Juncheng Shang, Mark Lajal, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Luca Nardi, Arthur Fils, Ethan Quinn, Oliver Tarvet and Hamad Medjedovic all share a couple of things in common!
The upcoming stars are all younger than world no. 2 Carlos Alcaraz, and none have managed to beat him! The five-time has faced the mentioned rivals (two matches against Shang and Fils) and conquered them all.
Carlos has compiled an impressive 23-2 set record in the process, with Luca Nardi and Arthur Fils taking one set against the Spaniard earlier this season.
For those emerging talents born in 2003, 2004 or 2005, a clash with Alcaraz is both an opportunity and a challenge. It gives them a chance to test themselves against an established Major winner.
It's also a reminder of the gap that still exists between them and the top of the sport, a bridge they will try to gap in the upcoming months and years. They all bring youthful energy and ambition to the court.
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However, Carlos does the same, although more efficiently! His blend of speed, shot-making and competitive maturity gather after three high-profile years at the top has so far been too much to handle for those born after him.
The younger generation continue to rise and keep targeting him. Still, his record against them remains intact. Interestingly, Alcaraz is facing the younger opponents in back-to-back matches in Cincinnati for the first time.
The Spaniard faced Hamad Medjedovic in the third round and earned a 6-4, 6-4 victory. The favoritebroke his coeval three times and suffered one break in the second set.
World no. 2 handled challenging conditions much better than his rival and sealed the deal without spending too much time on the court. Carlos will face his good friend from junior days, Luca Nardi, in the last 16.
