Carlos Alcaraz overcame a spirited challenge from Nuno Borges to secure a 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2 victory and book his spot in the Australian Open fourth round. The 21-year-old Spaniard, chasing history as the youngest player to complete a career Grand Slam, displayed brilliance and resilience on his return to Rod Laver Arena.
In a tournament already marked by major upsets, Carlos Alcaraz continued to showcase why he is one of the brightest talents in tennis. Facing world number 33 Nuno Borges, the top-seeded Alcaraz wasted no time asserting dominance. A break in the opening game of the first set set the tone as the Spaniard dictated play with a combination of powerful serves and impeccable net play.
By the end of the second set, Alcaraz had dropped just six points on serve and converted nine of his first 11 net approaches, per Infosys Stats. Borges, however, was determined to make his mark. The Portuguese player rallied in the third set, saving two break points during an electrifying hold for 4-3. His persistence paid off in the tie-break as he capitalized on an uncharacteristically erratic Alcaraz to force a fourth set, delighting the crowd with his grit and shot-making.
Alcaraz responded emphatically, halting Borges’ momentum with a quick break sandwiched between two love holds at the start of the fourth. A stunning forehand passing shot, hit on the run, sealed the crucial break and underscored why Alcaraz is regarded as a future legend. Racing to the finish line, the Spaniard dropped just one point on serve in the final set, closing out the match with authority.
The win keeps Alcaraz’s bid for history alive. With five of the top 11 seeds already out, he remains a strong contender to become the youngest Australian Open champion since Novak Djokovic in 2008. Next, he faces either Jack Draper or Aleksandar Vukic, with a tantalizing potential quarter-final clash against Novak Djokovic looming on the horizon.
