In a stunning upset at the Madrid Open, reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz was ousted from the tournament in a quarterfinal showdown against Andrey Rublev. Rublev, ranked eighth in the world, staged a remarkable comeback after dropping the first set, ultimately clinching victory with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 triumph over the third-ranked Alcaraz, who suffered his first defeat on Spanish clay in 25 matches.
Facing off against either Taylor Fritz of the United States or Argentina's Francisco Cerundolo in the semifinals, Rublev's resilient performance secured his path to contention for a spot in the final. Despite Alcaraz's initial control in the match, Rublev's persistence and formidable play gradually wore down the young Spaniard, especially evident in the decisive third set played under chilly conditions with the stadium roof closed.
Rublev's aggressive play, marked by 30 winners, proved too much for Alcaraz, who appeared fatigued from his previous match against Jan-Lennard Struff. The Russian's ability to capitalize on key moments, securing crucial breaks in the decider, underscored his determination to advance further in the tournament, while Alcaraz's physical exhaustion became apparent as the match progressed, culminating in his defeat and Rublev's advancement to the next stage.
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