Carlos Alcaraz sets up Alexander Zverev French Open revenge chance in Madrid
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates his win against Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria at the Madrid Open.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
Follow topic:
MADRID – World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz said that he is looking forward to facing Alexander Zverev at the Madrid Open again, nearly a year after defeating the German in the 2022 final.
The Spanish teenager eased past Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 7-5 on Sunday to set up a last-16 showdown with Zverev, who demolished Frenchman Hugo Grenier 6-1, 6-0.
The pair met twice during the clay swing in 2022, with Alcaraz beating Zverev in Madrid to win his second ATP Masters 1000 title, before Zverev got his revenge in the French Open quarter-finals a few weeks later.
That was also the German’s third win in the duo’s four meetings.
“I really want to play that match. We played a few times, head-to-head he is up,” Alcaraz, 19, said of his 26-year-old opponent.
“I really want to show my great level here in front of my home crowd... but obviously I have to be really focused in that match.
“I know that Zverev is a really good player, a really aggressive one with good serves. I have to show all my skills.”
The clash with the world No. 16 will take place on Tuesday.
Alcaraz is bidding to win his 10th ATP title before his 20th birthday and he was rarely troubled against Dimitrov as he clinched his 25th win of 2023, with 15 coming on clay.
Zverev, meanwhile, needed just 56 minutes to dispose of Grenier on the back of six breaks of serve and 25 winners.
“With Carlos it will be a match-up people will look forward to,” the German said. “We played in the final here last year, played a massive match at Roland Garros before I got injured (in the semi-final against Rafael Nadal).”
In the women’s draw, world No. 1 Iga Swiatek claimed she had endured a “tricky” afternoon despite easing to a straight-sets win over American left-hander Bernarda Pera to reach the last 16.
Swiatek, warming up for the defence of her French Open title, claimed a 6-3, 6-2 win over 28th seed Pera for a sixth consecutive victory on clay this season.
“I wouldn’t say it was easy,” the Pole said. “I’m happy that I’m getting my rhythm. Playing against a lefty is never easy, but I’m pretty happy that I was disciplined.”
Swiatek next faced 16th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova, with the result of their match not available at press time.
Also progressing to the fourth round was world No. 3 Jessica Pegula, who clinched a gruelling 6-4, 7-6 (7-2) victory over Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic.
Pegula, 29, made the 2022 Madrid Open final, where she lost to Ons Jabeur. She was in action against Italy’s Martina Trevisan for a quarter-final spot.
Second seed Aryna Sabalenka thumped 16-year-old Mirra Andreeva 6-3, 6-1, while men’s second seed Daniil Medvedev was tested by fellow Russian Alexander Shevchenko before winning 4-6, 6-1, 7-5 in the last 32. AFP, REUTERS
