One day after beating Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz has another blockbuster matchup on his hands against Novak Djokovic. The other Madrid quarterfinal pits No. 2 seed Alexander Zverev against No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas.
(1) Novak Djokovic vs. (7) Carlos Alcaraz
It may not be Djokovic vs. Rafael Nadal, but we are still going from one blockbuster matchup to another at the Mutua Madrid Open. The Spanish fans got to see Alcaraz vs. Nadal on Friday and now the 19-year-old will get a shot at Djokovic for the first time in his career following his 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 victory over Nadal. Another momentous occasion in Alcaraz’s rapid rise toward the top of tennis improved his 2022 record to 26-3 and will propel him to at least No. 6 in the world next week.
Whereas the teenager will have a ton of momentum heading into Roland Garros regardless of what happens in the coming days and weeks, Djokovic would do well to continue racking up wins as prepares for the season’s second Grand Slam. The world No. 1 went into Madrid with a mere five in 2022 but has added two more by taking out Gael Monfils and Hubert Hurkacz in straight sets (he also got a walkover from Andy Murray). Djokovic’s confidence seems to be growing and Alcaraz not only had a tough match against Nadal but also rolled his right ankle in the second set. All in all this is a great opportunity for the top seed to secure his biggest victory of the year.
Pick: Djokovic in 3
(4) Stefanos Tsitsipas vs. (2) Alexander Zverev
Zverev and Tsitsipas will be squaring off for the 11th time in their careers on Saturday. Tsitsipas leads the head-to-head series 7-3 and he has won all three of their clay-court encounters–including a five-setter in the 2021 French Open semifinals and via a 6-4, 6-2 rout a few weeks ago in Monte-Carlo. Tsitsipas went on to triumph in the first clay-court Masters 1000 event of the season, giving him back-to-back titles.
Madrid has been similarly successful for Zverev, who lifted the trophy for the second time last spring. The third-ranked German’s title defense is alive and well following wins over Marin Cilic (in three sets), Lorenzo Musetti (via retirement), and Felix Auger-Aliassime (6-3, 7-5). However, nine double-faults in the quarterfinals were extremely alarming. Tsitsipas has been more impressive in defeats of Lucas Pouille, Grigor Dimitrov, and Andrey Rublev. Given the Greek’s current form and general clay-court prowess plus the return of Zverev’s serving woes, this one could be straightforward.
Pick: Tsitsipas in 2
Alcaraz needs to learn to step back in deep balls. I’ve lost count of shots he’s framed because he’s unwilling to take a step back.
I agree about Novak not being in his best form yet. But he is getting there. To listen to the commies you would he was God like. The over the top hyping is disgraceful. I was furious yesterday listening to the commies slobbering over him. They know full well that Madrid has always been tough for Rafa, even when he is not coming back from an injury. Rafa said himself that this was not the ideal place for him to return. He said he wanted to go to Estoril which is at sea level. But it was too soon and he did not want to rush coming back.
Rafa was nowhere near his best. It was about getting match play. I just hope he can get into his best form for RG. I want to see how he looks at Rome. The conditions there suit him better.
Everytime Alcaraz just needed to keep the ball in play he’s come to with an unforced error.
That’s why he still has more work to do. Novak isn’t at his best but he is looking better than he has for a while.
I was referring to Alcaraz when I talked about the hype.
I’m not sure he’s over hyped, I think he’s still learning to play smarter this.
Wow, for sure this kid is brave! Those dropshots are pure magic!
Indeed!! These need to be studied, the timing, touch and feel is phenomenal!!! And he plays it on the most crucial points!!
Djokovic does not want to lose to this guy. Haven’t seen him like this since when he used to chomp down secret energy food behind a towel.
If Alcaraz wins hell be the unofficial world #1.
This is the dumbest comment I have read. Of course he is not the world #1!
That is an insult to those who have earned the points to get there!
I think ppl also need to take things into perspective here!! Alcaraz is clearly good but he is playing against Rafa and Novak when they r off their prime! He is playing against experience but certainly his speed, agility and stamina is better than theirs so clearly he will have his chances against them!!! So if he beats them it should be no surprise but he still needs to win a GS to be in the conversation as being a great. Let’s c what’s happens at RG!! But he is certainly giving a good account of himself here!!! It’s quite impressive even if Novak is 80% but Alcaraz is not at his peak either!!
But this is a great match, not much between them!!
Definitely the worst time for a dropper!!! Monalisa
Novak is taking forever to serve!!! If was Rafa he would get a warning!! On match point he took over 30 secs!!!
He’s gutsy with those dropshots because he has nothing to lose! He’s not the no.1 player so the pressure is not on him. He’s willing to take risk because he knows he has to in order to have a chance to beat Djoko.
