Carlos Alcaraz has done his job in the round of 16 after Jack Draper retired. Now he could face a dream duel with Novak Djokovic.
Carlos Alcaraz did his homework on his way to a cracker duell with Novak Djokovic in the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. Alcaraz beat Briton Jack Draper in the round of 16 without having to go the full distance.
His opponent, who had played several long matches and was experiencing physical problems from the first set onwards, retired at 7-5, 6-1 before the start of the third set.
“This is not how I want to win matches. I’m happy to be in the quarterfinals, but a little sad for Jack,” said the third-ranked Spaniard, who beat a top-20 player in a Grand Slam for the eighth time in a row.
Alcaraz is only missing the Australian Open
The 21-year-old with the large collection of trophies only made it to the quarterfinals for the second time at the Australian Open – the only Grand Slam tournament where he still lacks a title.
If he triumphs Down Under for the first time, Alcaraz has said he will get a kangaroo tattoo. Tattoos at the first Grand Slam victory at a location already have a tradition for him.
After his triumph at the US Open, he had the date of his success tattooed on his arm. For Wimbledon, he got a strawberry, and after his victory at the French Open, he had an Eiffel Tower tattooed on his left ankle.
To make the eagerly awaited clash of the two top stars possible, Djokovic must now follow suit. The Serbian, who has won a record number of Grand Slams, will face the Czech Jiri Lehecka from 9 a.m. CET. “I will definitely watch that,” said Alcaraz on the court.
