Carlos Alcaraz’s stellar start to the 2022 season is showing no signs of stopping soon after he sealed his place in the last four of a Masters 1000 event for the first time at the BNP Paribas Open.
The 18-year-old knocked out reigning champion Cameron Norie 6-4, 6-3, on Thursday evening to become the youngest male player to reach the last four in Indian Wells since Andre Agassi back in 1988. In both sets Alcaraz was forced to come back from a break down as he broke the Brit six times overall. This year is only the second time the Spaniard has played in Indian Wells after making his debut last year where he lost in the first round to Andy Murray.
“It’s amazing. I’m really happy to be able to play my first semifinal in a Masters 1000 here in Indian Wells,” said Alcaraz. “(It’s a) Amazing place to be. Amazing place to play. I mean, it’s an unbelievable achievement for me.”
It is the latest milestone for the teenage sensation during what has been a strong start to 2022. At the Rio Open last month he became the youngest player in history to win an ATP 500 title since the series was introduced back in 2009. As a result of that triumph, he moved inside the world’s top 20 for the first time. Becoming the youngest player to do so since Andrei Medvedev in 1993. Last year he also reached the quarter-finals of the US Open and won his maiden Tour title in Umag.
Alcaraz’s reward for his latest Indian Wells win will be a clash with his idol Rafael Nadal in what will be a battle of the generations. Nadal first broke into the world’s top 90 during the first week of May 2003 which was when Alcaraz was born.
“It’s amazing to play against Rafa. He’s been my idol since I was a kid, so it’s never easy to play against him, but I think it’s going to be a great match,” he said.
“I think it’s a great experience for me to meet him in a Masters 1000 semifinal here at Indian Wells.’
“I’m going to have fun out there and enjoy every single second in the match.It’s a very special experience for me.”
Last year Alcaraz played Nadal for the first time in his career at the Madrid Open where he won just three games. However, with a surge in confidence in playing on the Tour the youngster is hoping to put up more of a fight in their next meeting at Indian Wells.
“I’m playing at a good level in this tournament. I know it’s going to be a really tough match, but everybody knows how Rafa’s game is and he has a thousand lives in a match. When he’s down, he can turn the shot and turn around the game.” Alcaraz commented.
Meanwhile, Nadal is not taking anything for granted when it comes to playing against his compatriot. Following his rollercoaster win over Nick Kyrgios, the world No.4 said Alcaraz ‘has all the ingredients’ to be one of the world’s best players in the future.
The question is if Alcaraz is ready to pull off the ultimate upset at Indian Wells this year?
