Will generational talent Alcaraz make it to the title defence in Barcelona?

He is said to have no weakness, plays better tennis than Rafael Nadal did when he was young, is considered a generational talent and a phenomenon on the ATP circuit. What’s between the 19-year-old Spaniard and a third title this year?

For the first time in a long time, Carlos Alcaraz has become someone who is believed to be able to follow the iconic Federer-Nadal-Djokovic trio. This year, he started to prove it right from the first tournament where he had the chance to showcase his colourful tennis.

He was unbeatable in Buenos Aires in mid-February and continued his great results on clay in Rio de Janeiro and on American concrete in Indian Wells and Miami. His overall record of 21:2 includes defeats to Norrie (final in Rio) and Sinner (semi-final in Miami). However, he has beaten both of these tennis players already this year.

On clay in Barcelona he advanced without losing a set, the toughest nut in this respect was his compatriot Davidovich in the quarterfinals. The defending champion from last year repeatedly thrilled the crowd here. His daring tennis with risky attacking shots drew ovations comparable to Rafael Nadal’s matches.

Alcaraz won the first set in a tiebreak, and when his compatriot came back after losing his serve in the second set to level at 3-3, the crowd was clear that they were watching the best match of the tournament so far. Apparently there was only one thing missing:: the third set. The favourite of the match got two match points on his opponent’s serve and converted the second one after almost two and a quarter hours of play.

The opponent for Saturday’s semifinal

Carlos Alcaraz will be the favorite on Saturday (and we can’t expect to hear otherwise too many times this year). He will face Daniel Evans (26th on the rankings). The 32 year old Brit is definitely not a clay lover, but he has a positive record on clay this year (5::2).

He made it through to the semifinals over Italian Arnaldi (6-4,6-3), having fended off all 10 breakballs from his opponent, and Russian Khachanov (11th in the ATP rankings), successfully saving his serve five times and winning 2: 0 in sets.

In the quarter-final match against the Argentine Cerundolo, he lost his serve more than once, losing the first set 2::6, but broke it in his favour in the end of the second set (winning 7::5) and with a decisive start to the deciding set he secured his promotion to the semi-finals. Saturday’s match will be his second this year after the tournament in Marrakech, Morocco, earlier this month.

In that one, by the way, he also faced a Spaniard (his opponent was Roberto Carballes Baena) and lost it in three sets. On Saturday, he will most likely face an even tougher fight. Carlos Alcaraz (6::4, 6::3) was the winner of their only match a year and a half ago in Vienna.

Saturday’s programme will start with the semi-final between Musetti and Tsisipas, the Alcaraz-Evans duel is scheduled for 16:00.

Sources: ATP, Barcelona Open