Alcaraz downs Nadal in Madrid to book Djokovic clash

Carlos Alcaraz overcame an injury scare on his way to a milestone victory over Rafael Nadal to set up a blockbuster semifinal against Novak Djokovic in Madrid.

Alcaraz entered the contest with a 0-2 record against Nadal, but the 35-year-old arrived in Madrid with little to no preparation on clay after six weeks nursing a rib injury.

In an eventful quarterfinal at the Caja Magica, the 19-year-old Alcaraz beat 21-time Grand Slam champion Nadal 6-2, 1-6, 6-3 for his 26th victory of the season.

“It means a lot to me, all the hard work that I put in every day paid off today to beat Rafa, beat the best player in history on clay, it means a lot to me,” said Alcaraz, who is the first teenager to beat Nadal on a clay court.

“It affected me a lot the fall in the second set but when I lost the second, I went to the bathroom and I believed I was able to get back, I was able to do my best, try everything on court, fight until the last ball and I think it was the key.”