Alcaraz into Buenos Aires semi-finals / Photo: ALEJANDRO PAGNI - AFP
Alcaraz into Buenos Aires semi-finals
Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reached the semi-finals of the Buenos Aires clay-court tournament on Friday with a straight-sets win over Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori.
World number two Alcaraz, playing his first tournament since a shock quarter-final exit at the Australian Open, came through 7-6 (7/1), 6-1 against his 152nd-ranked opponent.
Vavassori, who stunned three-time major winner Andy Murray on clay at the Madrid Masters last year, matched the Spanish star blow-for-blow in the opening set.
However, Alcaraz then raced into a 5-0 lead in the second set before sealing victory after an hour and 40 minutes on court.
The 20-year-old Spaniard will face either Chilean third seed Nicolas Jarry or Argentina's Tomas Etcheverry, seeded sixth, for a place in Sunday's title match.
The other semi-final will be an all-Argentine affair with Facundo Diaz up against Federico Coria.
V.Agnellini--IM
