(Madrid) The Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, world N.2 and holder of the trophy, offered himself a new final at the Madrid Masters 1000 by dominating the Croatian Borna Coric (20th) 6-4, 6-3 on the day of his 20 years old Friday.
In the final on Sunday, Alcaraz will face a surprise guest in any case: either the German Jan-Lennard Struff (65th) or the Russian Aslan Karatsev (121st). Both will play against each other for the second time in the Madrid tournament, since the second had beaten the first in the last qualifying round, finally drafted after a last minute withdrawal.
Juan Carlos Ferrero’s protege, injured for the Australian Open and who only started his season in February, will already be aiming for his fourth title in 2023, after Buenos Aires, Indian Wells and Barcelona.
On clay, he has just obtained his 18th victory of the year in 19 games played. Promising three weeks from Roland-Garros (May 28-June 11).
If he retains the title in Madrid, Alcaraz will only have to play a match in Rome the following week to then reinstall himself on the throne of world No.1 at the expense of Novak Djokovic.
Last September, “Carlitos” became the youngest world No.1 in history on the heels of his first Grand Slam crown at the United States Open.
