Carlos Alcaraz defeated top-class Stefanos Tsitsipas in a three-set rollercoaster to reach the Barcelona semifinals on Friday, becoming the youngest player since Rafael Nadal in 2005 to reach the world top 10. five Tsitsipas, who successfully defended his Monte Carlo Masters title last weekend, 6-4, 5-7, 6-2. On Monday, Alcaraz will become the first teenager to make the top 10 since Andy Murray in 2007 and the youngest since compatriot and 21-time big winner Nadal 17 years ago. “Probably my biggest win on clay. It was unbelievable,” said Alcaraz on the track.
“Incredible race, incredible atmosphere I experienced on track today. It was incredible everything. It was incredible.”
Alcaraz’s win in the 21st match of 2022 could have ended in straight sets as he led 4-1 in the second set.
However, he recovered and went through the decider to set up a semi-final showdown against Australian Alex De Minaur as he looks to be one step closer to a third title of the year after Rio and the Miami Masters. .
Friday’s win was his third in three encounters against Greek star Tsitsipas whose mood was not helped on Friday when he was given two separate penalties for a break halfway through the set trailing 0-3 in the third set and a time violation.
All 12 games took place on Friday, while only two were possible on Thursday, as the city was drenched in heavy rain.
De Minaur defeated British fourth seed Cameron Norrie 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 in his quarterfinals.
Earlier in the day, Norrie had exhausted three and a half hours to beat Marton Fucsovics 7-5, 6-7 (9/11), 6-4 in his delayed third round clash.
By contrast, De Minaur secured his place in the quarter-finals when South African Lloyd Harris retired after dropping the first set 6-0.
Pablo Carreno Busta and Diego Schwartzman meet in the other semifinal after also doing double duty on Friday.
Carreno Busta saved three match points against second-seeded Casper Ruud of Norway, then overcame an early break in the third set to survive 4-6, 7-6 (8/10), 6-3 after three hours.
“I’m so, so happy with this win,” said the 30-year-old Spaniard who beat Lorenzo Sonego in another three-setter earlier in the day.
“It was very emotional today playing in front of my people, at my house. I was a set after playing for three hours this morning, so it’s very, very difficult to come back.”
promoted
Schwartzman, the sixth seed, reached the semifinals by beating third-seeded Felix Auger-Aliassime 3-6, 6-2, 6-3.
The Argentine spent just over four hours on the track on Friday, beating Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 7-5 in the third round.
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