Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest US Open quarterfinalist in the Open Era

Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz becomes youngest US Open quarterfinalist in the Open Era

Carlos Alcaraz

18-year-old Carlos Alcaraz has taken the US Open 2021 by storm. The Spaniard youngster grabbed the eyeballs after beating World No.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round of the final Grand Slam of the year in New York.

Alcaraz who had earlier made his appearance during the clay court season, was seen locking horns with 20-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal in Madrid. In fact, many experts also believe that the Spanish youngster is likely to taste plenty of success on the ATP tour going forward. Moreover, he is also known to idolise the King of clay and is also a product of the Rafa Nadal Academy.

Although Alcaraz is coached by former French Open champion Juan Carlos Ferrero, the Spaniard has been spotted receiving tips from Nadal and his uncle, Toni in the past.

FS Video

Meanwhile, as many wondered if Alcaraz could recover after his five-set heroics over the Greek player, the World No.55 later showed incredible grit and mental fortitude to win yet another five-set match in the fourth round against Peter Gojowczyk.

In the process, the youngest male player to reach the quarterfinals since Andre Agassi in the 1988 US Open. Alcaraz will next take on another Canadian prodigy Felix Auger Aliassime.

“I’m super excited to be in my first second week in the Grand Slam, so it’s amazing for me. It’s a dream come true,” Alcaraz told atptour.com.

The two players will also square off in the youngest Grand Slam quarterfinal since 2006 French Open. Back in the day, a 20-year-old Nadal took on a 19-year-old Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinal at Roland Garros.

First ATP title in Umag

Carlos Alcaraz Garfia
Carlos Alcaraz

Alcaraz enjoyed a decent time on the clay courts, earlier in the season and also ended up winning his maiden ATP title in Umag after beating French veteran Richard Gasquet.

The US Open quarterfinalist also made the semifinals of the recently concluded Winston-Salem Open, ahead of the tournament in New York.

YouTube video

Also read: READ: What latest rare feat of Novak Djokovic at the Grand Slams has helped him tie with Roger Federer