Alcaraz fights back from the brink to set up Barcelona final against Carreno Busta

Patric Ridge
April 24, 2022 20:53 MYT
Carlos Alcaraz's incredible season continued as he saved two match points before going on to beat Alex De Minaur in their semi-final tie at the Barcelona Open.

Alcaraz, who will become the first teenager since Andy Murray in 2007 to move into the top 10 of the ATP rankings when he does so next week, was staring down the barrel of an exit in Sunday's delayed tie when his Australian opponent had two shots of sealing victory in the second set.

Yet the 18-year-old salvaged both match points and then immediately broke back to take the set to a tie-break, which he won 7-4.

Alcaraz carried the momentum into the decider, breaking twice to seal a 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-4) 6-4 success and progress to his third final of 2022. He has won the other two showdowns, in Rio de Janeiro and Miami respectively.

He will face fellow Spaniard Pablo Carreno Busta, who had a rather easier time against Diego Schwartzman, winning 6-3 6-4.

The players faced a short turnaround ahead of the final, which was to be played later on Sunday.

Fans after watching @alexdeminaur v. @alcarazcarlos03 @bcnopenbs | #BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/F1avbec5zH

— ATP Tour (@atptour) April 24, 2022
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#Tennis #Pablo Carreno-Busta #ATP World Tour #Diego Schwartzman #Alex De Minaur #Carlos Alcaraz