MELBOURNE, Australia — Carlos Alcaraz cruised into the fourth spherical of the Australian Open when his opponent, Shang Juncheng, retired early within the third set of their third-round encounter on Saturday.
Alcaraz, the No. 2 seed, was main the 18-year-old 6-1, 6-1, 1-0 when Shang, who had his proper thigh closely strapped from the beginning, referred to as it a day after simply 66 minutes.
“It is not the way in which you wish to transfer on,” stated Alcaraz, who missed final yr’s occasion via damage himself. “Final yr I used to be watching the matches from my sofa, wishing to be within the second week.
“That is my first time within the second week on the Australian Open and it feels particular.”
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Alcaraz will play Miomir Kecmanovic, who saved a match level as he beat final yr’s semifinalist Tommy Paul 6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (7), 6-0.
American Paul led by two units to at least one on Margaret Court docket Enviornment and had a match level within the fourth-set tiebreak however Kecmanovic levelled after which ripped via the deciding set for victory.
“Actually, I do not know,” Kecmanovic stated of his victory. “I suppose it was simply presupposed to be my day at this time. I had a bit extra luck and I performed some unbelievable tennis on the finish. I am actually joyful to be within the fourth spherical once more.
No. 9 Hubert Hurkacz noticed off No. 21 Ugo Humbert 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 (4), 6-3 to succeed in the fourth spherical for the second yr in a row. He’ll play the wild-card entry from France, Arthur Cazaux, who beat Twenty eighth-ranked Tallon Griekspoor 6-3, 6-3, 6-1.
The Related Press contributed to this report.
