Cameron Norrie was knocked out within the first spherical of the Barcelona Open however Carlos Alcaraz progressed after a second-set battle as he targets back-to-back ATP Tour titles.
Norrie, who got here by means of qualifying to achieve the primary attract Spain, gained the primary set towards Karen Khachanov earlier than falling to a 6-7 (3-7) 6-4 6-3 defeat on Tuesday.
The Brit misplaced in qualifying for final week’s Monte-Carlo Masters and has not gained a main-draw match since reaching the third spherical at Indian Wells in March, an occasion gained by his compatriot Jack Draper.
Alcaraz made to work by American qualifier
Monte-Carlo Masters champion Alcaraz reached the second spherical as he prolonged his profitable streak to 6 matches with a 6-2 7-6 (8-6) victory over American qualifier Ethan Quinn.
Alcaraz – who beat Lorenzo Musetti in Monte Carlo on Sunday to safe his sixth ATP 1000 title and first in that event – broke Quinn twice within the first set however discovered issues harder within the second.
The Spaniard slipped 3-1 down after which needed to fend off a set level within the tie-break earlier than he rubberstamped a last-16 assembly with Laslo Djere as he pushes for a 3rd Barcelona Open title, after successive victories in 2022 and 2023.
Alcaraz missed the 2024 version resulting from damage, with Casper Ruud profitable as an alternative.
Ruud by means of as De Minaur clinches Fearnley showdown
Ruud and third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas – the participant Ruud overcame in final yr’s last – additionally progressed in straight units on Tuesday, seeing off Daniel Elahi Galan 6-4 6-3 and Reilly Opelka 6-2 6-2 respectively.
Jacob Fearnley performs Alex de Minaur within the final 16 on Thursday
Fifth seed Alex de Minaur didn’t drop a set both as he beat Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4 6-4 to safe a last-16 showdown with Britain’s Jacob Fearnley on Thursday.
Nevertheless, ninth seed Frances Tiafoe was defeated 2-6 7-5 6-1 by unseeded Spaniard Jaune Munar, every week after shedding within the second spherical on the Monte-Carlo Masters.
Over on the WTA occasion in Rouen, Britain’s Harriet Dart was crushed 6-0 6-3 by house wild card Lois Boisson.
Watch the ATP and WTA Excursions, in addition to the US Open, reside on Sky Sports activities in 2025 or stream and not using a contract on NOW.
