Carlos Alcaraz’s bid to make history by winning three consecutive Madrid Open titles was thwarted as the second seed suffered a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 defeat to Russian seventh seed Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals.
The loss came as a disappointment for Alcaraz, especially in front of his home crowd, ending his quest for a remarkable third straight title at the tournament.
Andrey Rublev, the world Tennis number eight from Russia, secured a hard-fought victory over the third-ranked Carlos Alcaraz in their quarter-final clash on Wednesday.
Rublev came from a set down to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, handing Alcaraz his first defeat on Spanish clay in 25 matches.
Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion, had been sidelined from clay court events in Monte Carlo and Barcelona due to a right arm injury but showed promising form in the first set.
However, Rublev’s resilience and aggressive play turned the tide, with the Russian dominating the later stages of the match.
Rublev will now face either Taylor Fritz of the United States or Argentina’s Francisco Cerundolo for a spot in the final.
The victory was especially sweet for Rublev, who had to battle not just Alcaraz but also the chilly conditions in Madrid, with the roof closed on the Manolo Santana Stadium.
Rublev’s strategic breaks in the first and fifth games of the deciding set sealed the match, with Alcaraz visibly fatigued from his previous match, a three-set win over Jan-Lennard Struff.
Rublev’s 30 winners showcased his aggressive style, while Alcaraz’s tired return into the net marked the end of his impressive streak on Spanish clay.
