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Rafael Nadal has to bow to Jiri Lehecka in two sets in the round of 16 in Madrid. Alexander Zverev also gets stuck.
Clay court king Rafael Nadal (37) was eliminated in the round of 16 at the ATP Masters in Madrid. The five-time tournament winner lost to the Czech Jiri Lehecka, 15 years his junior, 5:7, 4:6. After three victories in the Spanish capital, Nadal was visibly running out of energy late on Tuesday evening.
Nadal has improved noticeably compared to his comeback two weeks ago in Barcelona. He achieved three victories in the Spanish capital, including the one against Alex de Minaur (AUS), ranked eleventh in the world rankings. Against Lehecka, number 31 in the ranking, Nadal received a late break in the first set and an early one in the second set.
Setback for Zverev
Alexander Zverev also suffered another setback before the French Open (from May 26th). When he left in Madrid, he surprisingly lacked the playing resources and variety against ATP number 22, Francisco Cerundolo from Argentina.
However, it is quite possible that the Hamburg player was still feeling the strain of his last game in the round of 16, which he lost 3:6, 4:6. Because on Sunday evening the Olympic champion was in action against Denis Shapovalov until almost 1:00 a.m.
Alcaraz wins in extremis
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz narrowly missed the round of 16 exit. The world number 3 prevailed in the reprise of last year’s final against Jan-Lennard Struff (GER) 6:3, 6:7 (5:7), 7:6 (7:4).