CNN
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So robust is Carlos Alcaraz’s affection for Actual Madrid, even the Spanish teen sensation’s tennis matches mirror his beloved soccer membership’s.
Simply 24 hours after defeating compatriot Rafael Nadal, the 19-year-old fought again to beat world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in a sensational three-and-a-half-hour basic on Saturday to achieve the Madrid Open closing.
Emboldened by a rapturous dwelling crowd on the Manolo Santana Stadium, a 6-7(5) 7-5 7-6(5) victory over the Serb noticed Alcaraz change into the primary participant in historical past to beat Nadal and Djokovic in back-to-back matches on clay.
Having solely turned 19 on Thursday, Alcaraz took the match to the 20-time grand slam winner from the outset, a spectacular array of drop photographs serving to the world No. 9 to take the second set after agonizingly shedding the primary on a tiebreak.
And simply as Actual Madrid had carried out in spectacular vogue in opposition to Manchester Metropolis within the Champions League final week, the Spaniard accomplished a shocking comeback, this time triumphing within the tiebreak to spark bedlam among the many stands.
Alcaraz then penned ‘Un partido en Madrid es molto longo’ (‘A sport in Madrid is a very long time’) on a close-by TV digital camera, invoking a remark made by Actual Madrid legend Juanito in 1986 that has since change into synonymous with the membership’s frequent comebacks.
With a match-time clocking in at three hours and 35 minutes, it was the proper sign-off for Alcaraz, who will change into the Madrid Open’s youngest ever finalist when he faces Germany’s Alexander Zverev on Sunday.
Alcaraz’s run in Madrid continues an unbelievable season for {the teenager}, after change into the youngest ever winner of the Miami Open in April, however the teen is conserving his ft firmly on the bottom.
“I’m not going to inform you that,” Alcaraz replied when requested who the perfect participant on the earth was at the moment.
“I used to be capable of beat No. 1, however I’m nonetheless ranked No. 9 – I nonetheless have eight gamers in entrance of me to be the No. 1.
“We’re going to have a good time to benefit from the second, however tomorrow I’m going to play a closing of a very large event … tonight I’m going to be very targeted to have the ability to get well and to be as finest as attainable for tomorrow’s match.”
Alcaraz had obtained glowing reward from Nadal after his victory in Miami, who predicted it will be the “first of many” for his compatriot, and Djokovic shared Nadal’s sentiments in defeat.
“Nice issues to come back from this expertise sooner or later, good luck within the closing tomorrow,” Djokovic tweeted.
The Serb remained world No. 1 for a record-extending 369th week after a second-round win over Gaël Monfils on Wednesday.
