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World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz is safely through into the last four at the ATP 500 event in Rotterdam. Like in the second round, Alcaraz enjoyed a relaxed day at the office in the quarter-final against his compatriot, Pedro Martinez.
Carlos ousted Pedro 6-2, 6-1 in 70 minutes after a dominant performance on serve and return. The four-time Major winner lost seven points in seven service games, keeping his rival away from break points.
Pedro defeated ill Holger Rune in the second round but stood no chance against Spain's finest. The older Spaniard dropped 54% of the points in his games and got broken five times from ten chances presented to his rival.
Carlos fired 29 winners and 17 unforced errors, controlling his strokes superbly and outplaying Pedro from the baseline. Alcaraz made a push on the return in the first game of the match and caused the rival's mistake with a deep return for an early break.
The young gun stepped on the return at 3-1, firing a forehand down the line winner on a break point and extending the gap. Carlos served for the opener at 5-2 and landed an ace, wrapping up the first part of the duel in 35 minutes.
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World no. 3 dropped a single point in his games in the second set. Martinez placed a routine forehand wide in the first game of the second set and dropped serve. Alcaraz provided two holds at love, moving 3-1 up and controlling the scoreboard.
The younger Spaniard made another push on the return in the fifth game. He welcomed the rival's backhand mistake and forged a 4-1 gap. Returning at 5-1, Carlos landed a forehand crosscourt winner, sealing the deal in style and remaining on the title course.
