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Kei Nishikori during his defeat to Alexander Zverev. EPA
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Rafael Nadal after beating Carlos Alcaraz 6-1 6-2 to reach the last-16 of the Madrid Open on Wednesday, May 5. Getty
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Carlos Alcaraz, left, is presented with a birthday cake by tournament director Feliciano Lopez ahead of his match against Rafael Nadal. Getty
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Rafael Nadal celebrates after the match. EPA
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Spain's Carlos Alcaraz on his way to a straight-sets defeat by countryman Rafael Nadal. Getty
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Rafael Nadal defeated Carlos Alcaraz in one hour and 17 minutes. EPA
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Carlos Alcaraz celebrates winning a point against Rafael Nadal. Getty
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Russia's Daniil Medvedev on his way to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain. Getty
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Britain's Dan Evans celebrates after beating Jeremy Chardy of France 6-7, 6-2, 6-3. Getty
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Germany's Alexander Zverev on his way to a 6-3, 6-2 win against Kei Nishikori of Japan. Getty
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Kei Nishikori during his defeat to Alexander Zverev. EPA
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Rafael Nadal after beating Carlos Alcaraz 6-1 6-2 to reach the last-16 of the Madrid Open on Wednesday, May 5. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/55CM3QVBKIHOEVAPIXI3I7HVXU.jpg?smart=true&auth=b1c79e26f4483b5e809d9b36adba4f8b67a416d2f36c5cfeda48f4d939137ab8&width=400&height=225)
Carlos Alcaraz, left, is presented with a birthday cake by tournament director Feliciano Lopez ahead of his match against Rafael Nadal. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/VUEIKDP3TQWNCLL7VA4FJ3PUBM.jpg?smart=true&auth=88e16a0aa405e64abbb7c24780bcb08df97fa8053a5ba541333033a86bc4d891&width=400&height=225)
Rafael Nadal celebrates after the match. EPA
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Spain's Carlos Alcaraz on his way to a straight-sets defeat by countryman Rafael Nadal. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RJWDGGJHH5ZL3L5QGFIRQ6EWKY.jpg?smart=true&auth=2a19cb64d5a02ca2cbb2839d091bdea0223c0e8eea4e06fd949a2b0046df7ccd&width=400&height=225)
Rafael Nadal defeated Carlos Alcaraz in one hour and 17 minutes. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/D5BWRIC3NIRBD7ULAEP4ATSSMA.jpg?smart=true&auth=c3da806e512eaf0a0ab099ac334e7dff9e425bee3c88ee7002b587a6e3c41f18&width=400&height=225)
Carlos Alcaraz celebrates winning a point against Rafael Nadal. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/PFSTNQBQIVF2NQOMW7COYVZG5Y.jpg?smart=true&auth=b85fcffd1b7cc69142bdfb06aceb36ec43e806090fe39ff1a7c5beef20fa442a&width=400&height=225)
Russia's Daniil Medvedev on his way to a 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Alejandro Davidovich Fokina of Spain. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/P6EHZ4VTHX77QYTT6SJLXRBYEQ.jpg?smart=true&auth=802bcbc73aa11fd5e6c5a4e00fbbc644e7eaa93d2404635e7dbbdd5dec930b35&width=400&height=225)
Britain's Dan Evans celebrates after beating Jeremy Chardy of France 6-7, 6-2, 6-3. Getty
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/3T5GMNFJ2TYPUV722QAOVXODGU.jpg?smart=true&auth=e277267db59cea1fe383730ead98043b004f6994a5a5dc5ba856e469e6daa4fb&width=400&height=225)
Germany's Alexander Zverev on his way to a 6-3, 6-2 win against Kei Nishikori of Japan. Getty
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Kei Nishikori during his defeat to Alexander Zverev. EPA
Ruthless Rafael Nadal shows no mercy to birthday boy Carlos Alcaraz at Madrid Open
Clay-court king starts bid for sixth title in Spanish capital by disposing of 18-year-old in straight sets
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The National
05 May, 2021
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