It was not the day in Melbourne for flourishes or boasts. Although the sun was shining, it was cool in the shade due to the wind (22 km/h with gusts of 50)and it was not easy for the tennis players to feel the ball well, even in the Rod Laver Arena, although it is less noticeable there. Under these conditions, and in his first appearance at the headquarters so far this tournament, Carlos Alcaraz He did what he had to do: win without making his life too complicated. But it also offered an extra spectacle available to few. Thus, despite the fact that a set was left behind (pure anecdote, in the tiebreaker), He defeated Nuno Borges with flashes of quality in four (6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3) and 6-2) and 2h55, to reach the round of 16 for the second time. Open the Australia.
He is the 13th Spaniard to achieve it on more than one occasion, on a list led by Rafa Nadal (15). On Sunday he will face the British Jack Draper or to the Australian Aleksandar Vukic. Among all the Grand Slams, the 21-year-old from Murcia has reached the fourth round 11 times and is already the tenth in the Navy with the most participations, tied with Emilio Sánchez Vicario.
Offensive Arsenal
Although Borges, a 27-year-old Portuguese tennis player and 33rd in the world, has made a lot of progress in recent years and became known for beating Rafa Nadal last year in the Bastad final (the only trophy that appears in his record), He seemed like a very affordable rival for Carlos.who had beaten him once, with ease, on the ground of Barcelona, in 2023. And he was in some phases of the match, although he only really felt defeated in the fourth set. There Alcaraz said enough and went over him, with an increasing production of winning shots (he finished with 54)which offset his 50 unforced errors. You had to go to the sack to avoid scares. The serve worked well for him again (84% of points with firsts).
-“I missed Rod Laver. It’s a pleasure to play here, it’s a very nice court, and the last time I played here I lost (against Zverev)so I wanted to come back and win”said the one from El Palmar still on the field. “It is a privilege to feel the love of the people here in Australia, that is why I try to play different tennis, different shots, to enjoy. And that helps me play good tennis and entertain people too.”explained about those actions that excited the viewers. And he made a promise. “I’ll get a kangaroo tattoo (if he wins the Australian Open). That is my idea and what it will be. “First I have to lift the trophy here, but that decision has been made.”. That’s it.
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