Carlos Alcaraz eases into seventh semifinal of 2022

Croatia): Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz reached his seventh semifinal of the year on Friday with a straight-sets win over Facundo Bagnis at the Umag clay-court tournament. The 19-year-old Spaniard raced away with the first eight games of the match before sealing a 6-0, 6-4 win over his 120th-ranked opponent from Argentina. Having started the week at a career-high of five in the world, Alcaraz will replace Stefanos Tsitsipas at number four should he defeat Italian qualifier Giulio Zeppieri in Saturday's semi-finals.

"It means a lot to be able to reach the number four ranking, to have a chance to do it," Alcaraz said after Friday's match. "It's amazing for me. I think I'm playing really well.

I feel really comfortable playing here, a lot of confidence right now." Zeppieri defeated Spain's Bernabe Zapata Miralles 7-5, 6-4 to make the last four. Meanwhile, second seed and world number 10 Jannik Sinner reached his first semi-final of 2022 by seeing off Roberto Carballes Baena 6-4, 7-6 (7/5). "I've won many matches, but I think I've had some unfortunate moments this year," said Italy's Sinner after his win over 86th-ranked Carballes Baena of Spain.

"But here I am, the first semi-final of the year, and hopefully I can show some good tennis also in the next round." The 20-year-old will face 136th-ranked compatriot Franco Agamenone for a place in the final. Unseeded Agamenone made the last four by beating 2018 champion Marco Cecchinato, also of Italy, 6-2, 6-1.