Carlos’ quest for a history-making crown at AO 2025

Alcaraz still hasn’t lost a Grand Slam match in which he has held a two-shot lead, and it was his 63rd Grand Slam win. Since making his big bow in 2021, only Djokovic (84) and Daniil Medvedev (64) have won more.

Only three men in the Open era have won more Grand Slam hardcourt matches than Alcaraz (27) before turning 22: Djokovic (29), Pete Sampras, Lleyton Hewitt (28 each). With his victory in the second round at AO 2025, he matched world number three Marat Safin and surpassed Nadal and Andy Roddick (25).

With his defeat of Borges, Alcaraz became the fourth man in the Open era to win 10 singles matches at each of the four Slams before turning 22, after Djokovic, Nadal and Mats Wilander.

Alcaraz has now reached the last 16 of a major on 11 occasions, matching Nadal’s tally before the 22-time Slam champion turned 22. In fact, only three players in the Open era have made that stage of a major more times before they turned. 22 – Wilander (13), Bjørn Borg (14) and Boris Becker (15).

Jack Draperwho has had to go through three games, who has gone the distance, is next. Alcaraz lost to the Briton in their last meeting, at Queen’s last year, but has won their previous two meetings.

Alcaraz will certainly have the advantage in terms of freshness, and some history-making feats will certainly provide the extra motivation he may need.