Carlos Alcaraz Ousts Alex de Minaur To Reach Barcelona Open Semifinal

 

Carlos Alcaraz celebrates defeating Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinals 

Alex de Minaur has been knocked out of the Barcelona Open in a hard-fought quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz by 7-5, 6-3 as the Spaniard moved to the semi-finals for the first time since 2023. 

Both players' last meeting in Spain was at the 2022 edition of the tournament, which Alcaraz won in three sets by 6-7, 7-6, 6-4. That was the last time Alcaraz dropped a set in Barcelona and has maintained a 13-0 unbeaten run of set wins at the tournament. 

Minaur was initially tough on Alcaraz, saving a breakpoint and winning two subsequent breaks to take 4-3 before Alcaraz rallied. Alcaraz won a break to claim a set point, and in the second set, he dictated and claimed his fourth break point for a match point. 

"I started quite badly with the serve," said Alcaraz. "It was just the first few games with my serve, then I think I improved a lot. I calmed myself down." 

Alacaraz is bidding for his third Barcelona Open title. His last appearance in the final was in 2023 when he won his second title at the tournament. He will face Arthur Fils in the semifinal.