Carlos Alcaraz defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final of the Barcelona Open to retain the title he won last year. The final was a battle between the two top seeds but in the end the Spaniard was too strong for his Greek opponent and won the match 6-3 6-4.
Alcaraz has been in impressive form this year and his victory on Sunday was his third trophy of 2023, having already won in Rio and Indian Wells this season. The world no 2 did not drop a set throughout the tournament, which included a straight sets victory of Britain’s Dan Evans in the semi-final.
The teenager, who does not turn 20 until May, looks set to be the favourite for the French Open which starts next month. World No 1 Novak Djokovic is currently struggling with an elbow injury, while 14-time Roland Garros Champions Rafael Nadal is yet to recover from a hip problem. Both players will miss the Madrid Open and their fitness is a concern ahead of the Paris Grand Slam.
If Djokovic & Nadal are to miss the French Open, Alcaraz will be a firm favourite to win his second major trophy. He claimed his maiden slam at the US Open in 2022 and will be hoping to add further major success in the coming months in Paris and London at the Wimbledon Championships.