PREVIEW
Ten-time champion Novak Djokovic will face his hardest check on the ongoing Australian Open on Tuesday when the Serbian faces Carlos Alcaraz within the quarterfinals.
This would be the fourth assembly at a Main between Djokovic and the 21-year-old Spaniard. Alcaraz has crushed Djokovic within the final two Wimbledon finals after the loss within the semifinals at Roland Garros 2023.
The duo has performed towards one another two instances on the onerous court docket and on each events, the Serbian has gained the match.
Seventh-seeded Djokovic is chasing a record-breaking twenty fifth Grand Slam title whereas Alcaraz, seeded third, is trying to turn out to be the youngest man to attain the Profession Slam.
READ | Australian Open, January 21 schedule: Djokovic vs Alcaraz marquee conflict as quarterfinals start
“This isn’t the proper participant to play in a quarterfinal, I suppose,” a smiling Alcaraz stated after his fourth-round match was reduce quick by Jack Draper’s harm retirement.
“He nearly broke each file in tennis. I’m attempting not to consider that once I’m within the match. I’m simply attempting (to suppose) that I’m capable of beat him.
“I do know my weapons, I do know that I’m capable of play good tennis towards him.”
For the 37-year-old Djokovic, Alcaraz is a youthful model of his long-time Spanish rival Rafael Nadal, who he beat within the marathon 2012 remaining lasting 5 hours and 53 minutes — the longest on file on the Melbourne slam.
“(He) jogs my memory of my match-ups versus Nadal when it comes to the depth and the power on the court docket,” Djokovic stated.
“He’s very dynamic, explosive participant. Extremely gifted, charismatic participant. Nice to look at, not that nice to play towards. I stay up for it.”
(Inputs from Reuters)
LIVESTREAM AND TELECAST INFO
The place to look at Australian Open 2025 in India?
In India, viewers can watch the stay telecast of the Australian Open on the Sony Sports activities Community and stream the matches stay on SonyLiv and JioTV.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
Performed: 7 | Novak Djokovic: 4| Carlos Alcaraz: 3
2024 – Paris Olympics, Remaining – Djokovic gained 7-6(3), 7-6(2)
2024 – Wimbledon, Remaining – Alcaraz gained 6-2, 6-2, 7-6(4)
2023 – ATP Finals, Semifinal – Djokovic gained 6-3, 6-2
2023 – Cincinnati Masters, Remaining – Djokovic gained 5-7, 7-6(7), 7-6(4)
2023 – Wimbledon, Remaining – Alcaraz gained 1-6, 7-6(6), 6-1, 3-6, 6-4
2023 – Roland Garros, Semifinal – Djokovic gained 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1
2022 – Madrid Open, Semifinal – Alcaraz gained 6-7(5), 7-5, 7-6(5)
NOVAK DJOKOVIC’S ROUTE TO QUARTERFINAL
Spherical of 16: beat [24] Jiri Lehecka (CZE) 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4)
Third spherical: beat [26] Tomas Machac (CZE) 6-1, 6-4, 6-4
Second spherical: beat [Q] Jamie Faria (POR) 6-1, 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-2
First spherical: beat [WC] Nishesh Basavareddy (USA) 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2
CARLOS ALCARAZ’ ROUTE TO QUARTERFINAL
Spherical of 16: beat [15] Jack Draper (GBR) 7-5, 6-1, retd.
Third spherical: beat Nuno Borges (POR) 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2
Second spherical: beat Yoshihito Nishioka (JPN) 6-0, 6-1, 6-4
First spherical: beat Alexander Shevchenko (KAZ) 6-1, 7-5, 6-1