Arthur Fils spent just 20 minutes on court before advancing to the semi-finals in Barcelona on Friday as opponent Stefanos Tsitsipas quit their quarter-final with apparent illness.

The rising Frenchman collected a 2-0 win as the four-time runner-up walked to the net midway through the third game, unable to continue.

Fills will take on two-time champion Carlos Alcaraz for a place in the title match.

The pair played only last week in Monte Carlos, with Alcaraz posting a comeback quarter-final win.

“I think Stef has a bug, but I’m not sure,” Fils said. “I was ready to battle for a few hours, we always have tough matches.

“I hope he will be ready for the next weeks and Roland Garros.”

The No. 14 said he is pleased with the state of his own game: “I’m playing great, the match in Monte Carlo against Carlitos was positive even if I lost.”

Main photo; Arthus Fils in action -by ISF Ltd

Carlos Alcaraz fought off serving problems early on to dismiss the upset plans of Alex de Minaur, with the Spanish top seed reaching the Barcelona Open semi-finals 7-5, 6-4.

Last weekend’s Monte Carlo champion moved to within a pair of wins of a repeat in the chase for a third title at the home clay event.

Alcaraz twice trailed by a break in the opening set against his Australian opponent who learned his clay tennis in Spain.

But the local fought from 1-3 down to finally take the set on his second opportunity before whipping his game into shape for a sprint to the finish as he dominated to close out a third straight-set win of the week.

Two time Barca winner Alcaraz has now won his last right clay matches to reach the 36th semi-final of his career.

“It was really tight in the first set, I’m glad I ended up winning it.” he said. “In the second I played well the entire time.

“I started quite badly with serve in the first few games. But I calmed myself down and improved that.

“I started thinking positive and kept going to find my good tennis.”

Alcaraz leads the ATP with 23 clay victories this season – one more than seventh seed de Minaur.

Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz winning in Barcelona – by Banc Sabadell Trofeo

Holger Rune upset Barcelona Open holder Casper Ruud 6-4, 6-2, with the Dane set for a return to a top 10 ranking after winning Friday’s Scandinavian showdown.

Rune dominated his Norwegian rival in the 87 minute quarter-final, with Ruud now set to slide from the ranking elite from his 10th position as a result of the loss.

Victory marked a turning point for Rune, who stood 1-6 against a rival with three Grand Slam finals – two at Roland Garros – to his credit.

Rune clinched victory with his 16th winner after an exhausting duel on match point, which he won with a forehand down the line.

Ruud looked to be well off his usual clay game, committing 29 unforced errors including three double-faults.

“I’m proud of myself, I was hitting through my shots and I played explosively,” the winner said. “Casper is a great player and he made it difficult.

“Despite all the (Scandinavian) hype, I tried to look at it as just another match. I

I’m very happy I beat him today.”

Rune will challenge for the finals in the Catalan capital in a Saturday match against Karen Khachanov, who defeated Monte Carlo semi-finalist Alejandro Davidovich Fokina 6-4, 7-5.

Rune won his sixth Tour quarter-final since last August and earned his first top 10 win on clay since defeating No. 9 Grigor Dimitrov at Monte Carlo in 2024.