Alcaraz resists Struff in repeat of 2023 Madrid final

Carlos Alcaraz was pushed to the limit on Tuesday at the Mutua Madrid Open, but found the answers when needed to overcome a resiliant Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-7(5), 7-6(4) in a repeat of last year’s final.

The two-time defending champion is aiming to become the first player in history to win three straight titles at the ATP Masters 1000 event. After not dropping a set in his first two matches, Alcaraz was tested by the big-serving German on Manolo Santana Stadium in a fourth-round thriller.

"That is OUTSTANDING" 🤯@carlosalcaraz is reaching another level!@MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/S6QetijL06

— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 30, 2024

The 20-year-old produced his best set of the tournament to clinch the opener, demonstrating great feel to pull Struff forward. However, the 34-year-old Struff bounced back from a break down in the second set to level. Alcaraz then recovered from squandering four match points on serve at 5-3 in the third set to eventually advance on his fifth match point after two hours and 50 minutes.

"Honestly this match reminds me of last year's match," Alcaraz said. "It was pretty difficult from the first point until the last one. It was a great fight and it was difficult. It was difficult for me to deal with my emotions, to handle certain moments, difficult moments in the match. Serving for the match, it was really difficult for me after that 40/0 up, but really happy that at the end it didn't affect me with my game, with my mentality. I kept fighting. That's all that matters and I'm really happy to get the win at the end."

The Spaniard struck his forehand powerfully but erratically at times against the German, who refused to go away. The 20-year-old failed to seal victory from 5-3, 40/0 up on serve in the decider but recomposed himself in the tie-break to claw through. The home favourite was backed by vocal home support and let out a huge roar after earning his 18th tour-level win of the year.

"I have to say thanks to the people here for supporting me until the last point," Alcaraz added. "I think it was great support after those difficult moments that I had at the end of the third set, I think they pushed me just to not give up and keep fighting. I'm going to say that this win is thanks to them as well and it's incredible to have this crowd behind me."

Alcaraz holds a 15-1 tournament record and will continue the quest for his 14th tour-level crown and sixth at ATP Masters 1000 level when he meets seventh seed Andrey Rublev in the quarter-finals.

Earlier this year, Alcaraz won his second Indian Wells title before he was forced to miss clay-court events in Monte-Carlo and Barcelona due to a right arm injury. The No. 3 in the PIF ATP Rankings is playing with strapping in Madrid but has looked comfortable during his opening three matches.

Struff reached the final in Madrid as a lucky loser last year and entered the clash against Alcaraz having won his past six matches, highlighted by his title run in Munich. The 34-year-old swung freely and implemented his brand of 'big-man tennis' against Alcaraz, firing 10 aces. The World No. 24 was unable to find his way through, though, falling to 1-3 in the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

Did You Know?
Alcaraz is 24-0 on Spanish clay since the start of 2022, having also won the title in Barcelona twice.