ATP Madrid: Alcaraz In Title Defense Against Tsitsipas, Rune, Rublev

For the first time in 20 years there will be no Big 3 players in the Madrid Masters. Roger Federer has long retired, Rafael Nadal is still covering from a hip injury and Novak Djokovic just withdrew.

But there are still plenty of storylines.

Boy wonder Carlos Alcaraz returns as the defending champion and tournament favorite. The teen turns 20 next week but already has three big titles in his home country, including a second straight Barcelona crown Sunday.

Stefanos Tsitsipas has found clay to his liking, but the Greek just can’t seem to get over the finish line in title matches. Holger Rune and Andrey Rublev have both proven to be top threats on the slippery surface. The two dueled in the first clay Masters of the season, but Alcaraz wasn’t there.

Here are the top seeds: 1 Carlos Alcaraz, 2 Daniil Medvedev, 3 Casper Ruud, 4 Stefanos Tsitsipas, 5 Andrey Rublev, 6 Holger Rune, 7 Felix Auger Aliassime, 8 Taylor Fritz, 9 Frances Tiafoe, 10 Karen Khachanov, 11 Cameron Norrie, 12 Hubert Hurkacz, 13 Alexander Zverev, 14 Tommy Paul, 15 Lorenzo Musetti, 16 Alex De Minaur.

CARLOS ALCARAZ QUARTER
Seeds: 1 Alcaraz, 5 Rublev, 10 Khachanov, 13 Zverev, 20 Bautista Agut, 22 Korda, 26 Dimitrov, 28 Nishioka
Floaters: Wawrinka, Schwartzman, Ruusuvuori, Cressy, Halys, Molcan, Humbert, Goffin
Notable openers: Emil Ruusuvuori-Ugo Humbert, Maxime Cressy-Stan Wawrinka
Projected 3R matches: 1 Alcaraz – 26 Dimitrov, 22 Korda – 13 Zverev, 10 Khachanov – 20 Bautista Agut, 28 Nishioka – 5 Rublev
Notes: Quite a loaded section for the defending champion Alcaraz with the tough Emil Ruusuvuori a first opponent, then Grigor Dimitrov and later possible Rublev in the quarters. Two-time champion Alexander Zverev also lurks (he could meet Alcaraz in the 4R in a rematch of the 2022 final) and past runner-up Stan Warwinka faces Cressy Wednesday in a good first rounder. Sebastian Korda also makes his return. The American hasn’t played since injuring his wrist at the Australian Open.

CASPER RUUD QUARTER
Seeds: 3 Ruud, 6 Rune, 12 Hurkacz, 15 Musetti, 17 Coric, 18 Carreno Busta, 29 Davidovich Fokina, 30 Griekspoor
Floaters: Gasquet, Ramos Vinolas, Bublik, Ivashka, Gaston, Kokkinakis
Projected 3R matches: 3 Ruud – 30 Griekspoor, 18 Carreno Busta – 15 Musetti, 12 Hurkacz – 17 Coric, 29 Davidovich Fokina – 6 Rune
Notes: Holger Rune storms in as the favorite alongside Lorenzo Musetti who is coming into his own. Rune, who turns 20 on Saturday, has been a force this clay season. Meanwhile, former French finalist Casper Ruud started strong winning Estoril but has fizzled since. Rune-Hurkacz, Musetti-Ruud look like solid fourth round picks.

STEFANOS TSITSIPAS QUARTER
Seeds: 4 Tsitsipas, 7 Auger Aliassime, 9 Tiafoe, 14 Paul, 19 Evans, 24 Cerundolo, 25 Baez, 32 Shelton
Floaters: Zapata Miralles, Sonego, Mannarino, Mcdonald, Jarry, Etcheverry, Lajovic, Thiem
Notable openers: Tomas Martin Etcheverry-Adrian Mannarino, ?-Dominic Thiem
Projected 3R matches: 7 Auger Aliassime 65 – 32 Shelton, 24 Cerundolo – 9 Tiafoe, 14 Paul – 19 Evans, 25 Baez – 4 Tsitsipas
Notes: A North American heavy section with Felix Auger-Aliassime, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul and Ben Shelton, but former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas is the class. The Greek will look to make his mark in a sneaky-tough section which also included former finalist Dominic Thiem and recent Banja Luka winner Dusan Lajovic. Tsitsipas and Thiem could collide in the second round!

DANIIL MEDVEDEV QUARTER
Seeds: 2 Medvedev, 8 Fritz, 11 Norrie, 16 De Minaur, 21 Shapovalov, 23 Van De Zandschulp, 27 Kecmanovic, 31 Lehecka
Floaters: Wolf, Murray, Moutet, Fucsovics, Krajinovic, Garin
Notable openers: Q/LL-Andy Murray
Projected 3R matches: 8 Fritz – 27 Kecmanovic, 21 Shapovalov – 11 Norrie, 16 De Minaur – 23 Van De Zandschulp, 31 Lehecka – 2 Medvedev
Notes: Easily the most open section with the clay-challenged Daniil Medvedev the highest seed and then Taylor Fritz and Cameron Norrie. Fritz, Lehecka, Van De Zandschulp and Kecmanovic have all been playing well. Can Medvedev surprise? He could face former champion Andy Murray in his opener!

The projected quarterfinals: No. 1 Alcaraz – 5 Rublev, No. 3 Ruud – 6 Rune, No. 7 Auger Aliassime – 4 Tsitsipas, No. 8 Fritz – 2 Medvedev.

The projected R16 looks like:
No. 1 Alcaraz – 13 Zverev
No. 10 Khachanov – 5 Rublev
No. 3 Ruud – 15 Musetti
No. 12 Hurkacz – 6 Rune
No. 7 Auger Aliassime – 9 Tiafoe
No. 14 Paul – 4 Tsitsipas
No. 8 Fritz – 11 Norrie
No. 16 De Minaur – 2 Medvedev

Former champions: Alcaraz, Zverev(2), Murray(2)
Former finalists: Wawrinka, Thiem(2), Tsitsipas

Last year, (7) Carlos Alcaraz defeated (2) Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-1.

LAST 10 MADRID CHAMPIONS/FINALS
2022 Carlos Alcaraz d Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-1
2021 Alexander Zverev d Matteo Berrettini 6-7(8), 6-4, 6-3
2019 Novak Djokovic d Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 6-4
2018 Alexander Zverev d Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-4
2017 Rafael Nadal d Dominic Thiem 7-6(8), 6-4
2016 Novak Djokovic d Andy Murray 6-2, 3-6, 6-3
2015 Andy Murray d Rafael Nadal 6-3, 6-2
2014 Rafael Nadal d Kei Nishikori 2-6, 6-4, 3-0 RET
2013 Rafael Nadal d Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 6-4
2012 Roger Federer d Tomas Berdych 3-6, 7-5, 7-5