Alcaraz diffuses fightback effort to win Struff struggle

Holder Carlos Alcaraz fought off a second-set surge from determined German Jan-Lennard Struff before finally emerging with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory in the Madrid Masters final on Sunday.

The 20-year-old No. 1 backed up his home title from a year ago at the Caja Magica as he defeated the first lucky loser from qualifying to reach a Masters 1000 final, taking just under two and a half hours. 

“It’s so so special to win another trophy in Madrid the top seed said.

“It’s always a pleasure to ply here, and to win again is unbelievable. it was an incredible match.

“This is one that I will never forget.”

Alcaraz claimed the opening set but fell into trouble in the second as Struff made his presence in the final known.

The 33-year-old lost his second final after Munich two years ago.

But Struff threatened in the second as he won a fifth game lasting for 15 minutes where he saved five break points and battled through eight deuced to take a 4-1 lead.

The outsider maintained his momentum to level the match but was unable to keep pace in the third.

Alcaraz re-established superiority as he broke for 3-1 and served a love game to reach 5-2.

One game latere, it ended on the Spaniard’s first of three match points.

Acaraz was out-hit by Struff, who tallied 26 winners to 19 for the seed after nearly two and a quarter hours.

“He played great, really aggressive ,” Alcaraz said. “Sometimes, I couldn’t play my game.

“I had to wait for my chances; I told myself to stay positive and I would have more chances.”

The 52nd-ranked Struff was the first lucky loser to reach a Masters 1000 final since the series began in 1990.