Alcaraz Overcomes Fognini To Make Rio QFs

The match of the day in Rio lived up to the billing as top seed Carlos Alcaraz came from a set down to defeat the feisty Fabio Fognini 6-7(5-7), 6-2, 6-4.

The match featured 13 total breaks of serve but the Spaniard came out head after losing a 3-0 lead in the first. Alcaraz broke Fognini twice in the third for a 3-0 lead then hung on for the win, his second straight against the Italian who was battling a bad ankle in the second set.

“It was really tough. Both Fabio and I played such a high level, great points, great shots,” Alcaraz told the ATP. “It’s amazing to play these kinds of matches. I would say both players played almost our 100 per cent.”

Alcaraz was joined in the quarters by countryman Bernabe Zapata Miralles and Albert Ramos-Vinolas. Zapata Miralles upset No. 4 Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 4-6, 6-1 while the 7th-seeded Albert Ramos-Vinolas moved past 26-year-old Daniel Elahi Galan 6-2, 6-4.

No. 6 seed Sebastian Baez got by Juan Pablo Varillas 7-5, 7-6(8-6). Chile’s Nicolas Jarry enjoyed an easy win over Pedro Martinez of Spain 6-2, 6-2.

Ahead Friday in quarterfinal play, Alcaraz faces the Djere-Lajovic winner, No. 2 Cameron Norrie gets Hugo Dellien, Baez battles Jarry and Zapata Miralles meets Ramos-Vinolas.