Spanish tennis sensation Carlos Alcaraz began his journey at the 2025 Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell, popularly known as the Trofeo Conde de Godó, with a convincing victory over American youngster Ethan Quinn. Playing on the iconic Rafa Nadal Court, Alcaraz secured a straight-sets win, 6-2, 7-6(6), marking his return to the tournament after a two-year hiatus due to injury.
The home crowd welcomed Alcaraz with thunderous applause, eager to see their local hero back in action. With two Barcelona Open titles already under his belt (2022 and 2023), expectations were high for the 20-year-old, currently ranked No. 3 in the world. His performance did not disappoint.
A Dominant First Set
From the very first game, Alcaraz looked composed and in control. Despite having limited time to adapt to clay after his recent run at the Monte Carlo Masters, he quickly found his rhythm. He broke Ethan Quinn’s serve twice in the first set, using deep baseline strokes and a wide variety of shots to unsettle his opponent.
Quinn, ranked outside the top 100, showed glimpses of potential with his powerful serve and forehand but struggled with consistency. Alcaraz’s ability to switch from defense to offense with fluidity made it difficult for the American to build any momentum. The first set ended 6-2 in just under 35 minutes.
Quinn Fights Back in the Second Set
While the first set seemed like a routine win, the second set was anything but. Ethan Quinn came out with renewed energy, hitting aggressive returns and managing to break Alcaraz’s serve to take a surprising 3-1 lead. The pressure seemed to mount on Alcaraz, who committed a series of unforced errors early in the set.
However, true to his reputation, the Spaniard showed why he’s considered one of the most mentally tough players on the tour. He broke back immediately and held serve to level the set. The crowd roared as the two players went toe-to-toe, eventually reaching a tense tiebreak.
A Tight Tiebreak Finish
The tiebreak was a nail-biter. Quinn held a set point at 6-5, threatening to take the match into a deciding third set. But Alcaraz dug deep, saving the set point with a gutsy forehand winner. He followed it up with two more strong points, eventually closing out the tiebreak 8-6 and winning the match in 1 hour and 48 minutes.
With this victory, Alcaraz extended his winning streak at the Barcelona Open to 11 matches, having not lost a single match in the tournament since 2021.
“It’s Always Special to Play Here”
Speaking after the match, Alcaraz said, “It’s always special to play in Barcelona, especially on this court with such an incredible crowd. I’ve had great memories here, and I’m happy to start this year’s campaign with a win.”
He also acknowledged the challenge Quinn presented: “Ethan played a great second set. He pushed me and made me work for every point. I’m glad I stayed calm and managed to close it out.”
What’s Next for Alcaraz?
Alcaraz’s next opponent in the round of 16 will be Serbia’s Laslo Djere, a seasoned clay-court player known for his physical game and solid baseline play. Djere could present a tricky challenge, especially if Alcaraz continues to ease into clay after transitioning from hard courts.
A win in the next round will move Alcaraz closer to his third Barcelona Open title, putting him in the elite company of Rafael Nadal, who holds a record 12 titles at the event.
Rising Star Ethan Quinn Gains Respect
Despite the loss, Ethan Quinn earned praise for his spirited performance. The 20-year-old American, who has been gradually making his mark on the ATP circuit, showed grit and flashes of brilliance, especially in the second set. His ability to push one of the world’s best players to the brink in a tiebreak will surely boost his confidence going forward.
Quinn later posted on social media: “Tough one today, but grateful for the opportunity to play on such a big stage against a champion like Carlos. I’ll take the positives and keep working.”
Tournament Heating Up
As the Barcelona Open heads into its later rounds, fans can expect high-intensity matches with top players like Stefanos Tsitsipas, Casper Ruud, and Cameron Norrie still in the draw. With Roland Garros just weeks away, the tournament is a key preparation ground for players looking to peak on clay.
Carlos Alcaraz’s return to Barcelona couldn’t have gone better. Although he faced a bit of turbulence in the second set, his calm demeanor and explosive shot-making helped him sail through. As he sets his sights on a third title at the Trofeo Conde de Godó, fans are already dreaming of more iconic moments from one of Spain’s brightest tennis stars.
With form, fitness, and fan support all lining up perfectly, Alcaraz is undoubtedly the man to beat in Barcelona.
For further updates , stay tuned !!
