Alcaraz blows past Brazilian to advance in Madrid

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.

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

3 weeks ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

3 weeks ago

Djokovic rolls Cobolli as Shanghai fights to restore order

Novak Djokovic returned to action after waiting tow days to play as the rain-hit Shanghai…

4 weeks ago

Innocent umpiring error screws Stan in Shanghai

Stan Wawrinka may have been inadvertently short-changed during Monday's third-round loss at the Shanghai Masters…

4 weeks ago

Sinner sweeps Fritz to win US Open

Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title…

2 months ago

Sabalenka wins Open title for Grand Slam hat-trick

Aryana Sabalenka completed a Grand Slam title hat-trick on Saturday as she fought from 5-3…

2 months ago