Madrid: Carlos Alcarazu dropped his statue Rafael Nadal in 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 Madrid Open Quarterfinals on Friday.
“It means a lot to me,” said 19-year-old Alkaraz. “The hard work I put in every day pays off today. To beat Rafa, to beat the best player in history on clay, it means a lot to me.”
Alcaraz faced fellow Spaniard Nadal, 35, twice and lost on both occasions.
His reward is a semi-final with world no. Novak Djokovikwho defeated the pole Hubert Herkasz 6-3, 6-4.
Nadal, a five-time winner in Madrid, missed serve three times in the first set, winning a crucial match that had to be stopped to assist a spectator in the stands.
Alkaraj sprained his right ankle during the match.
In the second set, Alcaraz saved three break points but lost. He struggled with his right ankle as Nadal won five straight games on the set.
Alcaraz recovered from the start of the third set to break Nadal in the fourth game and then serve the rest of the way to win.
“It means a lot to me,” said 19-year-old Alkaraz. “The hard work I put in every day pays off today. To beat Rafa, to beat the best player in history on clay, it means a lot to me.”
Alcaraz faced fellow Spaniard Nadal, 35, twice and lost on both occasions.
His reward is a semi-final with world no. Novak Djokovikwho defeated the pole Hubert Herkasz 6-3, 6-4.
Nadal, a five-time winner in Madrid, missed serve three times in the first set, winning a crucial match that had to be stopped to assist a spectator in the stands.
Alkaraj sprained his right ankle during the match.
In the second set, Alcaraz saved three break points but lost. He struggled with his right ankle as Nadal won five straight games on the set.
Alcaraz recovered from the start of the third set to break Nadal in the fourth game and then serve the rest of the way to win.