Denmark’s Holger Rune went through to his first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final on Friday after a walkover from world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz in the second set of their quarter-final match at the Paris Masters.

Rune was leading 3-1 in the second set tie-break at 6-3, 6-6 when the Spaniard was forced to retire having had treatment on an abdominal muscle at 6-5. “I thought it was a great match. (It’s) unlucky for him,” said Rune after the match.

“I think we both played very well and I was super focused.

“Carlos is, if not the best, one of the best return players in the world. Of course, he is No. 1, so he is obviously the best in the world right now, but I’m super happy with how I handled all the things under pressure,” he added.

The Dane will next battle Felix Auger-Aliassime, who downed Frances Tiafoe 6-1, 6-4 for his 16th consecutive win, seeking revenge on the Canadian who beat him in Basel just five days ago.

On Thursday, Alcaraz had reached the quarters after beating Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria 6-1, 6-3.

Also through in straight sets was former world No.1 and defending Paris Masters champion Novak Djokovic.

The Serbian, a six-time winner here, defeated Karen Khachanov of Russia 6-4, 6-1.

He will go up against Lorenzo Musetti for a place in the semi-finals. The Italian youngster ousted Roland Garros finalist Casper Ruud 4-6, 6-4, 6-4 to reach his first ATP Masters 1000 quarter-final.

“He (Ruud) was playing really well and I had to play my best tennis to beat him,” Musetti said after the win.

Written with inputs from Reuters