Alcaraz braced for ‘difficult’ Struff rematch after reaching last 16 in Madrid

Carlos Alcaraz won his 13th match in a row at the Madrid Open as he beat Thiago Seyboth Wild in straight sets to reach the last 16.

World No. 3 Alcaraz, who is bidding to win the title for the third year in a row, proved too strong and skilful for world No. 63 Seyboth Wild as he won 6-3 6-3.

“I played a very good level,” said Alcaraz about his display against Seyboth Wild.

“Coming into this match I was nervous a bit. I didn’t know how my forearm was going to be because Thiago has big shots and hits the ball really strong. But I was really happy with the performance.”

Looking ahead to facing Struff, who he beat 6-4 3-6 6-3 in the final last year, Alcaraz added: “I know his level, I know his game a bit. I know that I have to play at my best to beat him.

“I have to be really focused on the return, putting as many balls in as I can and being in the rallies, but it’s going to be a difficult one.”

Alcaraz came into Madrid with injury concerns over an arm issue that had seem him miss both Monte Carlo and Barcelona. However, he has not looked hampered by the problem so far, dropping just nine games across two matches.

Against Seyboth Wild he reeled off four games in a row to take the first set, breaking serve twice.

Alcaraz continued to dominate in the second set with his heavy hitting and brilliantly disguised drop shots seeing him open up a 5-0 lead.

Seyboth Wild managed to get on the board with a three-game run as he avoided a bagel set, but Alcaraz served the match out at the second time of asking.

Hubert Hurkacz also made the last 16 with a 6-4 7-6(2) victory against Daniel Altmaier.

Seventh seed Andrey Rublev came from 5-0 down in the first set tie-break to beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6 (10) 6-4.

Rafael Nadal plays Pedro Cachin on Monday.