Carlos Alcaraz is still on course in Melbourne. He benefits from his opponent’s injury in the third round
Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz is through to the round of 16 at the Australian Open. The Spanish world number two benefited on Saturday in Melbourne from the withdrawal of his Chinese opponent Shang Juncheng due to injury, who was unable to continue at 6:1, 6:1, 1:0 from Alcaraz’s point of view.
The Spaniard has thus reached the round of 16 in Australia for the first time. Last year, he missed the first Grand Slam tournament of the tennis season due to injury.
“Of course, that’s not the way you want to progress,” said Alcaraz after the one-sided match. “But I’m happy with the way I’m playing. I’m happy to be here for the first time in the second week,” said Alcaraz (20) after the match against the 18-year-old Chinese player. It was the first time on the professional tour that Alcaraz had to play a player younger than him
Zverev against Michelsen
The Spaniard will now take on Miomir Kecmanovic from Serbia, who beat last year’s semi-finalist Tommy Paul from the USA in five sets, fending off two match points in the fourth set. Kecmanovic had previously won against Jan-Lennard Struff, also in five sets, after fending off two match points.
Alexander Zverev will play the American Alex Michelsen in his third round match in the second match of the night session. Before that, the Polish world number one Iga Swiatek and the Czech Linda Noskova will play each other in the Rod Laver Arena. Zverev is the last remaining German in the singles at the first Grand Slam tournament of the season.
