Argentina Open: Carlos Alcaraz finds groove to defeat Andrea Vavassori and advance into semi-finals

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz defeated qualifier Andrea Vavassori to reach the semi-finals of the Argentina Open.

The world No. 2 won nine of the last 10 points to take a tight first set before showing his quality in the second set to win 7-6(1) 6-1.

Alcaraz will next face either third seed Nicolas Jarry or sixth seed Tomas Martin Etcheverry.

Reflecting on the match, Alcaraz said: “The first set he played at a high level, it was really tough to return his serve and it was really challenging conditions with the wind changing direction.

“I played better in the second set, his level went down a bit, and I took my chances, and that was the difference.”

The other semi-final is between two Argentinean players, Federico Coria and Facundo Diaz Acosta.

A tight first set featured just two break-point chances that were both saved, Alcaraz holding from 30-40 at 2-1 down and Vavassori doing the same in the seventh game.

Vavassori showed off excellent serve-volleying skills on back-to-back points to move 6-5 ahead.

But Alcaraz dominated the tie-breaker as a couple of trademark drop shots opened up an early lead and he then pulled away.

Alcaraz would carry the momentum into the second set as he looked in the groove with his explosive shot-making and drop shots.

A deep forehand into the corner saw him break for 2-0 and he shouted “vamos” as a back-foot passing shot ripped down the line made it 4-0.

Vavassori got on the board in the sixth game but Alcaraz closed out the win in style with a forehand winner.

Sinner will next play home favourite Tallon Griekspoor, who beat Emil Ruusuvuori 7-5 7-6(4) in the quarter-finals.

Alex de Minaur will face Grigor Dimitrov in the other semi-final.