Carlos Alcaraz: New world No 20 hailed as 'future world No 1' after Rio Open win and breaking Rafael Nadal records

Carlos Alcaraz had yet another breakthrough moment as he won the ATP 500 Rio Open. Alcaraz, 18, beat third seed Diego Schwartzman 6-4 6-2 in the final to claim the second title of his career. Ad/> It was only two years ago that Alcaraz won his first-ever professional match against Albert Ramos-Vinolas in Rio de Janeiro, now he is ranked No 20 in the world and has firmly established himself as one of the best young prospects on tour.

ATP AcapulcoNadal: If Djokovic can play Slams unvaccinated, I welcome him13 HOURS AGO Alcaraz is also making plenty of history along the way. His victory in Rio saw him become the youngest ATP 500 champion since the category was created in 2009. He is also the youngest active player to have cracked the top 20 in the world rankings.

Alcaraz is often hailed as a natural successor to fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal, even though he has previously compared his on-court approach to Roger Federer. “Trying to be aggressive all the time with the forehand, backhand...I think is similar, yeah,” Alcaraz, who is coached by former world No 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero, said at last year’s US Open. If the Nadal comparisons are not 100 per cent accurate, it can’t be denied that Alcaraz is following in Nadal’s footsteps.

Alcaraz savours 'amazing feeling' after winning Rio Open Norrie beats Opelka to win in Delray Beach It was in Brazil in 2005 that an 18-year-old Nadal won his second career title. The next week Nadal won again in Acapulco – which Alcaraz won’t have the chance to do after he withdrew from the Mexico tournament – and that summer Nadal lifted the French Open for the first time. Alcaraz is also the youngest player since Nadal in 2005 to break into the top 20.