Barcelona Open: Alcaraz and Khachanov Advance

Carlos Alcaraz overcomes Laslo Djere to reach the Barcelona Open quarter-finals. Meanwhile, Andrey Rublev and Jaume Munar exit the tournament.

World number two Carlos Alcaraz overcame a minor wobble in the second set to defeat Laslo Djere 6-2, 6-4 and reach the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open. Alcaraz stepped up his game from his first-round win, dominating the 80th-ranked Djere on the Catalan clay as he prepares to defend his French Open title.

Alcaraz had a strong first set, saving both break points he faced and winning five consecutive games to take a 5-1 lead. He sealed the set with his second set point, but faced a slight challenge in the second set before ultimately securing the win.

In the second set, Laslo Djere put up more resistance and even took a 4-2 lead, but Carlos Alcaraz quickly regained control. The Serb couldn't handle Alcaraz's top form, and the Spaniard won the final four games to seal the win. Alcaraz reflected on his performance, saying, “After going 4-2 down in the second, I played a bit more like what my level is. I am very happy that I could step up my level, and seem more like my best, and I want to continue.”

Alcaraz d. Djere 6-2 6-4

Down 2-4 in the 2nd set, Carlos won the last 4 games to close out the match.

Still undefeated on clay this season.

7th consecutive win.

✅12th consecutive win in Barcelona
✅22nd win of the year

The two-time champ is tearing up the clay.

🇪🇸 pic.twitter.com/kabWhNbtm5

— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) April 17, 2025

Alcaraz will face world number seven Alex de Minaur in the quarter-finals, who advanced with a 6-1, 6-2 win over Jacob Fearnley.

Upset in Barcelona

World number eight Andrey Rublev was stunned by Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, ranked 30th, in a 7-5, 6-4 defeat. Davidovich Fokina, who had never beaten Rublev before, triumphed in their sixth meeting. The Spaniard broke Rublev three times in a turbulent first set and held serve to love in the 12th game.

Alejandro Davidovich Fokina continues his incredible start of the year, defeats Andrey Rublev 7-5, 6-4 to reach the QFs in Barcelona.

He will face another Russian, Karen Khachanov, next.

In form. pic.twitter.com/Bdww37g98u

— José Morgado (@josemorgado) April 17, 2025

In the second set, Rublev struggled to regain momentum, going a break down early. Despite briefly leveling at 2-2 after securing a break, Davidovich Fokina broke again and closed out the match with a love hold at 5-4.

Jaume Munar fell short against Karen Khachanov, losing 7-5, 6-4. Khachanov, who trains in Barcelona, will face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in the next round after overcoming Munar despite converting only four of 15 break points.