Rafael Nadal outlasts teen Carlos Alcaraz in 3 sets to go 20-0 on year

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Rafael Nadal faced down the future and emerged victorious, outlasting Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 Saturday night to reach the BNP Paribas Open final and improve to 20-0 this year.

The 21-time major champion threw his head back, smiled and raised both arms in triumph after escaping an aggressive Alcaraz. The 18-year-old never appeared rattled playing his vaunted countryman, who had the crowd, a 17-year advantage in age and loads of experience in his favor.

"He has all the ingredients to become an amazing champion," Nadal said. "I don’t have many doubts that he will be great. He is already, by the way."

Nadal’s perfect record is the third-best start to a season since 1990. He's won titles at Melbourne, the Australian Open and Acapulco.

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Rafael Nadal, of Spain, celebrates after defeating Carlos Alcaraz, of Spain, during the men's singles semifinals at the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament Saturday, March 19, 2022, in Indian Wells, Calif. Nadal won 6-4, 4-6, 6-3. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

Nadal will meet Taylor Fritz in the final Sunday. Seeded 20th, Fritz is the first American man to make the final since John Isner in 2012 and he’ll try to be the first to win the title since Andre Agassi in 2001.

Fritz ended No. 7 seed Andrey Rublev’s 13-match winning streak with a 7-5, 6-4 victory in the other semifinal. The Russian had won 13 consecutive matches since Feb. 14, including back-to-back titles at Marseille and Dubai.

Nadal staved off three break points on his serve in the fifth game of the third set and then broke Alcaraz with a forehand volley winner to go up 5-3. Nadal