Alcaraz Pounds Zverev At Madrid Masters; Medvedev, Fritz, Rublev Out

Top seed and tournament favorite Carlos Alcaraz destroyed 2-time champion Alexander Zverev 6-1, 6-2 to reach the quarterfinals at the Madrid Masters.

The contest was a rematch of last year’s final final which was also won by Alcaraz in routine fashion. Calling it one his best match of his career, the teen hit five aces, lost only 4 points on first serve, never faced a break point and broke the German four times.

“For me it’s amazing to play the level that I played today,” said Alcaraz to the ATP. “It’s been a question mark for me… I played well, I feel really good right now and this match gives me a lot of confidence.

“The best players in the world handle the nerves really [well] and 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, so I just enjoy every moment.”

Alcaraz has now won his last 18 matches in Spain as he heads into a contest tomorrow against another 6-foot-6 foe in Karen Khachanov. The towering Russian toppled his countryman and doubles partner Andrey Rublev 7-6(8), 6-4. Rublev had multiple set points in the first.

“I will try to play this level,” Alcaraz added. “I will say this is my best level. I have to show that in the quarter-final, but obviously playing this match gives me a lot of confidence… Let’s see what happens.”

Two other seeds fell as Daniil Medvedev was ousted by Aslan Karatsev 7-6(7-1), 6-4. Medvedev led with an early break but would never have the lead again.

“I was struggling last year,” said Karatsev. “I’m really happy with my game, so well see what.”

Taylor Fritz missed on three match points in a loss to Zhang Zhizhen 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-6(8). Zheng becomes the first Chinese man to make a Masters quarterfinal, and he collects his first Top 10 win.

“I didn’t think about this. Didn’t really think about [ranking, because you just need to give the best you can,” Zhang said on court. “Before the match, you know it’s a very tough player. There is no weakness, so just tried what I can do. Then losing the first set, thinking about trying to play a little bit closer match. In the end I can win, that’s amazing.”

No. 17 seed Borna Coric had to work to eliminate the 29th-seeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-7(5-7), 6-3, 7-6(7-5). Lucky loser Jan-Lennard Struff battled past Pedro Cachin of Argentina 7-6(9-7), 6-7(7-9), 6-3. And another lucky loser, Daniel Altmaier, also made the quarters topping Jaume Munar 6-3, 6-0.

In the finale, former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas rolled Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-3 6-1.

Tomorrow, Alcaraz squares off against Khachanov. He leads the Russian 2-0 including a win last year in Hamburg.

No. 17 Borna Coric will challenge Daniel Altmaier in a first-time tour-level collision.

WEDNESDAY MADRID MASTERS SCHEDULE
MANOLO SANTANA STADIUM
Starting At: 1:00 pm
WTA Jessica Pegula (USA) [3] vs Veronika Kudermetova [12]
Not Before 4:00 pm
ATP Carlos ALCARAZ (ESP) [1] vs Karen KHACHANOV [10]

Not Before 8:00 PM
WTA Iga Swiatek (POL) [1] vs Petra Martic (CRO) [27]
Not Before 9:30 pm
ATP [LL] Daniel ALTMAIER (GER) vs Borna CORIC (CRO)

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