Carlos Alcaraz beats Stefanos Tsitsipas to mirror incredible Rafael Nadal stat
Carlos Alcaraz created astonishing symmetry with Rafael Nadal on Friday as he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in Barcelona.
The quarterfinal win will see Alcaraz break into the top ten for the first time next week and puts him in contention to win a third title of the season.
It will also mean that Alcaraz will debut in the ATP top ten next week at the same age as Nadal did, on the same date as Nadal did, and after the very same tournament that Nadal did back in 2005.
Alcaraz recorded his third win over defending champion Tsitsipas in a brilliant contest, taking it 6-4, 5-7, 6-2.
“Probably my biggest win on clay court,” Carlos Alcaraz said. “It was unbelievable.
“Unbelievable game that I played, unbelievable atmosphere that I lived today on court. It was unbelievable everything.
25th April, 2005: 18-year-old Rafa Nadal breaks the ATP Top 10 after winning the Barcelona title
25th April, 2022: 18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz will break the ATP Top 10 after Barcelona
🇪🇸 @RafaelNadal @alcarazcarlos03 #BCNOPenBS pic.twitter.com/pniYXggViP
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) April 22, 2022
“The atmosphere here, the crowd, the level that I played, the level of the match. It was incredible.
“I think I beat the favourite. I’m playing an incredible level. And I think that I’m ready to get the title.”
Tenth seed Alex De Minaur now awaits Alcaraz in the semi-finals.
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