Carlos Alcaraz Produces Another Dominant Display To Reach Rotterdam Open Semifinal
News
Carlos Alcaraz is on the cusp of the first indoor ATP final of his career after thrashing compatriot Pedro Martinez in the 2025 Rotterdam Open quarterfinal.
Alcaraz had never played in Rotterdam before this year. He usually competes in South America in February at the Argentina Open and Rio Open but he switched to hard courts this season in Rotterdam and has also signed up for the upcoming 2025 Qatar Open.
The Spaniard navigated a tricky opening match in his first contest in Rotterdam. He faced home favorite Botic van de Zandschulp, who stunningly defeated him in the second round of the 2024 US Open.
Van de Zandschulp also teamed up with Wesley Koolhof to beat Alcaraz and Marcel Granollers in the deciding match between Team Spain and Team Netherlands at the 2024 Davis Cup Finals. That moment ended Rafael Nadal's career.
Alcaraz had another tough match against van de Zandschulp but prevailed this time. He overcame him in three sets, setting up a clash against Andrea Vavassaori in the round of 16.
The Italian's ranking outside the Top 100 meant it would have been very surprising if he seriously challenged Alcaraz. Last year's French Open and Wimbledon champion dropped just three games in a thumping victory.
Martinez, another Spaniard, undoubtedly knew how difficult facing Alcaraz would be. There was no pressure on him because of being such a heavy underdog, but that did not help his cause in Rotterdam.
Alcaraz immediately stamped his authority by breaking in the opening game. Martinez saved two break points before the pressure told on the third. Starting well felt essential for the lower-ranked Spaniard, and his task became even more difficult after he had not done so.
In truth, Alcaraz never looked in danger throughout the match. Martinez, a feisty and gritty competitor, could not be faulted for a lack of effort. In his next service game, he bravely held from 0-30 down to get on the scoreboard.
That was only a brief moment of hope for Martinez. Alcaraz broke again with superb hitting from the baseline. Martinez does not have a powerful enough serve to get free points, making things challenging for him in this matchup.
The four-time Grand Slam champion did not need to break again and comfortably held to take the opening set 6-2. He did not face a break point throughout and victory already seemed inevitable at that stage.
Alcaraz underlined that point by starting another set with a break. That included a screaming forehand winner that left Martinez looking crestfallen. The 27-year-old was still running and trying, but his body language showed he knew a defeat was looming.
Martinez held after a lengthy game to avoid any chance of losing the second set 0-6. His subsequent service game was also lengthy, but he could not hold on that time, and Alcaraz broke again.
The two-time Wimbledon champion served superbly throughout the contest and went the whole match without conceding a break point. Alcaraz broke for a fifth time to seal a second consecutive 6-2, 6-1 triumph in Rotterdam after a terrific performance.
