5 youngest finalists in Madrid Masters history
The 2022 Madrid Masters is approaching its business end. Young Carlos Alcaraz continued his stunning form this week, following up his win over Rafael Nadal by beating top seed Novak Djokovic in a third-set tie-break to reach the final.
The 19-year-old will square off against Alexander Zverev in the title match at the Caja Magica on Sunday.
@alcarazcarlos03 una victoria histórica ante 
@DjokerNole en la Caja Mágica.UN MOMENTO QUE RECORDAREMOS SIEMPRE 🤯
Asà completaba 🇪🇸 @alcarazcarlos03 una victoria histórica ante 🇷🇸 @DjokerNole en la Caja Mágica.
#MMOPEN
https://t.co/ioChvbtLF2
On that note, here's a look at the five youngest players to reach the title round in the Spanish capital:
#5 Andy Murray (2008) - 21 years, 5 months
Andy Murray had a breakout campaign in 2008. After winning his first Masters 1000 title in Cincinnati, the Scot repeated the trick on the indoor hardcourts of Madrid a few weeks later.
The then World No. 4 sailed into the semifinals without dropping a set before conceding one to Roger Federer in the last four. However, he recovered to beat the then World No. 2 7-5 in the third to become one of the youngest finalists in Madrid Masters history.
In the title match, the Scot beat Gilles Simon in straight sets to win his fourth title of the year and second Masters 1000 crown.
#4 Alexander Zverev (2018) - 21 years, 1 month
Alexander Zverev enjoyed a memorable week in the Spanish capital in 2018. The young German reeled off five consecutive straight-sets wins to win the third Masters 1000 title of his fledgling career.
The then 21-year-old did not drop a set through his first four matches, booking a final against his good friend Dominic Thiem.
However, the two-time Roland Garros runner-up was no match for Zverev, who dropped only eight games to win his second title of the year.
Alexander Zverev wins his third ATP Masters 1000 title, in Madrid, with a 6-4, 6-4 win over Dominic Thiem in 1:18. Sascha now has trophies from Madrid and Rome, where he's the defending champion. https://t.co/bu3Ldop0i4
A few months later, he would win the biggest title of his career by beating Novak Djokovic in the final of the ATP Finals at the O2 in London.
#3 Stefanos Tsitsipas (2019) - 20 years, 9 months
Stefanos Tsitsipas was in the midst of a banner campaign in 2019. After winning the first title of his career in Stockholm a year earlier, the young Greek tripled that tally coming into the European claycourt swing.
Tsitsipas followed up his triumph in Marseille with his first claycourt title in Estoril. Buoyed by that run in the Portuguese city, Tsitsipas moved into the Madrid quarterfinals without dropping a set.
After beating Zverev in three sets in the last eight, the then 20-year-old notched up his first win over 'King of Clay' Rafael Nadal in a three-set semifinal.
Stefanos Tsitsipas beats Rafael Nadal for the first time on his fourth try, wining 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 to reach the Madrid final.
Tsitsipas, into his second Masters final, will face Novak Djokovic for the title tomorrow.
However, his golden run was ended by World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, who romped to his third title at the Caja Magica by dropping only seven games in the title match.
Tsitsipas would go on to win the biggest title of his career at the ATP Finals later that year.
#2 Rafael Nadal (2005) - 19 years, 5 months
Rafael Nadal produced the greatest campaign by a teenager in ATP history in 2005. He arrived in Madrid after winning a staggering 10 titles, including his maiden Major at Roland Garros and Masters 1000 titles in Monte Carlo, Rome and Canada.
The then 19-year-old blazed through the first four rounds without dropping a set to romp into the final on the Madrid hardcourts. In the process, he became the youngest finalist in the competition's history at the time.
Nadal made a slow start in the final against Ivan Ljubicic, losing the first two sets. However, he recovered to triumph in a fifth-set tie-break to close out a memorable 79-10 season.
Five years later, after the tournament had shifted to clay, Nadal joined Federer as the only player to win Madrid titles on both hardcourt and clay.
#1 Carlos Alcaraz (2022) - 19 years, 0 months
Carlos Alcaraz has had a blazing start to his 2022 campaign. He won his first ATP Masters 1000 title in Miami in between two ATP 500 trophies (Rio de Janeiro and Barcelona).
Continuing his terrific start to the season in Madrid, Alcaraz created history by becoming the first player to beat Nadal and Djokovic in the same claycourt tournament.
In the process, he broke his compatriot Nadal's record of being the youngest finalist in Madrid Masters history.
He's growing up so fast! 💨
At 19 years & 2 days of age, 🇪🇸 @alcarazcarlos03 becomes the youngest men's finalist in #MMOPEN history. https://t.co/SzqL8Srh1c
Alcaraz will now look to create more history on Sunday by becoming the youngest player to win the Madrid Masters.