Carlos Alcaraz continues his title defence with a straight-set win over Davidovich Fokina in Barcelona - UBITENNIS

Carlos Alcaraz continues his title defence with a straight-set win over Davidovich Fokina in Barcelona

By sampaolo
4 Min Read

Carlos Alcaraz edged his compatriot Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 7-6 (7-5) 6-4 to reach the semifinal at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell. Alcaraz beat a fellow Spaniard in straight sets for the second consecutive day after his win against Roberto Bautista Agut. 

Alcaraz earned the first break in the first game to open up a 3-1 lead. Davidovich Fokina broke back to draw level to 3-3. Alcaraz converted his third break point in the seventh game to take a 4-3 lead. Alcaraz failed to close out the first set, when he was serving at 5-4. Davidovich Fokina pulled back on serve for the second time in the 10th game to draw level to 5-5. 

Both players traded a mini-break three time in the tie-break. Davidovich was two points away from winning the tie-break four times but he never earned a set point. Alcaraz held his nerve and earned his fourth mini-break on the final point to win the tie-break 7-5, as Davidovich Fokina hit a forehand long. 

Alcaraz saved six break points in the third game of the second set to take a 2-1 lead and converted his fifth chance to open up a 3-1 lead. Davidovich Fokina broke straight back to draw level to 3-3 with a drop volley. Both players went on serve until the 12th game when Alcaraz earned the decisive break on his second match point to seal the win. 

Both players split 22 break points. Alcaraz converted four time to Davidovich Fokina’s 3. 

“It was really tough for me. I started playing pretty well, serving for the first set. I was not able to win that game. I was going really fast, a lot of things on my mind. After the first set, I was talking to myself, positive things, trying to play long rallies, trying to be there through the points, trying to feel more comfortable with myself”, said Alcaraz. 

Alcaraz set up a semifinal match against Daniel against Daniel Evans, who came back from one set down to beat Francisco Cerundolo 2-6 7-5 6-3. 

Alcaraz is aiming to become the first player able to win back-to-back titles in Barcelona  since Rafael Nadal triumphed three years in a row from 2016 to 2018. 

Alcaraz has extended his record to 8 wins to just 1 defeat at the Barcelona tournament. He lost just once against Frances Tiafoe in his debut at this tournament. He has not dropped a set in four Barcelona matches against fellow Spanish players. 

“It was really tough for me. I started playing pretty well, serving for the first set. I was not able to win that game. I was really fast. After the first set I was talking to myself, positive things, trying to play long rallies, trying to be there through the points, trying to feel more comfortable with myself”, said Alcaraz.

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