Carlos Alcaraz defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Barcelona Open to defend his title.

World No 2 Carlos Alcaraz retained the Barcelona Open title with a straight-sets win over Stefanos Tsitsipas as he claimed a third trophy of the 2023 season.

Spaniard Alcaraz, who does not turn 20 until May, defeated his Greek opponent 6-3 6-4 in a battle of the top two seeds to add to his titles in Rio de Janeiro in February and Indian Wells in March.

The teenager did not drop a set throughout the tournament in Barcelona, with his successes across the week including a 6-2 6-2 defeat of Great Britain’s Dan Evans in Saturday’s semi-final.

Alcaraz said: “It’s incredible… to feel this energy and lift the trophy in Barcelona in front of my family and friends, and most members of my team are here as well. Playing this level and to lift the trophy in front of them is a good feeling for me.”

Alcaraz may end up as the favourite for the French Open, which runs from May 28 to June 11, with world No 1 Novak Djokovic and 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafa Nadal nursing elbow and hip injuries respectively.

Nadal has not played since the Australian Open in January and does not know when he will return to action, while Djokovic – beaten by fellow Serb Dusan Lajovic in the quarter-finals of the Srpksa Open on Friday – has withdrawn from next week’s Madrid Open.

Carlos Alcaraz (Associated Press)
Image: Alcaraz has also won in Rio and Indian Wells this year

Djokovic’s compatriot Lajovic went on to win the Srpska Open in Bosnia and Herzegovina, picking up another notable scalp in the final when he beat second seed Andrey Rublev 6-3 4-6 6-4.

Lajovic said after claiming his second ATP Tour title and first since 2019: “I am thrilled and overwhelmed that I did it this week.

“The last time I was in a final was four years ago and I have been through a lot since then. I still believed in myself, even though I did not have the best last year. This victory means a lot.”

Britain’s Jamie Murray won the doubles title in Bosnia with New Zealander Michael Venus but Neal Skupski and Dutchman Wesley Koolhof had to settle for the runners-up spot in Barcelona, losing in a deciding tie-break to Argentinian duo Maximo Gonzalez and Andres Molteni.

Elsewhere, Danish teenager Holger Rune retained the BMW Open title in Munich, coming back from 5-2 down in the deciding set against Botic van de Zandschulp to win 6-4 1-6 7-6 (7-3).

Van de Zandschulp served for the match three times and created four match points but went on to suffer defeat to Rune in the final for the second year running, having retired seven games into the 2022 showpiece.

Rune, who needed treatment for arm and ankle problems in the third set, said: “I was feeling really exhausted but I was fighting until the end and I tried everything I could to come back into the match.

“We really pushed each other to the limit and I am super happy I defended the title.”

Related Posts

Alexis Ohanian Goes Wild in the Kitchen — Serves Up Burger Pancake Art for Olympia and Adira!

Ohanian’s pancake-making sessions have become a beloved tradition in the Ohanian-Williams family, capturing the hearts of fans with his intricate and whimsical designs. Serena Williams and family [Image source: @alexisohanian on Instagram; Getty] Ohanian’s …

Read more

“This Was Never Part of the Plan” — Xisca Perelló Breaks Her Silence With 8 Words That Leave Nadal Fans Reeling

In a stunning turn of events, Xisca Perelló, wife of tennis icon Rafael Nadal, has publicly addressed and dismissed swirling rumors of a divorce, emphatically affirming the strength and happiness of their marriage. Just moments ago, Perelló released a …

Read more

Tennis World Rocked as Novak Djokovic Drops Out of Italian Open—Here’s Why!

In a stunning turn of events, Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from the 2025 Italian Open, citing a series of personal and professional challenges that have left fans and the tennis world alike in disbelief. This marks the first time since 2007 that the Serbian …

Read more

PHOTOS: Venus Williams Brings the Heat to Met Gala — Lacoste Collab Smashes Fashion Boundaries

Advantage, Venus Williams! On Monday evening in New York, the seven-time major singles winner served up her latest ace by paying homage to her tennis roots at the Met Gala. Teaming up with Pelagia Lolotuoros, creative director at Lacoste, Williams stepped …

Read more

Serena Williams Transforms into a Modern-Day Cinderella — and Met Gala Can’t Handle It!

No one aces Met Gala fashion like Serena Williams. The 23-time Grand Slam winner made her seventh appearance at the Met Gala in New York City last night, and from her surprise golden bob hairstyle to her custom sea-foam gown with an epic puffer cape, …

Read more

Venus Williams Serves a Fashion Grand Slam at the 2025 Met Gala in Lacoste Green and Outrageous Shoes!

Decked out in vibrant green, Venus Williams made a striking entrance at the 2025 Met Gala. The tennis titan stepped onto the famous carpeted steps in a bespoke Lacoste ensemble that epitomized the seamless fusion of athletic prowess and haute couture. …

Read more

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *