Home-crowd favorite Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Madrid Open because of muscle injuries. The third-ranked Spaniard says he doesn't want to risk making things worse ahead of the French Open.

MADRID, SPAIN — Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn from the Madrid Open after sustaining an injury to his right adductor muscle, as well as an injury in his left hamstring. Alcaraz confirmed his withdrawal during a news conference in Madrid, in which he said that he hoped to be fit for the Italian Open in Rome, which begins May 7.

Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Madrid Open on Thursday after the second seed said he was struggling with hamstring and groin injuries as the 21-year-old takes a break to recover for his French Open title defence next month.

This time Iga Swiatek had the answers against teenage sensation Alexandra Eala. Swiatek lost to the rising star from the Philippines in the Miami quarterfinals last month.

After a quarterfinal loss to the rising star from the Philippines last month in Miami, Swiatek rallied to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory in the second round of the Madrid Open on Thursday. The second-ranked Swiatek,