Alcaraz Overcomes Injury Scare to Advance in Barcelona

Carlos Alcaraz made a successful return to competition in Barcelona, defeating Otto Virtanen 6-4, 6-2 to reach the last 16, just 48 hours after losing to Jannik Sinner in the Monte-Carlo Masters final. Despite requiring a medical timeout for a wrist issue, Alcaraz showed no signs of discomfort during his 85-minute win. The Spaniard, who must win the tournament to reclaim the world No 1 spot, expressed his happiness at being back on home soil and is looking forward to his next match against Tomas Machac. Alcaraz is seeking his third title of the season and is prioritizing steady improvement during the clay season. With Sinner absent from the draw, Alcaraz has a great opportunity to regain the top ranking and is focused on staying on his current path, with results and points providing extra motivation.