Alcaraz backs up Nadal win to take down Djokovic

Vamos! Alcaraz sees a Djokovic return land just long and gets himself out of dodge. The 19-year-old looked in control at 30-0 but was pushed to deuce before once again lashing down some intelligent serves to level matters.

Novak leans upon all of that experience. He’s hitting form at the business end of the set while Alcaraz is getting frustrated. It’s another rapid and simple hold that applies plenty of scoreboard pressure on the teenager.

The world No.1 knocks on that door again – and this time he charges through. It’s an untidy service game from Alcaraz’s point of view as he miscues off both flanks to give the Serb a route back into the set.

Since being broken Djoker has barely given Alcaraz a sniff on his serve. He seals a convincing love hold with a precise forehand to the Spaniard’s right flank. Is the world No.1 about to make his move having now settled into the contest?

Clutch! Alcaraz plays catch up from 0-30 and is then outlasted a 30-30 to cough up another break point. He saves it with rasping forehand up the line before two surprising errors from the Serb help him through another testing service game.

That’s rather emphatic. Djokovic has got that service mojo flowing as he roars to a comfortable love hold.

That sublime tennis from Alcaraz. He showcases the full repertoire as he bamboozles the Serbinator with sumptuous crosscourt drop shot before unloading a scorching crosscourt forehand winner. A delightful serve and volley punctuates the game to 30 and keeps the young gun in charge early doors.

Respite for the top seed. Alcaraz can’t keep red-lining and Djokovic is able to stay in touch and get on the board with a solid game to 15.

Magnificent work again from the No.7 seed. He always seems to play his best tennis under pressure and does well to fend off a break back point before a calm volley at the net puts him on course to consolidate.

Boom! What a start for the 19-year-old. Huge cheers greet the opening two points as they both go Alcaraz’s way. Djoker responds with an ace down the T but a double fault hands the youngster an immediate break point. Alcaraz doesn’t need asking twice as a backhand crosscourt pass easily evades the world No.1 to get him off to a flyer.

Here we go!

"His growth, his improvement, and his journey particularly the last six months has been amazing. I praise his game without a doubt. He's fantastic for our sport, no doubt. I think it's great that we have a young player who is doing so well and giving a new fresh breath to the tennis world. Seeing that and knowing that he's a very nice guy, very humble with good values, it's a perfect combination."

"Of course there are going to be nerves, but I'm going to try to manage them in the best possible way, and I'm going to try to give a good level. I know that I'm going to have opportunities, and of course the training that I have had with him this week, it helps me a little bit to know how to face him."

Hello and welcome to LIVE updates of the Madrid Open semi final clash between world number one Novak Djokovic and rising Spanish sensation Carlos Alcaraz. This will be the first meeting between the players in a match-up that has the tennis world buzzing.