Carlos Alcaraz continued his impressive run in 2022, defeating reigning Monte-Carlo champion Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals of the Barcelona Open. With a 6-4, 5-7, 6-2 victory over the Greek, Alcaraz is guaranteed to break into the top-10 when the ATP rankings are updated on Monday.
This makes the Spaniard the youngest player to do so since compatriot Rafael Nadal back in 2005. While the 21-time Grand Slam champion was 18 years and 10 months old at the time, Carlos Alcaraz is only a month older at 18 years and 11 months . Interestingly, Nadal also entered the top-10 by winning the Barcelona Open on April 25th, while Alcaraz did so on April 25th by reaching the semifinals.
For comparison, the teenager is almost an entire year younger than multiple Major winners Novak Djokovic (19 years and nine months) and Andy Murray (19 years and 11 months) when they managed to crack the top-10.
📊 Tenistas en activo más jóvenes en ingresar to the Top 10 of the ATP Ranking: 🇪🇸 Nadal (18y 10m) 🇪🇸 CARLOS ALCARAZ (18y 11m) 🇷🇸 Djokovic (19y 9m) 🇬🇧 Murray (19y 11m) 🇩🇪 Zverev (20y 1m ) 🇮🇹 Sinner (20y 2m) 🇬🇷 Tsitsipas (20y 6m) 🇨🇭 Federer (20y 9m) 🇫🇷 Gasquet (21y 21d) https://t.co/Pz1oo6fq9h
Alexander Zverev, Jannik Sinner and Stefanos Tsitsipas, were all over 20 years of age when they accomplished the record, as was 20-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer. Richard Gasquet, who made his Grand Slam debut at the age of 15 years and 11 months, was well over 21 years of age by the time he entered the top-10.
Moreover, the victory against the World No. 5 ensured that Alcaraz now holds a 8-6 win / loss record (57.1% winning percentage) against top-10 players, as well as an unblemished 3-0 lead over Tsitisipas.
Carlos Alcaraz takes on Alex de Minaur in the semifinals of the Barcelona Open
The Demon-Hour is Upon Us! Alex de Minaur sliiiiides into his first ATP semifinal since taking the title in Eastbourne last summer, pulling off the 6-3, 5-7, 6-1 win over Cam Norrie. winner between Stefanos Tsitsipas and Carlos Alcaraz. https://t.co/tvs2OTVJmC
The duo are yet to face off till date and the clash on Saturday will mark their first ever meeting on the ATP Tour. While de Minaur has done well so far to reach the last four, clay hasn’t historically seen the World No. 25 produces his best tennis, making Alcaraz the clear favorite to progress to the next stage.
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Assuming the Spaniard subdues de Minaur, he will be pitted against either sixth seed Diego Schwartzman or eighth seed Pablo Carreno Busta in the final. With one Masters 1000 title (Miami Masters) and one ATP 500 title (Rio Open) under his belt di lui already, the teenager will also be gunning for his third title of the season.