ATP Barcelona, ​​Arnaldi stops in the quarterfinals, knockout with Ruud, Tsitsipas wins

The great feat of Madrid 2023 will not be repeated. In his first quarter-final in an ATP 500 Matteo Arnaldi surrenders against Casper Ruud. The Norwegian, in a great moment of form after returning to the top 10 and the final in Monte Carlo, leaves the crumbs to the blue and enters the semi-final in Barcelona, ​​where he will face the Argentine Etcheverry, who needed two tie-breaks and 2 hours and 20 minutes of match to overcome the British Cameron Norrie. Ruud takes much less time, beating Arnaldi 6-4 6-3 in one hour and 33 minutes.

the match

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The problems for Matteo are at the service and the errors (in general) are many more than usual. There are 6 free throws in the first two games and only two first serves out of 12 in the first two rounds of service. Too little to worry the former world number 2, who had also surrendered the serve at 2-0 with several errors (and a great backhand from Arnaldi) and at 3-1. Ruud, in a match conditioned by strong winds, puts the bar straight on his service turns and the match returns to serve, until the tenth game, where Casper picks up the pace and closes 6-4, with a decisive break. With 17 unforced errors, Arnaldi’s first set did not live up to his tenacity and talent, even against a great opponent. In the second set Ruud can immediately spread, but Matteo cancels his break point. It could be a shock and in fact the blue has a chance to go up to 2-1 (with break), but he doesn’t take advantage of it. Ruud extends his lead in the sixth game with a break at 15 and can serve for the match leading 5-3, but what seems like a formality becomes a battle. Arnaldi has two break points, which are neutralized, but with the bunt he gets the third, dismantled by Casper’s forehand. Ruud gives a fourth chance, but saves himself with the first and with 3 consecutive points he takes home the game, with a thrill. Seventh victory in the last 8 games for the Norwegian, always at ease on clay.

tsitsipas, what an effort!

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With enormous suffering Stefanos Tsitsipas takes the semi-final in Barcelona. The Greek, champion in Monte Carlo, comes from behind to beat the Argentine Diaz Acosta, who put him in difficulty throughout the match. Down a set, the 3-time winner of Monte Carlo makes a comeback and goes ahead by a break in the decisive set. But the Argentine, an excellent player on clay, goes back to 4-4 and then 5-5, with Tsitsipas having served for the match. At 5-6 the Greek cancels a match point and takes the match to a tie-break, which ends 10-8, with Tsitsi canceling the second match point and scoring on the third occasion. It takes more than two and a half hours for Stefanos, who finishes 4-6 6-3 7-6 (8).