Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz eased into the final of the Barcelona Open after seeing off Daniel Evans 6-2, 6-2 on Saturday. (More Tennis News)
The second-ranked Alcaraz will face Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday's final after t🐻he Greek advanced by bea🅘ting Lorenzo Musetti 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 on the outdoor clay court.
Alcaraz sealed hi𝓰s victory when he blasted a return under Eඣvans' racket as he made an approach.
“Of course, how you reach a final is important for your confidence, and I head into t🅠omorrow with a great feeling,” said Alcaraz, after nℱot dropping a set in four matches.
“Even so, we can't just rely on how I have ✅played and know that it will be a tough game🃏.”
Alcaraz, the U.S. Open champion, will be seeking his ninth career title and third of the year after triumphing in Buenos Aires and Indian Wells. If he beats Tsits🍒ipas, his title in Barcelona will be his first that he has successfully defended.
The 19-year-old Spaniard is 3-0 against Tsitsipas including a three-💯set victory in the Barcelona quarterfinals last year. Al🦹caraz described last year's game here against Tsitsipas as “spicy.”
“Last year we had a spicy🔯 match, let's say,” Alcaraz said.
“I'm going to try t♔o forget everything that has happened in the matches before, try t📖o focus on my game tomorrow, and try to get the win.”
Alcaraz will also attempt a title 💯defense at the Madrid Open next week in the absence of former champions Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Alcaraz beat countryman Pablo Carreño in last year's B𓄧arcelona final during his impressive run that took him to the world No. 1 ranking.
Tsi🎶tsipas reached the final at Barcelona in 2018 and 2021, losing both times to 12-time winner Nadal.
The fifth-rank꧂ed Tsitispas is seeking his first title of 2023.
Tsitispas and Musetti struggled with their service games. Tsitsipas converted six of his 11 break points, while Musetti made𒁏 good on five of 10.
“It was very physical ou💎t there,” said Tsitsipas, who improved his record against Musetti to 4-0.
“We had to cover lots of meters on the court and he had some incredible defensive shots that I really didn't expect at all. It w꧟as such a mental cha🎉llenge.”
