It was quarter finals day at the ABN AMRO ATP500 event in Rotterdam today with three singles matches lasting a combined total of just four hours and ending with easy straight sets wins, while the match of the day between two seeded players was far closer and could have gone either way.
Just as in his previous round, top seed Carlos Alcaraz lost just three games in another clinical display beating countryman Pedro Martinez in the pair’s first meeting, including 17 winners in the first set alone, underlining his credentials for a first indoor title here.
“I played really good tennis today, a really high level,” said Alcaraz to the ATP afterwards. “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.”
The Spaniard will now face Hubert Hurkacz who finally saw off Andrey Rublev in a battling three set win 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 in a match lasting almost two and a half hours. The eighth seed – who will re-enter the top 20 in the rankings next week – smashed 17 aces along with winning 80% of points on his first serve to get past the 2021 champion who won five points in row to steal the first set tie-break from 2-5 down.
On the other side of the draw qualifier Mattia Bellucci followed up his excellent win against Medvedev by downing Stefanos Tsitsipas with surprising ease 6-4, 6-2.
“Definitely tennis wise this is the best week of my life and I am really happy about that performance and my energy on court,” said Bellucci afterwards. “I really felt I was in a good rhythm today. I think he had a good start with serve. I managed to hold those games and save a few breakpoints. Also, I think I got a bit lucky in the first set but that’s part of the game and I really enjoyed every part of it.”
Bellucci has already played five matches at this tournament, surprising himself along the way as he can’t now predict how much further he will go. His left-handed game certainly causes problems for all opponents as it adds variety and new angles to all shots coming their way.
“I have no idea how it will end. Every result this week is a great achievement for me. It’s definitely something I was not expecting at the beginning of the week. Reaching the semi finals at an ATP500 event was not even a goal and I am already looking forward to the next match. I am trying to mix it up a little bit, to try and be aggressive but solid at the same time but trying to find that balance is the most difficult part”
He will now face Alex de Minaur who converted four of his eight breakpoints and strolled past lucky loser Daniel Altmaier 6-1, 6-4 in their first ATP meeting.
