Nadal goes to Leeka, and Alcaraz, Sinner win at 3; We got married. QF at the Madrid Masters

Rafael Nadal's performance at the Madrid Masters ended on Wednesday in the fourth round of Jiri Lehecka with a score of 7-5, 6-4.

Lehecka, 15 years younger than the 37-year-old Nadal, used his powerful serve and strong net play to thwart Nadal, who played just three hours on Monday. Rafa played the Czech tight until it was 5-all in the first round, when Lehecka ran away with a set and then immediately broke through to start the second.

This was probably Nadal's last match in Madrid, which he won five times.

“It was a special week for me, very positive in many ways, both personally and for my tennis,” Nadal told the crowd. “I had a chance to play on the court again. A few weeks ago, two days before Barcelona, ​​I didn’t know if I would participate in an official match again, but now I’ve played for two weeks. It was unforgettable.

“The only thing I can say is thank you.” It's been an incredible journey that started when I was little. I first came to Madrid in 2003 when the tournament was held indoors. I first came here with a sense of competition in 2005. It was one of the most striking victories in my career, back in the gym. Since then, everyone's support has been unconditional. I can't thank you enough.”

Lehecka praised tennis.

“It’s amazing to be on the same court with such a legendary player. It's a dream; I always wanted this to happen,” Lehecka said. “I am very grateful to have reached such an important moment and wish Rafa all the best. It's kind of bittersweet to get such a nice win in front of all these people who were rooting for him. The energy was amazing.”

New Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz did not disappoint in his rematch with Jan-Lennard Struff. The two met in the 2023 Madrid final, where Alcaraz won in three matches, and today was the same, but this time Alcaraz needed a break in the final set to see off the 34-year-old, 6-3, 6-7(5). ), 7 -6(4).

Alcaraz served for the match at 5-3 in the third and led 40-0. Struff then had a break chance at 5-all.

“Honestly, this match reminds me of last year,” Alcaraz said. “It was quite difficult from the first point to the last. It was a great fight and it was difficult. It was difficult for me to cope with my emotions, to survive certain moments, difficult moments of the match. After that 40/0 score, it was very difficult for me to serve the match, but I'm very glad that in the end it didn't affect my game, my mentality. I continued to fight. That's all that matters and I'm really glad I got the win in the end.”

Alcaraz has now won his last 14 matches in Madrid.

Top seed Jannik Sinner also came through three rallies from a set to defeat 16th seed Karen Khachanov 5-7, 6-3, 6-3. Third seed Daniil Medvedev ousted 17th seed Alexander Bublik 7-6(7-3), 6-4.

Felix Auger-Aliassime surprised No. 5 seed Casper Ruud in straight sets 6-4, 7-5. No. 7 seed Andrey Rublev dispatched No. 24 seed Tallon Griekspoor 6-2, 6-4. No. 12 Taylor Fritz defeated No. 8 seed Hubert Hurkacz 7-6(2), 6-4. And in the surprise of the day, No. 21 seed Francisco Cerundolo beat former tournament winner Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4.

The quarterfinals start tomorrow with the return of Alcaraz and Rublev. Fritz will meet with Cherundolo.

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