Djokovic, Alcaraz meet in Australian Open quarterfinals

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) – It’s time for the eighth installment of the riveting intergenerational rivalry between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz. However, this one will be the first on Australian Open — and the first in the quarter-finals of a tournament; each of the others made either the semi-finals or the final.

“Well, I guess this is not the right player to play in a quarterfinal,” said a laughing Alcaraz, looking forward to Tuesday’s meeting. “But against Novak, for me it won’t change anything if I play him (in a) quarter-final or semi-final. Probably change a little bit if it’s a final, of course. Being in a quarter-final, I’m going to approach the fight the same way I did in the previous fights against him and let’s see.”

Alcaraz reached his 10th career Grand Slam quarter-final, the most drawn by a man before his 22nd birthday, by advancing when Jack Draper, eyeing a 15th, retired with a hip injury after having dropped the first two sets on Sunday afternoon.

Djokovic, who is trained in Melbourne by old rival Andy Murraydid his part on the night at Rod Laver Arena, where he had to work a little longer, but came through just the same with a 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 (4) win over the no. 24 Jiri Lehecka.

Afterwards, Djokovic declined to do the usual on-court interview and instead held the microphone himself, telling the crowd: “Thank you so much for being here tonight. I appreciate your presence and support. See you next round. Thank you very much.” Then he left.

At his press conference later, he explained it he will not speak to Australian broadcaster Channel 9 until he receives an apology for on-air comments from one of its employees, Tony Jones. Djokovic said Jones, whom he did not name, “made a mockery of Serbian fans and also made insulting and offensive comments to me.”

Djokovic said he will continue to avoid talking to the network.

There is a lot at stake in this tournament for both No. 3 seed Alcaraz, who is 21, and no. 7 Djokovic, who is 37.

Djokovic said playing Alcaraz reminds him “of my matchups against (Rafael) Nadal in terms of the intensity and the energy on the court. He’s a very dynamic, explosive player. Incredibly skilled. Charismatic player. Great to watch; not so great to play against.”

Alcaraz is looking to become one youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam with at least one trophy from all four of the most prestigious events in tennis. His four so far came elsewhere: two at Wimbledon by virtue of victories over Djokovic in the finals in 2023 and 2024, and one each at the US Open in 2022 and the French Open last year.

Djokovic, meanwhile, is trying to claim an 11th title in Melbourne to become the first player in tennis history with 25 major singles championships. Sunday’s victory allowed him to tie Roger Federer for the most men’s matches in the quarter-finals at the Australian Open, with 15.

Djokovic leads the overall head-to-head against Alcaraz 4-3, including one victory in the final at the Olympics in Paris last August to claim a gold medal for Serbia.

In the majors, however, Alcaraz leads 2-1.

“If I think about everything he’s done in tennis, I couldn’t play. I mean, 24 Grand Slams, most weeks at No. 1 – everything. He broke almost every record in tennis. I try not to think about it , when I’m in the fight. I’m just trying to … beat him,” Alcaraz said. “I know my guns. I know that (if) I’m able to play good tennis against him, I’m able to beat him.”

On Sunday, Alcaraz was leading 7-5, 6-1 when Draper decided he could not continue. He had been dealing with physical problems after winning each of his first three matches at Melbourne Park in five sets.

“It’s not the way I want to win a fight, to advance to the next round,” Alcaraz said. “Delighted to play another quarter-final here in Australia, but a little bit sad for Jack.”

Sunday’s match goes down in the books as a win for Alcaraz, his first against a top-20 opponent at the Australian Open. He tied with Bjørn Borg, Boris Becker and Mats Wilander for the highest number of major quarter-final appearances before 22.

Alcaraz’s best run at Melbourne Park was reaching the quarter-finals last year before losing to Alexander Zverev at that time. The second quarter-final on the bottom half of the men’s bracket will be no. 2 Zverev against no. 12 Tommy Paul.

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