Madrid Open: Carlos Alcaraz sets up Alexander Zverev French Open revenge match

World number two and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday set up a Madrid Open last 16 duel with Alexander Zverev, the German rival who handed him a heartbreaking, reality-check defeat at Roland Garros last year. Alcaraz defeated Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 6-2, 7-5 in the Madrid third round as he continues his bid to win a 10th tour title before his 20th birthday. The Spanish crowd-pleaser was briefly troubled when 31-year-old Dimitrov broke for a 4-2 lead in the second set.

Vaya noche! 😍 Seguimos adelante! 🙌🏻 @MutuaMadridOpen pic.twitter.com/AV0bkw2rx9

— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) April 30, 2023

However, that merely delayed the inevitable as Alcaraz wrapped up victory in 90 minutes, making just four unforced errors. It was his 25th win of 2023 against just two losses and a 15th victory on clay. The 19-year-old swept past Zverev in the Madrid final in 2022 for the loss of just four games. However, just weeks later, the German claimed a four-set victory in the French Open quarter-finals. That was Zverev’s third win in the pair’s four meetings. “I really want to play that match. We played a few times, head-to-head he is up,” said Alcaraz.

Alcaraz (in his own unique way) is starting to have that Federer effect on viewers in that every match he plays, no matter who the opponent is, feels like must see tv bcuz you know there’s a chance you might witness some magic you’ve never seen before. pic.twitter.com/qhCuntElSx

— Vansh (@vanshv2k) April 30, 2023

“I really want to show my great level here in front of my home crowd. I have great memories from last year in the final but obviously I have to be really focussed in that match. He added: “I know that Sascha is a really good player, a really aggressive one with good serves. I have to show all my skills.”

Zverev didn’t miss a 1st serve until 6-1, 2-0 in his match against Grenier

20 first serves in a row

We all know Sasha doesn’t like to hit 2nd serves, but this is insanity😂

Especially after Tsitsipas’ serving yesterday

What’s in the water in Madrid

pic.twitter.com/zZYoSL8IBp

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 30, 2023

Two-time Madrid champion Zverev needed just 56 minutes earlier Sunday to dispose of France’s Hugo Grenier 6-1, 6-0 on the back of six breaks of serve and 26 winners. “With Carlos it will be a match-up people will look forward to,” said 16th-ranked Zverev. “We played in the final here last year, played a massive match at Roland Garros before I got injured (in the semi-final against Rafael Nadal).” Spain’s Alejandro Davidovich Fokina toppled world number seven Holger Rune 7-6 (7/1), 5-7, 7-6 (7/5). Rune, who turned 20 on Saturday, had saved a match point in the previous round against Alexander Bublik. But it was Davidovich Fokina who came through the tight encounter to line up a clash with Borna Coric for a place in the last eight. World number one Iga Swiatek claimed she had endured a “tricky” afternoon despite easing to a straight-sets win over American left-hander Bernarda Pera to reach the last 16 of the women’s tournament in the Spanish capital.

🇵🇱 What a player!💣

Madrid is enraptured by the world number 1's prowess on court.🥰@WTA | @iga_swiatek | #MMOPEN pic.twitter.com/nMVakr5wBS

— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) April 30, 2023

Swiatek, warming up for the defence of her French Open title, claimed a 6-3, 6-2 win for a sixth consecutive victory on clay this season. ‘Tricky’ “I wouldn’t say it was easy. Every match is tricky here,” Swiatek said after her 75-minute outing. “I’m happy that I’m getting my rhythm. Playing against a lefty is never easy… but I’m pretty happy that I was disciplined and focused.”

88.2% - Iga Swiatek now holds the highest winning percentage on clay at WTA-1000 events (88.2%), surpassing Serena Williams (88%). Commander.#MMOPEN | @MutuaMadridOpen @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/XRrHVvmkfc

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) April 30, 2023

Swiatek next faces 16th seed Ekaterina Alexandrova who came from a set down to see off Zheng Qinwen of China. Also progressing to the fourth round was world number three Jessica Pegula, who clinched a gruelling 6-4, 7-6 (7/2) victory over Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic. Pegula, 29, made the final in Madrid in 2022 where she lost to Ons Jabeur. She will now tackle Italy’s Martina Trevisan on Monday for a quarter-final spot. Read all the Latest News, Trending News,  Cricket News, Bollywood News,  India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.