Indian Wells: Nadal will have his work cut out against ‘unstoppable’ Alcaraz
Current Australian and Mexican Open champion Rafael Nadal is looking to add the Indian Wells crown to his collection this week, but admits he will have his work out in his semi-final clash against compatriot Carlos Alcaraz.
Nadal and Alcaraz are familiar faces to each other off of the tennis courtThe 18-year-old Spaniard is enjoying a meteoric rise this season and defeated defending champion Cameron Norrie 6-4 6-3 in the quarter-finals in California.
Alcaraz reached the quarter-finals of the US Open last summer and kept his composure against Norrie, who was twice a break up in the opening set but could not capitalise on the advantage.
Norrie also broke first in the second set, but Alcaraz managed to break back.
Meanwhile, Nadal defeated Nick Kyrgios 7-6 (7-0) 5-7 6-4 in his quarter-final, notching up a 19th consecutive win.
Alcaraz’s reward for beating Norrie is a clash against Nadal, a player who is almost double his age at 35.
And despite being unbeaten so far in 2022, Nadal is more than aware of the threat that his younger countryman poses.
Speaking ahead of Saturday’s match, he said, "I think he's unstoppable in terms of his career.
"He has all the ingredients. He has the passion. He's humble enough to work hard. He reminds me a lot of things I did when I was a 17- or 18-year-old kid.
"I think he has the passion. He has the talent and the physical component that is great. And I am super happy, even if, of course he's going to be a great rival."
The quarter-finals on the other side of the draw take place later on Friday, with Andrey Rublev taking on Grigor Dimitrov, after which Miomir Kecmanovic will face Taylor Fritz.
The winner of these matches will then face each other in the semi-finals, with the winner then facing either Nadal or Alcaraz in the final.