Carlos Alcaraz is on course to collect his third title in a row in Madrid after beating Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-3 and 6-3.
The 20-year-old Spaniard is struggling with injuries these days, but he was undoubtedly firing on all cylinders against his Brazilian opponent.
“I am satisfied with the quality of my game. In the run-up to the match, the nerves gnawed a bit because I wasn’t quite sure how my forearm would react – after all, Thiago is a very strong player,” said Alcaraz.
“However, I am very happy that I was able to tie the knot; especially after I almost gave up a 5-0 lead in the second set.”
The former world number one missed the clay court tournaments in Monte Carlo and Barcelona due to his arm injury, but he looks hungry for success in the Spanish capital.
He will face Jan-Lennard Struff in the next round.
Meanwhile, Rafael Nadal will play Pedro Cachin later today.
The 37-year-old Nadal eliminated Alex de Minaur in Madrid on Saturday to celebrate his first victory against a top-20 opponent in two years.
Results:
Aryna Sabalenka beat Robin Montgomery 6-1, 6-7 and 6-4
Danielle Collins beat Jacqueline Cristian 3-6, 6-4 and 6-1
Daria Kasatkina beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 7-6 and 7-5
Alexander Zverev beat Denis Shapovalov 6-4 and 7-5
Taylor Fritz beat Sebastian Baez 6-2, 6-3
Carlos Alcaraz beat Thiago Seyboth Wild 6-3 and 6-3
Hubert Hurkacz beat Daniel Altmaier 6-4 and 7-6
Andrey Rublev beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6 and 6-4
Tallon Griekspoor beat Holger Rune with 6-4, 4-6 and 6-3.
