Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz reach the Australian Open quarter-finals, joined by young stars like Learner Tien and Iva Jovic
CARLOS Alcaraz powered into the Australian Open quarter-finals on Sunday as the next generation of stars made their mark. Novak Djokovic also progressed without hitting a ball after his opponent withdrew injured.
Top seed Alcaraz delivered a masterclass to dismiss Tommy Paul 7-6 (8/6), 6-4, 7-5 at Rod Laver Arena. The 22-year-old Spaniard, who is yet to drop a set, will next play home hope and sixth seed Alex de Minaur.
De Minaur booked his place by defeating 10th seed Alexander Bublik in straight sets. Djokovic’s scheduled last-16 opponent, Jakub Mensik, pulled out injured, sending the Serb straight into a quarter-final against Taylor Fritz or Lorenzo Musetti.
Alcaraz revealed he has been working on a new-look serve, a weapon that has drawn comparisons to Djokovic’s own delivery. “I had a Djokovic message saying, ‘you have to pay me’,” Alcaraz joked in his on-court interview.
Alexander Zverev also advanced, demolishing Francisco Cerundolo in straight sets. The German third seed will face American 25th seed Learner Tien, who produced a stunning three-set win over Daniil Medvedev.
The 20-year-old Tien is the youngest men’s quarter-finalist in Melbourne since Nick Kyrgios in 2015. “A crowd like this with this much energy and support, it means the world to me to do it here,” Tien said.
In the women’s draw, Aryna Sabalenka surged through with a 6-1, 7-6 (7/1) victory over Victoria Mboko. The world number one and two-time champion has yet to drop a set in her title charge.
Sabalenka will face impressive 18-year-old American Iva Jovic in the last eight. Jovic destroyed Yulia Putintseva 6-0, 6-1 in just 53 minutes to continue her remarkable rise.
“I don’t consider myself an underdog,” Jovic said. “It’s just another week that I’m winning more matches.” She is the youngest player to reach the women’s quarter-finals without dropping a set since Venus Williams in 1998.
Third-seeded Coco Gauff was forced to fight, clawing past Karolina Muchova 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. The American will next play Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, who defeated Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva 6-2, 6-4.
