Improving Alcaraz dominates Martinez to cruise into Rotterdam semi-finals

Top seed Carlos Alcaraz defeated Pedro Martinez Portero 6-2, 6-1 to reach the last 4 of the Rotterdam Open at the Rotterdam Ahoy on Friday evening.

After the match, the four-time Grand Slam champion said:

“I played really good tennis today, a really high level. And I have done the right things again. I was really focused before the match, on my things, on my own tennis. I tried to put everything in today.

“Being aggressive, pushing him to the limit every point. I think I did the perfect match and I am happy to keep improving every day. Hopefully in the semi-finals I will be even better.”

I think I did the perfect match

One statistic, in particular, stood out for the Spaniard. His first serve win percentage was a stunning 91 compared to a year-to-date average of 73 percent – whilst also dominating Martinez on return. Alcaraz won 49 percent on his first serve return points, and 67 on the second serve return.

Alcaraz, ranked No 3, will play the winner of the match between Russian Andrey Rublev, the No 4 seed, and Pole Hubert Hurkacz, the No 8 seed, next.

Carlos Alcaraz won against Dutch wildcard Botic van de Zandschulp (7-6 (3), 3-6, 6-1) and Italian qualifier Andrea Vavassori (6-2, 6-1) ahead of his victory.

Earlier in the tournament, Martinez Portero, ranked No 44, beat Roberto Bautista Agut (6-3, 6-2) and Dane Holger Rune, the No 5 seed (6-4, 6-1).

Rotterdam ATP 500, other quarter-finals results (Rotterdam Ahoy, hard, EUR 2.563.150, most recent results first):

• Andrey Rublev vs. Hubert Hurkacz
• Mattia Bellucci (Q) beat Stefanos Tsitsipas (6): 6-4, 6-2
• Alex De Minaur (3) beat Daniel Altmaier (LL): 6-1, 6-4