Carlos Alcaraz once again delivered a performance that showcased his peak form, overcoming a cautious start against Nicola Kuhn at the Hamburg Open. The Murcian appeared to press for a breakthrough as the match progressed, especially in the second set, where his aggression and precision helped him seize control. Yet Filip Krajinovic did not surrender easily in the opening set, testing Alcaraz with timely breaks and stubborn resistance before the Spaniard sealed the tie-break with a display of both persistence and high-intensity shotmaking.
In the first set, Alcaraz lived through moments of uncertainty but managed to steady his game and express his signature style. He required a tie-break to subdue a resilient Krajinovic who fought to keep pace. When the pressure mounted in the crucial phase, Alcaraz unleashed a broad repertoire that underscored his status as one of the sport’s rising stars, ultimately earning the first set in a tense decider.
The set flow remained balanced for much of the action as both players dropped and held serves in turn. Krajinovic managed to strike first blood, breaking Alcaraz and signaling a potential shift in momentum. The Serb then held his service to pull ahead, creating a scenario where Alcaraz faced a deficit. But the Spaniard rallied impressively, winning back-to-back games to climb back into contention and eventually collect a narrow 7-6 set victory after a grueling tie-break that highlighted Alcaraz’s grit and late-game execution.
The second set opened with renewed energy for Alcaraz.
Armed with a warmer, more confident forehand and a refreshed rhythm, Alcaraz began to dictate rallies, firing multiple aggressively directed shots that kept Krajinovic under continuous pressure. His first-serve percentage rose, and when Krajinovic managed to land a first serve, he could not blunt the Spaniard’s elevated pace. Alcaraz converted his second-serve opportunities with purpose, seizing a commanding 3-1 lead as Krajinovic’s resistance waned.
Krajinovic’s morale deteriorated as Alcaraz stretched the margin, exploiting angles and depth to force repeated errors. The Serb dropped his serve again, widening the gap to 4-1 and signaling a favorable path for the rising star to close out in straight sets. Just when the match seemed decided, Krajinovic found a lifeline by breaking back to make it 4-2, briefly reigniting doubt about the outcome. However, Alcaraz steadied his level, reclaimed momentum, and finished the match with two decisive games, securing a quarterfinal berth.
The outcome positioned Alcaraz to face Karen Khachanov in a high-profile quarterfinal clash on Friday, a match followed by anticipation that the young Spaniard will bring the same aggressive baseline play and tactical variety to push deeper in Hamburg. Khachanov, ranked No. 26 at the time, had recently claimed a tough win over Fabio Fognini, signaling a stern test for Alcaraz as both players prepared for a decisive phase of the tournament. The Hamburg Open remains a critical stop for both players as they seek to sharpen form and momentum ahead of the late-season schedule. [Attribution: ATP Tour]