With five titles by his name at 20, Carlos Alcaraz is already one of the most prominent Masters 1000 players! The young Spaniard has had a great run at the premium ATP events, winning 53 out of 69 matches and lifting five trophies from six finals, including the most recent one in Indian Wells.
Carlos took down the ATP Race leader Jannik Sinner in the semi-final despite losing the opening set 6-1, raising his level in the second and sailing over the top. Thus, Sinner became the second player to clinch a dominant 6-1 set against Alcaraz at a Masters 1000 level, joining Rafael Nadal on the exclusive list.
Nadal achieved that at their home Masters 1000 event in Madrid in 2021 and 2022, beating his young compatriot in the first duel before losing the second despite a dominant performance in set number two.
Rafa and Carlos met on the young gun’s 18th birthday in Madrid 2021, and the more experienced Spaniard clinched a 6-1, 6-2 triumph in an hour and 16 minutes.
Alcaraz became the youngest player to win a match in Madrid against Adrian Mannarino, breaking his idol’s record and facing him in the second round! Carlos experienced a stomach muscle injury in the opening games, struggling and finishing the duel with three games on his tally.
An 18-year-old made a reliable start, landing three deep returns in the first game of the clash and earning a break chance. Alcaraz wasted it after a forehand error, allowing Nadal to wrap up the game with a service winner and avoid an early setback.
Rafa caused Carlos’ mistake in the second game, delivering an early break and moving in front. The youngster injured a stomach muscle while chasing a ball in the third game, asking for a medical timeout and falling 3-0 behind after Nadal’s volley winner.
Rafa pushed strong on the return in the fourth game, creating three break chances and forcing Carlos’ mistake for a break at love and a 4-0 lead after 24 minutes.
Firing from all cylinders, Nadal landed a forehand down the line winner in the fifth game, holding at love and extending the advantage. Alcaraz served to stay in the set at 0-5, hoping to avoid a bagel. The young gun produced a hold, reducing the deficit and extending the set before Rafa earned three set points on serve in the next one with a forehand down the line winner.
Nadal clinched the first after an unreturned serve, wrapping up the opener 6-1 in 36 minutes. Tables turned a year later, with two rivals meeting in the quarter-final at Caja Magica. Nadal provided another 6-1 set against Alcaraz, but it was insufficient to emerge at the top.
The young gun scored a 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 triumph in two hours and 28 minutes, becoming the youngest player with a win over Nadal on clay!
