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Carlos Alcaraz continues to carve his name into tennis history, not just with his trophies, but with the respect and admiration he commands from his opponents. The young Spanish sensation, already a multiple Grand Slam champion, has been lauded for his extraordinary consistency, mental fortitude, and all-court brilliance — qualities that leave even seasoned rivals in awe.
Andrey Rublev’s road to the quarterfinal clash
Andrey Rublev, fresh off a commanding 6-2, 6-3 victory over Francisco Comesana at the Cincinnati Open, booked his place in the quarterfinals of an ATP Masters 1000 event for the first time in 2025. The world No. 11 will now face Alcaraz, a rematch of their intense Wimbledon encounter earlier this summer, where the Spaniard prevailed in four sets.
While Rublev is no stranger to competing against the world’s best, his experience against Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon left him with a clear understanding of what makes the 22-year-old nearly untouchable on court.
The secret to Carlos Alcaraz’s dominance
Speaking ahead of their Cincinnati showdown, Rublev shared his candid take on the challenge of facing Alcaraz.
“That I must keep working, that it’s the right path; it’s the level I need to aim for to be able to compete,” Andrey Rublev said, reflecting on their previous battle.
He emphasized that Carlos Alcaraz’s game is built on a level of consistency few can match. “I just need to keep building, consolidating and improving, so that I can sustain that level for a long time, without any dips. At that level, one or two points, and you get broken,” he explained.
The Russian also pointed out that against players of Alcaraz’s caliber, there’s no room for even the slightest lapse in focus.
“Against players like that, you have to play at that level for four hours without losing focus even slightly. That is what I am aiming for,” Rublev concluded.
More than just physical talent
What sets Alcaraz apart isn’t just his explosive forehand, razor-sharp returns, or lightning-fast court coverage. According to Andrey Rublev, it’s his ability to maintain peak performance throughout grueling matches — mentally and physically. This composure under pressure, coupled with an unwavering intensity, allows the Spaniard to dominate rallies, adapt to any playing style, and capitalize on the smallest opportunities.
As the tennis world turns its eyes to their Cincinnati Open clash, the stage is set for another thrilling chapter in Carlos Alcaraz’s journey — and another chance for Rublev to test himself against the gold standard of modern tennis.
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