Carlos Alcaraz defeated the Italian and first favorite of the ATP 500 in Rio, Matteo Berrettiniin three sets (6-2, 2-6 and 6-2) and advanced to the semifinals, in which the Italian will be measured Fabio Fogniwho eliminated the Argentine Federico Coria.
The victory in a match lasting two hours and two minutes was revenge for the Spanish tennis player, number 29 in the ATP international ranking, after Berrettini eliminated him in January in the third round of the Australian Open in an intense and closely contested five-set match.
The Spaniard had anticipated in statements before the match that he would face Berrettini on clay it would be different and that the advantage would be his, as the Italian would lose power on serve and speed.
With the result of this Saturday, the 18-year-old Murcian tennis player now has two wins in three games with the sixth best in the world.
SCHWARTZMAN-CERUNDOLO, THE OTHER ‘SEMI’
The other semifinal at the Rio de Janeiro Open will be starred by the Argentines Diego Schwartzmann (14 ATP), third favorite in Brazil, and Francisco Cerundolowhich respectively eliminated the Spanish Pablo Andujar and to Serbian Myomir Kecmanovic.
both semifinals They will be played on the night of this same Saturday because the programming is delayed after the organizers postponed several commitments suspended due to the rains. that punished Rio de Janeiro Thursday and Friday.
alcaraz and Berrettini they reached the quarterfinals of the Brazilian tournament exhausted after their respective and eventful round of 16 matches, which were scheduled for Thursday and could only conclude at dawn this Saturday due to interruptions.
In the round of 16, the Spaniard eliminated Argentine Federico Delbonis (37 ATP) 2-0 while Berrettini beat Brazilian Thiago Monteiro (106 ATP) 6-4, 6-7 (6) and 6-3, the racket number one from Brazil, after a game interrupted for six hours by rain.
In this Saturday’s match, the Spaniard was far superior in the first set, breaking the Italian’s first serves and winning 6-2, but the favorite recovered and responded with a victory by the same result in the second set.
In the third set, which had to be interrupted for two hours due to rain, the Spaniard came back much better and broke the favorite’s third serve to open a 4-2 lead. He then broke the last of the Italian to prevail in the final set by another 6-2.
ALCARAZ, THE REVELATION
alcaraza revelation who is considered by some to be Rafael Nadal’s successor, played the Rio Open two years ago thanks to a special invitation due to his promising status and won his first victory in an ATP tournament in Brazil.
The Murcian is the youngest tennis player to enter the top 40 of the world ranking since Nadal he did it in 2004.
The Spaniard’s rival in the semifinal will be the Italian Fabio Fognini (38 ATP), who this Saturday won 6-4, 6-2 against the Argentine Federico Coria (63 ATP).
Fognini34, will play his third semifinal in Rio de Janeiro, after those of 2015 (when he reached the final) and 2018.
The ninth edition of the Rio de Janeiro tournament, suspended in 2021 due to the covid pandemic, will be held until this Sunday on the clay courts of the Brazilian Jockey Club in Rio de Janeiro.