In Sunday's final, Alcaraz will face a surprise guest: either Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff (65th) or Russia's Aslan Karatsev (121st). They face each other for the second time in the Madrid tournament, since the second had beaten in the last round of qualifications the first, finally drafted after a last-minute forfeit.

Even though he is only twenty years old, celebrating his birthday in the "Caja magica" of Madrid has become a habit for "Carlitos". He has already celebrated his 18th birthday, and his 19th birthday.

"It's incredible to celebrate my twenty years with you, it's true that every year I celebrate my birthday here, and every year it's very special," he thanked the Madrid audience who had just sung him "Cumpleanos feliz", the Spanish version of "Happy Birthday".

The protégé of Juan Carlos Ferrero, injured for the Australian Open and who only launched his season in February, will already aim for his fourth title in 2023, after Buenos Aires and Barcelona already on clay, and the Indian Wells Masters 1000 in between.

Promising for Roland-Garros

He confirms day after day his excellent disposition on ochre: here he is now at 18 wins for only one defeat (in the final in Rio) on the surface in 2023. Promising three weeks before Roland-Garros (May 28-June 11).

Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz on May 5, 2023 in Madrid © Thomas COEX / AFP

Asked about the list of favorites to date, the Murcian cited four, "there is (Stefanos) Tsitsipas, (Novak) Djokovic is still favorite, +Rafa+ (Nadal, injured since mid-January) if he is there, it will always be his tournament" and himself. "I put myself in this list, because I play at a good level, I have good results and confidence," he smiles. Even if he "doesn't feel like the best tennis player in the world," he said moments earlier.

With Coric, Alcaraz nevertheless found some answer, especially during the first half of the first set which stretched over an hour. The Croatian did not hesitate to be aggressive and embarrassed the young Spanish phenomenon, especially by putting volume in his shots and being skillful at the net.

But the neo-vingtenaire was able to raise the tone to break (3-2) and find the parade to the assaults of Coric to finally win in 1h40 min.

Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz on May 5, 2023 in Madrid © Pierre-Philippe MARCOU / AFP

"I'm very happy with my level of play throughout the game, without ups and downs, and my concentration," he said.

If he retains the title in Madrid, Alcaraz will only have to play one match at the Masters 1000 in Rome the following week to then reinstall himself on the throne of world No. 1 at the expense of Novak Djokovic.

Last September, "Carlitos" became the youngest world No. 1 in history in the wake of his first Grand Slam title at the US Open.

© 2023 AFP