Madrid Masters is underway with lots of exciting match-ups. And we have a real treat tomorrow: Nadal vs Alcaraz.
Carlos Alcaraz Garfia is only 17 years old but is already impressing tennis pundits and fans all over the world. He has a seemingly complete game with good power on both wings. The way he demolished Adrian Mannarino 6-4 6-0 yesterday was a sign of things to come. His next match is against the King of Clay and perhaps the biggest sports start that Spain has ever seen: Rafael Nadal. It’s a match-up we should be excited about – Nadal vs Alcaraz.
We can’t expect Alcaraz to push Nadal on clay just yet, but it will be interesting to see if he can go out and play fearlessly or the size of the occasion will impede his strokes (Nadal is his idol). These “changing of the guard”-match-ups are always interesting and easy to hype up, but it can obviously be too soon to tell whether Alcaraz has the goods to be a major force in the game. Most experts seem to think so though.
Nadal vs Alcaraz – the odds
Some betting sites give as low as 1.08 on a Nadal win, while you get almost ten times your money on Alcaraz. Maybe it’s a big reach that the youngster has a chance to win, but maybe he can still a set or at least make it competitive? Keen to hear what you think about this highly anticipated match.
The courts in Madrid are a tad faster than in Monte Carlo or at Roland Garros, so players with more firepower and an aggressive style have more of a chance to hit through Nadal there. Still, it’s obviously a tall order and Nadal has won the tournament six times, although that’s only “half” the times that he has won Barcelona, Monte Carlo or the French Open!
Nadal and Alcaraz have never played before so I’m sure tennis fans are on the edge of their seats for this one. Let’s hope for a good match.
Let’s hear your score predictions!
1 comment
Amazing that the ‘Idols’ sometimes stay around long enough to meet the ones they influenced and inspired.
Alcaraz is still SO young, 17. Sure, Rafa came through at that age and the rest is history, but, he is an exception in men’s tennis. Perhaps the only big breakthrough teenager would be Becker? At a push….Agassi?
Others, Fed included, tend to be early-mid 20’s.
Alcaraz has superb strokes and movement.
No expectation of the youngster, just a superb, rare match up we are blessed to be able to watch. Fabulous!