Alcaraz backs up Nadal win to take down Djokovic

He’s done it! Carlos Alcaraz books a place in the Madrid Open final as he comes from behind to defeat the world No.1 after three hours and 35 pulsating minutes. The 19-year-old backs up his famous win over Rafael Nadal with another over one of the game’s GOATs as he comes through the deciding tie-break by a 7-5 scoreline.

Trouble for Novak. A scorcher of a drive volley and bewitching backhand up the line are the pick of Alcaraz’s points a he leads 4-2 at the change of ends.

Alcaraz lashes a forehand long and that’ll do Novak. He holds to 15 and this semi final will be decided by a tie break.

No such drama for Carlos. He blitzes through a love hold and guarantees himself the minimum of a tie break to fight for a place in the final.

That’s pure Djokovic. Alcaraz nails a beauty of a forehand to end a bruising rally and earn match point. Djoker retorts with his sixth ace of the match and then hangs tough for a few more points before the serve helps him through a very tricky game.

What a hold! Djokovic looks to be locked in as he surges 0-30 up and has the next point on his racquet. He slaps it into the net and turns away in dismay. Alcaraz seizes upon the reprieve and clouts a wrong-footing forehand up the line as he wrestles the game out of his opponent’s hands to keep his nose in front at a crunch moment.

Carlos has an opening at 0-30 but can’t make it count. He can’t dig out the backhand pass for a break point and Djokovic again prevails to stay firmly in the hunt.

After being on the defensive for much of this third set, Djokovic springs forward and almost steals a break – but this time it’s Alcaraz who shows resilience and clutch serving to stay ahead on the board.

That’s the definition of clutch. It’s also why he’s No.1. Djoker is on the ropes at 15-40 but produces some majestic serving to reel off four points on the spin to square the match once more.

Alcaraz almost has to win this game twice over as he flitters away a 40-15 lead before a bullet forehand steadies the ship and helps him conjure up a hold from deuce.

Meanwhile, Djokovic is currently having a medical time-out following an awkward slip during a rally.

Let off! The world No.1 comes under the cosh and saves a break point with a wide ace after Alcaraz had threatened with a sizzling backhand winner up the line. The teenager has two more chances but can’t convert and Djoker somehow wriggles free to level matters.

The momentum appears to be with the No.7 seed right now. He roars through a dominant love hold to stay in charge early on in the decider. We’ve seen Djokovic fade in some of his matches since returning to action recently – will that happen again here?

It’s not the best return game from Alcaraz and he’s disappointed as he gifts Nole some cheap points from 30-30 to allow the top seed to get on the board without too much duress.

The kick serve reigns supreme. Alcaraz comes up trumps with it again to kick off Set 3 with the scoreboard advantage after he had shrugged off a missed volley at the net for 30-30 with a wide ace.