- Alcaraz defeated Nuno Borges 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2 in the third round.
- This was the first set dropped by Alcaraz in the tournament.
- He will face either Jack Draper or Aleksandar Vukic in the fourth round.
Carlos Alcaraz advanced to the fourth round of the Australian Open after a four-set victory against Nuno Borges. Despite dropping his first set of the tournament, Alcaraz remained dominant.
winning the match 6-2, 6-4, 6-7 (3), 6-2. The match took place at Rod Laver Arena, a court Alcaraz expressed a strong attachment to, recalling his previous quarterfinal loss to Zverev in 2024.
Alcaraz Eyes Career Grand Slam After Third-Round Win at Australian Open
Alcaraz’s win sets up a potential quarterfinal clash with Novak Djokovic, should both players continue to advance. The 21-year-old Spaniard is aiming for a career Grand Slam after already securing victories at Wimbledon, the U.S. Open, and the French Open. With a win at the Australian Open, he would become the youngest player in history to complete the Grand Slam sweep.
The win sets up a fourth-round match with either 15th-seeded Jack Draper or Australian Aleksandar Vukic, with the winner looking forward to a possible quarterfinal meeting with Djokovic. Alcaraz has been in exceptional form this season, having previously won Wimbledon twice and the U.S. Open, and is eyeing the Australian Open to complete his career Grand Slam.
Novak Djokovic had a smooth path to the third round, while Alexander Zverev defeated Jacob Fearnley in straight sets. Zverev’s victory was powered by his consistency, committing fewer unforced errors than his opponent, who struggled with 34. Meanwhile, Tommy Paul pulled off a solid victory over Roberto Carballes Baena, winning 7-6 (0), 6-2, 6-0 in a match marked by the Spaniard’s 10 double faults.
As the tournament progresses, Alcaraz remains a strong contender for the Australian Open title. His confidence and powerful performances make him a top favorite to achieve his Grand Slam goal.
Alcaraz’s consistent dominance, despite a dropped set, signals his readiness to chase a career Grand Slam. His potential matchups with Djokovic and other top contenders will make for thrilling encounters in the coming rounds.
“I missed Rod Laver. I’m just really, really happy to be able to play here once again,” – Carlos Alcaraz on his victory at the iconic court.
