Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz showcased resilience and tactical brilliance on Wednesday, defeating Britain's Jack Draper 6-4, 6-4 in the Italian Open quarterfinals. The third-seeded Alcaraz advanced to his first clay-court semifinal of the season after a physically demanding match lasting one hour and 47 minutes.
Key Moments in the Quarterfinal Clash
Alcaraz saved six of eight break points, showcasing improved mobility after recovering from a leg injury that forced him out of the Madrid Open. His signature drop shots and aggressive net play proved decisive, particularly during a pivotal 10-minute eighth game in the second set where he fought off two break points.
"The most important thing was not thinking about being down, just focusing on what makes me happy: being aggressive and using my best shots," Alcaraz said post-match.
Road to theFinal Four
The 21-year-old will next face Italy's Lorenzo Musetti, who carries local support as the tournament's eighth seed. In other action, Norway's Casper Ruud advanced to the quarterfinals with a 6-3, 6-4 win over Spain's Jaume Munar, setting up a clash with World No. 1 Jannik Sinner.
