Buenos Aires, Feb 17 (UNI) Spanish top-seed Carlos Alcaraz progressed to the semifinals of the Argentina Open with a 7-6 (1), 6-1 victory over Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori.
The world No. 2 registered a first serve percentage of 80% and won 27 return points to prevail in an hour and 40 minutes on the outdoor clay of the Buenos Aires Lawn Tennis Club.
“I think in the first set he played at such a high level,” two-time grand slam champion Alcaraz said of his 153rd-ranked opponent. “It was really tough to return his serve and challenging conditions with the wind.”
“I think I played better in the second set. I think his level went down a bit, with his serve as well and
I put some returns in, took my chances and I think that was the difference,” the 20-year-old added.
Alcaraz will confront Chilean third seed Nicolas Jarry or sixth seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry of Argentina on Saturday for a place in the final.
Earlier, Argentine pair Federico Coria and Facundo Diaz booked their places in the other semifinal by beating Sebastian Baez and Dusan Lajovic, respectively.
Coria swept aside countryman Baez 6-1, 6-4 and Diaz overcame Serbia’s Lajovic 6-4, 6-3.
