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Carlos Alcaraz has reached another quarter-final at the Australian Open. In the year 2024, he could not make it past this stage, losing to German Alexander Zverev. He has the next opportunity on Tuesday against the winner of the battle between Serbian Novak Djokovic and Czech Jiri Lehecka.
Alcaraz, the 21-year-old former world number-one player and now ranked third, warned Djokovic of a psychic defeat in case the selections by the draw come to pass and they face each other in the quarterfinals. He is prepared, confident, and in good physical and tennis condition. He will be fresh for the competition because he plays against 23-year-old British young gun player and number 18 seed Jack Draper. Draper fell to Alcaraz in straight sets, losing 7-5, 6-1, before retiring, exhausted from his last three rounds. Definitely, Carlos Alcaraz requires great finesse and rhythm in his game.
You will be where you deserved. Get well soon, Jack! 🤞🏻🥲 Quarters 🔜
— Carlos Alcaraz (@carlosalcaraz) January 19, 2025
📸 Getty pic.twitter.com/zRV4kJQuGL
“I will be following live while I am on with the physios,” commented Alcaraz of daggers drawn between ten-time tournament champion Novak Djokovic, who was joined on Centre Court by his young opponent, Czech Jiri Lehecka. The sense of calm came from knowing that much prep had been done throughout the season with the edition played here at Melbourne Park for getting his four matches in. The calm that he did not get any injury before facing possible troubles such as Djokovic, Zverev, and Sinner.
He improved upon against Draper, who paid with an enormous toll for his 12h.34′ accumulated on the court after three five-set marathons, twice longer than Alcaraz (6h.11′). Having put Alcaraz out on the grass at Queen’s last year, he lost to the Spaniard for the third time in ultra-competitive matches on hard courts. The same was from the start: he did not have enough legs and inspiration to finish the duel. Completely at the command, it depended only on him.
Sights we never want to see 💔
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 19, 2025
Jack Draper is forced to retire against Carlos Alcaraz.
Wishing you a quick recovery and see you soon, Jack 💙#AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/UuetJeEfw0
So it was this, for better or worse. Alcaraz came close to breaking twice before finally managing it after a fifth attempt. Even though he got to 5-2 and by đó it was quite evident he was running matters, he had a horrendous ninth game; double faulted on two occasions (making five during the set), he allowed for the break to happen, going through a tiny moment of anxiety and rush.
There were fears of his disconnection, but he was able to avoid falling into that one. She stayed on the course; she regained the line and recovered control in her hands. A partial 5-0 took to close the set and a jumpscreen to a 3-0 in the second.
Between the two actions, Draper had already raised the alarm for medical assistance. He was sore, exhausted, and with no way out against an unrelentingly aggressive opponent performing his task. Although it does not really help seeing a teammate like that, especially if the personal relationship is good.