Alcaraz Wins First Set Against Zverev In Madrid Final

Carlos Alcaraz is one set away from making more history after he won the first set against Alexander Zverev 6-3 in the Mutua Madrid Open final.

The Spaniard flew out of the blocks as he lit up a packed Manolo Santana Stadium with his variety of shots and athleticism, clinching the opener in 35 minutes. Alcaraz is aiming to earn a seventh straight Top 10 win and tour-leading fourth title of the year in the Spanish capital.

The 19-year-old, who triumphed in Miami, will become the second-youngest player to win two ATP Masters 1000 titles if he can clinch his first victory over Zverev, who leads their ATP Head2Head series 2-0. Rafael Nadal captured crowns in Monte Carlo and Rome in 2005 when he was 18.

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In a dream week on home soil, Alcaraz eliminated Nadal and Novak Djokovic en route to the final, becoming the first player to beat both at the same clay-court event. Following his final run, Alcaraz will rise to a career-high No. 6 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings on Monday.

In a dominant first-set performance, Alcaraz successfully targeted Zverev’s forehand with his power from the baseline. The 19-year-old consistently turned defence into attack with his agility, gaining the crucial break in the sixth game before serving well to lead.

Zverev is aiming to capture his third title in Madrid, having lifted the trophy in 2018 and 2021. The German defeated Marin Cilic, Lorenzo Musetti, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Stefanos Tsitsipas en route to his second final of the season in the Spanish capital, after also advancing to the championship match in Montpellier in February.