Carlos Alcaraz matches Rafael Nadal's record to reach Madrid Open quarter-finals

Reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz managed to survive a tense encounter against Jan-Lennard Struff to advance to the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open.

In a rematch of last year's final, Alcaraz was pushed to a decisive set tie-break by the German 23rd seed, having missed out on four match points at 5-3.

However, in front of a home crowd, the world number three emerged victorious after nearly three hours, clinching a 6-3 6-7 (5-7) 7-6 (7-4) triumph.

Alcaraz, who has won the last two editions of the Madrid Open, equalled Nadal's record for the longest winning streak at the tournament, standing at 14 matches since its inception in 2002.

The 20-year-old will now square off against Russian seventh seed Andrey Rublev, who earlier defeated Dutchman Tallon Griekspoor 6-2 6-4 on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, Italian top seed Jannik Sinner remains on track for his fourth title of 2024 after overcoming Karen Khachanov 5-7 6-3 6-3.

The Australian Open champion responded well to losing his first set of the tournament, setting up a quarter-final clash with Norway's in-form Casper Ruud or Auger-Aliassime.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Daniil Medvedev secured a victory over Kazakhstan's Alexander Bublik with a score of 7-6 (7-3) 6-4.

The world number four from Russia, who will face five-time winner Rafael Nadal or Jiri Lehecka next, has now progressed to at least the quarter-finals in all nine ATP Masters 1000 events.

German fourth seed Alexander Zverev, the 2021 champion, suffered a 6-3 6-4 loss to Francisco Cerundolo.

The Argentine 11th seed will now take on America's Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals after the 12th seed defeated Hubert Hurkacz of Poland in straight sets.