MADRID (AP) — Daniil Medvedev’s impressive run this season took a hit after a straight-set loss to qualifier Aslan Karatsev in the fourth round of the Madrid Open on Tuesday.
The 121st-ranked Karatsev dominated in a 7-6 (1), 6-4 win over the second-seeded Medvedev for his first victory against a top-10 opponent since 2021.
Medvedev entered the match with a tour-leading 33-4 record this year. The 29-year-old Karatsev is a former No. 14 in the world and has won three tour titles, the last in Sydney last year.
“I’m feeling great, playing well,” Karatsev said. “I just have to focus every match, so I will be prepared for the next one.”
The Russian will next play either Taylor Fritz or Zhang Zhizhen in the quarterfinals.
Another Russian advancing to the last eight was Karen Khachanov, who beat doubles partner Andrey Rublev 7-6 (8), 6-4 after saving two set points in the tiebreaker and breaking serve early in the second set.
Knocking out the fifth-ranked Rublev sealed Khachanov’s first win against a top-10 opponent on clay since 2019.
The Russians also met in Monte Carlo three weeks ago, when Rublev won on his way to capturing his maiden Masters 1000 title.