Alcaraz Eases Into Melbourne Quarterfinals

World number one Carlos Alcaraz stepped up his bid for a maiden Australian Open title with a masterclass to reach the quarter-finals on Sunday by dismissing the American Tommy Paul.

The six-time Grand Slam champion won 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 7-5 to equal his best run in Melbourne and is yet to drop a set.

The Spanish top seed plays home hope and sixth seed Alex de Minaur or 10th seed Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan for a place in the last four.

If Alcaraz, 22, can break his Australian duck, he will become the youngest man in history to win a career Grand Slam of all four majors.

The encounter at Rod Laver Arena took place in significantly cooler conditions than on Saturday, when temperatures approached 40C and matches on the outside courts were suspended.

Alcaraz’s new-look serve has been compared to Novak Djokovic, and the Serbian great joked in Melbourne that he is expecting a slice of the Spaniard’s winnings.

Alcaraz has in the past struggled with precision and consistency in his serving technique.

Author

Tope Oke

Temitope is a storyteller driven by a passion for the intricate world of geopolitics, the raw beauty of wildlife, and the dynamic spirit of sports. As both a writer and editor, he excels at crafting insightful and impactful narratives that not only inform but also inspire and advocate for positive change. Through his work, he aims to shed light on complex issues, celebrate diverse perspectives, and encourage readers to engage with the world around them in a more meaningful way.