After an initial setback in the first set, the Spaniard found his feet to win 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4, and 6-4, roared on by a partisan crowd. While Alcaraz’s main rivals, seven-time winner Novak Djokovic and world number one Jannik Sinner, are in ominous form, the second seed has blown hot and cold so far. It was the same story on Sunday, as he struggled to find his rhythm early in the match, despite occasional flashes of brilliance, before raising his level.
Alcaraz is set to face Britain’s Cameron Norrie in the last eight. Following his victory, he said that Rublev was one of the most powerful and aggressive players on the men’s tour. “I think I played intelligently and smartly today against him, tactically,” he said. “A really good match, which I’m really proud about.”
The five-time Grand Slam champion said he always believes in himself, even when facing adversity. “Tennis is a sport that can change with just one point,” he added. “One point can change the match completely, turn everything around. In tennis, you have to stay there all the time. Being strong mentally, to stay there. I knew that I was going to play better,” he said.
Alcaraz makes comeback after losing first set
Rublev took the first set on a tie-break, but Alcaraz engineered a break in the eighth game of the second set and served out to level the match.
The Russian did manage to give a hard time to his opponent in the third set but squandered chances, and Alcaraz brought the crowd to its feet with a sensational forehand winner to force a break, sealing the set with an audacious drop shot. The writing was on the wall when Rublev lost his serve in the fifth game of the fourth set and Alcaraz made no mistake.
