Carlos Alcaraz's brutal display as Madrid Open drama stuns tennis world

Carlos Alcaraz has shown why he will enter Roland Garros as the firm favourite after destroying Alexander Zverev, while World No.2 Daniil Medvedev and Taylor Fritz were knocked out of the Madrid Open. Alcaraz entered the Madrid Open in devastating form having won the Barcelona Open in style.

And the 19-year-old isn't letting up in Madrid having blasted Alexander Zverev off the court with a 6-1, 6-2 routing of the German. Zverev has been seeking his best form since his hororr ankle injury in the Roland Garros semi-final last year against Rafa Nadal.

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Whilst he has shown patches of brilliance, he is still well below his best and it was obvious as Alcaraz put on a show in a rematch of last year's final. The 19-year-old Spaniard, who turns 20 on Friday, said he was surprised with his own level of tennis in the round of 16.

"For me it's amazing to play the level that I played today," Alcaraz said in his post-match interview. "This result isn't normal. I played great, I feel really good right now and this match gives me a lot of confidence."

Alcaraz was in devastating form and forced Zverev to the back of the court with his baseline dominance. The match was highlighted with a special passing shot from Alcaraz at full stretch on the baseline in the second set.

"Simply brilliant," the commentator said. "And to think he is still only 19 years old." Zverev's loss means he will most likely drop out of the top 20 for the first time in six years.

While Alcaraz is marching towards a second straight clay court title, both Medvedev and Fritz were knocked out of the tournament in dramatic fashion.

Daniil Medvedev exits Madrid Open after crowd antics

Medvedev once again became the target of the crowd in his 7-6, 6-4 defeat to fellow Russian Aslan Karatsev. The World No.121 hadn't defeated a Top 10 opponent since 2021, but ended the World No.3's chances in Madrid.

Medvedev became frustrated with the crowd once again in the Spanish capital as he complained during the set break. His fortune wasn't any better in the second set as he lost a day after winning his 300th ATP match.

While Medvedev would have been frustrated with the round of 16 loss, Fritz would have been more bewildered after losing to World No.99 Zhizhen Zhang. The Chinese star has now set up a clash with Karatsev.

Russian Karen Khachanov also triumphed over compatriot and Monte Carlo winner Andrey Rublev. He now meets Alcaraz in the quarter final.

Fans were left stunned at the brutal upsets, which open up the Madrid Open quarter-finals draw.

But first the Russian friends have to focus on the doubles in which they face Jamie Murray and Michael Venus in the last eight.

"This (singles) match is over," Khachanov said. "We need to have some time maybe to absorb it. That's how it was in Monte Carlo. The day before, we played doubles, we lost a very tight match, and then the next day he beat me. After one day, life goes on. He's doing well this year, I'm doing well, I'm just happy."

Alcaraz will look to boost his confidence and win the Madrid Open for a second straight year. The Spaniard won't regain the World No.1 ranking off Novak Djokovic, but will be entering the year's second grand slam in superb form.

Djokovic skipped the Madrid Open due to a troubling elbow injury, while reigning Roland Garros champion Nadal hasn't played a tournament since the Australian Open.

with AAP

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