Alcaraz rallies past Djere to book Barcelona quarter-final spot
Carlos Alcaraz overcame a second-set scare to defeat Laslo Djere 6-2, 6-4 on Thursday and reach the Barcelona Open quarter-finals, where a clash with seventh-ranked Alex de Minaur awaits.
The world number two looked in full control early on the Catalan clay, easing through the first set without facing a break point and firing eight winners to Djere’s zero. The Serbian world number 80 offered a brief challenge in the second, breaking Alcaraz for a 4-2 lead, but the Spaniard stormed back with four straight games to seal the win.
“After going 4-2 down in the second, I played more like my real level,” said Alcaraz. “I’m happy to have stepped up and I want to keep this going.”
De Minaur, Alcaraz’s next opponent, crushed Jacob Fearnley 6-1, 6-2 in just over an hour. Fearnley, a lucky loser making his debut on clay, struggled with 28 unforced errors and failed to convert either of his break points.
Alcaraz, who won Monte Carlo last week and is preparing to defend his French Open crown, welcomed the strong competition in the last eight: “It’s good for the tournament that all the favourites are through. From now on, it’s going to be a real battle.”
Davidovich Fokina stuns Rublev
Earlier in the day, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina notched his first win over Andrey Rublev in six attempts, defeating the world number eight 7-5, 6-4. The Spaniard broke the Russian three times in a seesaw first set and held firm in the second to seal a straight-sets win.
He’ll now face Russia’s Karen Khachanov, who beat Spain’s Jaume Munar 7-5, 6-4 despite converting just four of 15 break points.
Ruud, Tsitsipas also in action Friday
Defending champion Casper Ruud faces Holger Rune, while 2024 finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas will battle French prospect Arthur Fils in the other quarter-finals as the tournament heads into a stacked final stretch.
(Source: AFP)
