At the age of 18, Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz defeated British Cameron Norrie, reigning Indian Wells champion, in two sets on Thursday and will compete in the semifinals of this Masters 1000 against his idol, Rafael Nadal.
The new jewel of Spanish tennis, number 19 in the ATP, dethroned Norrie (12th) 6-4 and 6-3 in a new exhibition at the center court in Indian Wells (California).
With this triumph Alcaraz became the youngest semifinalist of this Masters 1000 since the American Andre Agassi (17) in 1988.
“It's incredible to be part of the history of this tournament,” said a radiant Alcaraz cheered by the second largest track in the world. “I'm enjoying every second. I have no words to describe my feelings as I move to the semifinals.”
The Spaniard, who continues to burn stages and marks of precocity, will have the biggest challenge of his career on Saturday in the semifinals against Nadal, who has 19 wins in a row in the third best start of the season in history.
“It's hard to play against Rafa but at the same time I'm going to enjoy the moment. You don't always play against your idol,” Alcaraz stressed.
“I'll be happy even if I lose but I'll play hard against Rafa and try to seize my chances,” he said.
In May 2021, Alcaraz already faced Nadal, the tennis player with the most Grand Slams titles in history (21), and was overwhelmed by 6-1 and 6-2 at the Madrid Open.
“The first time we played was on clay and on my 18th birthday,” he recalled. “Since then we have trained together a few times and I think it will be a little different. It can destroy me again but we don't know what will happen.”
- “An unstoppable race” -
Asked at a press conference about a possible Spanish match in the semifinals, Nadal got rid of praise for Alcaraz and even said that it reminded him of his own beginnings in tennis.
“I think his career is unstoppable. It has all the ingredients. He has the passion and he is humble,” Nadal described him after beating Nick Kyrgios in the quarterfinals.
“It reminds me of many things from when I was a 17 or 18 year old boy. I think he has the passion, he has the talent and the physical component,” he said.
“Of course it's going to be a great rival for now and for the next few months but, being selfish, it's great to have such a star from my country. Tennis lovers will continue to enjoy an incredible player fighting for the most important titles over the next few years,” he congratulated himself.
On Thursday, for the first time under the spotlight of the central court, Alcaraz gave another full display of his talent and physical power against the reigning champion.
At the start of the clash, Norrie saw how the Spaniard returned two service breaks and accelerated until he pocketed the first set.
At halftime the British left-hander had to ask for a medical time-out to do stretching.
On the way back he found the same punishment from the Spaniard, tireless to chase every ball even when Norrie thought he already had the point in his pocket.
The fans, surrendered to Alcaraz's exuberant game, were amazed by his inexhaustible arsenal of blows, combining missiles with the right and backhand with subtle blows over the net.
Norrie threw in the towel after an hour and 40 minutes of play and Alcaraz signed up for the first all-Spanish semifinal in the 46-year history of Indian Wells.
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