Intractable and prodigious expedition.
After defeating Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals, then world number 1 Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals, Carlos Alcaraz offered himself defending champion Alexander Zverev on Sunday in two sets (6-3, 6-1 ) and just over an hour of play (1h02).
This is the young Spaniard's fourth title since the start of the year, his second Masters 1000 after Miami.
He will climb to sixth place in the world on Monday, just four days after turning 19.
Nadal's faller on Friday, for their third face-to-face, Alcaraz became during this week in Madrid the youngest player (ahead of Tsitsipas) to have hooked on his hunting board both "Rafa" and Djokovic - certainly not in this moment the scarecrows they were (and could become again).
Before him, no one had ever beaten them both in the same tournament on clay.
¡ES EL GRAN CAMPEÓN!
🏆
🇪🇸 @alcarazcarlos03 fell to Alexander Zverev (6-3, 6-1) and won impressively in #MMOPEN.
An update for the history of the circuit.
pic.twitter.com/iXGKQQ45Pl
— #MMOPEN (@MutuaMadridOpen) May 8, 2022
Two statistics that only confirm what has been emerging for several months now: the dizzying rise of the native of Murcia, still beyond the top 100 a year ago and promised a bright future.
From Roland-Garros in two weeks (May 22-June 5)?
“I feel ready to compete with them in all tournaments, on all surfaces.
In Grand Slam, with the matches in five sets, it's totally different, but I think I'm ready, "assumes the protege of Juan-Carlos Ferrero, ex-world No.1 and winner of Roland-Garros 2003.