Carlos Alcaraz overcame Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 7-6 (7-4) in a re-match of 2023 final at the Caja Magica to reach the quarter finals at the Madrid Mutua Open.
Alcaraz won two consecutive editions of the Madrid Mutua Open in 2022 and 2023. The Spaniard faced Struff 12 months ago in the final of the Madrid Mutua Open to win the fourth Masters 1000 title of his career.
Struff beat Alcaraz at 2021 Roland Garros and pushed his Spanish opponent to five sets at Wimbledon in 2022 before losing a three-set final in Madrid last year.
Struff beat Jaume Munar and Ugo Humbert in straight sets in the earlier rounds of this year’s edition of the Madrid Mutua Open to set up a re-match against Alcaraz.
Alcaraz earned the only break in the sixth game and served it out the first set after 45 minutes. The two-time Grand Slam champion hit 14 winners to 12 unforced errors.
Alcaraz broke serve in the first game of the second set and consolidated the break in the second game with a drop-shot. Struff broke back to win three consecutive games for 3-2. Alcaraz served to stay in the set. Struff made a forehand error to trail 0-30 and was six points from defeat. Struff held serve forcing the set to a tie-break. Both players traded mini-breaks. Struff served and volleyed to earn three set points. Alcaraz saved the first two chances but Struff converted his third chance with an ace.
Alcaraz broke serve in the fourth game to open up a 4-1 lead. The Spanish player dropped just three points in his first three service games. Struff earned a break point in the eighth game.
Alcaraz earned three match points with a overhead and a backhand at 40-0 in the ninth game. Struff saved four match points and earned a third break point when Alcaraz hit a forehand wide. Struff converted it to put the match back on serve after a forehand miss from Alcaraz.
Struff earned a break point with a slice passing shot in the 11thgame. Alcaraz saved it with a big serve to force the match to a tie-break.
Alcaraz earned the first two mini-breaks of the tie-break to open up a 3-0 lead. Struff pulled back on serve to draw level to 3-3. Alcaraz won the final four points to seal the win on his fifth match points.
Alcaraz set up a quarter final match against Andrey Rublev, who beat Tallon Griekspoor 6-2 6-4. Rublev has not dropped a set yet at this tournament.
“Honestly, this match reminds me of last year’s match. It was pretty difficult from the first point until the last one. It was a great fight and it was difficult for me to deal with my emotions, to handle certain moments, difficult moments in the match. Serving for the match, it was really difficult for me after that 40-0 up, but really happy that at the end it did not affect me with my game, with my mentality, I kept fighting. That’s all that matters and I am really to get the win at the end”, said Alcaraz.
