- Video
-
Club Roar
Captured a great grassroots sporting moment? We want to see it!Content Collections
The Roar Community
- Join
- Login
Super Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz has moved within three wins of becoming the youngest man to complete a career grand slam thanks to a fourth-round walkover at the Australian Open.
The 21-year-old mega star entered the last eight at Melbourne Park when British 15th seed Jack Draper retired injured at 7-5 6-1 down.
“Obviously it’s not the way I wanted to get through,” Alcaraz told reporters after spending just an hour and 35 minutes on Rod Laver Arena.
Draper was backing up after three five-set marathons in a row, including victories over locals Thanasi Kokkinakis and Aleksandar Vukic in hostile territory.
The 23-year-old Brit said the gruelling matches had worn on an existing hip tendonitis injury that forced him to withdraw from the United Cup.
“Obviously in the pre-season, it (got) into my back and I couldn’t walk and it was really difficult,” Draper said.
“We were managing it. Maybe it’s a little bit of a ticking time bomb.”
With the temperature hovering above 33C at Melbourne Park, Alcarez faltered when serving for the first set at 5-3 and remonstrated at the chair umpire at the change of ends over an ill-timed shot clock violation.
But the Spaniard steadied himself and sealed the first set with a trademark running forehand winner down the line.
Draper, who prevailed in the pair’s most recent encounter on home soil at Queen’s Club last year, retreated to the dressing rooms between sets for medical treatment but was still restricted on his return.
Alcaraz is seeking to become the youngest man to complete a career grand slam after earning titles at Wimbledon in 2023 and 2024, the US Open in 2022 and the French Open in 2024.
His first attempt at the feat at Flushing Meadows last year went up in flames with a shock second-round loss to Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp
“I’m one step closer,” Alcaraz said when asked if the accomplishment was playing on his mind.
“But what I’ve learned in the previous grand slam that I’ve played is going day by day in a grand slam.”
Alcaraz’s bogey slam has been the Australian Open, where he reached the quarter-finals for the first time last year before being stopped in his tracks by Alexander Zverev.
Sunday’s walkover sets up a quarter-final blockbuster with 10-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic.
Djokovic overcame 23-year-old Czech Jiri Lehecka on Rod Laver Arena in the evening, winning 6-4 6-4 7-6 (7-4) to keep alive his quest for a record 25th grand slam singles title.
With his 10-year-old son Stefan, a rare visitor to Melbourne, watching in the stands, Djokovic sealed his 15th Open quarter-final appearance – equalling Roger Federer’s all-time record at Melbourne Park.
He also stretched his all-time record for grand slam quarter-final appearances to 61.
Djokovic didn’t initially appear ruffled on court but, seemingly upset with some members of the crowd, refused to partake in an on-court interview.
Novak Djokovic shows his frustration with a member of the crowd during third-round win at the Australian Open. (Photo by Jason Heidrich/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
He took the microphone and made a statement: “Thank you very much for being here tonight. I appreciate your presence and support and I will see you next round. Thank you very much”.
Djokovic then signed some autographs before heading off court.
Lehecka posed a genuine threat to the veteran after an eight-match unbeaten start to the year, which included the Brisbane International title.
He had only dropped one set in three Open matches, while his best grand slam result came at Melbourne Park with a quarter-final berth in 2023.
While the world No.29, hit some spectacular winners, an unforced error tally of 43 cruelled his chances against the Serbian maestro.
© AAP
Whether it’s aces or races, try out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp for great odds and a great punting experience. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.