Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz made a strong start to his title defense at the Barcelona Open with a comfortable win over Nuno Borges. The top-seeded Spaniard, who is ranked No. 2 in the world, secured a 6-3, 6-1 victory at the Rafa Nadal center court on Tuesday.
Alcaraz converted five of his seven break opportunities, showcasing his dominance in the game. The 19-year-old Spaniard has won two titles this year and is making his 2023 debut on the European clay-court tour after skipping Monte Carlo in April due to inflammation in his left hand and back pain.
Speaking about his win, Alcaraz said, “It’s always different to play here, it’s not just any other tournament for me. I’m at home, with the fans behind me. It’s always nice and special.”
Alcaraz’s next opponent will be fellow Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut, the 13th-seed who defeated Bernabe Zapata Miralles 6-2, 6-2. Alcaraz is looking forward to the match and is confident of his abilities. He said, “I feel great. Moving well, hitting the ball really well, so I feel a lot of confidence playing here in Barcelona.”
Upsets in the tournament
In another match, fifth-seeded American Frances Tiafoe lost to Emil Ruusuvuori of Finland in a tight encounter that lasted for almost two and a half hours. The 40th-ranked Ruusuvuori rallied from 3-0 down in the final set to secure the win with a score of 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-4.
Earlier in the day, Casper Ruud reached the quarterfinals for the second straight year by beating Ben Shelton 6-2, 7-6 (1). The third-seeded Norwegian, who won his first title of the year in Estoril this month, is looking in good form on clay courts.
As the tournament progresses, fans will be eager to see how the defending champion Alcaraz fares in his upcoming matches. With strong contenders in the mix, including Roberto Bautista Agut, the tournament promises to be an exciting one for tennis fans around the world.
