Rublev ends Alcaraz’s Run, Sinner withdraws with hip injury in Madrid open
In a dramatic turn of events at the Madrid Open, second-seeded Carlos Alcaraz’s title defense came to a halt as he was defeated by Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals, while top-seeded Jannik Sinner was forced to withdraw from the tournament due to a right hip injury.
Rublev clinched a stunning victory over the home favorite Alcaraz, winning 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 to secure a spot in the semi-finals. Despite facing challenges in recent matches, Rublev showcased his powerful tennis to overcome Alcaraz, marking his seventh semi-final appearance at a Masters 1000 tournament.
Alcaraz, who had been battling a forearm injury, missed clay-court tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona and faced challenges throughout the match against Rublev.
Despite a strong start in the first set, Alcaraz couldn’t maintain his momentum, ultimately falling to Rublev’s relentless game.
Expressing his satisfaction with his performance, Rublev highlighted his calm demeanor throughout the match and his ability to capitalize on key moments, securing a significant victory against a top-ranked opponent.
Meanwhile, Alcaraz reflected on the positive aspects of his week in Madrid but acknowledged the lingering concern about his forearm injury. He plans to assess his recovery before deciding on his participation in the upcoming Rome tournament.
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In another setback, top-seeded Jannik Sinner announced his withdrawal from the Madrid Open due to a hip issue. Sinner, who has enjoyed a successful season with three titles, including the Australian Open, Rotterdam, and Miami, made the decision to avoid exacerbating his injury based on medical advice.
Sinner’s focus now shifts to the Italian Open in Rome and the upcoming French Open, where he aims to continue his impressive form.
On the women’s side, Elena Rybakina staged a remarkable comeback to defeat Yulia Putintseva and advance to the semi-finals of the WTA event. Despite facing a late-match collapse from Putintseva, Rybakina’s resilience prevailed as she secured her sixth semi-final appearance of the season.
Defending champion Aryna Sabalenka also showcased her dominance, securing her 10th consecutive victory in Madrid with a convincing win against Mirra Andreeva. Sabalenka’s impressive performance sets up an exciting semi-final clash with Rybakina, promising an intense battle on the clay court.
