World No. 2 Carlos Alcaraz started strong at the Barcelona Open, defeating Otto Virtanen 6-4, 6-3 to progress to the second round of the ATP 500 event. Alcaraz, coming off a runner-up finish at the Monte-Carlo Masters, displayed composure in his first match on home soil this season. He now has a chance to reclaim the top ranking by winning in Barcelona.
Despite a brief medical timeout for an arm issue after the first set, Alcaraz showed no signs of discomfort and closed out the match in one hour and 25 minutes. His next opponent will be Tomas Machac, who overcame Sebastian Baez 2-6, 6-4, 6-1.
“It feels great to be back and to secure another win in front of my people in Barcelona; it means everything. This morning was my first practice here to adapt to the conditions. Different conditions in Monte-Carlo, but overall I am really happy with the way that I played,” Alcaraz stated.
The 22-year-old has a successful history at this event, winning consecutive titles in 2022 and 2023 and finishing as the runner-up last year. Alcaraz is aiming for his third title of the season after victories at the Australian Open and an ATP 500 event in Doha. His recent loss to Sinner in Monte-Carlo has fueled his motivation to return to winning form, especially with Sinner not competing this week.
In other matches, second seed Lorenzo Musetti advanced by defeating Martin Landaluce 7-5, 6-2, while third seed Alex de Minaur overcame Sebastian Ofner 7-6(7), 6-4. Musetti will face Corentin Moutet next, and De Minaur is set to play against Hamad Medjedovic in the second round.
