Madrid Open: China’s Zhang has history-making run ended by Aslan Karatsev, loses quarter-final in straight sets
- Karatsev holds nerve to win 7-6, 6-4, becoming only the second qualifier to advance to the last four in tournament history
- Zhang leaves clay-court event having climbed 33 spots in the world rankings to No 66
Zhang Zhizhen’s history-making run at the Madrid Open finally came to an end on Thursday, as he lost in straights sets to Aslan Karatsev in the quarter-finals.
The first Chinese player to make it that far in an ATP Masters 1000 event, Zhang was unable to produce the form that saw him down Cameron Norrie and Taylor Fritz, and he lost 7-6, 6-4.
Karatsev, meanwhile, is through to his first Masters 1000 semi-final and is just the second qualifier to advance to the last four in tournament history.
In an intriguing clash, it was the Russian who held his nerve at key moments inside Manolo Santana Stadium. The 29-year-old saved all three break points he faced in the first set and produced a clean-hitting display in the second set to triumph after one hour and 40 minutes.
“I am happy with my condition. Back to the top level,” Karatsev said. “Playing well and feeling well. From the qualifying, match by match, it has got harder, so mentally you have to be there more. Because your opponent doesn’t give you any free points so you have to be there yourself. The important thing is now recover well.”
Having dropped as low as No 129 in the world rankings last month, Karatsev has found his best form in Madrid, defeating seeded players Botic van de Zandschulp, Alex de Minaur and Daniil Medvedev.