Will Carlos Alcaraz Face Novak Djokovic in a Historic Rematch?
Will Carlos Alcaraz Face Novak Djokovic in a Historic Rematch?
Carlos Alcaraz defeated Nuno Borges in a four-set thriller, winning 6-2, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-2, to secure his spot in the fourth round of the Australian Open 2025. Shortly after, Novak Djokovic also advanced with a straight-sets victory over Tomas Machac.
Alcaraz’s Progress at Melbourne
Amid the elimination of five out of the top 11 seeds, the third seed Carlos Alcaraz maintained his strong form and continued his impressive run. Playing on Rod Laver Arena for the first time this year, the Spanish star expressed his excitement:
“I missed Rod Laver Arena. I’m really happy to play here again. The last time I played here, I lost to Alexander Zverev, so I really wanted to come back and get a win this time.”
This is the second time Alcaraz has reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in four appearances. The 20-year-old is aiming to become the youngest player in history to complete the Grand Slam career set in men’s singles.
The Match Against Nuno Borges
The match between Alcaraz and Borges was defined early on, as Alcaraz dominated the opening games. In the first two sets, the Spaniard dropped only 8 points in the first set and 6 points in the second on his serve. Not giving his opponent any break opportunities, Alcaraz secured three breaks to claim the first two sets convincingly at 6-2 and 6-4.
The third set saw a determined Borges fighting back, taking the lead multiple times. Alcaraz saved one set point in the 12th game but faltered in the tiebreak, allowing Borges to win by a four-point margin.
However, Alcaraz regained control in the fourth set, claiming a crucial break with an impressive forehand pass. He lost only one point on serve in the final set, wrapping up the match with a 6-2 victory.
Alcaraz’s Connection with Fans and Aspirations
Alcaraz not only showcased his skill but also received enthusiastic support from the crowd:
“It’s incredible to feel the love from the fans here. I always try to bring variety to my game and entertain the crowd. That’s what makes me smile on the court,” Alcaraz said.
Upcoming Opponents and Historical Opportunities
With this loss, Borges ends his campaign at the Australian Open 2025. Alcaraz, meanwhile, will face either Jack Draper or Aleksandar Vukic in the next round. Should he advance further, he could meet Novak Djokovic, the 10-time Australian Open champion, in a potential quarterfinal clash.
Additionally, Alcaraz has a chance to overtake Alexander Zverev for the World No. 2 ranking if he achieves a strong result in Melbourne. However, neither Alcaraz nor Zverev can close the gap to within 1,000 points of the reigning world number one and defending champion, Jannik Sinner.
