Rublev rallies to send Alcaraz to defeat

Andrey Rublev called a halt to the winning run of Carlos Alcaraz at the Madrid Open as he ended the Spaniard’s 14-match win streak here with a quarter-final knockout on Wednesday.

The fourth-seeded Rublev sank local tennis hopes a day after Rafael Nadal bowed out in his final Madrid appearance before his reported retirement, losing to Czech Jiri Lehecka.

The 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 comeback defeat of Alcaraz brought an end to home reams at this edition in the Caja Magica.

Rublev came to Spain nursing a four-match, six-week loss streak but has turned his game around in the capital.

The winner said his secret was keeping an even keel: “I was completely calm all match. I didn’t say a word – even when I was losing.

“My serve saved me many times today, it got better as the match went on.”

Rublev has now defeated each player in the current Top 10 at least once after his upset of Alcaraz,

The Spaniard who turns 21 on Sunday had won the last two editions of the clay event but lost for the first time at home since the start of 2022 after posting 24 straight victories.

Rublev, who had 30 winners and 24 unforced errors, saved seven break points against his serve as he produced his fourth consecutive victory.