Change of guard? Alcaraz overpowers Nadal at Madrid Open
By TALES AZZONI
AP Sports Writer
MADRID (AP) — Spanish teenage sensation Carlos Alcaraz has overcome an injury to defeat his idol Rafael Nadal in three sets in the Madrid Open quarterfinals. The 19-year-old Alcaraz recovered from a bad ankle twist early in the second set to earn his first victory against the 21-time Grand Slam champion in what could be the beginning of a change of guard in Spanish tennis. The youngster considered by many in Spain as Nadal’s successor will play in the semifinals against Novak Djokovic after the Serb eased to a two-set win over Hubert Hurkacz.