Carlos Alcaraz’s quest for a third consecutive Madrid Open title came to a disappointing conclusion with a three-set loss to Andrey Rublev in the quarterfinals. Despite a strong start, the second-seeded Alcaraz was ultimately outplayed by the seventh-seeded Rublev, succumbing to a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat at the Caja Magica center court.
Following a grueling three-set victory over Jan-Lennard Struff in the previous round, Alcaraz appeared to be struggling and error-prone against Rublev. His performance was further hindered by a right forearm injury, which had forced him to miss the Monte Carlo and Barcelona tournaments. Despite expressing his willingness to play multiple matches in Madrid, Alcaraz’s hopes of securing a historic third consecutive title were dashed by Rublev’s dominant display.
Andrey Rublev, the world No. 8, showcased his prowess on the court with a commanding performance against Alcaraz. With 30 winners and a strong serve, Rublev maintained his composure throughout the match, eventually emerging victorious. Reflecting on his success, Rublev attributed his calm demeanor and improved serving as crucial factors in securing the win.
In the women’s competition, fourth-seeded Elena Rybakina fought back from the brink of defeat to claim a hard-fought 4-6, 7-6 (4), 7-5 victory over Yulia Putintseva. Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, displayed resilience and determination as she saved two match points and overturned a deficit in the third set to advance to the semifinals.
Rybakina’s triumph over Putintseva marked her eighth consecutive victory and extended her impressive record to 30-4 for the season. The Kazakh player has excelled on clay courts, boasting a streak of 16 consecutive wins on the surface. With her sights set on reaching her sixth final of the year, Rybakina continues to be a formidable force in women’s tennis.
Next Challenges Await
As the Madrid Open progresses, both Rublev and Rybakina face tough competition in the upcoming rounds. Rublev will take on either Taylor Fritz or Francisco Cerundolo in his quest for a second ATP 1000 title, while Rybakina awaits the winner of the match between defending champion Aryna Sabalenka and rising star Mirra Andreeva. As the tournament unfolds, fans can expect more thrilling matches and captivating performances from the top players in the sport.
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