2 weeks Ago
BARCELONA, Spain -- Top-seeded Carlos Alcaraz earned his season-best eighth straight win after beating Alex de Minaur 7-5, 6-3 in the Barcelona Open quarterfinals on Friday. Coming off his first Monte Carlo Masters title, Alcaraz's next obstacle to a third Barcelona title was Arthur Fils . Fils reached his first semifinal of the year when four-time Barcelona finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas retired after losing the first two games.
The injury was unspecified, but Fils suspected it was Tsitsipas' back. Fils is at a career-high 13th ranking and could crack the top 10 for the first time if he wins the tournament. Making the final would be enough for Holger Rune , at 11th, to return to the top 10.
His chances improved after he knocked out defending champion Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-2. Ruud didn't help himself with 29 unforced errors. "I played on my terms and I was really explosive, this is how I want to play," Rune said.
Rune will face Karen Khachanov , who defeated Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4, 7-5 from 5-2 down in the last set..
