Carlos Alcaraz through to Madrid Open quarter-finals after brushing aside Alexander Zverev in repeat of 2022 final

Carlos Alcaraz is through to the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open after a 6-1 6-2 win over Alexander Zverev.

In a repeat of the 2022 final, and last year’s French Open quarter-final which Zverev won in four sets, it was Alcaraz who came out on top with a polished performance to beat the No. 13 seed in straight sets.

World No. 2 Alcaraz faces Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the last eight as the Spaniard bids to win his fourth title of the season and his third on clay after picking up trophies in Buenos Aires and Barcelona.

“For me it’s amazing to play at the level I played today,” Alcaraz said after the match.

“It’s been a question mark for me, this result is not normal for me. I played great, I feel really good right now and this match is giving me a lot of confidence.

“I did feel it [nervous] a little bit at the beginning but you have to handle the nerves. The best players adapt really well. I want to be like them, trying not to show the opponent that I’m nervous at all.

“I just want to enjoy playing here in the Caja Magica in front of my home crowd. It’s been amazing for me to play here. I just enjoy every moment.”

“I will try to play this level [against Khachanov],” the 19-year-old said.

“I have to show that in the quarter-final. Playing this match gives me a lot of confidence going into the quarter-finals so let’s see what happens.”

Alcaraz grabbed the first break of the match in a tense 11-minute second game, securing it when Zverev ripped a forehand wide. He quickly raced into a 3-0 lead after 18 minutes of action.

Zverev had a 40-0 lead on his own serve at 4-1 down, but Alcaraz fought back into the game and sealed the double break thanks to an unreturnable backhand.

Alcaraz then remained composed to serve out the set in 33 minutes. Zverev made 12 unforced errors compared to Alcaraz’s two.

After a close start to the second set, it was another loose forehand from Zverev which handed Alcaraz the break advantage as he moved into a 3-2 lead. Zverev let out a cry of frustration towards his box after the error.

The point of the match came in the very next game from Alcaraz as he hit a backhand passing shot with Zverev rooted to his spot at the net.

Zverev had no answers to Alcaraz’s all-round game as the world No. 2 continued to apply pressure to the German’s forehand. Alcaraz then quickly moved into a 5-2 lead with a forehand winner.

The 2022 US Open champion finished the match off with an unreturnable serve to book his place in the quarter-finals.

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