Surprises continued on 2023 Mutua Madrid Open. This time the Russian Aslan Karatsev defeated compatriot Daniil Medvedev 7-6 6-4 on the stadium 2 the Caja Mágica tennis complex.
Medvedev spent his time complaining about the size of the court, which has smaller retreat areas than center court, which made it difficult for him to maximize his game. At one point he stopped in the game and asked why they put him on this court if he is a number 2 in the tournament.
Karatsev took advantage of Medvedev’s chaotic play to keep his chances in the second set and thus secured a place in the quarterfinals.
Another surprise of the tournament was provided by the Chinese Zhizhen Zhang at the expense of the American Taylor Fritz. He became the first player from this country to reach the quarter-finals an ATP Host 1000 Tournament.
Zhang showed himself to be a fighting player, saving three match points to eventually win in three tight sets, 3-6 7-6 7-6. He’s never beaten a top 10 player before.
Zhang just defeated Briton Cameron Norrie 2-6 7-6 7-6. It looks like the fight is in his hands GOUT.
And to close the surprises, although he does not quite match the others, in the next match of the Russians, Kachanov defeated Rublev in two sets, 7-6 6-4. Former acquaintances and doubles partners, Kachanov cleverly mixed shots and varied speed, which made Rublev furious at his unforced errors.
Favorite players who did not disappoint were Carlos Alcaraz and Stefanos Tsitsipas. Alcaraz bypassed Alexander Zverev who couldn’t find his game. Sascha lost at least two serves while leading 40-0. This evolved into body language where he was demoralized and broken. The winner was Carlos Alcaraz 6-1 6-2.
Stefanos Tsitsipas ended the dream of Spanish footballer Bernabé Zapata 6-3 6-1. The Greek controlled the game the whole time and was much better. Zapata seemed a bit tired and had muscle problems, but he was pleased with his performance during the tournament.
In the remaining matches of Germany, Jan-Lennard Struff defeated the Argentinean Pedro Cachin 7-6 6-7 6-3. Another German, Daniel Altmaier, will advance to the quarter-finals, beating Spaniard Jaume Munar 6-3 6-0 and Borna Coric defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in a very exciting duel 6-7 6-3 7-6.
Interestingly, the quarter-finals of it 2023 This edition consists of the two players who entered the main draw as lucky losers (Jan-Lennard Struff and Daniel Altmaier) and the qualifier Aslan Karatsev.
