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The 2022 Barcelona Open has reached its semifinal stage with fifth seed Carlos Alcaraz taking on 10th seed Alex de Minaur, while sixth seed Diego Schwartzman faces eighth seed Pablo Carreno Busta.
Alcaraz survived a tough battle against top seed and recently-crowned Monte-Carlo Masters champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals. The Spaniard won 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 to maintain his 100% record against the World No. 5, with their head-to-head 3-0 in the Spaniard's favor.
De Minaur had to grind out a victory over fourth seed Cameron Norrie, winning 6-3, 5-7, 6-1. With the win, the Australian advanced to his first semifinal since winning the Eastbourne International last June.
Carreno Busta, meanwhile, saved three match points to beat second seed Casper Ruud 4-6, 7-6(8), 6-3 and reach the last four. He will be up against Schwartzman, who came from a set down to beat third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime.
All the semifinalists have had to survive tough three set matches in the quarterfinals and it will be interesting to see who reaches the final on Sunday.
Carlos Alcaraz (-1000) vs Alex de Minaur (+600) Prediction
Fifth seed Alcaraz has had to toil for some of his victories in Barcelona, with two of his three wins in the tournament coming in three sets. The Spaniard fought off Kwon Soon-woo in three sets in his opener before beating compatriot Jaume Munar in straight sets. He then beat top seed Tsitsipas in a tough three-set affair.
De Minaur also played went the distance in two of his three matches.
This will be the very first meeting between Alcaraz and De Minaur. The Spaniard's quality on clay and current form should see him advance to the final.
Pick: Carlos Alcaraz to win in three sets (+375) via Caesar's Sportsbook.
Diego Schwartzman (-150) vs Pablo Carreno Busta (+120) Prediction
Schwartzman has looked in good form at the Barcelona Open so far. The Argentine beat Mackenzie McDonald and Lorenzo Musetti in straight sets before defeating Auger-Aliassime in three to reach the semis.
Carreno Busta had a relatively difficult road to the semifinals as he had to grind out a win against both Lorenzo Sonego and Casper Ruud, saving three match points in his match against the Norwegian.
Schwartzman and Carreno Busta locked horns in the quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open last year, with the latter winning in three sets to take a 2-1 lead in their head-to-head.
However, we predict the Argentine to edge out the Spaniard this time around and book his place in the final of the tournament.
Pick: Diego Schwartzman to win in three sets (+375) via Caesar's Sportsbook
