Tennis teen sensation Alcaraz makes history after winning ATP Masters

Carlos Alcaraz during the presentation of his ATP Masters championship trophy (atptour.com)

By Leobert Julian A. de la Peña

Tennis teen sensation Carlos Alcaraz makes history as the youngest player to oust three top-five players on his way to the ATP Masters 1000 championship title.

The 19-year-old Spanish professional tennis player dethroned defending champion Alexander Zverev in the finals game, 6-3, 6-1, and won his second ATP Masters title of his young career.

Alcaraz wrote his name in the male tennis history books as the youngest player to defeat three top-five players: Zverev, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic.

The superb teen turned heads after eliminating clay court legend and world no. 3 player Nadal during the quarterfinals, 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.

A tougher challenge awaited Alcaraz during the semifinals as he squared off against the world no. 1 Djokovic.

Despite the close contest in all three sets, Alcaraz showed nerves of steel and prevailed over the more-experienced Serbian, 6-7, 7-5, 7-6 (7-5).

Oozing with confidence after taking down the two tennis legends, Alcaraz dominated Zverev and converted more of his signature power forehands.

Aside from his solid baseline game, Alcaraz also displayed a more consistent service game and showed better outing than his previous percentages.

“It feels great to be able to beat these players. To beat two of the best players in history and then Zverev, the world number three. He is a great player,” said Alcaraz.

With the major ATP win, Alcaraz’s men’s ranking is expected to go higher than his previous world no. 7 rank.