Alcaraz is already in the Queen's semifinals

AFP and Europa Press

La Jornada Newspaper, Saturday, June 21, 2025, p. a11

London. Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz did his part yesterday, defeating Frenchman Arthur Rinderknech 7-5, 6-4, and advancing to the semifinals of the Queen's ATP 500 tournament in London, just 10 days before the start of the Wimbledon Open, where he will try to defend his double crown.

After a marathon run in the previous round on English grass, the world number two secured his 40th win of the season (his 16th in a row, extending his career-best winning streak) in one hour and 20 minutes against the combative Frenchman (world number 80), who was two points away from taking the first set.

Alcaraz, 22, recovered his breath after the three-and-a-half-hour battle against Jaume Munar and gave his all in key moments to advance to the semifinals, where he will seek a ticket to another final after winning in Rome and Roland Garros.

I don't feel invincible. Obviously, victories give me confidence. Right now, it's very high, and it's something I feel on the court , said the winner of the last two Wimbledon titles and the 2023 Queen's champion.

A lot of work

The Murcian played with skill and continued to build up his serve, just like the Frenchman. As the decisive games approached, in the eleventh, Rinderknech felt the pressure from Alcaraz, who continues to show his perfect adaptation to the grass, looking ahead to a third consecutive Wimbledon.

The five-time major champion capitalized on a pair of errors from his opponent, earned the break and then the set. Imposing his style, the El Palmar native smelled blood again when he aggressively pressed in the fifth game. With that advantage and hitting his first serves, it was enough for Alcaraz, without facing a single break point, to finish the match.

The Iberian will face his veteran compatriot Roberto Bautista, 37, this Saturday. Bautista caused a surprise by eliminating Dane Holger Rune 7-6 (7/5), 6-7 (4/7) and 6-2.

The other semifinal will pit Briton Jack Draper, currently world number six, against Czech Jiri Lehecka, who is ranked 30th in the ATP rankings.