Defending champ Alcaraz eases into semi-finals at Umag

Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, the top seed, advanced to the semi-finals of the Croatia Open by winning against Argentinian Facundo Bagnis 6-0, 6-4 at the ITC Stella Maris in Umag on Friday evening.

Alcaraz, ranked No 5, will play Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri next.

The Spaniard improves to 26-3 on clay for the season and 41-6 overall, as he powers into his seventh semi-final of 2022.

There are three Italians left in the draw at Umag, including Alcaraz’s next opponent, Zeppieri. The 20-year-old has parlayed his first tour-level win into a trip to his maiden ATP semi-final at Umag. He defeated Bernabe Zapata Miralles on Friday, 7-5, 6-4.

Pushing for No 4

19-year-old Alcaraz can rise to No 4 in the world if he completes a successful title defense in Umag.

“To have the chance to do it is amazing for me,” Alcaraz said. “I think I’m playing really well, I feel really comfortable playing here, a lot of confidence right now.”

In the previous round of the Umag, the Spaniard defeated Slovak lucky loser Norbert Gombos (6-2, 6-3).

Bagnis, ranked No 120, won against Tomas Martin Etcheverry (7-5, 6-3) and French qualifier Corentin Moutet (6-3, 6-1) in the previous rounds of the Umag.

Umag ATP 250, other last eight results (ITC Stella Maris, clay, EUR 597.900, most recent results first):

• Giulio Zeppieri beat Bernabe Zapata Miralles: 7-5, 6-4
• Jannik Sinner (2) beat Roberto Carballes Baena: 6-4, 7-6 (5)
• Franco Agamenone (Q) beat Marco Cecchinato (Q): 6-2, 6-1

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