Teenager Alcaraz stuns Nadal to reach Madrid Open semifinals

By Muhammed Enes Calli

ANKARA (AA) – Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz pulled off a spectacular win over Rafael Nadal on Friday to set up a Madrid Open semifinal clash with Serbia's Novak Djokovic.

Alcaraz, 19, overcame a fall and ankle injury to beat five-time champion Nadal 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.

“It means a lot to me,” the youngster gushed after the win.

“All the hard work that I put in every day pays off today. To beat Rafa, to beat the best player in history on clay, it means a lot to me.”

Alcaraz will now face three-time champion Djokovic on Saturday, with the world’s top-ranked player flying high after easily brushing aside Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 6-4 in the quarterfinals.