Alcaraz Wins Two, Tops Carreno Busta For Barcelona Title

Carlos Alcaraz is turning into quite the marathon man.

On Friday, the 18-year-old had to win two matches beating Jaume Munar and then Stefanos Tsitsipas. Today, he did better battling past Alex De Minaur 6-7(4), 7-6(4), 6-4 in the semifinals.

Then in the finale, he topped his countryman Pablo Carreno Busta 6-3, 6-2 for his third title of 2022. He’s now a perfect 4-0 in ATP finals.

“It means a lot. I’ve watched this tournament since I was a kid. I always wished to play in this tournament and of course to be able to win this tournament,” Alcaraz said. “I’m really, really happy to be part of the Spanish list.”

Alcaraz needed 3 hours, 40 minutes and had to save match points in the second sets to deny De Minaur. The teen was then able to regroup and beat the veteran Carreno Busta who had eased past Diego Schwartzman in his semifinal.

“It wasn’t the match I expected,” Carreno Busta said. “Carlos was playing a very aggressive game this afternoon and he was very effective. It was very difficult play against him today.”

The win moves Alcaraz into the top 10 at No. 9 tomorrow, matching Rafael Nadal’s day he first reached the top 10 — April 25, 2005.

Alcaraz and Nadal will also share the same date that they both won Barcelona, just 17 years apart.

“I’ve always been a normal guy. I’m not scared of fame,” Alcaraz said. “I’m not going to change the person I am. I’m happy to know that at 18 years old I’m in the Top 10, and to do it the same age as my idol Rafa is impressive.”