Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round of Roland Garros 2023, Paris, France
Carlos Alcaraz in the fourth round of Roland Garros 2023, Paris, France | (Photo by Richard Callis/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

Tennis | Madrid 2024 | Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faces Rublev in quarter-final showdown

By Tony Fairbairn

  • Carlos Alcaraz [2] v Andrey Rublev [7]
  • Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Mirra Andreeva
  • Taylor Fritz [12] v Francisco Cerundolo [21]
  • Elena Rybakina [4] v Yulia Putintseva
MADRID, SPAIN – Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz faces Andrey Rublev in a blockbuster quarter-final in Madrid.

 

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Carlos Alcaraz [2] v Andrey Rublev [7] H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Carlos Alcaraz [2] v Andrey Rublev [7] H2H: Alcaraz leads 1-0
Madrid 2024 Madrid, Spain
Clay (O) Prize Money: €161,995
Second on Manolo Santana Stadium (Not before 15:00 BST) Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz is into the quarter-finals in Madrid after surviving a big scare against Jan-Lennard Struff in a repeat of last year’s final. The Spaniard won a three hour contest in a last set tiebreak as he showed his resilience as well as quality to prevail against an in-form opponent. These traits will serve Alcaraz well as the world number three aims to continue his momentum ahead of Roland Garros, where he bids for a third Grand Slam title.

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In the last eight Alcaraz will face Andrey Rublev with the seventh seed rediscovering his form in the Spanish capital. After losing four consecutive matches, Rublev has responded in style having beaten the likes of Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Tallon Griekspoor without dropping a set. Now Rublev will now look to show he has the emotional stability and tactical consistency to match the best players in the world as he aims for a big week in Madrid.

Alcaraz will aim to pin Rublev behind the baseline in order to use the drop shot effectively. Meanwhile Rublev will need to serve at a consistently high level while creating angles on the court to move the Spaniard out of position. Rublev’s consistent power should be effective in this match but Alcaraz should have too much variety for the world number eight.

Prediction: Alcaraz in three sets.  

 

Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Mirra Andreeva H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Aryna Sabalenka [2] v Mirra Andreeva     H2H: Sabalenka leads 1-0
Madrid 2024 Madrid, Spain   
Clay (O) Prize Money: €161,995
Third on Manolo Santana Stadium (Not before 19:00 BST) Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

After a rotten run of form, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka has regained her confidence and composure in Madrid. Another three set win, this time over Danielle Collins, means that Sabalenka has shown her champion qualities of digging deep and finding a way to win. However the world number two knows she has a long way to go before being considered a favourite for Roland Garros and Sabalenka will look to take a step further to achieving that goal in the quarter-finals.

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Next up for Sabalenka is recently turned 17 year-old Mirra Andreeva who continues to produce tennis way beyond her years. Andreeva backed up her win over Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova by dispatching Jasmine Paolini in straight sets. The world number 43 continues to show she has the game to be efficient on all surfaces and will aim for another big result at a big tournament.

Sabalenka will aim to take the ball early as she looks to rush Andreeva’s shot-making. Meanwhile Andreeva will aim to dictate play on the forehand as she looks to mix up the pace of the rallies. Should Sabalenka limit her unforced errors than she should claim victory but Andreeva’s free hitting from the baseline could make her a big danger in this match.

Prediction: Sabalenka in three sets.    

 

 

Taylor Fritz [12] v Francisco Cerundolo [21] H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Taylor Fritz [12] v Francisco Cerundolo [21] H2H: Cerundolo leads 1-0
Madrid 2024 Madrid, Spain
Clay (O) Prize Money: €161,995
Fourth on Manolo Santana Stadium (Not before 20:30 BST) Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

A much-needed win for Taylor Fritz as he defeated Hubert Hurkacz to reach the quarter-finals in Madrid. The American had been struggling for confidence recently but a deep run in Madrid will do his game the world of good. The next couple of months will be about returning to basics for the 12th seed as he aims to have momentum on his side heading into the US hard court swing.

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Next for Fritz will be Francisco Cerundolo with the Argentinian also recording a big win as he defeated former champion Alexander Zverev. Just like Fritz, Cerundolo was also struggling for form heading into Madrid with this tournament being the first time since February he has won three matches in a tournament. Now the world number 22 will look to use this tournament as a platform for a successful clay court swing.

Fritz will use his big serve to dictate the play as he will look to put Cerundolo on the back foot. Meanwhile Cerundolo will aim to use shape on the forehand in order to open up the court and expose Fritz’s inconsistent baseline game. This should be a good match with a landmark semi-final spot on clay up for grabs for both players. In the end Cerundolo’s variety should win him this match.

Prediction: Cerundolo in three sets.  

 

Elena Rybakina [4] v Yulia Putintseva H2H & Match Fundamentals

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Elena Rybakina [4] v Yulia Putintseva        H2H: Putintseva leads 2-0
Madrid 2024 Madrid, Spain   
Clay (O) Prize Money: €161,995
First on Manolo Santana Stadium (Not before 11:00 BST) Sky/Now TV <- Subscription Required

It’s now 12 wins in her last 13 matches for Elena Rybakina as the world number four continues her sensational run of form. The Kazakh is playing with supreme confidence as she is set to make her best run yet at the Caja Magica. Now Rybakina will aim to continue her confidence as she seeks a second consecutive title and a third trophy this season.

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Standing in Rybakina’s way is the in-form Yulia Putintseva who always relishes a chance to play on the red dirt. The 29 year-old has made a good start to the season and a win over Daria Kasatkina means she is into her second consecutive WTA 1000 qiuarter-final. A good head-to-head record against Rybakina and good form means Putintseva will fancy her chances of reaching the last four in Madrid.

Rybakina will look to continue her confident serving as she aims to accelerate the pace of shots and neutralize Putintseva’s defence. Meanwhile Putintseva will aim to use variety to expose Rybakina’s deep court positioning as she aims to be efficient on return. This should be a good match but this should be the moment that Rybakina’s turns the tide against Putintseva in terms of head-to-head record.

Prediction: Rybakina in three sets.   

 

 

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