Madrid Open: Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz out; Elena Rybakina-Aryna Sabalenka set up semifinal clash

Men's world no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz was denied a third Madrid Open title when Andrey Rublev ousted him in their quarterfinal clash on Wednesday. 

The second-seeded Spaniard got off to a good start but then was outplayed by the seventh-seeded Rublev, losing 4-6 6-3 6-2 at the Caja Magica centre court. 

Rublev, seeking his second ATP 1000 title after winning Monte Carlo last year, will play Taylor Fritz in the semifinals.

Alcaraz, who had already struggled in a three-set win over Jan-Lennard Struff on Tuesday, looked out of sorts and was mistake-prone toward the end.

It was his first tournament after missing Monte Carlo and Barcelona because of a right forearm injury. 

Top-seed Jannik Sinner, on the other hand, withdrew from his quarterfinal against Felix Auger-Aliassime after his hip continued to trouble him, stating that he did not want to risk aggravating the injury. 

In women's singles, defending champion Aryna Sabalenka defeated 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva for the second straight year in Madrid to reach the women's semifinals.

The second-seeded Sabalenka didn't face a break point on her way to a 6-1 6-4 win in Wednesday's quarterfinals. She had beaten the teenage sensation in straight sets in the fourth round last year.

Sabalenka is due to face 4th seed Elena Rybakina, who saved two match points vs Yulia Putintseva to eventually win 4-6 7-6(4) 7-5 on Wednesday.