Qatar Open 2025: Alcaraz survives Nardi scare to achieve quarterfinals
Carlos Alcaraz withstood a spirited fightback from Italian qualifier Luca Nardi to seal his place within the quarterfinals of the Qatar Open on Wednesday.
The Spanish prime seed appeared to be cruising after racing a set and 4-1 up, however Nardi reeled off 5 video games in a row to ship the match to a 3rd set.
Alcaraz grabbed the decisive break within the fourth sport of the ultimate set and wrapped up a 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory.
“He performed a number of good factors after which it appeared like he began to play just like the world primary,” Alcaraz stated of Nardi’s mid-match restoration.
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“I couldn’t do something, I simply tried to remain there, keep robust mentally. My vitality ranges in all probability went down somewhat bit, however credit score to him. I’m actually blissful (that I) forgot all the things and restarted within the third set.”
The four-time Grand Slam champion, who’s making his debut in Doha, meets the Czech Republic’s Jiri Lehecka for a spot within the final 4 on Thursday.
Lehecka swept apart Hungary’s Fabian Marozsan 6-4, 6-2 in just an hour.
Second seed Alex de Minaur booked his place within the quarterfinals with a managed 6-4, 6-4 victory in opposition to Botic van de Zandschulp.
The 26-year-old Australian, who chalked up his two hundredth tour-level hard-court win in his first-round victory in opposition to Roman Safiullin, confirmed off his tempo across the court docket as he brushed previous the Dutch qualifier, saving all 4 break factors he confronted.
It’s the third time in successive tournaments that De Minaur has reached the quarterfinal stage.
On the Australian Open, he bumped up in opposition to eventual winner Jannik Sinner within the final eight and in Rotterdam, earlier this month, he went all the best way to the ultimate earlier than succumbing in three units to Alcaraz.
Chasing his first trophy of the season, De Minaur, ranked eighth on the planet, now faces Russia’s Andrey Rublev who beat Nuno Borges 6-3, 6-4.
A Doha winner in 2020, Rublev has additionally been on an honest run of late, reaching the semifinals in Montpellier and quarters in Rotterdam.
Fourth seed Daniil Medvedev, the 2023 champion, powered previous Zizou Bergs 6-2, 6-1, whereas Britain’s Jack Draper gained in straight units in opposition to Christopher O’Connell.
Felix Auger-Aliassime acquired a walkover as Hamad Medjedovic withdrew after hurting his leg within the earlier spherical when he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas.
