Everything was still easy at the Masters 1000 in Madrid for Carlos Alcaraz. After a convincing debut against Shevchenko, the Spaniard qualified for the round of 16 by beating the Brazilian Thiago Seyboth Wild, n. 63 in the world, with a double 6-3 in an hour and 15 minutes. A match in total control for the reigning champion at Caja Magic who, after a slow start, raised the level of his game, but still struggled on the forehand side. The next one will be a significant test for Alcaraz who will meet Jan-Lennard Struff, champion last week in Munich, who eliminated no. 13 of the seeding Ugo Humbert. It will be the rematch of last year’s final, won by Alcaraz in three sets.
Rublev suffers, Rune ko with Griekspoor
The surprise of the day is Holger’s knockout Runes. The Dane lost to the Dutch Tallon Griekspoor, seeded no. 24, with the score 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. In his first career victory against a top 20 player on clay, Griekspoor played a solid match, taking advantage of the break advantage he gained at the opening in the decisive set. The Dutchman’s opponent in the round of 16 will be Andrey Rublev who struggled against the Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, beaten in two sets (7-6, 6-4). The tiebreak of the first set was daring, in which the Russian recovered from 0-5, canceling five set points.
