Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the quarterfinals of the Vienna Open for the second time in his career after coming through a difficult test against Nikoloz Basilashvili.

The Spaniard won the first set very comfortably in the clash with Basilashvili, winning five consecutive games from 1-1 to take the opener. But the Georgian, who reached the Almaty Open final last week, broke Alcaraz‘s serve in the second and ultimately forced the seven-time major champion to a tiebreak.

Alcaraz had to save three set points in the shootout before clinching it 13-11 to reach a 60th tour-level quarterfinal.

Carlos Alcaraz reacts after beating Nikoloz Basilashvili

“I’d say I’ve played very well,” said Alcaraz in his post-match on-court interview. “Overall, from the first point to the last, I think I’ve played fantastic tennis. I’m very pleased with the level I’ve shown today. In the first set, I was hitting the ball in an incredible way.

“I felt great on the court. I had the feeling that he couldn’t develop his usual game, that he couldn’t drag me into his rhythm, because I was playing with a ton of confidence. In the second set, I started pretty well, just like in the first.

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“But suddenly, in that game at 3-2 with my serve, I think I made a couple of errors. He raised his level and I allowed him to get back into the match. From there, the service games were very tight. He was playing really well. And obviously, that tie-break came along, which was a rollercoaster.

“He had some relatively easy balls to take the set, and I also had some pretty clear opportunities to close out the match. In the end, I didn’t capitalize on my chances. But I’m happy with the way I fought to get back into the match and, ultimately, secure the win in two sets.”

Carlos Alcaraz’s next opponent at the Vienna Open

Alcaraz will now fight for a place in the semifinals of the ATP 500 tournament against Tommy Paul, whom he has met nine times before on the ATP Tour. Alcaraz will enter the bout with the American confident, as he is on a six-match winning streak in their head-to-head.

Paul won two of their first three meetings, with both victories coming at the Canadian Open in 2022 and 2023. But since Alcaraz beat Paul for the second time at the 2023 Cincinnati Open, he has not lost to him.

Their last five meetings have come at the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the US Open and the 2024 Paris Olympics.