The top eight seeds have entirely held to form in the bottom half of the Madrid draw, where Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev are squaring off in the quarterfinals. Alexander Zverev and Felix Auger-Aliassime are also in action.
(6) Andrey Rublev vs. (4) Stefanos Tsitsipas
Tsitsipas and Rublev will be going head-to-head for the ninth time in their careers when they battle for a semifinal spot at the Mutua Madrid Open on Friday night. They have split their eight previous meetings, although Tsitsipas has won two of their three clay-court encounters–including each of the last two. Rublev took two of their three matches in 2021, but Tsitsipas prevailed in routine 6-3, 6-3 fashion to capture the Monte-Carlo title.
The 2021 French Open runner-up is once again in stellar form on the red stuff this season. He successfully defending his Monte-Carlo title, reached the Barcelona quarters (lost to Carlos Alcaraz in three sets), and so far this week has ousted Lucas Pouille and Grigor Dimitrov in easy straight sets. Rublev recently lifted the trophy in Belgrade, but he has been seriously tested in Madrid by Jack Draper and Dan Evans. This will likely be the end of the road for the world No. 8, and it may not be especially competitive.
Pick: Tsitsipas in 2
(8) Felix Auger-Aliassime vs. (2) Alexander Zverev
Zverev and Auger-Aliassime already have an extensive history, as well, despite being nowhere near veterans on tour. The head-to-head series stands at 4-2 in Zverev’s favor, but Auger-Aliassime has made it more interesting of late. After losing their first three encounters all in straight sets, the Canadian triumphed in five sets at Wimbledon last summer and won 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 at the ATP Cup earlier this year. In between those two results, Zverev got the job done 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 on the indoor hard courts of Vienna.
Auger-Aliassime has destroyed both Cristian Garin and Jannik Sinner this week, but great performances have been few and far between since February. Zverev is the much more consistent player at the moment and he is a two-time champion in Madrid–including last spring. Conditions are perfect for the German, who should be able to take advantage.
Pick: Zverev in 2
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