Carlos Alcaraz, winner of four majors, crushed the Dane Holger Rune (6-4 and 6-2) in his first game and now will face Nadal in the semi-finals of the tournament with this set to be the last ever game between the two idols of Spanish tennis, with the Davis Cup in Malaga next month set to mark Nadal’s definitive farewell from the sport.

During an interview at the ‘Six Kings Slam’, Alcaraz was asked who has a better forehand between him and Nadal: "I am only starting my career, so for now I choose Rafa's. For now, but I am very happy with my forehand as well, so we will see at the end of my career who has the better forehand."

Rafael Nadal starts his pre-retirement farewell tour against Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday at the Six Kings Slam, and Novak Djokovic faces Jannik Sinner at the exhibition event that awards money but no A

Carlos praised his idol, admitting he sought a professional career after watching Rafa's matches while growing up. The young gun will try to enjoy the duel, although it will not be easy, considering it's the veteran's penultimate tournament in a career.

The Six Kings Slam is the most lucrative exhibition tennis tournament ever, taking place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, as part of the country’s annual sporting season.

The exhibition tournament held in Riyadh, where the winner takes home six million (more than double the US Open), will be the penultimate for the Balearic player before his retirement in the Davis Cup Rafa Nadal,