Staff Reporter.
Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz will play Casper Ruud in the Miami Open final after beating Poland’s defending champion Hubert Hurkacz for the biggest result of his flourishing career.
The 18-year-old won 7-6 (7-5) 7-6 (7-2) in just over two hours against Hurkacz to reach his first Masters 1000 final.
Alcaraz will become the tournament’s youngest ever champion if he beats Norway’s world number eight Ruud, 23.
“It’s something that you dream of when you are a child,” said Alcaraz.
Alcaraz trailed 5-3 in the first set tie-break but won four straight points. He then saved two break points at 5-5 in the second set before dominating the tie-break.
“I’m going to approach the final like a first round, trying to mask the nerves,” the world number 16 added. “I’m going to enjoy it, it’s going to be a great final.”
Alcaraz, who lost in the semi-finals at Indian Wells last week, could reach as high as 11th in the world if he wins the title on Sunday (18:00 BST).
He won the ATP Next Gen Finals in November and then became the youngest ATP 500 champion with victory at the Rio Open in February.