Djokovic prepared for ‘explosive’ Alcaraz in Australian Open quarters
REUTERS – The Australian Open quarter-finals begin today and fans are expected to pack Rod Laver Arena when 10-times champion Novak Djokovic meets Carlos Alcaraz, who is bidding to complete a career Grand Slam.
Women’s top seeds Coco Gauff and defending champion Aryna Sabalenka are also in action while men’s second seed Alexander Zverev completes the lineup at the famous stadium.
When Djokovic was listed as the seventh seed at Melbourne Park this year, he was on a collision course with Alcaraz when the draw was made and the mouth-watering clash will come to pass as they meet for the eighth time, with the Serbian leading 4-3.
Alcaraz triumphed in straight sets in the Wimbledon final last year but Djokovic took revenge less than a month later when he claimed the Olympic gold medal on the Spaniard’s favourite surface at Roland Garros.
“This is not the right player to play in a quarter-final, I guess,” a smiling Alcaraz said after his fourth-round match was cut short by Jack Draper’s injury retirement.
“He almost broke every record in tennis. I’m trying not to think about that when I’m in the match. I’m just trying (to think) that I’m able to beat him.
“I know my weapons, I know that I’m able to play good tennis against him.”
Djokovic’s aura of invincibility at the Australian Open has seen cracks with the 37-year-old dropping two sets in the early rounds while Alcaraz has come through largely unscathed in shorter matches, dropping just one set.
For Djokovic, Alcaraz is a younger version of his long-time Spanish rival Rafa Nadal, who he beat in the marathon 2012 final lasting five hours and 53 minutes – the longest on record at the Melbourne slam.
“(He) reminds me of my match-ups versus Nadal in terms of the intensity and the energy on the court,” Djokovic said.
“He’s very dynamic, explosive player. Incredibly talented, charismatic player. Great to watch, not that great to play against. I look forward to it.”