Carlos Alcaraz booked his place in the last 16 of the Vienna Open with a straight-sets victory over Karen Khachanov, but Alexander Zverev did not have it so easy.

In his first match since a second-round exit at the Shanghai Masters, Alcaraz won 6-4 7-6 (7-5) in two hours and four minutes.

After an even start on serve, it was Alcaraz who blinked first as Khachanov converted his first break-point opportunity in game five, but the second seed answered back immediately with one of his own.

Khachanov managed to save a break point in game eight, but could do nothing to stop Alcaraz from winning the set with another break shortly after.

Alcaraz applied more pressure on Khachanov, who responded remarkably as he fended off three match points in game 10 before converting a break point a game later.

However, Alcaraz then broke to love to force a tie-break, which he won with his fourth match point.

Zverev, meanwhile, was pushed all the way by Martin Landaluce.

The top seed took the first set easily enough, but Landaluce rallied in the second and then forced a tie-break in the decider.

Zverev had to save four match points, but he eventually prevailed 7-5 3-6 7-6 (13-11).

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

Alcaraz keeps ATP 500 streak going

Alcaraz has shown the inconsistency expected after a long injury lay-off, following up his Tokyo triumph with an unexpected loss in Shanghai.

He recorded three aces and three double faults in this encounter and failed to save either of the break points he faced, but won 80% of his first-serve points (35/44) and 100% of his net points (11/11).

Nevertheless, the Spaniard is now 22-0 at ATP 500 level since losing the final in Barcelona to Holger Rune in April 2025, as he looks for a fourth title this season.

Next up for Alcaraz will be either home favourite Jurij Rodionov or Nikoloz Basilashvili, who reached the Almaty final last week.

That tie will take place on Wednesday, when the likes of Daniil Medvedev, Alex De Minaur and Frances Tiafoe are also in action.