Carlos Alcaraz 'improved a lot' to overcome Alex de Minaur for semi-final spot at Barcelona Open - 'I was struggling mentally'

Carlos Alcaraz maintained his unbeaten run on clay this campaign to defeat Alex de Minaur and continue his push to retain his Barcelona Open crown. The in-form Spaniard, who won the title in 2022 and 2023, sealed his eighth consecutive victory on Friday as he prepares to defend his Roland-Garros crown. Alcaraz said he "was struggling a little bit mentally" during the match.

Highlights: Alcaraz cruises past Djere to make quarter-finals at Barcelona Open

Video credit: SNTV

Carlos Alcaraz had to dig deep to beat Alex de Minaur and advance to his 36th ATP semi-final at the Barcelona Open on Friday.

The four-time Grand Slam winner, who is gearing up to defend his Roland-Garros title at the French Open, defeated the Australian 7-5 6-3 as he bids to retain his crown and win a third title in Catalonia after successes in 2022 and 2023.

Alcaraz said he was "very happy to beat a top 10 opponent again" after securing just his second win against the elite crop in 2025.

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Despite a tricky start, the 21-year-old found his groove to overcome a mental battle and claim his 13th consecutive win in Barcelona.

"I started quite badly with the serve, I was struggling a little bit mentally with [it]," Alcaraz said. "It was just the first few games with my serve, then I think I improved a lot.

"I calmed myself down and started to think positively again. Alex started strong, playing aggressively, and the first set was really tight."

The first set was closely fought, which Alacaraz eventually pipped with a decisive break of serve at 6-5.

And that set him up for a clinical second set, which he won comfortably after breaking to forge ahead at 4-2.

The victory sets the top seed up for a clash against world No. 14 Arthur Fils, after he sealed passage to the semi-finals with Stefanos Tsitsipas retiring just two games into their match on Friday.

Should Alcaraz reach the final, he will face either Karen Khachanov or Holger Rune, who emphatically ousted No. 2 seed Casper Ruud with a straight-set victory on Friday.

"I was hitting through my groundstrokes and feeling good," Rune said after his victory. "I played the right way, and I’m very happy I was able to finish it.

"He made it difficult, he’s a great player. I think I played on my terms, and I was really explosive, this is how I want to play."

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