Australian Open: Carlos Alcaraz battles previous Nuno Borges

World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz will compete within the fourth spherical of the Australian Open for the second straight time. The Spaniard ousted Nuno Borges 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 in two hours and 55 minutes at Rod Laver Enviornment, remaining on the title course.

Carlos made the distinction along with his first serve. He dropped 26 factors in his video games and defended all three break factors to mount the stress on the opposite facet. Alcaraz stored the factors on his racquet and fired 54 winners and 50 unforced errors.

Borges fought properly in units two and three however couldn’t comply with the rival’s tempo after amassing 15 direct factors and 41 errors. The Portuguese performed towards 13 break factors and obtained damaged 5 instances to finish his marketing campaign within the third spherical.

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They stayed neck and neck within the mid-range and most superior exchanges. Carlos made the distinction within the shortest exchanges as much as 4 strokes, taking 20 factors greater than his rival. The Spaniard coated the courtroom properly and produced gorgeous winners that pumped his confidence.

World no. 3 was off to a great begin. He landed a deep return on his second break level within the first sport of the match to forge an early benefit. The Spaniard produced three advantageous holds and opened a 4-2 lead. Carlos induced Nuno’s mistake within the seventh sport for 3 break factors.

Nuno Borges & Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

The favourite transformed the second after Borges’ free backhand to increase the hole and serve for the opener. The Portuguese missed a forehand within the eighth sport, permitting the Spaniard to say the primary a part of the duel 6-2 in 31 minutes. 

Alcaraz dropped a few factors on serve within the second set, producing 5 holds and conserving the stress on the opposite facet. Nuno responded properly and stayed in contact within the opening eight video games. He missed a routine forehand at 4-4 and confronted a break level. 

Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

Carlos cracked a forehand down the road winner to transform it and transfer in entrance. The Spaniard landed a drop shot winner at 5-4 for a set level and seized it with an ace for 6-2, 6-4 in 66 minutes of flawless tennis. Alcaraz denied two break factors within the second sport of the third set.

Borges survived a difficult sport at 3-3 and stayed in contact with world no. 3. The Portuguese made a late push on the return at 6-5 and generated a set level. Carlos saved it with a service winner and launched a tie break.

They traded early mini-breaks earlier than Borges stepped in and claimed two factors on the return at 3-2. Alcaraz missed a forehand within the seventh level and fell 5-2 behind. He sprayed one other forehand error at 3-6, permitting his rival to say the set and lengthen the battle after two hours and 13 minutes.

Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

Carlos left that setback behind and returned at his greatest within the fourth set. The Spaniard dropped one level on serve and mounted the stress on the opposite facet. He grabbed a break within the second sport after a cracking no-look forehand that gave him a lift.

Borges denied extra break factors in video games 4 and 6 to stay inside one break deficit. He served to remain within the match at 2-5 and squandered a number of sport factors. Alcaraz created a match level and transformed it with a deep return, reserving a spot within the final 16.