,,It will be tough against ‘Rafa’, but I’m going to enjoy it”, said 18-year-old Alcaraz. “I don’t play against my idol every day.”
The two Spaniards faced each other for the first time on the ATP Tour last year in Madrid. Nadal then defeated Alcaraz 6-1 6-2. At the time, the teenager was still the number 120 in the world and participated with a wild card, now he is in nineteenth place. On the Indian Wells hardcourt, Alcaraz defeated Norrie, the Briton who won the tournament last year, in the quarterfinals 6-4 6-3.
Nadal, who is still undefeated this season, had considerably more trouble beating Kyrgios. After almost 3 hours, the world’s number 4 was able to celebrate another victory: 7-6 (0) 5-7 6-4.