Alcaraz vs Molcan LIVE: Carlos Alcaraz will become the youngest player to reach the top five of the ATP rankings since Rafael Nadal in 2005 after powering into his fifth ATP final of the season in Hamburg on Saturday. The 19-year-old Spaniard eased to a 7-6 (2), 6-1 success against Slovakian Alex Molcan and will face Lorenzo Musetti in Sunday’s final at the clay-court event. Follow Hamburg European Open live updates on Insidesport.IN
Alcaraz vs Molcan LIVE: Spaniard breaks into Top 5, beats Alex Molcan 7-6 (2), 6-1 to set up Musetti final – Check Highlights
Carlos Alcaraz has won all five of his previous Tour finals, including Masters triumphs in Miami and Madrid earlier this year. “Lorenzo is playing really well,” Alcaraz said. “Of course he’s a great player. It’s going to be a great final.
“He has played great matches before the final. (I have) as well, so I have a lot of confidence for the final and hope to make it six-for-six.”
He will pass Casper Ruud, who reached the Gstaad final on Saturday, in the updated rankings which will be released on Monday. Alcaraz struggled to pull away from Molcan in the first set, being broken when serving for the match at 5-3. But he eventually wrapped it up on his fifth set point in a tie-break and raced through the second set.
The 7-6(2), 6-1 victory moves the Spaniard up to No. 5 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Rankings, with the No. 4 spot on offer should he claim the Hamburg title. Regardless of the final result, Alcaraz is set to break into the Top 5 of the Pepperstone ATP Rankings for the first time.
The Spaniard can now look ahead as he seeks to improve upon his 5-0 record in tour-level finals, including 4-0 this season. With victory against Musetti, he will break a tie with Rafael Nadal for the most titles on the 2022 ATP Tour season.
Both Alcaraz and Musetti enter the final behind eight-set winning streaks in Hamburg after both men dropped the opening set of their campaigns.
Alcaraz vs Molcan LIVE: Spaniard breaks into Top 5, beats Alex Molcan 7-6 (2), 6-1 to set up Musetti final – Check Highlights
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