Carlos Alcaraz To The Fourth Round Of The Australian Open For The First Time

Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz to the fourth round of the Australian Open 2024 (Instagram/@carlitosalcaraz).

JAKARTA - Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz reached the fourth round of the Australian Open 2024 after his opponent from Shang Juncheng withdrew due to injury.

The Wimbledon and US Open champions extended their journey at the start of the season's Grand Slam after securing two early sets of 6-1, 6-1, and winning 1-0 in the decider set on Saturday, January 20, 2024.

Shang decided to withdraw after receiving medical treatment. This 18-year-old tennis player has pain in his right thigh.

"This is not the way anyone wants to continue their journey in competitions," Alcaraz said after the game.

This result makes Alcaraz have felt the fourth round of all four Grand Slams. It's also his first fourth round at the Australian Open.

Previously, Alcaraz missed the Australian Open last year with a leg injury. This year he is one of the favorites to challenge the title with Novak Djokovic.

"I missed this tournament last year. I watched the game at home from the sofa, hoping to play in the second week here. It feels very special," said Alcaraz.

Alcaraz will next face Miomir Kecmanovic to fight for a place in the quarter-finals. The Serbian opposing candidate saved two match points to beat 14th seed Tommy Paul with a score of 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (9-7), and 6-0.