Dramatic victory for Alcaraz in Madrid’s toughest match heading into the quarterfinals

The Kazakh Alexander Shevchenko He lasted one hour and eight minutes on court, losing 6-2 and 6-1. Brazilian survival Thiago Seyboth Wild It was over after an hour and a quarter, with 6-3 and 6-3 on the scoreboard. The crusher Carlos Alcaraz is underway at the Mutua Madrid Open, also in survival mode to save one of the toughest matches that can exist at this point in the professional circuit. He suffered through it, but his engine did not stop until he cleared the obstacle in a dramatic resolution of the match.

The 2022 and 2023 champions reached the quarterfinals of the Masters 1000 ATP in Madrid. He passed with gusto the difficult test that involved a repeat of the final of the last edition in the round of 16. The Murcian, who turns 21 on Sunday and is number two in the world, defeated the German Jan-Lennard Struff, 34 years old and number 24, by 6-3, 6-7 (5) and 7-6 (4) in 2h.52′.

In three sets, just like twelve months ago, although on the verge of a nervous breakdown. He didn’t take advantage of four match points at 5-3 in the third set, having to lift a 6-5 ball minutes later and Struff served. Play all to a tiebreak. Dramatic

This Wednesday Alcaraz will return to the Manolo Santana Stadium of the Caja Mágica in Madrid to face the Russian. Andrey Rublev26 years old and number 8, who had no problem eliminating the Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor6-2 and 6-4.

It doesn’t even have a name Jannik Sinner yes Daniel Medvedevor of his most famous countrymen Alexander Zverev but he enjoys a well-deserved reputation as an opponent to avoid in a team when he is on form. And Struff won six matches in a row, he took the ATP 250 title in Munich, on clay.

A giant with a strong serve and forehand, a ‘kamikaze’ in his concept of tennis. Service and net as a non-negotiable formula, especially if the returner (Alcaraz) is leaning towards trying to read the serve, head or tail, with the intention of making those who must carry the pressure of being local and favorite tennis player.

This Struff is a pain in the ass, living up to the cliché of a trap match. A warrior opposed by Alcaraz with an equal or stronger drive, with a thousand and one resources to move the German. Squeezing himself.

The tennis player El Palmar He saved three break points in the third game of the match, and it was a perfect takeoff to take the first set 6-3, with a favorable break for 4-2. Forty-five minutes of aggressive tennis, with many winning shots. In the dog’s face, without a doubt.

At 2-0 it was not enough for Alcaraz, as the inexhaustible returned Struff, a veteran with no complexes. 2-2, open field battle again. Until the tiebreak. Charly fought back from 3-6 to 5-6, but an ‘ace’ from the German, witnessed by Hawkeye, took the lead in the third set.

There are fourteen games Alcaraz’s streak in Madrid, equaling Rafa Nadal’s best streak in the tournament, counts twenty-four Conde de Godó Trophy. The local conditions suit him, playing at home.

He took advantage of this to close out the third set, albeit under stress, moving to the wire. When he was ahead 3-1, he celebrated by throwing his arms open, screaming. Release. Mexican wave in the stands. At 5-3 and 40-0, Alcaraz was unable to resolve. Not even on the fourth ball of the match. The tension was reflected in losing a ten minute game that should have been theirs. At 5-4, let’s keep rowing.

Alcaraz won a point 6-5 and served to Struff. He avoided condemnation, he held on like a great, asking fans for courage.

Alcaraz struggled, but in the tiebreak he put together a double-double victory, giving it the added bonus of a morale and confidence boost. No wonder, Alcaraz’s game is good.

“It was unbelievable to be able to play in this way for three hours after almost a month without competition. It was difficult to manage the emotions, I felt the tension from the first to the last point. But I found solutions, ” he declared. in court. Alcaraz.