By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday January 18, 2024
Carlos Alcaraz reached his 10th major quarterfinal, as Jack Draper retired after two sets in Australia.
Photo Source: ROLEX
When it comes to having success at the Grand Slams at a young age, Carlos Alcaraz is way ahead of the game.
The 21 year-old is bidding to become the youngest player in history to capture all four Grand Slam titles this year in Melbourne, and he’s also gunning to become the first player to win five major titles before turning 22.

But all of this comes with a caveat. Maybe two.
The No. 3-seeded Spaniard is making his fourth career appearance at Melbourne Park, and he has never been beyond the quarterfinals. In fact, until Sunday’s clash with 15th-seeded Jack Draper, Alcaraz had never beaten a Top-20 player at the Australian open.
That changed in front of 15,000 on a hot, balmy day inside Rod Laver Arena as Alcaraz marched to a 7-5, 6-1 RET. victory and inched closer to a quarterfinal showdown with 10-time champion Novak Djokovic.
“It’s not the way that I want to get through to the next round,” Alcaraz said. “I’m happy obviously to play another quarterfinal here in Australia but I’m a little bit sad for Jack–I’m sure he’s gonna come back stronger and I want to wish him a speedy recovery.”
Djokovic will face Czech Jiri Lehecka in the round of 16 later on Sunday evening in Melbourne.
With his 64th career Grand Slam match win, Alcaraz earned the right to kick back and watch the 37-year-old Grand Slam play the night session.
“I’m gonna watch that for sure,” Alcaraz said. “It’s going to be a really interesting match to watch for sure.”
Perhaps the Happy Slam can become a happy place after all for Alcaraz. He increased his winning streak against Top-20 opponents at the majors to eight overall with his takedown of the British southpaw, and he did it in imperious fashion.
It was always going to be a tough ask for Draper, who had come through his first three matches in five grueling sets — a feat that has only been achieved by six other men in open era history at the Australian open. Clearly it took its toll on the 23-year-old.
Draper held his own in the first set, as the pair traded breaks up to 5-all, but he was clipped by a late break from Alcaraz, the set slipping away in a blink of an eye. Draper’s energy appeared to be slipping away also. During the changeover, he sought medical attention from the trainer and left the court momentarily.
Alcaraz spent the time-out lounging in the shade next to his team's pod, the four-time major champion, looking svelte in his sleeveless Nike t-shirt and ready for whatever else Draper might throw at him.
Upon his return, Draper would soon be facing points to go double break down at 4-0, and he valiantly saved them. He would not be so lucky two games later as Alcaraz broke for 5-1 and quickly served out the set.
It was difficult to tell where exactly Draper was hindered, but it was clear that he was far from 100 percent as Alcaraz, sensing blood in the water, continued to press.
The Brit had scored victory over Alcaraz in their last meeting, at Queen’s Club on the grass in 2024, but sensing the futility of his mission after the second set, he pulled the plug after a brief chat with on-court physio, shook hands with Alcaraz and headed off to a round of applause from the fans.
Alcaraz reaches his 10th major quarterfinal overall (from 16 Grand Slam appearances) and ties the all-time record for most major quarterfinals reached before turning 22. It’s quite an achievement, but not what Alcaraz has his sights set on. He hopes that he can get beyond that round this year, and maybe go all the way.
“I am happy with the level that I’m playing,” Alcaraz said. “Physically I’m feeling great. I’m just excited about playing my second quarterfinal in Australia and hopefully I can get farther this year.”