Medvedev, not fond of clay, fell 7-6 (7/1), 6-4 to Aslan Karatsev, a surprise semifinalist of the 2021 Australian Open who fell out of the top 100.

Earlier, Rublev, one of the in-form players of the clay season, was surprised by Karen Khachanov (12th) on the same score, but 10 points to 8 in the decisive game.

Rublev remained on a first title in Masters 1000 won in Monte-Carlo in mid-April followed by a final in Banja Luka (Bosnia), lost to the Serbian Dusan Lajovic (40th). Medvedev stopped in the quarterfinals in the Principality.

Andrey Rublev during his match against compatriot Karen Khachanov on May 2, 2023 in the eighth round of the Masters 1000 tournament in Madrid. The Russian remained on a first title in Masters 1000 won in Monte-Carlo and a final in Banja Luka. He was surprised by Kachanov in straight sets © Thomas COEX / AFP / Archives

Khachanov will challenge world No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz or outgoing finalist Alexander Zverev of Germany for a place in the final four in the Spanish capital. This will be his first quarter-final on ochre in Masters 1000.

Karatsev will face either American Taylor Fritz (10th) or China's Zhizhen Zhang (99th) in the first Masters 1000 quarterfinal of his career.

Very high balls

In the women's draw, world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka clinched the first ticket to the semifinals of the WTA 1000 tournament after defeating Egypt's Mayar Sherif (59th) 2-6, 6-2, 6-1.

Sabalenka, crowned for the first time in Grand Slam at the Australian Open in January and finalist on the clay of Stuttgart (Germany) ten days ago, will face either the Greek Maria Sakkari (9th), or the Romanian Irina-Camélia Begu (35th) Thursday for a place in the final.

Disoriented in the first set by the confusing game of Sherif, for the first time in the quarterfinals in a tournament of this category, and who does not hesitate to multiply the (very) high balls, the 24-year-old Belarusian tried, successfully, to find her rhythm in the next two sets. She won in two hours sharp.

Aryna Sabalenka during her quarterfinal of the WTA 1000 tournament in Madrid against Mayar Sherif. Disoriented in the first set by the Egyptian's confusing game, the Belarusian, world No. 2, found her rhythm in the next © two sets Thomas COEX / AFP / Archives

"I just tried to keep fighting, to play my game, to find my rhythm. It was very difficult. I'm very happy with this win," she said.

Sabalenka has reached at least the quarterfinals in the seven tournaments (including Madrid) she has played in 2023.

© 2023 AFP