Alcaraz defeats Davidovich and is already in the semi-finals

Carlos Alcarazthe current Barcelona Open champion, he reached the semi-finals of the tournament by defeating compatriot Alejandro Davidovich, the tenth seed, by a score of 7-6(5) and 6-4, in two hours and ten minutes of play. A more erratic Alcaraz than usual complicated the first set, despite starting by breaking his opponent’s serve. Davidovich seemed to adapt better than his opponent to the changing windy conditions that reappeared on center court, and defended well, attacking with his right hand at every opportunity.

The Málaga man, who has never faced Alcaraz to date, equalized with break in the sixth game, which Murcian returned to him in the next game, but Davidovich’s new break in the tenth gave him a 5-6 lead. It even went 0-30 to win the first set, but Alcaraz eventually forced it undecided. In the tiebreak, Davidovich again took the initiative, although with a minimal electronic advantage. Alcaraz was in a hurry to shorten the points, but his forehand did not suit him and he failed to overcome his opponent every time he went up to the net.

But at 5-5, two incomprehensible unforced errors by Davidovich ended with his opponent winning the longest set of the entire tournament (78 minutes). six balls break exhausted Malaga in the third game of the second set, it seemed that they would mark the outcome of the match. Alcaraz saved them all and in the next game broke his opponent’s serve and sneaked to 3-1 and served. But again, Davidovich recovered the lost ground with another break to win his serve for 3-3.

The tie continued in the following matches. Alcaraz then decided to calm down his tennis, prolong the exchanges and let the man from Malaga take more risks, until he made a mistake. And with 5-4 in their favor, the break a final that would give the second set and the match to the current champion of the tournament in Barcelona. Carlos Alcaraz will face the winner of the final game of the day this Saturdayfor which the British Daniel Evans, the twelfth seed, and the Argentine Francisco Cerúndolo (15) will play next.