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Carlos Alcaraz will face Borna Coric in the Madrid Masters semi-final on his 20th birthday on Friday. The defending champion is the favorite, and Coric knows that well. The Croat has been pleased with his Madrid run, entering the last four and looking forward to the upcoming clash against world no.
2. Borna will enjoy due duel against Carlos and give his best against an in-form rival who seeks his fourth ATP title of the season. Coric is through to his fourth Masters 1000 semi-final and the first on clay. Borna faced world no.
92 Daniel Altmaier in the quarter-final and scored a 6-3, 6-3 victory in an hour and 14 minutes. Coric and Altmaier met for the first time, and the better-ranked player had the upper hand on serve and return. Borna lost nine points behind the initial shot for one of his finest Masters 1000 displays, facing no break points and keeping the pressure on the other side.
Daniel failed to match those numbers, allowing Borna to convert 40% of the return points into three breaks from five opportunities. The Croat tamed his strokes nicely and hit 15 winners and unforced errors. The German stayed on eight direct points and sprayed 21 mistakes, missing equally from both wings.
Alcaraz had to work harder in his quarter-final encounter in Caja Magica. Carlos faced Karen Khachanov and prevailed 6-4, 7-5 in an hour and 50 minutes. The Spaniard played his final match as a teenager, finishing his incredible journey with 117 victories and 22 weeks as world no.
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Borna Coric will try to surprise Carlos Alcaraz in the Madrid Masters semi-final.
Alcaraz beat Khachanov for the third time in as many encounters, overcoming a 5-2 deficit in the second set to rattle off five straight games and avoid a decider.
The Spaniard fired 29 winners and 26 unforced errors and kept the points on his racquet with his forehand. Karen delivered 14 winners and 16 mistakes, giving his everything but failing to introduce the final set despite a massive lead.
Carlos played better behind the first serve and defended four out of five break points. He stole Karen's serve three times, enough to seal the deal and remain on the title course. Alcaraz and Coric will meet for the first time in the semi-final.
"Carlos is an impressive player in an incredible form. He is the favorite against me, but I will go out and have fun on the court. I will enjoy the experience of facing Carlos at Manolo Santana Stadium," Borna Coric said.