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.

When is Nadal vs Alcaraz? Start time today and how to watch Six Kings Slam tennis live on TV - Spain duo go head to head in Riyadh for the final time before Rafael Nadal retires next month

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.

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 ATP ranking points and is Saudi Arabia’s latest foray into tennis.

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,