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Rising Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz was thrilled after reaching his second ATP semifinal in Umag. Alcaraz, 18, beat third-seeded Filip Krajinovic 7-6 (3) 2-6 6-1 in the Umag quarterfinal. In April, Alcaraz made his maiden ATP semifinal in front of his home fans in Marbella before losing to fellow compatriot Jaume Munar.
Alcaraz will be battling fellow compatriot and No. 1 seed Albert Ramos-Vinolas for a place in the Umag final. "I'm really happy to be in my second ATP semi-final. I think this tournament is going to be different than the first [time I made a semi-final] in Marbella [earlier this year]," Alcaraz said, per the ATP website.
"I think I'm going to play differently. I think I'm going to handle the tough moments in a different way than I did in Marbella, and I think I'm ready to play against Ramos in the semi-finals with power." Alcaraz managed to make it past Krajinovic Alcaraz claimed the first break of the match in the fourth game but Krajinovic broke back in the seventh game.
Alcaraz again broke Krajinovic in the eighth game but failed to serve out for the opener in the following game. Krajinovic then saved two set points in the 10th game to eventually force a tie-break. In the tie-break, Alcaraz prevented Krajinovic from stealing the set from him as converted his third set point to win a tight opener.
After losing the first set, Krajinovic made a perfect start to the second set as he won the opening three games of the set. Krajinovic then broke Alcaraz in the eighth game to win the second set and force a decider. After easily losing the first set, Alcaraz started the third set with back-to-back breaks.
Krajinovic had a chance to get one break back in the fourth game but Alcaraz saved. Alcaraz then earned his third break of the set in the seventh game to clinch the win.