World No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz secured his second consecutive Australian Open quarter-final berth in bittersweet fashion, leading Jack Draper 7-5, 6-1 before the 15th seed retired due to physical exhaustion. The four-time Major winner displayed dominant form on Rod Laver Arena, but Draper’s grueling early rounds left the Briton unable to compete at his peak.
A challenging opener, then total control
Alcaraz weathered a spirited first set from Draper, who battled valiantly despite fatigue from three consecutive five-set matches earlier in the tournament. Draper fought off four early break points and managed to recover from a 2-5 deficit to draw even. However, Alcaraz’s relentless aggression and precise shot-making earned him the set with a decisive forehand down-the-line winner at 7-5.
The second set saw Alcaraz firmly in command. The Spaniard’s mix of powerful groundstrokes and deft touch overwhelmed Draper, who visibly struggled with movement. Alcaraz broke twice and fired an ace to close out the set at 6-1. After an hour and 35 minutes, Draper retired, unable to continue against his good friend and rival.
Alcaraz’s match stats and analysis
- First serve success: Alcaraz dominated behind his first serve but showed vulnerability on his second, offering opportunities for Draper early on.
- Winners to unforced errors: The Spaniard struck 38 winners against 28 unforced errors, effectively dictating play.
- Break point conversion: Alcaraz converted four of 12 break points, applying constant pressure to Draper’s serve.
“I’m sad for Jack; he’s a great friend and an incredible competitor,” Alcaraz said post-match. “It’s never the way you want to advance, but I’m happy with my performance and looking forward to the next round.”
Potential blockbuster quarter-final against Djokovic
Alcaraz now awaits the winner of Novak Djokovic and Jiri Lehecka. A clash with Djokovic would be one of the tournament’s marquee matches, pitting the four-time Major champion against the nine-time Australian Open winner.
“Novak is one of the greatest players in history,” Alcaraz said when asked about the possibility. “If it’s him, I’ll be ready for the challenge.”
Draper’s grueling campaign comes to an end
For Draper, the tournament was a testament to his fighting spirit. After spending over nine hours on court in his first three matches, the physical toll proved too much to overcome. The Briton can take pride in his efforts and will aim to build on this performance in the season ahead.
