2 weeks ago
Carlos Alcaraz's bid for a 3rd consecutive title astatine nan Madrid Open was ended by Andrey Rublev.
Russian seventh seed Rublev rallied from a group down successful nan quarter-final to triumph 4-6 6-3 6-2 and break Alcaraz's 14-match winning streak successful nan Spanish capital.
The 20-year-old 2nd seed was aiming to go nan first subordinate to triumph 3 consecutive Madrid Open singles titles.
Rublev will look American 12th seed Taylor Fritz aliases Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo for a spot successful nan final.
After a gruelling triumph against Jan-Lennard Struff that lasted conscionable nether 3 hours connected Tuesday, Alcaraz struggled to find his champion shape against Rublev.
The two-time Grand Slam champion missed clay tribunal events successful Monte Carlo and Barcelona earlier this period owed to a correct limb wounded and, contempt taking nan opening set, he looked tired against Rublev, who fired location 30 winners.
The triumph ends a four-match losing streak for Rublev, who has won conscionable 1 ATP 1,000 title successful his career.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz's exit is further rustle to Spain's location hopes successful Madrid aft five-time champion Rafael Nadal mislaid to Jiri Lehecka connected Tuesday successful what was apt to beryllium nan 37-year-old's past quality astatine nan tournament.
In nan women's draw, Elena Rybakina booked her semi-final spot aft fighting backmost from a group down to hit chap Kazakh Yulia Putintseva 4-6 7-6 (7-4) 7-5.
The 4th seed, who won Wimbledon successful 2022, will return connected world number 2 Aryna Sabalenka aliases 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who play later connected Wednesday.
"We'll spot who wins. If it's Aryna... she's a awesome champion. It'll beryllium a reliable conflict for illustration we ever have," Rybakina said.
"If it's Mirra, she's young and she has thing to lose. These kinds of players are very dangerous. You ne'er cognize what to expect."
