7 players who have beaten Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in consecutive matches
Carlos Alcaraz scripted history at the Madrid Open by defeating Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in consecutive matches. The 19-year-old became the first player to beat the two legends of the game in the same tournament on clay.
The Spaniard toppled World No. 1 Djokovic in a pulsating third-set tie-break on Saturday to reach the Madrid Masters final.
Alcaraz drew first blood, grabbing an early break, but Djokovic got back on serve to take the first set in a tie-break. The teenager showed admirable composure in the second, recovering from within two points of defeat to force a third set.
In a hotly contested decider, neither player blinked on serve before Alcaraz got an all-important mini-break in the tie-break to close out the biggest victory of his career.
Alcaraz became only the seventh player to beat Nadal and Djokovic (not necessarily in that order) in consecutive matches at the same tournament.
On that note, here's a look at the exclusive septet:
#7 Carlos Alcaraz (2022 Madrid)
Carlos Alcaraz is on a tear, winning 27 of his 30 matches this season, racking up titles in Rio de Janeiro, Miami and Barcelona.
Continuing his hot streak in Madrid, the World No. 9 floored five-time winner Rafael Nadal to become the first teenager to beat the King of Clay on the red dirt. Only a day later, he scaled greater heights by beating top seed Novak Djokovic in the semis.
Alcaraz became the youngest player to beat a reigning World No. 1 in nearly two decades since a 18-year-old Richard Gasquet beat Roger Federer at the 2005 Monte-Carlo Masters, also in a third-set tie-break.
years!Carlos Alcaraz (19) is the youngest player to defeat a World No. 1 in 1️⃣7️⃣ years!
@alcarazcarlos03 | @MutuaMadridOpen | #MMOPEN
Alcaraz will square off against Alexander Zverev in the Madrid final on Sunday as he seeks his fourth title of the year and fifth overall.
#6 Roger Federer (2010 ATP Finals)
Roger Federer has had a storied rivalry with his Big 3 peers - Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Although he has met both players in consecutive matches at the same tournament on multiple occasions, Federer has beaten both in the same event only once. It happened at the 2010 ATP Finals in London.
After a 6-1, 6-4 win over Djokovic in the semis, Federer beat the King of Clay in a three-set final to win his fifth ATP Finals title.
On This Day in 2010 ⏪
Roger Federer defeated No. 1 seed Rafael Nadal 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to clinch his fifth title at the ATP Finals. https://t.co/p7dSAwD1QA
Almost a decade later, Federer came close to repeating that feat. At 2019 Wimbledon, Federer beat Nadal in the semis and arrived at 8-7, 40-15 on serve deep in the fifth set against Djokovic in the final. However, the Swiss blinked as both championship points went begging before Djokovic triumphed in a historic deciding-set tie-break at the grasscourt Major.
#5 Robin Soderling (2009 ATP Finals)
Robin Soderling was on a roll in 2009. After handing Nadal his first-ever loss at Roland Garros, the Swede qualified for his first ATP Finals.
The then World No. 9 made a dream start to his campaign at the year-ending event, beating Nadal and Djokovic in straight sets.
The Swede, though, lost to Juan Martin del Potro in straight sets in the semis after topping his group.
#4 Nikolay Davydenko (2009 Shanghai)
Nikolay Davydenko enjoyed one of the finest weeks of his career at the 2009 Shanghai Masters.
After beating Djokovic in a third-set tie-break in the semis, the Russian beat Nadal in straight sets to win his second Masters 1000 title. A few weeks later, he would win the biggest title of his career at the season-ending ATP Finals, beating Juan Martin del Potro in the final.
Nikolay Davydenko denies Rafael Nadal, wins title in Shanghai - http://tinyurl.com/yhb4v5j
#3 Andy Roddick (2008 Dubai)
Andy Roddick had a fine run in Dubai in 2008. The former World No. 1 dropped his only set of the week in the final against Feliciano Lopez en route to his first title in the desert city.
Along the way, Roddick floored Djokovic and Nadal in straight sets. After beating the King of Clay 7-6(5), 6-2 in the last eight, the American meted out the same treatment to Djokovic to reach his second final of the year.
Roddick would close the year with titles in San Jose, Dubai and Beijing and a run to the final in Los Angeles.
#2 David Ferrer (2007 ATP Finals)
David Ferrer made an inspired run to the 2007 ATP Tour Finals (then called the Tennis Masters Cup).
He opened his campaign at the season-ending tournament with a straight-sets win over Djokovic before dropping a set against compatriot Nadal in a three-set victory. Ferrer would win his next two matches for the loss of just two games to storm into the final.
However, the Spaniard's inspired run was halted by World No. 1 Roger Federer in straight sets.
@DavidFerrer87 Memories :
🎾@DavidFerrer87 Memories :
ATP Finals(ATP Masters cup) 2007 Shanghai (vs @rogerfederer ) https://t.co/WjUJcF9E38
It was Ferrer's only defeat in a tournament final that year after wins in Auckland, Bastad and Tokyo.
#1 David Nalbandian (2007 Madrid)
David Nalbandian enjoyed the best week of his career at the 2007 Madrid Masters. The Argentine struggled in the first few rounds, saving match points in his first three matches before hitting top gear.
After dismantling Nadal for the loss of just three games in the quarterfinals, Nalbandian notched up his only victory over Djokovic to storm into the final. A magical week got even better when he recovered from a set down to floor top seed Roger Federer to win his first Masters 1000 title.
In the process, he became the first player to beat Nadal and Djokovic in back-to-back matches and complete an unprecedented clean sweep of the Big 3.
Players to beat Nadal and Djokovic back to back:
Alcaraz
Federer (2010 ATP Finals)
Soderling (2009 ATP Finals)
Davydenko (2009 Shanghai)
Roddick (2008 Dubai)
Ferrer (2007 ATP Finals)
Nalbandian (2007 Madrid)
A week after his exploits on the hardcourts of Madrid, Nalbandian would beat Federer and Nadal (not in consecutive matches) to win his second Masters 1000 title in Paris.