It’s another all-Russian encounter in Madrid as Daniil Medvedev takes on countryman Aslan Karatsev for a spot in the quarterfinals. Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina will also be in fourth-round action against Borna Coric.
(2) Daniil Medvedev vs. (Q) Aslan Karatsev
Aslan Karatsev was ranked 14th in the world a little over a year ago. He won the event in Sydney in 2022 and from that moment, suffered a steep decline in form and results. The Russian is now ranked 121st, with a 4-7 match record coming into this week. Karatsev has taken out two seeded players (Botic van de Zandschulp and Alex de Minaur) plus Laslo Djere in the first round. Of course, it must be admitted that Van de Zandschulp and De Minaur are not the most dangerous players on clay. But a few weeks ago Karatsev lost in the first round of a Challenger event to world No. 225 Kimmer Coopejans, so his form has vastly improved in Madrid.
Daniil Medvedev had all he could handle from the Russian upstart Alexander Shevchenko in his third-round match on Monday. Shevchenko pushed Medvedev to three sets and nearly forced a third-set tiebreaker. The world No. 3 broke his opponent at 5-5 to close out the victory 7-5. Despite his previous battles on clay, Medvedev is playing well on the dirt–or at least well enough to post a quarterfinal result in Monte-Carlo.
Medvedev stands a good chance at equalling his Monte-Carlo result in Madrid. While Karatsev is playing significantly better than he was not long ago, the 29 year-old already played five matches this week. Karatsev might nab a set, but look for Medvedev to advance.
Cheryl pick: Medvedev in 3
Ricky pick: Medvedev in 2
(17) Borna Coric vs. (29) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina
Spaniard Alejandro Davidovich Fokina played the most dramatic, wild match of the tournament so far. His third-round showdown with Holger Rune was a legitimate circus. The Spaniard ground out a three-hour and five-minute victory, complete with a post-1:00 am finish. The loud, jeering crowd was convinced Rune erased a mark on purpose and Davidovich Fokina was clearly fatigued at the conclusion of the match.
Croatia’s Borna Coric hasn’t been in good form this season. He came into this week with a losing record (7-8 on the year). He had wins over Hugo Gaston and Hubert Hurkacz to get to the round of 16 in Madrid, but Tuesday’s match against Davidovich Fokina marks his first match against a solid clay-courter.
Even with what is likely heavy legs from his late Sunday encounter against Rune, this one should go the Spaniard’s way. The crowd will be on his side, and Coric is probably not in good enough form to take advantage of any remaining tiredness.
Cheryl pick: Davidovich Fokina in 2
Ricky pick: Davidovich Fokina in 2
Med in 2; ADF recovers to win in 2.
Karatsev beat Med. Looks like he is back in form and will be a very dangerous opponent for anyone who gets him first round at RG.
Going to be a number of dangerous players who are unseeded. Thiem may be the most dangerous.
Hi, amy! I am watching Carlos Alcaraz. Carlos is genuinely and ridiculously good, great um…He is sent here from somewhere in the cosmos to rule tennis.
And there are a lot of clean-shaven handsome Spaniards in the house. Good grief Feli Lopez and David Ferrer look fabulous, but I don’t recognize most of them. Today would be the day to have a ticket. Everything draws my attention back to Charlie, though.
I hate Karatsev. Pardon my lack of tact. Hate is too strong a word for my feelings; maybe I dread him.
Hi Elizabeth!
I know you love him!❤❤
I am much more ambivalent. Like some things. Don’t like others.
Zverev was playing terrible. Head all over the place. Fh a disaster area.
I had to stop watching because this incessant drooling over Alcaraz by the commies does my head in…
Why do you have these negative feelings about Karatsev??