Carlos Alcaraz has stormed his way into the quarter finals of the Australian Open for the first time, beating Miomir Kecmanovic in straight sets 6-4, 6-4, 6-0.
The 20-year-old was in supreme touch as he fired a warning shot to all of the remaining contenders in the draw while setting up a clash against German sixth seed Alexander Zverev.
Carlos Alcaraz powers his way into Australian Open quarter finals after win over Miomir Kecmanovic
Alcaraz took under two hours to power his way past Kecmanovic which was in stark contrast to Zverev’s five-set, four-hour thriller against Cameron Norrie in the fourth round earlier in the night.
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The world no.2 looked fresh under the lights at Rod Laver Arena having also benefitted from Jerry Shang’s medical retirement in the previous round.
Alcaraz raced to the first set with his power and movement giving the unseeded Serbian very little chance, despite him managing to score some eye-catching points at the net.
Prior to the meeting, Alcaraz claimed he was ready for war against his unfancied opponent who had beaten the seeded Jan-Lennard Struff and Tommy Paul to advance to the second week in Melbourne.
“I remember that match [we had] in 2022 in Miami,” Alcaraz said.
“I think it’s going to be the same war. He has beaten big guys here in this tournament, so I have to be prepared to do war again.”
However, the Australian crowd were greeted to no such sight as Alcaraz instead imposed his will on the contest striking 43 winners with his blistering forehand proving particularly effective.
“At some point you have to start to feel sorry for him,” John McEnroe said of Kecmanovic in commentary as Alcaraz moved to bagel his opponent in the third set.
“Kecmanovic has played some of the best tennis of his career in this tournament.
“He just played a great point. Still lost.”
With minimal fuss, Alcaraz served out the match to wrap up the one-sided contest in just one hour and 49 minutes.
“He showed you power, finesse and speed,” McEnroe enthused after the demolition had been complete. “He showed you just about every shot in the book in under two hours.”
