Barcelona Open LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz came back from the brink to oust Alex de Minaur in a semi-final full of high drama at the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell on Sunday, as the NextGen sensation’s dream 2022 showed no signs of slowing down at the ATP 500 event. Follow InsideSport.IN for more updates.
Barcelona Open LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alex de Minaur in three sets to set up summit clash with Pablo Carreno Busta
BACK FROM THE BRINK!
Inches from defeat in the second set, @alcarazcarlos03 saves 2 match points vs De Minaur and moves into the Barcelona final! pic.twitter.com/2ZfRe4Pe1y
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 24, 2022
The 18-year-old saved two match points in the second set, one with an outrageous forehand pass on the run, as he overcame a slow start to notch a 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-4 win and book a championship match appointment with countryman Pablo Carreno Busta later on Sunday at the Real Club de Tenis Barcelona-1899.
“I was lucky,” said Alcaraz after the match. “I did that passing shot, I don’t know how I did it, it was pretty close, but I was fighting until the last ball. I had my chances. I did it at the end of the second set, breaking his serve twice. It was an unbelievable match, very close, but I was fighting.”
Alcaraz was made to dig deep in the three-hour, 39-minute marathon between two of the best movers on the ATP Tour. With the match resuming at 2-2 in the opening set following rain delays on Saturday, it was De Minaur who initially looked the stronger of the two early on Sunday morning. But the reigning Intesa Sanpaolo Next Gen ATP Finals stepped up a level in the second and third sets to move within one win of a third title of 2022.
“It’s tough to play a final this afternoon after this match, after this whole week, but it’s a final,” said Alcaraz of his clash with Carreno Busta later on Sunday. “You have to give 100 per cent, you have to fight until the last ball. It’s no time to be tired now, so you have to fight like the first day.”
Barcelona Open LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz defeats Alex de Minaur in three sets to set up summit clash with Pablo Carreno Busta
