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Rafael Nadal isn’t on the 2021 US Open.
However the man dubbed because the “subsequent Rafa” by Nadal’s uncle and former coach, Toni, is and has now properly and actually introduced himself to the world.
Carlos Alcaraz, the 18-year-old from Murcia within the south-east of Spain, produced the upset of the event within the match of the US Open by taking down Greek third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.
By doing so, he joined some of the gods of tennis with his epic five-set win over Tsitsipas, where he prevailed 6-3, 4-6,7-6 (7-2), 0-6, 7-6 (7-5).
The victory over Tsitsipas noticed him develop into the youngest participant since 1973 to take down a prime three participant.
He bettered the achievements of Pete Sampras (19) in 1990, who took down Ivan Lendl and Andre Agassi (20) who took down Boris Becker in the identical 12 months.
Even earlier than his large killing show on Saturday (AEST), Alcaraz’s identify was doing the rounds in tennis circles.
By successful his first spherical on the US Open he turned the primary youngest participant since Goran Ivanisevic in 1989 to progress by means of to the second spherical at every of the 4 Slams.
He additionally turned the youngest participant since Novak Djokovic in 2005 to progress by means of to the third spherical of two Slams within the one 12 months.
He’s additionally the youngest participant since Sampras and Michael in 1989 change to succeed in the fourth spherical of the US Open.
As lately as Might, Nadal was singing Alcaraz’s praises.
“I actually consider he’s going to be a incredible participant within the close to future,” the 20-time Grand Slam champion stated.
Alcaraz, who made his Grand Slam debut earlier this 12 months, is coached by former world No.1 and 2003 Roland-Garros champion Juan Carlos Ferrero. He has been working with Alzaraz for 2 years at his Equelite Academy.
Alcaraz usually trains with Nadal, however it isn’t the Spanish king who Ferrero says his pupil reminds him of however the Swiss prince Roger Federer.
“It’s tough to check [anyone] to Roger Federer, in fact, but when I needed to say one identify [in comparison to Carlos], I’m on the lookout for any individual that may be very aggressive and is ready to do quite a lot of issues on the courtroom, and Roger is the very best in these conditions,” Ferrero stated. “He can play on any floor and may play any kind of favor.”
That aggression was on show by Alcaraz on Saturday, as he hit 60 winners to stun the Greek star.
Alcaraz had the Arthur Ashe stadium in raptures proper all through the match, significantly within the third set and once more within the fifth as he steadied the ship following his powerful fourth set the place his much-fancied rival reeled off six straight video games.
However the Spaniard’s willingness to danger drop-shots and convey his opponent ahead and cross him on the web and deep on his service line paid off.
He’ll now tackle veteran German Peter Gojowczyk – ranked 141 on the earth – within the spherical of 16 for a spot within the final eight.
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