Carlos Alcaraz is into yet another Australian Open quarterfinal, where he could take on home favorite Alex de Minaur.
Alcaraz has been backed to win the Australian Open, with either De Minaur or Alexander Bublik next up in his bid to do exactly that.
The Spaniard, who has yet to win the hard-court Grand Slam in Melbourne, has just knocked Tommy Paul out of the Australian Open.
Alcaraz beat Paul 7-6(8-6), 6-4, 7-5 at Rod Laver Arena, which now plays host to De Minaur’s meeting with Bublik.
The Australian Open is the best Grand Slam… discuss!
Carlos Alcaraz aware of not being the crowd favorite vs Alex de Minaur
ATP number one Alcaraz confirmed he’ll watch that match, having been asked in his on-court interview what he can expect from a potential quarterfinal with either Bublik or De Minaur.
He said: “For sure first of all I’m going to watch the match, trying to take some tactical things from the match tonight.
“But yeah, you know both players are incredible. Sascha Bublik cracking the top 10 for the first time, and playing such great tennis.
“And I think that tennis is a little bit uncomfortable for the opponent. So I’ve got to be ready for that if I’m playing him.
“But obviously Alex, I think playing with the home crowd I think he feels really comfortable here. So yeah if I’m playing against him, I’ve got to be aware of everything he’s doing great.
“And obviously I have to be focusing on my own tennis, because I understand, I’m not going to take it personal, but the crowd is going to be for him. I know that.
“But yeah, it’s going to be a really interesting one, I’m really excited about playing another quarterfinal here in Melbourne for the third time in a row. So looking forward to it. And yeah, I’ve got to be ready for that.”
What has been the biggest upset at the Australian Open so far?
Carlos Alcaraz vs Alex de Minaur head-to-head record
As Alcaraz mentioned, it is now his third successive season reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
Worryingly, however, he has never made it beyond that stage, which should be a big positive for either Bublik or De Minaur.
Bublik will also be boosted by having recently broken the ATP top 10 for the very first time in his exciting career.
| 1 | Carlos Alcaraz | ||||||
| 2 | Jannik Sinner | ||||||
| 3 | Alexander Zverev | ||||||
| 4 | Novak Djokovic | ||||||
| 5 | Lorenzo Musetti | ||||||
| 6 | Alex de Minaur | ||||||
| 7 | Ben Shelton | ||||||
| 8 | Felix Auger-Aliassime | ||||||
| 9 | Taylor Fritz | ||||||
| 10 | Alexander Bublik | ||||||
World number six De Minaur meanwhile will have the backing of the Melbourne crowd, who will be desperate for an Australian champion.
Unfortunately for him, history is very much on the side of Alcaraz when it comes to their head-to-head record.
The Spaniard has won all five of their meetings on the ATP Tour so far, while intriguingly he has yet to take on Bublik.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
