Rafael Nadal Photo: VCG

 

Rafael Nadal began his bid for a sixth Madrid Open title in simple fashion on Wednesday, easing past youngster Carlos Alcaraz 6-1, 6-2 to reach the last 16.

Nadal, who returned to No.2 in the world last week after his thrilling win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Barcelona final, strolled past his 18-year-old opponent in the Spanish capital.

Ranked 120 in the world, Alcaraz walked out to fans singing "happy birthday" - and later received a cake - as he celebrated his birthday playing against his childhood idol.

Alcaraz battled bravely and even broke his compatriot Nadal's serve in the second set but was predictably overwhelmed by one of the game's greats.

"The victory in Barcelona helped me a lot. Things have got better since," said Nadal, reserving special praise for his vanquished opponent.

"He has a lot of potential. He's young and a good guy. He already has a great level of tennis today, but I really believe that he's going to be a fantastic player in the near future."

Nadal will take on Alexei Popyrin in the next round after the Australian knocked out rising star Jannik Sinner 7-6 (7/5), 6-2.

Tsitsipas, the 2019 runner-up, demolished Benoit Paire 6-1, 6-2 in less than an hour, with the Frenchman hampered by an abdominal injury. 

The Greek fourth seed picked up his joint ATP-leading 27th win of the season and will meet ­Norway's Casper Ruud for a quarterfinal berth.

Earlier, second seed Daniil Medvedev, returning to the circuit after testing positive for COVID-19 in mid-April, picked up his first win on clay for two years when he came back from a set down to beat Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 4-6, 6-4, 6-2.

The Russian has always struggled on clay.

In four attempts, he has failed to get past the first round of the French Open. Nor has he won a match in Rome while this was his first win in Madrid in his third appearance.

In total, the 2021 Australian Open finalist has only 11 wins on the surface although he will have the chance to make that 12 when he takes on Cristian Garin in the last 16.

Fifth seed Alexander Zverev swept past Kei Nishikori in straight sets 6-3, 6-2.

World No.9 Diego Schwartzman was dumped out by Aslan Karatsev 2-6, 6-4, 6-1. In-form Russian Karatsev will take on Alexander Bublik in the next round.

In the women's draw, Ashleigh Barty will take on Paula Badosa in the semifinals after beating Petra Kvitova 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 on Wednesday.

World No.1 Barty is chasing her fourth singles title of the year after her triumph in Stuttgart 10 days ago.

In the last four she faces the woman who knocked her out in the quarterfinals in Charleston in early April.

On Wednesday, the Australian came out on top against two-time Wimbledon champion Kvitova, the winner in Madrid tournament in 2011, 2015 and 2018.