Carlos Alcaraz will play Stefanos Tsitsipas for a spot in the semi finals, with a potential blockbuster clash with Jannik Sinner for the winner. Alcaraz currently leads the head-to-head 5-0 with the most recent win coming at this tournament last year. It was a routine 6-2 6-1 7-6 for the Spaniard, where only a failed attempt at serving out the match saved Tsitsipas from a much uglier scoreline.
Tsitsipas has played well on clay this year, finally finding some form after struggling by his standards this year. The Monte Carlo Masters winner did need to come from a set and break down to beat Matteo Arnaldi though, saving two set points in the second during his 3-6 7-6 6-2 6-2 victory.
Alcaraz dominated Felix Auger-Aliassime in their fourth round match, making light work of a what looked like a tricky tie on paper. He broke six times in the 6-3 6-3 6-1 win, working the Canadian hard as he began to feel the effects of an injury. “I think I had to put as many returns in as I could and getting in the rallies,” Alcaraz said. “I feel strong in the rallies, playing five, six, seven shots in every point. I was going to have my chances to break his serve and to be with a good intensity in the match and I think that helped me get a good rhythm, to get my good tennis and to beat him.”
This matchup has been a delight for Alcaraz in the past with him working over the Tsitsipas backhand consistently. There’s little to suggest the Greek can solve this riddle so it should be a repeat of previous meetings. Alcaraz looks to be fairly relaxed too in regards to the concerns over his forearm injury, with a reoccurrence of that really one of the only chances for his opponent to snatch victory.
Prediction – Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets
