Andrey Rublev dashed Carlos Alcaraz’s hopes of winning the Madrid Open a record three times in a row.
In the quarterfinal, seventh-seeded Rublev of Russia overcame a set down to win 4-6 6-3 6-2 and end Alcaraz’s 14-match winning run in the Spanish capital.
The 20-year-old second seed wanted to make history by being the first person to win three straight Madrid Open singles championships.
Rublev will play American Taylor Fritz, the 12th seed, who won his 250th career match at the tour level by defeating Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina 6-1 3-6 6-3.
Tuesday’s exhausting victory over Jan-Lennard Struff, which lasted just under three hours, was followed by Alcaraz’s inability to perform at his peak against Rublev.
Due to a right arm injury, the two-time Grand Slam champion missed clay court tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona earlier this month. Although winning the first set, he appeared worn out against Rublev, who blasted 30 winners.
With this victory, Rublev, who has only won one ATP 1,000 title in his career, snaps a four-match losing streak.
After five-time champion Rafael Nadal lost to Jiri Lehecka on Tuesday in what was probably his final match at the tournament, Alcaraz’s withdrawal deals a further blow to Spain’s hopes of winning the tournament at home in Madrid.
Due to a right hip injury, world No. 2 Jannik Sinner withdrew from the competition, giving Felix Auger-Aliassime, his opponent on Thursday, a clear path to the semifinals.
On Friday, Auger-Aliassime of Canada will play either Lehecka or Daniil Medvedev, the third-seeded Russian player.
First semifinal since the Australian Open for Sabalenka
In the women’s draw, Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva was easily defeated 6-1 6-4 by reigning champion Aryna Sablenka to advance to the semi-finals.
