Alcaraz lifts the Madrid Open trophy. EFE

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz remains as world tennis number two despite Madrid triumph

The 20-year-old Spaniard made it back-to-back wins in the Mutua Madrid Open as he beat veteran Jan-Lennard Struff

Antonio Garrido

Madrid

Monday, 8 May 2023 | Updated 10/05/2023 17:18h.

Carlos Alcaraz will arrive at Roland Garros later this month as world tennis number two after a hard-fought victory over veteran Jan-Lennard Struff (6-4, 3-6, 6-3) in 2 hours and 25 minutes helped him to claim his second successive victory in the Mutua Madrid Open on Sunday.

In doing so, the 20-year-old from Murcia became only the second player, after Rafael Nadal, to win back-to-back titles at the Caja Mágica stadium in Spain's capital.

A stubborn opponent

Alcaraz enjoyed a dream start to the match, breaking "lucky loser" Struff’s serve in the first game. The veteran German, 33, fought back to return the favour in the fourth but the Spaniard produced another break and closed the set 6-4.

In the second set, Struff’s aggressive returns helped him to a 3-0 lead, which he ultimately took 6-3.

However, the young Spaniard, fresh off his victory in Barcelona, came to life in the third set, breaking to lead 3-1 and taking the set 6-3.

"Today I enjoyed it at times. There were some difficult moments. Nerves sometimes got the better of me but I think I enjoyed it more than I suffered today," said Alcaraz who, marking Mothers' Day in Spain, added: "That's for you, mum!"