Carlos Alcaraz won nine straight games to arrive at the cusp of a win, but needed to calm some quaking nerves before pulling away 6-3, 6-3 over Thiago Seyboth Wild on Sunday at the Madrid Masters.
The Spanish second seed who is seeking to complete a title three-peat at the Caja Magica, lead by a set and 5-0 before losing his serve for the first time against his 63rd-ranked Brazilian opponent.
Alcaraz dropped serve in the seventh game as his lead narrowed to 5-2; but he completed victory into the fourth round a game later after 75 minutes.
The 20-year-old moved into a re-run of the 2023 final where he beat Jan-Lennard Struff; the German booked his spot 7-5, 6-4 over Ugo Humbert.
“I felt a few nerves at the end, something I’ve not had for a long time,” Alcaraz said.
“It was difficult leading 5-0, but I played at a good level.
“I’m happy with the performance. Hopefully the next match goes like last year’s final.
“I know Struff’s game and I will have to play at my best to beat him. It will be a difficult one.”
Alcaraz improved to 23-0 on Spanish clay since the stat of the 2022 season and is hoping to become the first to ever win three Madrid titles in a row.
He has now won 13 matches here on the trot.
