Australian Open: Alcaraz to Face Draper for Quarterfinal Spot
Carlos Alcaraz on serve during his match against Nuno Borges (not pictured). January 17, 2025. Melbourne, Australia. Photo credit: Australian Open.

Bidding to become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam at the Australian Open, world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz set up a fourth-round meeting with Briton Jack Draper for a place in the quarterfinals at Melbourne Park.

Third seed Carlos Alcaraz set off strong his campaign at the Australian Open, the only major he has yet to claim to achieve career Grand Slam glory, and has no intentions of slowing down anytime soon.

In pursuit of the feat, he moved a step closer by punching his ticket into the last 16 after ousting world No. 33 Nuno Borges with a 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2 win just shy of three hours on Friday at Rod Laver Arena.

In his on-court interview, he said: “I tried to show my best tennis here.”

I am just really happy with my level and have things to improve in approaching the next match.”

The Portuguese player has been the first to pose a tricky test to the four-time Slam champion, who dropped his first set against the ASB Classic semifinalist thus far in his quest for a maiden AO title.

Previously, Alcaraz, who arrived in Melbourne highly motivated to start a new season, fit and armored with a more powerful game and upgraded serve, dispatched Alexander Shevchenko and Yoshihito Nishioka, his first two outings, in straight sets and below the two-hour mark.

On Sunday, the Murcia-born will meet marathon man Jack Draper for a place in the quarterfinals.

The world No. 18 has survived three five-set grueling battles in a row, leaving it all on the court within each match to make it through the fourth round at Melbourne Park.

In that regard, his clinical serve plays a key role in his game, allowing the 2-time ATP titlist to find an edge when he needs it the most.

Draper, who missed the United Cup due to a hip injury, has shown to be match-fit at a Slam level, having been tested to the limit throughout a brutal week.

How fast he recovers after spending over 12 hours on court will prove pivotal against a fresher rival in his top form.

On Friday, the No. 15 seed took down Australian Aleksandar Vukic 6-4, 2-6, 5-7, 7-6(5), 7-6(10-8) in three hours and 58 minutes to reach the round of 16 at the major for the first time, setting a fourth career meeting with Alcaraz.

My body doesn’t feel too great, but luckily, I have got a good physio,” he asserted after the endurance test against Vukic.

Mentally, I have competed hard, and I loved the atmosphere. It has given me a lot of energy to keep pushing myself, and I am surprising myself.”

On Wednesday night, the US Open semifinalist rallied from two sets down to one to beat home hope Thanasi Kokkinakis 6-7(3), 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, 6-3, a four-hour and 35 minutes second-round thriller.

Draper, 23, is coming off the back of his breakthrough season, making his third straight appearance at the AO, and aims to progress to the last eight for the first time Down Under.

He opened against Mariano Navone, digging deep to fend off the Argentinian player with a 4-6, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 comeback win after four hours, the first chapter of an impressive three-match five-set saga.

Alcaraz leads his good friend and British No. 1 racquet 2-1 in their series; however, in their most recent encounter, the left-hander surged to victory on a surface that favors his game, the grass courts at the Queen’s Club held in London last year.

Cecilia demartini
Sports Pundit staff writer @ceci_2812
Cecilia is a writer and journalist, passionate about motorsport and tennis.Her articles are published in newspapers and international online publications.

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