Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest top five player since idol Rafael Nadal

Carlos Alcaraz, 19, has become the youngest man inside the ATP top five since compatriot Rafael Nadal achieved the feat in 2005. 

Alcaraz confirmed he will be ranked at least fifth in the world come Monday after defeating Alex Molcan 7-6 (7-2), 6-1 to meet Lorenzo Musetti in the Hamburg Open final.

Nadal first reached the top five just a month shy of turning 19 after winning his first Rome Masters title in May 2005.

“It’s going to be a great final, I’m going to enjoy it,” Alcaraz said of his next match. “Of course Lorenzo is a great player.

“He has played great matches [to get to] the final, me as well. So, I have a lot of confidence for the final and hope to [make it] six of six.”

By six of six Alcaraz means his push for a sixth title from six ATP tour finals, having won all of his first five in Umag, Rio de Janeiro, the Miami Masters, Barcelona and the Madrid Masters.

Not only that, but Alcaraz has won all five of his previous finals in straight sets for a flawless run of 10 consecutive sets won in finals.

 

 

Meanwhile, Musetti, 20, is into his first tour level final, having previously reached semi-finals in Sardinia, Acapulco and Lyon last year.

He defeated Francisco Cerundolo, who came into Hamburg off of a title in Bastad, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) to achieve his career first milestone.

It comes for the Italian at an unexpected time, Hamburg being the first event in 2022 where Musetti has won more than two consecutive main draw matches.

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