Unstoppable Alcaraz Wins Again To Book Barcelona Semifinals

| by Alfredo Bassanelli

Carlos Alcaraz will be playing in the 2023 Barcelona Open semifinals after beating Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

It seems that only bad health can stop the young Spaniard in 2023. While the victories of his opponents shouldn't be underestimated, it's important to mention that Alcaraz wasn't 100% fit when he lost to Cameron Norrie in Rio de Janeiro, and he also wasn't at his best during the semifinal match with Jannik Sinner in Miami.

Since it's quite trendy recently to doubt injuries of players, those of Alcaraz can certainly not be doubted as the 19-year-old withdrew from the following tournament after both of the unfit matches. However, what's important is the fact, that when Alcaraz is fit, he seems to be unstoppable.

After comfortably cruising through the first three rounds of the 2023 Barcelona Open, the Spaniard took on yet another compatriot, this time the tenth-seeded Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who defeated Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Emil Ruusuvuori in his first two matches.

Alcaraz's Fearless Playstyle Concerns Coach Ferrero: 'No Hanbrake'
Alcaraz's Fearless Playstyle Concerns Coach Ferrero: 'No Hanbrake'

While the two had never met on the ATP Tour before, ahead of their match, Alcaraz revealed that they know each other really well. And it was maybe the familiarity of his opponent that gave the teenager a quick lead in the first set as he broke first and led already 3-1.

But the same factor could have contributed also to Davidovich Fokina's comeback that he had to repeat after his younger opponent broke once more. Since the first twelve games couldn't decide the opening set between the two, a tie-break had to be played.

Both players had their chances in a tie-break, but eventually Alcaraz proved to be the calmer player in crucial moments and took the first set after winning the tie-break 7-5.

The world no. 2 wanted to avoid going into a tie-break in the second set. Both players had multiple break points but only a couple of them were used in the early stages. Alcaraz broke first and Davidovich Fokina broke back as we were seemingly heading into another tie-break.

But this time, Alcaraz pulled out a few great returns to break in the tenth game of the second set and win the match 7-6(5), 6-4 to advance to the 2023 Barcelona Open semifinals.

He will now await to see who will be the winner of the match between the 12th-seeded Daniel Evans and 15th-seeded Francisco Cerundolo.

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