Queen’s: Alcaraz beats Rinderknech to return to semi-finals

Carlos Alcaraz, the top seed, won against French lucky loser Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 6-4 to advance to the semi-finals of Queen’s.

The Spaniard was clinical when it mattered, breaking serve in the eleventh game of the first set to clinch a one-set lead, before striking again in the fifth game of the second to seal a comfortable win on a hot and sticky afternoon in West London.

Alcaraz beat Rinderknech in his very first match at Queen’s Club two years ago, when he was still getting to grips with a surface he has now very much mastered.

 “I am feeling much better than the first day. It’s just what I am trying to do after everyday is just feel better,” Alcaraz said following victory.

“I am feeling great playing on grass. I am really happy to play at such a good level today. It was tough playing on the grass today but I am really happy with the way I have played today.

“I could feel better but honestly I thought I would be feeling worse than I am right now but as tennis players we have to do, what we have to do and that’s to recover and play the next day. I am glad today was one hour and 20 minutes.

“I am just happy and hopefully tomorrow I am going to feel much better.”

Alcaraz, ranked No 2, will face the winner of the match between Dane Holger Rune, the No 4 seed, and Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut next.

The 22-year-old Spaniard defeated Australian lucky loser Adam Walton (6-4, 7-6 (4)) and edged out Jaume Munar (6-4, 6-7 (7), 7-5) earlier in the tournament.

In the previous rounds of the Queen’s tournament, Rinderknech, ranked No 80, won against American Ben Shelton, the No 6 seed (7-6 (5), 7-6 (4)) and American Reilly Opelka (7-5, 7-6 (3)).

London ATP 500, other last-eight results (Queen’s Club, grass, EUR 2.522.220, most recent results first):

• Holger Rune vs. Roberto Bautista Agut
• Jack Draper (2) beat Brandon Nakashima: 6-4, 5-7, 6-4
• Jiri Lehecka beat Jacob Fearnley: 7-5, 6-2