Teen sensation Alcaraz claims Djokovic scalp

TEENAGE star Carlos Alcaraz proved he is the real deal by stunning Novak Djokovic just 24 hours after slaying Rafael Nadal to reach the final of the Madrid Open.

The 19-year-old Spaniard beat Djokovic 6-7, 7-5, 7-6 in a thriller which lasted almost four hours.

Alcaraz, roared on by a raucous home crowd, delighted his army of supporters with some brilliant drop shots and eventually got the better of the Serb on his third match point.

After toppling his hero Nadal in the quarter-finals on Thursday, the

world No 9 became the first player in history to beat Djokovic and Nadal back-to-back on clay.

He will face either Alexander Zverev or Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.

Alcaraz, the youngest player in the top 10 since Nadal in 2005, has won this year in Miami, Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona.

He said: ‘It was so close. Novak had the chances to break my serve at the end of the second set. I don’t know what made the difference.

‘I think I am able to play against the best players in the world and beat them so it gives me a lot of confidence.’