Carlos Alcaraz beats Laslo Djere in straight sets to reach quarter-finals of Barcelona Open

Carlos Alcaraz was in impressive form as he beat Laslo Djere in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open. Spaniard Alcaraz, who was victorious in Monte Carlo last week, was far too strong for his Serbian opponent as he claimed victory in just over an hour, as he looks to add a third Barcelona title to his successes in 2022 and 2023.

Carlos Alcaraz admitted he was delighted to save energy as he saw off Serbia's Laslo Djere in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals of the Barcelona Open.

The Spaniard was always superior in blustery conditions on Thursday as he raced to a 6-2 6-4 victory in just over an hour.

"I think as much as I can win in straight sets, it’s much better to save energy for the matches that I have coming forward," Alcaraz said.

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"I think I played great tennis, even better than the first round, even though I had to come back from 4-2 in the second set.

"I think he played much better in that second set, but I'm really happy to find a great level again and hopefully keep going."

Alcaraz has a formidable record in Barcelona, where he was crowned champion in 2022 and 2023.

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And he looked the part here, impressing from the baseline and at the net and proving far too strong for his Serbian opponent.

Alcaraz won five successive games to open up a 5-1 lead in the first set and soon clinched it 6-2.

Djere, to his credit, did raise his game in the second set and even broke Alcaraz's serve to open up a 4-2 lead.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

But that only spurred Alcaraz to step up a gear as he broke straight back. That was the first of four successive games for Alcaraz that took him to the winning line, as he looks to add to his Monte Carlo success of last week with more glory.

Alcaraz will next play Australian Alex de Minaur, after he easily beat Britain's Jacob Fearnley 6-1 6-2.

Among the other highlights, Spain's Alejandro Davidovich Fokina made it through to the last eight with a 7-5 6-4 win over fourth seed Andrey Rublev.

Davidovich Fokina will next face Russian Karen Khachanov, after he beat Spaniard Jaume Munar 7-5 6-4.

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