World number one Carlos Alcaraz, like last year, qualifies for the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. The Spaniard beat the American Tommy Paul (n.20 ATP) with a score of 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 7-5, without having lost a single set in the tournament yet.
“The level was very high on both sides, so I’m very happy to have won in three sets,” explained Alcaraz after the match, interviewed on the court by former world number one Jim Courier.
The decisive serve
The Spaniard was able to count above all on a particularly effective serve: “I impressed myself,” he underlined, adding that he always checks the statistics of the first serves at the end of the set. “I’ve been working on it for a long time, so I’m happy that my first rate is good.”
The curtain call with Djokovic
Alcaraz’s new technical gesture recalled that of Novak Djokovic. “Nole sent me a message the other day telling me that I owe him money for copying his gesture,” he said, laughing, assuring that he hadn’t noticed the resemblance. “I have a contract right next to me in my bag, but I haven’t found it yet!” The Serbian tennis player, evoked by Alcaraz himself, reached the quarterfinals a day early and without playing due to the stoppage of the Czech Mensik, the opponent designated for the round of 16, who was knocked out due to an abdominal problem.
Towards a taboo to dispel
In the quarter-finals Alcaraz will face the Australian Alex De Minaur (no.6 who clearly beat Bublik in three sets), for a place in the semi-finals, a goal he never reached in Melbourne.
At 22, Alcaraz is looking for his first title in Australia, which would be the seventh Slam of his career. Winner at Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open, he has never reached the quarter-finals at the Australian Open, reached in 2024 and 2025.
The other races
Green disc without too much effort also for the German Alexander Zverev, victorious 3-0 over Cerundolo, and for the surprising American Tien, who left no escape, again in 3 partials, to an increasingly declining Medvedev.