Jannik Sinnersuffering from colic; Novak Djokovic risking disqualification with an uncontrolled ball that almost hit a ball with the game stopped. Both had problems on Saturday’s horrible day, in weather conditions that forced the organization to apply the extreme heat protocol. “I was lucky with this law of heat”, acknowledged the Italian, two-time champion of the tournament.
From the difficulties and excitement of the two big names at the end of the table to the splendor of the main candidate, a world number one who still doesn’t appear in the Australian Open record. He will have a third opportunity, this Tuesday, which he achieved brilliantly. A punch on the table Rod Laver Arena, a supreme warning to his rivals.
Carlos Alcaraz, At 22 years old, he qualified for the third consecutive time for the quarter-finals at Melbourne Park, a bar he wants to destroy this Tuesday, either against the Australian Alex de Minaur or Kazakh Alexandre Bublikoutdoors or indoors because there is a heat advisory planned for that day.
The student of Samuel López and Álvaro Alcaraz He taught tennis and confidence, he played an impeccable match against the American Tommy Paul, 28 years old and number 20, who won by 7-6 (6), 6-4 and 7-5 in 2h,42′ of intense work. In the sun, although with pleasant summer temperatures. In fast playing conditions, the ball lives to gain height and spin.
An ideal situation that a balanced Alcaraz explored in depth. Serene, at the same time aggressive in tennis. Both conditions were necessary to halt the momentum of fast-hitting Paul, who won for the fifth time in a row, sixth in a total of eight matches. The Murcian had to raise a lot of level to appease his opponent, fierce at the beginning, resistant until the last point. Which gave more value to the Spaniard’s complete performance.
At 22 years old, another step in the attempt to be the youngest professional to add seventh Grand Slam titlewho completed the Grand Slam on his record as the first in men’s tennis history.
He arrives ready for the definitive battle, which according to the world order would involve Alex de Minaur, Alexander Zverevyour executioner in 2024, and Jannik Sinner (or Novak Djokovic)who won it in 2025). He focuses alone. It has many features. He once again showed off his wonderful drop shot in a match that started out complicated. From the beginning he suffered the ‘break’, giving wings to the best version of Paul, with a fast pace and offensive vocation, without hesitation in looking for the final blow.
Alcaraz recovered from the break with a 3-0 run, a sign that they were taking the initiative. They went ahead 5-4 and reached an eventful tiebreak. There was a 12-minute interruption in 3-3 due to the indisposition of a fan, who had to be treated by medical services in the stands. Paul got the ‘mini break’, 5-4 and a double serve. The Murcian pressed. In the face of difficulty, the talent to respond immediately. Three points in a row, he didn’t finish the first set. The sentence came with a double fault on the part of the American. A big mistake in the 72nd minute tied for number 1.
Alcaraz was going further, Paulo had reached the maximum, without result. The intense tug of war continued, but with the Spaniard one point ahead. He no longer gave up the serve, which he protected with ease. He held the gap at 2-1 to end the second set. He maintained the patience, which he acquired over time, to continue developing a triumph that had fallen from maturity.
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Complicated query, he resolved it with flying colors Alcaraz. From the first point to the conclusion. A message of strength for your future rivals. Everyone watches each other out of the corner of their eyes, calculating possibilities, meditating strategies. For the first time in Grand Salm’s professional history, the sixteen players from the round of 16 are classified. Demanding image. An exciting challenge for Murciano, perhaps the main objective of this campaign. He didn’t give up any set, he celebrated with a little dance in the center. Satisfied, happy.
