Paris 2024: Alcaraz set new Olympics record as he reaches final

Carlos Alcaraz became the youngest tennis men’s singles finalist in the history of the Olympic games on Friday after defeating Felix Auger-Aliassime in a double set of  6-1, 6-1 in the semi-finals.

The 22-year-old Spaniard who was making his Olympic debut, battled past Tommy Paul a day earlier and eased past Canadian Felix Auger in a 75-minute classical bout to extend his winning streak to 12.

The success of youngster Alcaraz is following the upsets performed at the Wimbledon last July.

It’s going to be a really special moment for me, in my life, in my career, so I’m going to try and enjoy this moment, because it’s going to be really difficult,” Alcaraz said looking ahead to the final. “It’s going to be difficult, but it’s going to be special… I will try to be focused on myself and try not to hear all this, all the fans, all the people that say ‘I’m going to win’. I just want to give 100 per cent my best tennis and hopefully I reach my goal to get the gold.”

If Alcaraz clinches gold, he will join countryman Rafael Nadal (2008) as the second man to win Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Olympic singles gold in the same season.

“It’s going to be difficult, but it’s going to be special… I will try to be focused on myself and try not to hear all this, all the fans, all the people that say ‘I’m going to win’. I just want to give 100 per cent my best tennis and hopefully I reach my goal to get the gold.” Alcaraz said while looking ahead to the final on Sunday.