Sports Pundit spoke to the semifinalist during the press conference, staged after the match.
World No. 121 Aslan Karatsev hit the Manolo Santana Stadium to face tournament sensation, Zhizhen Zhang, the first Chinese man to progress to a Masters 1000 quarterfinal, setting off Thursday action at the event.
The qualifier edged the Chinese player 7-6(3), 6-4 after one hour and 40 minutes, becoming the second qualifier in the tournament history (since 2002) to make it through to the last four in Madrid.
In his on-court interview, he asserted: “I am happy with my condition. Back to the top level, playing well and feeling well.”
“From the qualifying, match by match, it has got harder. Mentally, you have to be there more. Because your opponent doesn’t give you any free points, you have to be there yourself. The important thing is now to recover well.”
The matchup marked their second meeting at tour level, with Karatsev drawing level in their series.
The three-time ATP Tour titlist made a slow start to the opener, which almost cost him high, saving three break points in the third game to hold at 2-1.
The first set remained tight as Zhang delivered a consistent performance behind his serve from the get-go, winning 70 percent of the first serve points, while his opponent raised his level, winning 78 percent on his.
Karatsev clean ball striking made an entrance as the 29-year-old began to find his firepower on the main court.
The parity between the players led to a first-set tiebreaker, which he took, recovering from a 0-3 deficit to level up at 3-3 shortly after, taking the last six points of the tiebreak to notch a 7-6(3) victory in 60 minutes.
The man who took the tennis world by surprise in 2021, advancing to the Australian Open semifinals on his Grand Slam debut - also coming from qualifying, broke to open the second set, holding to earn a 2-0 lead.
Mentally and physically strong, the former World No. 14 did not face a breakpoint on his serve across the second set, marching to seal a 6-4 triumph in 41 minutes, booking his place on Friday’s semifinals.
Overall, he outlasted the 26-year-old, winning 82 percent of the first serve points, while Zhang won just 69 percent on his.
In addition, he fired 29 winners, saving all three breakpoint opportunities he faced. Flawless at the net, he won 11 of 11 net approaches.
In the post-match press conference, Sports Pundit asked Karatsev about his journey over the last two years, in which he advanced to his first semifinal at a grand slam from qualifying, and today, repeating the feat but at a Masters 1000 level.
How’s been your journey throughout those two years from the mental side, keeping up with the ups and lows in your career?
There are always ups and downs, but I had a really big down, let’s say. But also, it’s related to some personal reasons. Also, we started [to work] again with the coach that I worked with before; we started in Basel. [I am] really happy that we found a way to start working together. It has really helped me. Like, this is the guy who can help me most of the coaches right now, on and off the court. So, we have a really good combination.
Now, the experience that I get from the past two years, I think I have it more now. Now, it’s more calm. You stay a bit [more] focused on the things that you have to do.
The Vladikavkaz native came through qualifying to secure a place in the main draw, making the most out of his chances in Spain.
In his first-rounder, he took down Serbian Laslo Djere to then overcome 23rd seed Botic van de Zandschulp 6-2, 7-5, setting a clash with 16th seed Australian Alex de Minaur.
Against De Minaur, he claimed his first Top 20 victory in two years, reaching the third round in the Spanish city capital on Monday.
Building momentum, Karatsev stunned second seed Daniil Medvedev in straight sets on his way to the quarterfinals.
Further reflecting on his journey into the season, he outlined: “I started the year inside the Top 100, then I dropped and lost some matches.”
“You have to keep going and believe, and I have a team behind me that is always supporting me and believing in me.”
Meanwhile, Zhang’s impressive run on Spanish soil began by beating Austrian qualifying Jurij Rodionov, recording his first career victory at this level.
On Saturday, the Shanghai-born player rallied against 21st seed Denis Shapovalov, prevailing in three sets.
Next, he shocked 11th seed Cameron Norrie and American top racquet Taylor Fritz.
Against the eighth seed, the first player from China to break into the Top 100 (October 2022) clinched his third consecutive win from a set down, saving three match points to defeat Fritz, 3-6, 7-6 (5), 7-6 (8), securing his place in the tournament last eight, a first at a Masters 1000 level in his career.
Karatsev will face fourth-seeded Stefanos Tsitsipas or lucky loser Jan Lennard Struff in the semifinals.
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