Carlos Alcaraz will play the semifinals of
Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. The world number 2 defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in two sets (7-6(5) 6-4) after a great match between the two Spanish players, and the reigning champion of the tournament will play the winner of Francisco Cerúndolo vs Daniel Evans.
The first set was an absolute match of equals. Although Alcaraz started the Barcelona Open match by breaking Davidovich's first serve to take a 2-0 lead, his opponent managed to level the score at 3-3. Immediately after that, Carlos Alcaraz pressed again to get another break, 4-3. Both won their respective serves, and at 5-4 and serving to close the first set, Davidovich surprised his compatriot with a new break and taking the first set to a tie break.
In the tiebreak, Alejandro Davidovich started the set on top after recovering from his lost first serve, winning three consecutive points to take a 1-3 lead. A succession of mini breaks left Alcaraz with a set point at 6-5, which he did not waste and took the set 7-6(5).
In the second set, Davidovich started at the same level as before, but all his efforts to take the lead seemed in vain. At 1-1, he had up to six break chances, but Alcaraz saved them all. That affected Alejandro Davidovich mentally, who immediately gave up his serve for the ATP No. 2 to take a 3-1 lead.
Alcaraz only had to stay solid for the remainder of the set to take a victory that was being hard fought by the two Spanish players. But Davidovich had not said his last word. The 23-year-old got a break at 3-1, and would serve for a 3-3 draw. Every game was proving to be a real battle.
The tie lasted until 4-4, with neither losing concentration as the decisive moment of the set approached. At 5-4 in favour of Alcaraz, the defending champion of the tournament had his first chance to close out the match. A double fault by Davidovich at the wrong time left Alcaraz 15-40, with two match balls. On the second, the world number 2 managed to break his opponent's serve, win the set 6-4 and advance to the semifinals.