Carlos Alcaraz battles past Nuno Borges

World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz will compete within the fourth spherical of the Australian Open for the second straight time. The Spaniard ousted Nuno Borges 6-2, 6-4, 6-7, 6-2 in two hours and 55 minutes at Rod Laver Area, remaining on the title course.

Carlos made the distinction along with his first serve. He dropped 26 factors in his video games and defended all three break factors to mount the strain on the opposite aspect. Alcaraz stored the factors on his racquet and fired 54 winners and 50 unforced errors.

Borges fought effectively in units two and three however couldn’t comply with the rival’s tempo after gathering 15 direct factors and 41 errors. The Portuguese performed in opposition to 13 break factors and acquired damaged 5 instances to finish his marketing campaign within the third spherical.

Carlitos Comes Via 🇪🇸

Carlos Alcaraz reaches the fourth spherical in 4 units, overcoming Borges 6-2 6-4 6-7(3) 6-2 💪@wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/sLd5R4av4V

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2025

They stayed neck and neck within the mid-range and most superior exchanges. Carlos made the distinction within the shortest exchanges as much as 4 strokes, taking 20 factors greater than his rival. The Spaniard lined the court docket properly and produced beautiful winners that pumped his confidence.

World no. 3 was off to an excellent begin. He landed a deep return on his second break level within the first recreation of the match to forge an early benefit. The Spaniard produced three tremendous holds and opened a 4-2 lead. Carlos triggered Nuno’s mistake within the seventh recreation for 3 break factors.

The favourite transformed the second after Borges’ free backhand to increase the hole and serve for the opener. The Portuguese missed a forehand within the eighth recreation, permitting the Spaniard to assert the primary a part of the duel 6-2 in 31 minutes. 

Alcaraz dropped a few factors on serve within the second set, producing 5 holds and preserving the strain on the opposite aspect. Nuno responded properly and stayed in contact within the opening eight video games. He missed a routine forehand at 4-4 and confronted a break level. 

Carlos cracked a forehand down the road winner to transform it and transfer in entrance. The Spaniard landed a drop shot winner at 5-4 for a set level and seized it with an ace for 6-2, 6-4 in 66 minutes of flawless tennis. Alcaraz denied two break factors within the second recreation of the third set.

Borges survived a difficult recreation at 3-3 and stayed in contact with world no. 3. The Portuguese made a late push on the return at 6-5 and generated a set level. Carlos saved it with a service winner and launched a tie break.

They traded early mini-breaks earlier than Borges stepped in and claimed two factors on the return at 3-2. Alcaraz missed a forehand within the seventh level and fell 5-2 behind. He sprayed one other forehand error at 3-6, permitting his rival to assert the set and prolong the battle after two hours and 13 minutes.

Carlos left that setback behind and returned at his finest within the fourth set. The Spaniard dropped one level on serve and mounted the strain on the opposite aspect. He grabbed a break within the second recreation after a cracking no-look forehand that gave him a lift.

Borges denied extra break factors in video games 4 and 6 to stay inside one break deficit. He served to remain within the match at 2-5 and squandered a number of recreation factors. Alcaraz created a match level and transformed it with a deep return, reserving a spot within the final 16.