Alcaraz stuns Nadal to set up Madrid Masters semifinal with Djokovic

Carlos Alcaraz stunned five-time champion Rafael Nadal in three sets on Friday to set up an exciting semifinal clash with world number one Novak Djokovic at Madrid Masters.

While Novak Djokovic reached his seventh Madrid semi-final easing past Poland's Hubert Hurkacz 6-3, 6-4, Alcaraz defeated Nadal 6-2, 1-6, 6-3.

Djokovic started with a break and it was all he needed to grab the opening set in 33 minutes.

Hurkacz dropped serve in game five of the second set as Djokovic once again charged to a commanding lead.

The Polish 12th seed saved two match points on his own serve at 5-3, forcing Djokovic to serve out the win. And the 34-year-old Serb had no trouble closing, moving into the final four with an 81-minute success.

Djokovic has not competed much in 2022 due to his vaccination status that has prevented him from playing in Australia or entering the United States.

His win on Friday was just his seventh of the year and he'll be trying to make a second final of the season, having placed runner-up in Belgrade last month.

"I didn't play my third round against Andy but I feel physically good, I've been striking the ball well," said Djokovic.

"It wasn't really nice looking tennis in the first set (against Hurkacz) but I think second set we raised the quality and the level. I served well when I needed to, held the break, which was sufficient in both sets."

In women's section, 12th seed Jessica Pegula preview beat Ons Jabeur 6-3 6-4 to reach the final. She will face 8th seed Ons Jabeur who beat Ekaterina Alexandrova 6-2 6-3 in the first semifinal. Agencies

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