Alcaraz Celebrates 20th Birthday with Return to Madrid Final

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates beating Croatia's Borna Coric during their 2023 ATP Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament singles semi-final match at Caja Magica in Madrid on May 5, 2023. (AFP)
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates beating Croatia's Borna Coric during their 2023 ATP Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament singles semi-final match at Caja Magica in Madrid on May 5, 2023. (AFP)
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Alcaraz Celebrates 20th Birthday with Return to Madrid Final

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates beating Croatia's Borna Coric during their 2023 ATP Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament singles semi-final match at Caja Magica in Madrid on May 5, 2023. (AFP)
Spain's Carlos Alcaraz celebrates beating Croatia's Borna Coric during their 2023 ATP Tour Madrid Open tennis tournament singles semi-final match at Caja Magica in Madrid on May 5, 2023. (AFP)

Carlos Alcaraz celebrated his 20th birthday on Friday by returning to the Madrid Open final after beating Borna Coric in straight sets.

The defending champion defeated the 17th-seeded Coric 6-4, 6-3 on the outdoor clay in yet another dominant performance by the home favorite.

The second-ranked Alcaraz will play Jan-Lennard Struff or Aslan Karatsev in Sunday’s final.

Alcaraz is aiming for his fourth title of the season after triumphs in Buenos Aires, Indian Wells, and Barcelona. The Spaniard is also preparing for the French Open this month.

If Alcaraz successfully defends his title in Madrid, he will recover his world No. 1 ranking by playing one match in Rome next week.



Arsenal Goalkeeper Jack Porter, 16, Becomes Club's Youngest-ever Starter

Arsenal's 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Bournemouth and Chelsea at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, England, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Arsenal's 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Bournemouth and Chelsea at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, England, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
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Arsenal Goalkeeper Jack Porter, 16, Becomes Club's Youngest-ever Starter

Arsenal's 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Bournemouth and Chelsea at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, England, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)
Arsenal's 16-year-old goalkeeper Jack Porter reacts during the English Premier League soccer match between Bournemouth and Chelsea at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, England, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. (AP Photo/Alastair Grant)

Jack Porter became Arsenal's youngest-ever player to start a first-team game when the 16-year-old goalkeeper made his debut against Bolton in the English League Cup on Wednesday, The Associated Press reported.
At 16 years, 72 days old, Porter surpasses club icon Cesc Fabregas, who was 16 years, 177 days when he started against Rotherham in October 2003.
Porter was selected in place of first choice David Raya, who was ruled out with a thigh injury, Arsenal said.
Porter is an England under-17 international and was a substitute for Arsenal's game against Manchester City on Sunday.
He is the second-youngest player to represent Arsenal's first team.
Ethan Nwaneri holds that record after coming on as a substitute aged 15 years, 181 days in September 2022.
Nwaneri scored twice in Wednesday's 5-1 win over the third-division club.