Karen Khachanov had Carlos Alcaraz on the ropes in the second set, leading 4-1 and with two break chances to go up by a double-break.
Nonetheless, Alcaraz stormed back and avoided a third set by prevailing 6-4, 7-5 in round four of the Mutua Madrid Open on Wednesday afternoon. The 19-year-old Spaniard got across the finish line after one hour and 51 minutes, setting up a semifinal encounter with either Borna Coric or Daniel Altmaier.
The tide would soon turn after Alcaraz managed to hold for 2-4. Khachanov held his next service game, but once he served for the set it went downhill fast for the Russian. He got broken at 5-3 and again at 5-5 before Alcaraz sealed the deal with an easy hold at 6-5.
“It was pretty tough,” the top seed and defending champion assured. “The first set, as well, it was close. I was in trouble in the second set, a break down and [he had] two break points to have the second break. So it was really tough for me to come back and he had his chances to win the second set.
“Luckily I knew I was going to have my chances. I just tried to take my opportunities and I’m really happy to get through.”
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nice one, Charles