Barcelona QF previews and predictions: Alcaraz vs. Davidovich Fokina, Tsitsipas vs. De Minaur

Only two Spaniards remain in the Barcelona draw and unfortunately for the home crowd only one will advance to the semifinals. A showdown between Carlos Alcaraz and Alejandro Davidovich Fokina headlines quarterfinal Friday.

(1) Carlos Alcaraz vs. (10) Alejandro Davidovich Fokina

Alcaraz and Davidovich Fokina will be going head-to-head for the first time in their careers when they collide in the quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell on Friday. Both Spaniards have put on a show for the fans so far this week, winning all of their matches in straight sets without even being pushed to a tiebreaker. Alcaraz has ousted Nuno Borges and Roberto Bautista Agut, while Davidovich Fokina booked his spot in the last eight by beating Tomas Martin Etcheverry and Emil Ruusuvuori.

Davidovich Fokina is playing well in Barcelona and has been for much of the season, but there is no real reason to think he can seriously trouble Alcaraz. The world No. 38 is just 1-6 lifetime against top-10 opponents (upset top-ranked Novak Djokovic at the 2021 Monte-Carlo Masters). With Alcaraz healthy and well-rested, the 19-year-old will likely roll into the semis.

Pick: Alcaraz in 2

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(8) Alex de Minaur vs. (2) Stefanos Tsitsipas

On paper this is one of the most lopsided matchups currently going on the ATP Tour. Tsitsipas and De Minaur have faced each other eight times on the main tour and all eight encounters have gone the Greek’s way. Only three times has De Minaur even managed to take a set; one of those was in their first-ever meeting back in 2018 and another was in the NextGen ATP Finals later that year. Dating back to the 2019 Paris Masters, Tsitsipas is 12-1 in total sets against the Australian.

Although the world No. 5 may not be in peak form right now, it’s hard to see anything changing on clay. This is Tsitsipas’ best surface and De Minaur’s worst. Growing in confidence with easy straight-set victories over Pedro Cachin and Denis Shapovalov earlier this week, Tsitsipas should once again make quick work of De Minaur.

Pick: Tsitsipas in 2

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