PA Media/DPA
London
World number two Carlos Alcaraz was made to work hard as he booked a place in the last 16 of the Barcelona Open with victory over underdog Ethan Quinn.
The four-time Grand Slam winner was briefly a break of serve down in the second set against a 21-year-old American opponent ranked 126th in the world.
Alcaraz, who is building up to the start of his French Open title defence, eventually prevailed 6-2, 7-6 (8-6) in an hour and 47 minutes.
He will play Serbian qualifier Laslo Djere in round two, with Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, who beat Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena on Monday, a potential quarter-final opponent.
Fifth seed Alex de Minaur set up a second-round showdown with Fearnley by beating Argentina’s Tomas Martin Etcheverry 6-4, 6-4.
Second seed Casper Ruud defeated Colombian qualifier Daniel Elahi Galan 6-4, 6-3, while third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas overcame American Reilly Opelka 6-2, 6-2.
Ninth seed Frances Tiafoe suffered a 2-6, 7-5, 6-1 loss to Spanish world number 57 Jaume Munar.
Niemeier beats Siegemund
Jule Niemeier was the winner of the all-German duel against Laura Siegemund at the WTA Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart on Tuesday.
Niemeier came from 4-1 down in the third set to prevail 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 after three hours and 12 minutes to reach the last 16. She will now face another German in Eva Lys or top favourite Jasmine Paolini.
“I believe we both put up a fight. I think the first set was a nervous one for both of us,” the winner said.
Top seed Aryna Sabalenka and world number two Iga Swiatek received a first-round by and will start in the last 16.
Swiatek faces Jana Fett on Wednesday, while Sabalenka faces Anastasia Potapova on Thursday.
