ATP Masters Madrid: Carlos Alcaraz wrestles Karen Khachanov in quarterfinals

Unlike Alexander Zverev the day before, Karen Khachanov stood up to the defending champion in the Caja Mágica from the start. Carlos Alcaraz repeatedly sought contact with coach Juan-Carlos Ferrero in the first set – a clear sign.

In the seventh game, however, the time had come: Alcaraz took the service game from the world number 12 to make it 4: 3. The 19-year-old now had advantages, but things remained tight.

At 3:5, Khachanov fended off a set ball from the defending champion, who shortly afterwards sealed the set lead with his own serve.

Nevertheless: Khachanov, who is well suited to the extremely fast conditions in Madrid for sand, remained an unpleasant opponent. The Russian served well and was present in the rallies.

Alcaraz admits: “It was pretty tough”

Even more: The 26-year-old took the service game away from the favorite to make it 3-1. When Khachanov served to equalize the set at 5: 3, Alcaraz hit back with the break. Shortly thereafter, the champion was back (5:5) and immediately added another break.

With his own serve, Alcaraz made it clear after an hour and 50 minutes that he would make it into the semifinals. “It was pretty tough, even the first set was tight. In the second set I was in trouble, I was a break behind and he had two break balls to make the second break,” Alcaraz summed up.

It was “really difficult” to come back. “He had his chances to win the second set. Luckily I knew I would get my chances,” said the 19-year-old.

If Alcaraz succeeds in defending the title, it would be the fourth Masters success for the super talent after Miami and Madrid last year and Indian Wells in March of this year.