Carlos Alcaraz writes Main historical past in Melbourne

Carlos Alcaraz must wait for one more 12 months to chase a Profession Grand Slam in Melbourne. The 21-year-old suffered the Australian Open quarter-final loss to Novak Djokovic at Rod Laver Area. Thus, the Spaniard ended his marketing campaign Down Underneath within the final eight for the second straight 12 months.

Whereas leaving Melbourne a lot sooner than anticipated, Carlos achieved a notable Main milestone! At 21 years and eighth months, he turned the second-youngest participant with ten Main quarter-finals, becoming a member of Mats Wilander on the high of the listing.

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2025

Accumulating ten Main quarter-finals isn’t a straightforward activity, particularly should you chase that at 21! In fact, it all the time helps once you begin the pursuit at 18, which Alcaraz did on the 2021 US Open. The younger gun earned two extra quarter-finals in 2022. 

Carlos performed three Majors in 2023 and had a deep run at each, standing with six Main quarter-finals on his tally at 20! The younger gun repeated that final 12 months, transferring to 9 quarter-finals and attaining the milestone final week in Melbourne!

Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

For an illustration, Alcaraz left behind the gamers like Boris Becker, Bjorn Borg, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras! The Spaniard kicked off his fifth Australian Open marketing campaign towards Alexander Shevchenko. 

Carlos skilled a few breaks within the second set however sealed the deal with out additional points. World no. 3 toppled Yoshihito Nishioka within the second spherical and labored tougher towards Nuno Borges. The Portuguese claimed a set earlier than falling in 4 units, pushing the Spaniard by means of. 

Alcaraz battled towards his good good friend Jack Draper within the fourth spherical. He prevailed within the opener and bested an exhausted rival within the second set earlier than Draper retired. Thus, Carlos superior to his tenth Main quarter-final at 21 years and eight months.

Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

The younger gun confronted the ten-time champion Novak Djokovic and suffered a 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-3 loss in three hours and 37 minutes. Alcaraz claimed the opener and had his possibilities within the second set towards the rival who struggled with an damage. 

Djokovic felt higher from the third set when the treatment began to work. He outplayed world no. 3 in units three and 4 to maneuver into his fiftieth Main semi-final. Novak received 9 factors greater than Carlos and performed extra dependable tennis regardless of points.

The Spaniard hit 50 winners and 40 unforced errors however sprayed too many errors within the pivotal moments. The veteran misplaced serve 4 occasions and took six return video games to emerge on the high. Alcaraz claimed the opener with a break in sport 9. 

Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Djokovic took a medical timeout and struggled once more in set quantity two. Nonetheless, he grabbed an early break for 3-0 earlier than shedding serve in sport 5. The 37-year-old made a push on the return at 5-4 and stole the set with a backhand down the road winner.  

Carlos struggled on serve within the third set and obtained damaged within the sixth sport after a unfastened backhand. World no. 3 pulled the break again within the subsequent one earlier than struggling a break at love a couple of minutes later after Novak’s forehand winner. 

The ten-time winner served for the set at 5-3 and claimed an entertaining rally to open two units to 1 benefit. Novak secured one other break originally of the fourth set and saved a break level three video games later for 3-1.

Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot

 

Djokovic held after deuces within the sixth sport and missed a break likelihood within the subsequent one after a 36-shot trade. Alcaraz tried every little thing to return to the optimistic facet and created two break factors within the eighth sport. Djokovic saved them and held for 5-3 with a forehand winner.  

The legend served for the win at 5-4 and drew the rival’s mistake to seal the deal and advance, leaving Carlos empty-handed. The Spaniard will attempt to bounce again at Roland Garros and defend the title.