Vienna Open: Alcaraz Downs Khachanov, Zverev Outlasts Landaluce

Alcaraz cruises past Khachanov

Carlos Alcaraz beats Khachanov in straight sets on his Vienna return, while Alexander Zverev saves four match points to edge Landaluce in a three-hour thriller.

Zverev saves four match points in Vienna as Alcaraz advances...

Carlos Alcaraz made a winning start at the Vienna Open on Tuesday, beating Karen Khachanov in straight sets, while Alexander Zverev saved four match points to overcome Martin Landaluce in a marathon match.

Third-ranked Alcaraz dispatched the former world No. 8 from Russia 6-4, 7-6 (7/5) in their opening-round clash.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion made a late decision to enter the 500-level tournament in the Austrian capital, an event he had not played since 2021.

Having been out from mid-April to the end of August with a wrist injury, Alcaraz has endured inconsistent form since his comeback, which included a third-round defeat at the Shanghai Masters at the start of October in his last appearance.

“I really enjoyed it, even though I had to run, had to fight, had to sweat a lot. We both played great shots, great points. I would say it was a great match to watch and I'm really happy about it,” Alcaraz said.

Alcaraz was forced to battle against the 30-year-old big hitter, coming back from a break down to claim the opening set.

The second set was tightly contested, but Alcaraz came through a close tie-break with a perfectly judged drop shot to close out the contest.

Carlos Comes Through! 👏 Carlos Alcaraz takes out Khachanov 6-4, 7-6 in a highly entertaining encounter in Vienna 🤝 @ErsteBankOpen @carlosalcaraz https://t.co/3y0ywsFOIn

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 27, 2026

The 23-year-old will now meet either Georgia's Nikoloz Basilashvili or home favourite Jurij Rodionov in the last 16.

Zverev kept his hopes of finishing as world No. 1 before the end of the year alive with a 7-5, 3-6, 7-6 (13/11) victory over Landaluce.

“(I was pushed) to the absolute limit,” Zverev said. “Credit to (Landaluce), he played an amazing match.”

Zverev is set to end the season as world No. 1, but if he wins his next match against either Tallon Griekspoor or Brandon Nakashima to reach the quarter-finals in Vienna, he will take that position from the injured Jannik Sinner in next Monday's rankings update.

Take a bow, BOTH of you! 🫡 An incredible battle between Zverev and Landaluce, capped off by a classy embrace at the net ❤️ @ErsteBankOpen | #ErsteBankOpen https://t.co/SgHD1SwxD3

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 27, 2026

He earned a key second break against the 20-year-old Spaniard's serve in the 12th game to win the first set 7-5.

Landaluce responded, however, by moving ahead early in the second set and holding serve to force a deciding set.

Sascha survives a SCARE 😳 The 2021 champ digs deep to overcome a spirited Landaluce in Vienna! 👏 @ErsteBankOpen | #ErsteBankOpen https://t.co/Uw2h4KygUL

— ATP Tour (@atptour) October 27, 2026

The deciding set remained on serve until Zverev led 6-5, and the 29-year-old carved out two match points on Landaluce's serve, but the young Spaniard stood firm to force a tie-break.

Zverev battled through a dramatic breaker, saving four match points for Landaluce before securing victory on his fifth opportunity when the world No. 67 sent a forehand wide, ending a three-hour, five-minute battle.