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World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz defeated compatriot Alejandro Devivic Fokina 7-6(5) 6-4 at the Barcelona Open on Friday afternoon.
The reigning champion was occasionally stretched but rose to every challenge his countryman threw at him.
Alcaraz beat two Spaniards on his way to the semi-finals of the ATP 500 tournament after defeating Roberto Bautista Agut on Thursday.
«It was very difficult for me,» Alcaraz said after the game.
I started playing well while serving for the first set.
“I could not win [that game]… I was going so fast, so many things were on my mind.
«[After the first set] I was talking to myself, positive things, trying to play a long line, trying. [be there] Through the points, trying to feel more comfortable with myself.
Although he didn’t play his best tennis on a cold and windy day in Barcelona, Alcaraz capitalized on crucial opportunities after losing the lead in both sets. As the level fluctuated, he relied on his sure fire at several crucial points and seemed to win himself over at the end of each set.
The match lasted two hours and ten minutes, with Davidvich Fokina challenging Alcaraz against his power. On four occasions he came within two points of winning the first set, but never faced a set point after letting the lead slip away early in the final.
In an instant classic, the pair split 22 points with Alcaraz converting four to his opponent’s three to finally end the day.
Alcaraz survived six breaks to take a 2-1 lead in the second and came up big in the next game when Davidvich Fokina fired in the match and perhaps the winner of the week. And he returned to his side of the net, prompting a wry smile from Alcaraz.
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«The hot shot is from him today,» Alcaraz said.
“He played really good, fantastic shots. Maybe not just a hot shot. Many of them did, maybe more than me. It was a very interesting match.»
Alcaraz won the game in stoppage time in the last game and will now await the result to determine the final 4 clash between Great Britain’s Dan Evans and Francisco Cerundolo on Friday night in Barcelona.
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