World quantity two Carlos Alcaraz retained his Madrid Open title with a three-set victory over Germany’s Jan-Lennard Struff.
The 20-year-old Spaniard received 6-4 3-6 6-3 for his fourth trophy on the ATP Tour this season, and tenth total.
Alcaraz is the second man to defend his title in Madrid, after compatriot Rafael Nadal did so in 2014.
He’ll exchange Novak Djokovic on the high of the world rankings by merely taking part in in Rome subsequent week.
Alcaraz’s victory in Madrid means he has received back-to-back tournaments, having received the Barcelona Open in April, and demonstrates why he’s among the many favourites for the French Open, which begins on 28 Could.
After he broke fortunate loser Struff’s serve within the opening recreation in Caja Magica, his opponent fought again to take away Alcaraz’s benefit within the fourth.
However after Struff held serve, US Open champion Alcaraz reeled off three straight video games, later saving three break factors earlier than benefiting from his first set level.
Struff, the world quantity 65, raced right into a 3-0 lead at first of the second set earlier than saving 5 break factors to go 4-1 up.
Regardless of failing to transform a break level, the 33-year-old went on to serve out the set to take the ultimate right into a decider – at which level Alcaraz discovered one other gear.
He broke to take a 3-1 lead and, whereas lacking out on two additional break factors, by no means relinquished his benefit and served out the match to like.
Alcaraz, who like girls’s champion Aryna Sabalenka celebrated his birthday on Friday, has misplaced simply two matches in 2023.
