Andrey Rublev’s victory over Carlos Alcaraz marks the end of Alcaraz’s bid to defend his Madrid Open title. Despite taking the first set, Alcaraz couldn’t maintain his momentum against Rublev, who delivered an impeccable performance to secure a commanding 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win. It’s a significant achievement for Rublev and a disappointing exit for Alcaraz.
The stage is set for an exciting semi-final matchup at the Masters 1000, with Andrey Rublev awaiting the winner of the match between Taylor Fritz and Francisco Cerúndolo. Tennis fans can anticipate an intense battle as these players vie for a spot in the final, with the match scheduled to take place on Wednesday night at the Caja Mágica.
In the first set, Carlos Alcaraz showed resilience by saving a break point from Rublev early on. He capitalized on his opportunities, securing a crucial break to take a 2-4 lead. Alcaraz displayed intelligent tennis throughout, earning two set points at 3-5, although Rublev managed to save them. Ultimately, Alcaraz’s strong serving helped him clinch the set 4-6.
Alcaraz demonstrated a mature approach in the first set, making strategic decisions on when to attack and when to exercise patience. This was evident in his minimal number of unforced errors, only totaling 2 compared to Rublev’s 7 in the first set. His ability to maintain composure and limit mistakes contributed to his strong performance.
In the second set, the momentum shifted as Rublev mounted a comeback. After a blank game on his opening serve, the Russian managed to break Alcaraz’s serve for the first time, albeit after facing five break points. Rublev then swiftly confirmed his advantage, taking a commanding 3-0 lead in the set. This turnaround signaled a shift in the dynamics of the match.
It was evident that Alcaraz struggled to find his rhythm in the second set. With Rublev leading 4-1, Alcaraz faced a tough moment, allowing his opponent to reach 0-40 with three break points. However, he managed to dig deep and win his serve to narrow the gap to 4-2, aiming to stage a comeback in the remaining games. Despite having two break opportunities at 15-40 in the following game, Rublev saved both to extend his lead to 5-2. He then went on to clinch the second set 6-3, leveling the match and setting the stage for a decisive final set.
Andrey Rublev with one of his best career wins against Alcaraz.
The third set proved to be decisive, but it didn’t start well for Carlos Alcaraz. He suffered a break on his first serve, and although he had two break opportunities to level the score at 1-1, Andrey Rublev managed to hold on and confirm the break, taking a 2-0 lead and putting Alcaraz under pressure. After reaching 2-1, Rublev consolidated his lead with another strong service game, extending his advantage to 3-1. Rublev’s powerful play continued to pose a challenge for Alcaraz.
It was a challenging final set for Carlos Alcaraz, as opportunities slipped away. Despite fighting hard, Alcaraz faced a painful break, leaving Rublev with a commanding 4-1 lead. Rublev continued to dominate, securing his serve for a nearly insurmountable 5-1 lead. He closed out the set and the match with a 6-2 victory, eliminating Alcaraz from the tournament.In the Madrid Open 2024 semifinals, Andrey Rublev will await the winner of the match between Taylor Fritz and Francisco Cerúndolo, setting the stage for what promises to be another exciting matchup.