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Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime to Match Unprecedented Record Held by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic

Published 09/06/2021, 2:00 AM EDT

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USA Today via Reuters

Carlos Alcaraz made history in his fourth round victory over Peter Gojowczyk in the US Open yesterday. With the win, the 18-year-old became the youngest player to reach the quarterfinals since Andre Agassi in the 1988 US Open.

While the Spanish teenager makes history individually, he will also share a piece of it with Felix Auger-Aliassime. The Canadian defeated Frances Tiafoe late yesterday to set up a mouth-watering quarterfinal with Alcaraz.

Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime to compete in the youngest Grand Slam quarterfinal in 15 years

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Alcaraz is enjoying one of the most impressive US Open debuts in recent memory. He shocked the world in the third round when he defeated third seed Stefanos Tsitsipas in a five-set epic. By securing his first Grand Slam quarterfinal appearance, the Spaniard has captured hearts across the world.

In 21-year-old Auger-Aliassime, Alcaraz faces another youngster who’s quickly rising up the ranks in tennis. Seeded 12th in the hard court Grand Slam, the Canadian defeated a spirited Frances Tiafoe in four sets to make it back-to-back quarterfinal appearances in Grand Slam tournaments.

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Their quarterfinal match will make history in more than one way. Alcaraz and Auger-Aliassime will compete in the youngest Grand Slam quarterfinal, semifinal or final since the 2006 French Open. In the clay court Grand Slam 15 years ago, a 20-year-old Rafael Nadal faced a 19-year-old Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinal, in which Nadal emerged victorius.

In addition, it will be the youngest quarterfinal, semifinal or final in the US Open since the 1984 tournament which saw a 19-year-old Pat Cash faced a 20-year-old Mats Wilander.

Being in the company of players with such high calibre puts Alcaraz and Auger-Aliassime in uncharted territory. However, their paths to this grand stage are just markers of showing how much they deserve their success in New York.

Who Coaches Carlos Alcaraz?

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Quarterfinal to take place on September 7

This clash between two exciting youngsters will take place on Tuesday, September 7. While four quarterfinal spots are up for grabs, this quarterfinal will be among the first to take place.

USA Today via Reuters

Can Alcaraz continue his impressive run towards a maiden Grand Slam semifinal? Or can Auger-Aliassime reach that achievement before the 18-year-old Spaniard?

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Sanket Nair

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Sanket Nair is an F1 Author at EssentiallySports. A Sports Management graduate, he is a huge fan of Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo and hopes to see Red Bull break Mercedes' dominance and win the World Championship soon. Sanket has been hooked to the sport ever since he watched the battle for the 2010 World Championship go down to the wire at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
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