If he plays ‘safe’ tennis against Djoko, he’s not going to win.
Djoko has more pressure coming into this match imo.
Whoever loses here is really not a loser!! Great match, certainly lived up to its billing!! It shows u y Novak is #1 and Alcaraz is rising star!!
Djoko is mis-hitting so many FH shots, rarely see him doing that, must be feeling all the pressure coming from Alcaraz’s relentless attacks!
I suddenly think of a person who can absorb this hard hitting kind of attacking tennis – the Andy Murray of old, before his hip injury.
Andy can vary the pace of shots, absorbing the blows very well (like the way he did Vs Delpo).
So Alcaraz wins the final set TB! Congrats for beating the world no.1 here (and beating Rafa too). He’s simply too quick around the court, too much for Djoko to handle, for three over hours!
Exactly Lucky!! That’s what I’m saying!!! He is agile, fast and fit along with being so talented!!! This is really a lot to take on over three hours!! Rafa can do it but he MUST be fit!!! No one who is not fit can win against this guy, NO WAY!!!
Mary says Novak made mistakes in TB that helped Carlos but y did he make errors?! It’s bcoz of the pressure from the other end! I hate when the commies say these things!!! Sigh!!
Has the torched been passed folks?!!
Excellent match no doubt!!! Congratulations Carlos!!
I really can’t wait for RG!! Honestly!!! Vamos!!
I’m waiting for the final here, and see if Alcaraz can continue with the speed around the court after this three and a half hours SF.
Djoko had his chances at the end of the second set when he had so many BPs but Alcaraz saved all of them and he then lost his own serve to lose the set!
It will be a tough final for either Zverev or Tsitsipas, if Alcaraz could continue playing his effective and aggressive attacking tennis.
Color me convinced. I shoulda trusted Rafa’s opinion. For better or worse, Alcaraz is the Next Big Thing. Except he already seems to BE the BT. I really hope Rafa can get his game (and his hurty left foot) in order over the next 2 weeks.
If Alcaraz wasn’t so passive in the first set he make have won in straight sets.
Boy the net is a buzz with this win!!! He’s starting to overshadow the big 3 and now the so-called next generation is not even in the convo, lol!! With a target in his back let’s c how Carlos will fair in the slams!!!
Interesting match between him and Zverev tomorrow. Zverev is serving very well and he’s beaten Carlos both times they’ve played. So let’s c!!
H’m. Big servers have a big advantage in Madrid. We’ll see.
He, Carlos, prefers being called Carlito or Charlie over Carlos. He is a special one beating Rafa and Novak and making it look easy!
Making it look easy? There were two TB ‘s in his match with Novak. He lost the first set so he had to come from behind. I don’t call that easy. Three sets with a Rafa who was nowhere near his best.
Making it look easy? Are you sure?
It might look easy against Rafa but Rafa certainly wasn’t at his best; it certainly didn’t look easy against Djoko! Djoko might have won it in straight sets had he converted those BPs at the 11th game of set two. Alcaraz might be gutsy but he certainly didn’t make it look easy beating Djoko. A three and a half hours match over three sets certainly didn’t look easy!
On the tennis channel they said that Zverev loves playing at Madrid. He loves the court. He has done well there. I didn’t realize that he is the defending champion.
He played well against Tsitsipas. His second serve is wonky but his first serve has been good. It will be interesting to see his this plays out. Of course Alcaraz will have the crowd with him.
Neither Nadal or Djoko at their best here but its still a stunning achievement.
But has he enough for Zverev who plays well in Madrid and could serve his way to the title
I like the idea of Zverev taking this title. But Carlos is chomping at the bit, galloping around, ready for more.
Zverev is the defending champion here; I think he’ll play his best tennis to retain the title. Alcaraz may have other ideas but physically can he manage, after his long matches back to back to back vs Norrie/Rafa/Djoko?
Will Zverev be able to withstand the bombardment from Alcaraz, who certainly will have the crowd cheering him on?
N. Djokovic missed his chances to win but as we all know Novak is not in form he is improving and I think in a month without any injuries he should be playing like the Novak we all know.
I like Alcaraz and the way he plays is very interesting, A. Zverev has won this tournament twice 2018 and 2021 he is the defending champion.
He is the underdog for obvious reasons Alcaraz is in form and playing well.
Zverev has 2:0 H2H lead I think Alcaraz will win this tournament but I’m rooting for Zverev to win 😂
https://www.tennisexplorer.com/match-detail/?id=2087987
Big challenge for Alcaraz. A different game style he is up against today and these conditions are great for Zverev. Yesterday was the first time I saw Zverev hitting his forehand with authority.