Carlos Alcaraz, a Spanish sensation, defeated Pedro Martinez 6-2, 6-1 on Friday to go to the semifinals of the Rotterdam Open.
After a close loss to Botic van de Zandschulp in the first round, Alcaraz easily defeated Andrea Vavassori 6-2 6-1 in the round of 16.
He pulled his countryman from side to side in a match that lasted barely 71 minutes, winning by the same scoreline again on Friday.
Martinez was unable to force a single break point against the four-time grand slam champion, who broke in the first game of every set.
Martinez was unable to force a single break point against the four-time grand slam champion, who broke in the first game of every set.
With yet another break to end the match, Alcaraz defeated his opponent with a whipped crosscourt forehand, his 29th victory in less than an hour.
“I played really good tennis today, a really high level. I have done the right things again,” Alcaraz said
“I was really focused before the match, on my own tennis. I tried to put everything in today.
“Being aggressive, pushing him to the limit on every point. I think I did the perfect match and I am happy to keep improving every day. Hopefully in the semi-finals I will be even better.”
For a position in the final on Saturday, Alcaraz will compete against either Hubert Hurkacz or Andrey Rublev, the 2021 Rotterdam champion.
Alcaraz usually takes pleasure in taking on his countrymen. He has defeated other Spanish players in 12 straight games.
Only three men—Juan Carlos Ferrero in 2004, Rafael Nadal in 2009, and Pablo Carreno Busta in 2020—have achieved that feat before.
