Carlos Alcaraz continued his flawless campaign at the Australian Open, defeating Tommy Paul in straight sets to advance to the quarter-finals without dropping a set. The world No. 1 displayed resilience and skill in a match that tested his pursuit of the career grand slam.
In a tense opening set, Alcaraz faced early adversity as Paul broke his serve to lead 4-2, pushing the Spaniard to a tie-break. A medical emergency in the crowd caused a brief stoppage at 3-3, but Paul’s double fault on Alcaraz’s second set point handed the first set 7-6(6) to the top seed. This moment proved pivotal, with Alcaraz capitalizing on small margins to seize control.
With the first set secured, Alcaraz relaxed and dominated the remainder of the match. He did not face a break point in the final two sets, serving consistently at 70% first serves and breaking Paul once in each set to win 6-4 and 7-5. The victory, completed in just over two hours, showcased Alcaraz’s improved serve and mental fortitude under pressure.
Alcaraz’s performance highlighted his growth, as he navigated his first real test of the tournament. ‘I stayed there all the time,’ he said post-match. ‘I knew I was going to have my chances.’ His ability to recover from a slow start and maintain a high level of tennis underscored his status as the world’s best, with this win marking his 14th grand slam quarter-final before turning 23—a record.
For Paul, the 19th seed, the loss ended a spirited run, but he demonstrated why he has beaten Alcaraz twice in their previous meetings. His aggressive play and defensive skills challenged Alcaraz early, yet he lacked conviction in critical moments. Despite the defeat, Paul’s effort reflected the competitive depth of men’s tennis, with Alcaraz acknowledging the ‘high level of tennis from both sides.’
The win sets up a quarter-final clash for Alcaraz against either Alex De Minaur or Alexander Bublik. Advancing would break new ground, as Alcaraz has reached this stage for three consecutive years but has yet to progress further, having lost to Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic in previous editions. A semi-final berth would edge him closer to becoming the youngest man to complete the career grand slam.
As the Australian Open unfolds, Alcaraz’s form positions him as a top contender for the title. His seamless progression through the draw, combined with his refined serve and tactical maturity, bodes well for the challenges ahead. With the career grand slam within reach, each match amplifies the anticipation surrounding his historic quest in Melbourne.
