Carlos Alcaraz overcomes injury scare to produce statement win over Rafael Nadal at Madrid Open

The changing of the guard may not be imminent, but Carlos Alcaraz gave Spain a glimpse of the future when beating Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open. Nadal came into the week short of match sharpness, having only recently returned to training following a stress fracture of the ribs.

Ad/> He got game time in his legs in an epic win over David Goffin on Thursday, but the rising star that is Alcaraz proved too strong. ATP MadridRublev not hopeful of Wimbledon ban U-turn, Nadal's Parchis Olympics — Madrid Open diary4 HOURS AGO The teenager dominated Nadal from the back of the court in the first set.

He overcame an injury scare in losing the second set, but powered back to take the third for a 6-2 1-6 6-3 win to set up a clash with Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals. More to follow ATP Madrid‘He is better than me’ – Nadal lavishes praise on Alcaraz ahead of Madrid Open clash7 HOURS AGO ATP Madrid'He has a thousand lives' — Alcaraz wary of Nadal quarter-final threat19 HOURS AGO