Monstrous in Miami, Carlos Alcaraz can beat a Rafael Nadal record

The title holder had to abdicate. Winner of the Miami Masters 1000 last year, Hubert Hurkacz this time stopped in the semi-finals. The Pole, 10th in the world, is the latest victim of the Carlos Alcaraz tornado, which is set to sweep the tennis world for the next 15 years.

The 18-year-old Spaniard won his semi-final in two tie-breaks (7-6 [5]7-6 [2]) and 2h05 of play. He can become the youngest winner if he beats the Norwegian Casper Ruud in the final. “Hubert was the defending champion, he played well, but I played very well. It will be my first big final on a hard court, but I have confidence in myself and I will enjoy it”, commented Alcaraz.

Semi-finalist two weeks ago in Indian Wells, only beaten by Rafael Nadal after a big fight, the current 16th in the world is following in the footsteps of his glorious elder. He became the second youngest player in history to reach the final of the event, after the Majorcan who was a month younger than him in 2005. On the other hand, he can do even better on Sunday with a victory, where Nadal finally gave in against Roger Federer back then.

On the rise

Revealed to the world six months ago at the US Open where he reached the quarters, eliminating the Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas, then 3rd in the world, Alcaraz can take a serious step in his meteoric progression, which saw him win the tournament in Rio de Janeiro in February, his second on the circuit after the more modest one in Umag (Croatia) last summer.

In Miami, he has the opportunity to win his best competition to date, if he has in the final the solid Ruud (8th in the world), easy winner in the half of the Argentinian Francisco Cerundolo (103rd), surprise guest of the last square (6-4, 6-1).