Madrid Open: Carlos Alcaraz still wary of injured forearm

The Spaniard has cruised through to the Round of 16 via back-to-back straight-set wins. But he admits there is still some concern around the injury that saw him withdraw from the Monte Carlo masters at the 11th hour.\

I still don't trust my forearm completely, I'm still thinking about it," Alzaraz told the tournament website.

"I wouldn't say I'm hesitant, but the problem with my forearm is still on my mind. I love competing. Once I'm on court I try to do as well as possible, but every time I push it, every time I hit a forehand that's more aggressive than I have been doing, I start to think about how my forearm might react.

"In the end, we're all used to seeing me, myself included, hit my forehand at 200%, harder and harder. Juanki (Ferrero) often tells me there's no need, I just need to relax and let go, which is how I'm playing now. So maybe it's not 100% like my normal forehand, but it's close to 100% but in a different way. So right now I'm very happy with the way I'm playing. I'm hitting my forehand early, relaxed and trying to time it well, that's what we've been working on for a long time."

Waiting for Alcaraz in the third round is the talented Jan Lennard-Struff. Tuesday's encounter will be a rematch of last year's final. 

"He makes you uncomfortable, he has a great serve, he serves volleys, good shots from the baseline," continued the 20-year-old.  

"I know it won't be easy, but I'm very happy about the level I'm playing at. I know that at this level I can do great things, although it's not my priority right now. But I know that playing at this level I'll create opportunities to try and win the match, to have chances, but I know that I'm going to have to play at a good level, try and make him uncomfortable and see how the match goes."

READ MORE: Defending champions Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka march on at Madrid Open