Carlos Alcaraz. (Pic Credit – X)
Alcaraz, the third-seeded Spaniard, playing on Rod Laver Arena for the first time in this edition of the tournament, flaunted staggering range as he moved past Nuno Borges 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2 to claim a spot in the fourth-round of the Australian Open .
The 37-year-old Serb charged to a 6-1, 6-4, 6-4 win over the dangerous Czech Tomas Machac in 2-hours and 22-minutes to advance into the fourth-round in Melbourne Park for a 17th time. The seventh seed, now 97-9 in his most rewarding tournament, will take on Czech Jiri Lehecka in the fourth-round on Sunday. “They are getting experience in every tournament they play. “They’re going to become even more dangerous. Let’s see in the future. It was a match in which Djokovic played more than his opponent, taking on a section of the crowd that heckled him.
On Thursday night we saw Tien beating Medvedev here and Fonseca playing his first five-set match as well,” Alcaraz said.
Alcaraz — bidding to become the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam in men’s singles history – said he had watched all of the games’ young talents, including 19-year-old left-hander Tien, who put out Daniil Medvedev late on Thursday.
I don’t know which ranking they are going to reach, but they have a lot of potential,” he said. “I’m talking like I’m 30 years old,” he said, smiling before adding, “I mean, I’m just two years older than them!” “I have seen those players, I have seen the level that they have. I didn’t watch too much of Tien for example, but I watched a little bit last night and it was incredible.