US Open: Rafael Nadal-Like Breakout Star Sets Record In Nail-Biting Win

A teenage tennis prodigy likened to Rafael Nadal has become a star at this year’s U.S. Open.

After his stunning upset win over world No. 3 Stefanos Tsitsipas, Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz is now making his first U.S. Open quarterfinals appearance after thumping Germany’s Peter Gojowczyk in their Round of 16 match Monday.

The tournament’s breakout star rallied his way back to beat Gojowczyk 5-7 6-1 5-7 6-2 6-0 and complete his first back-to-back five-set victories.

Atop that, the 18-year-old has become the youngest U.S. Open quarter-finalist in the Open Era.

Alcaraz will go head-to-head with his contemporary and fellow rising star Félix Auger-Aliassime in the semifinals.

"I'm super excited to be in my first second week in the grand slam, so it's amazing for me," Alcaraz said after the match. "It's a dream come true.”

"It's really tough to play these kind of matches, to play fifth sets,” he admitted. “I hope to play more second weeks, to play more quarterfinals of grand slams. I didn't expect to play quarterfinals here. So I think it's a really good performance from me in these matches."

While Alcaraz is determined to carve his own name in the sport, some are seeing shades of Nadal in his game.

Recently weighing in on Alcaraz’s soaring professional career, seven-time major champion and former world number one Mats Wilander likened Alcaraz to his compatriot Nadal when the 20-time Grand Slam winner was his age.

“Well first of all, technically – I’ve got to mention the forehand,” Wilander told Eurosport of Alcaraz. “His arm at 18 years old is so explosive, it’s like Rafa Nadal when he was 18 years old – the same strength.”

“But then the two-handed backhand is unbelievably solid, he can stay cross court all day,” he continued. “And then he’s smart, because he went down the line with the backhand at times. And then, he’s got good hands – he threw in drop shots which put Tsitsipas completely off.”

Wilander further added that like any other youngsters in the sport, Alcaraz too has his weaknesses, specifically his “serve.”

“The only worry I have is his serve,” the tennis Hall of Famer assessed. “I know at 18 we shouldn’t look into the serve too much. But technically, I would like to see it a little bit smoother. And I think he needs to work on the serve, I’m sure he will. And I think he has the dream of being number one in the world. Well I’m telling you, this kid – yes, and it is very possible.”