Carlos Alcaraz downs Ethan Quinn, extends winning streak

Two-time Barcelona Open champion Carlos Alcaraz is through to the second round at the home ATP 500 event. Returning to Pista Rafa Nadal, world no. 2 met the young American Ethan Quinn in the first round and scored a 6-2, 7-6 victory in an hour and 46 minutes.

The Monte Carlo Masters champion had the upper hand in the opener, clinching the pivotal points and providing a double break for 6-2. They traded breaks three times in the second set! Ethan led 3-1 and erased a late deficit to introduce a tie break. 

They traded seven mini-breaks in the opening eight points, with Alcaraz leading 5-3! However, Quinn claimed three straight points and generated a set point. The Spaniard denied it and claimed three points in a row to move over the top. 

The shot. The extended grunt. The celebration.@carlosalcaraz lighting up Pista Rafa Nadal 🔥#BCNOpenBS pic.twitter.com/omgeNr0XAa

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 15, 2025

Alcaraz landed 16 winners and 27 unforced errors, firing too many loose shots from his forehand. Quinn counted nine winners and sent 35 wayward strokes, mostly from his forehand. They produced equal numbers of service winners and stayed in touch at the net.

Carlos forged a slight advantage from the baseline and emerged at the top after taking 19 points more than his rival. Ethan needed 12 minutes to bring the opening game home. The American defended three break points and avoided an early setback. 

Alcaraz played against three break points in the second game, saving them and locking the result at 1-1. The Spaniard stepped in and provided back-to-back breaks in games three and five for a 4-1 advantage. Quinn could have pulled one break back in game six. 

The younger player generated two break points but squandered them, allowing world no. 2 to bring the game home with a powerful serve. Ethan squandered a 40-0 lead in the seventh game and faced a set point. He saved it and held to prolong the…