Great, Carlos Alcaraz Secures Place In The Semifinals Of Madrid Open 2023

Carlos Alcaraz managed to advance to the semifinals at the Madrid Open 2023. (Isstagram @carlitisalcarazz)

JAKARTA - World defending and second-placed champion Carlos Alcaraz beat Karen Khachanov 6-4, 7-5, Wednesday, to reach the semifinals of the Madrid Open. What are the opportunities for a Spanish teenager in front of his own public?

The top seed, who will have his 20th birthday on Friday, came from trailing 4-1 and 5-2 in the second set to win in one hour 52 minutes.

Alcaraz beat Alexander Zverev on Tuesday, like last year's final in the Spanish capital, but Khachanov put up tougher resistance.

"Winning this match will give me a lot of confidence, Karen is at a great level and takes me to the limit," said Alcaraz, who released 31 winners, as broadcast by AFP via Antara, Wednesday.

"It was decided by small details and I am very, very happy to be able to get through this round."

Russian tennis player Khachanov, who defeated compatriot Andrey Rublev this week and also reached the semifinals of the Australian Open, did not show any fear in the first set even though his opponent performed well.

Finally Carlos Alcaraz found a decisive breakthrough to lead the 4-3 with a strong forkhand that Khachanov couldn't return.

In the second set, Khachanov made a break to lead 3-1 but Alcaraz advanced long after securing the first break point.

The world number 12 forced two more breaks in the sixth game but also couldn't convert numbers as Alcaraz struggled to survive.

Alcaraz's courage paid off when he hit back at 4-5.

The US Open champion consolidated his break and then got another one when Khachanov hit the net with a foreplay attempt.

Setting targets for its 10th tour level title, host Carlos Alcaraz's favorite closes the game with a strong foreplay.