Carlos Alcaraz scores win over Jan-Lennard Struff, increases Madrid win streak to 14

Carlos Alcaraz kept his Caja Magica streak alive at the 2024 Mutua Madrid Open, defeating Jan-Lennard Struff, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (4) in a rematch of the 2023 final to reach the quarterfinals.

The former world No. 1 has won the title in Madrid for the last two years, and continued to shake off injury concerns—and the loss of a 5-3, 40-0 lead in the final set—to win a 14th straight match (tying Rafael Nadal for the longest Madrid streak) and defeat his German rival on his fifth match point in two hours and 50 minutes on Manolo Santana Stadium.

Alcaraz last faced Struff on this very court 12 months ago to win his fourth career ATP Masters 1000 title, and though Struff reached the final as a lucky loser, the powerful 34-year-old has proven a formidable opponent in all three of their previous meetings. Struff shocked a then-teenaged Alcaraz at 2021 Roland Garros and pushed him to five sets the following year at Wimbledon before contesting a three-set final in Madrid.

"This match reminded me a lot of last year's," Alcaraz said on court after the match. "It was pretty difficult from the first point until the last one. It was a great fight. It was difficult for me to deal with my emotions, to handle certain moments in the match. Serving for the match was really difficult for me, being 40-0 up, but I'm really happy that at the end, it didn't affect me or my game or my mentality. I kept fighting, and that's all that matters so I'm really happy to get the win at the end."

Seeded 23rd this year, Struff posted solid results through his first two matches, defeating both Jaume Munar and No. 13 seed Ugo Humbert in straight sets to book the rematch with Alcaraz, who has been equally efficient as the No. 2 seed.

Despite arriving in Madrid under an injury cloud, the reigning BNP Paribas Open champion has played his way into the tournament and put increasing intensity behind his forehand, the shot most affected by the forearm injury that forced him out of Barcelona.

The 45-minute first set saw both men at their big-hitting best, with Alcaraz scoring the lone break and serving it out with 14 winners to 12 unforced errors.

Alcaraz carried that momentum into the second set, breaking in the first game and effortlessly absorbing Struff’s pace to consolidate behind a deftly hit drop shot.

Struff nonetheless kept pressing and rolled through the next three games, leveling the set with a well-struck return and served his way to a 5-4 advantage.

Alcaraz gamely served to stay in the set and turned the tables on Struff, who struck an ill-timed forehand error to find himself down 0-30 and six points from defeat. Struff responded by digging out a hold and forcing a tiebreaker.

The pair exchanged mini-breaks before the first change of ends, but it was Struff who broke the Sudden Death wide open, serving and volleying to a trio of set point opportunities. Alcaraz saved the two on his serve only for Struff to even the set thanks to an ace that only just kissed the center service line.

Undaunted, Alcaraz raced ahead 4-1 in the final set, dropping just three points in his first three service games as Struff struggled to stay in reach.

Struff made a brave last stand, earning a break point in a hotly-contested eighth game, but Alcaraz remained in front and made a bold start in his effort to serve out the match. A booming overhead and a fearsome backhand brought him to three match points, but his 40-0 lead soon gave way into a dramatic plot twist. Struff saved four match points and earned a third break chance when Alcaraz blasted a forehand wide, converting off another forehand miss to put the match back on serve.

The momentum continued towards the German, landing a slice passing shot to threaten a third straight game. Alcaraz saved it with a big serve and the two fittingly hurtled towards another tiebreaker.

With the crowd on their feet, Alcaraz amped them up further by nabbing the first two mini-breaks. Struff responded in kind, tying up the tiebreaker by the first change of ends, but Alcaraz pulled off one last streak of his own, winning the final four points of the match to secure victory on his fifth match point.

Waiting for him in the quarters is No. 7 seed Andrey Rublev, who has enjoyed a stabilizing week at the Caja Magica and is yet to drop a set through his first three matches (Alcaraz leads 1-0).