Carlos Alcaraz will compete in the last 16 at the Australian Open for the second straight year. The four-time Major winner faced the Portuguese Nuno Borges in the third round and sealed the deal in just under three hours, beating the lower-ranked player 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2.
While remaining on the title course, world no. 3 is eager to seek further improvements ahead of his next duel against Jack Draper. Carlos did not like his losses of sensation, spraying too many errors in sets two and three, and he hopes to fix that.
However, the Spaniard raised his level in the fourth set to bring the victory home and remain on the title course. The 21-year-old is seeking a Career Grand Slam in Melbourne, trying to become by far the youngest player to achieve that!
No. Way. 🤯
Carlos Alcaraz, you’re something else 😲@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/wDeHh7awLt
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2025
Alcaraz dominated with his first serve and lost 26 points behind the initial shots, denying all three break points. He fired 54 winners and 50 errors, which is far from poor! However, the four-time Major winner seeks constant improvements en route to tennis glory.
Borges did a fine job but could not take more than a set after landing 15 winners and 41 unforced errors. He faced 13 break points and got broken five times to propel world no. 3 over the top. Nuno followed Carlos’s pace in the exchanged rallies.
However, the Spaniard built a 20-point buffer in the quickest exchanges up to four shots. The favorite grabbed a break in the first game of the duel. Alcaraz provided three fine holds and led 4-2 before creating three break points in game seven.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Borges sprayed a backhand error on the second, falling 5-2 behind. Carlos held in the eighth game after the rival’s forehand error, moving 6-2 up after 31 minutes. Despite not liking his performance in the closing stages of the second set, Alcaraz served well and controlled the scoreboard.
Nuno played better than in the opener and stayed in touch for a 4-3 lead. The Portuguese played a wayward forehand in the ninth game and experienced a break point. Carlos fired a forehand down the line winner for a break and the advantage.
World no. 3 fired winners at 5-4, wrapping up the set and moving closer to the finish line after an hour and six minutes. The Spaniard saved two break points in the second game of the third set, keeping his initial shot intact.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
Borges saved break points at 3-3 and extended his chances. Alcaraz served to stay in the set at 5-6 and faced a set point. Ha landed a service winner and held for 6-6 and a tie break. It started with traded mini-breaks before Nuno stepped in.
The lower-ranked player opened a 5-2 lead after the rival’s forehand error and earned set points. Carlos played another loose shot, allowing Nuno to prolong the battle after two hours and 13 minutes. The Spaniard made a fresh start in the fourth set.
He lost a single point on serve and waited for the return chances. Alcaraz moved in front in game two with a thrilling no-look forehand. Borges struggled again in games four and six, saving break points and staying in touch. The Portuguese wasted game points at 2-5.
Carlos Alcaraz, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Spaniard earned a match point and landed a deep return to draw the rival’s mistake and move into the last 16.
“I could have played better. I made too many errors in some parts of the duel and know I must improve my level. I did not disconnect mentally but lost tennis sensations. My level dropped in the closing stages of the second set as I played poorly.
I did not feel good in the third set, either. I told myself to recover my sensations in the fourth set because things could have become complicated for me. I’m happy to score another win and will keep working for my next duel,” Carlos Alcaraz said.
Tennis World USA