervous at all.
"I just want to enjoy playing here in the Caja Magica in front of my home crowd. It's been amazing for me to play here. I just enjoy every moment."
Alcaraz added that his convincing win over Zverev will give him added confidence against Khachanov, who beat fifth seed Andrey Rublev 7-6(8) 6-4 earlier in the day.
"I will try to play this level [against Khachanov]," the 19-year-old said.
"I have to show that in the quarter-final. Playing this match gives me a lot of confidence going into the quarter-finals so let's see what happens."
Alcaraz grabbed the first break of the match in a tense 11-minute second game, securing it when Zverev ripped a forehand wide. He quickly raced into a 3-0 lead after 18 minutes of action.
Zverev had a 40-0 lead on his own serve at 4-1 down, but Alcaraz fought back into the game and sealed the double break thanks to an unreturnable backhand.
Alcaraz then remained composed to serve out the set in 33 minutes. Zverev made 12 unforced errors compared to Alcaraz's two.
After a close start to the second set, it was another loose forehand from Zverev which handed Alcaraz the break advantage as he moved into a 3-2 lead. Zverev let out a cry of frustration towards his box after the error.
The point of the match came in the very next game from Alcaraz as he hit a backhand passing shot with Zverev rooted to his spot at the net.
Zverev had no answers to Alcaraz's all-round game as the world No. 2 continued to apply pressure to the German's forehand. Alcaraz then quickly moved into a 5-2 lead with a forehand winner.
The 2022 US Open champion finished the match off with an unreturnable serve to book his place in the quarter-finals.
In the late match, Stefanos Tsitsipas defeated home-favourite Bernabe Zapata Miralles in straight sets, 6-3 6-1, in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
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Highlights: Tsitsipas beats Zapata Miralles to reach quarters in Madrid
The Greek star lost his serve three times, but still managed to overcome world No. 42 Bernabe Zapata Miralles with seven breaks of his own. He will next take on Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff.
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