In a thrilling display of skill and resilience, top seed Carlos Alcaraz secured his spot in the Barcelona Open semi-finals by defeating Australia's Alex de Minaur in straight sets. The match lasted just under two hours, with Alcaraz prevailing 7-5, 6-3. This victory sets up an intriguing clash against France’s Arthur Fils, who advanced after Stefanos Tsitipas was forced to retire early due to injury. Meanwhile, defending champion Casper Ruud was ousted by Holger Rune, adding another layer of excitement to the tournament.

Carlos Alcaraz showcased his prowess on the clay courts of Barcelona as he overcame initial challenges to triumph over Alex de Minaur. In the first set, the Spaniard found himself trailing twice but demonstrated remarkable composure to turn the tide, securing the decisive break in the twelfth game. Moving into the second set, Alcaraz tightened his grip, asserting dominance with his serve and breaking De Minaur in the sixth game. Post-match, Alcaraz reflected on his mental battle early in the game, crediting a positive mindset for his turnaround. "I started quite poorly with my serve, struggling mentally," he admitted, highlighting how regaining focus helped him elevate his performance.

The quarter-final between Stefanos Tsitipas and Arthur Fils took an unexpected turn when the Greek player withdrew shortly into their encounter. Tsitipas appeared troubled from the outset, seeking medical attention after the second game. Despite returning briefly, he could only manage a handful of points before retiring, handing Fils an opportunity to challenge Alcaraz in the next round. On the other side of the draw, Holger Rune delivered a commanding performance by overcoming defending champion Casper Ruud in straight sets, setting up a semifinal showdown with Karen Khachanov, who edged past Alejandro Davidovich Fokina.

Rune's victory over Ruud marked a significant upset, as the Dane broke the Norwegian twice in each set to clinch a resounding 6-4, 6-2 win. This result underscores the competitive nature of the tournament, where even seasoned players face stiff competition from emerging talents. As the semifinals approach, all eyes will be on these rising stars to see if they can maintain their momentum and stake their claim among the elite in the world of tennis.