Carlos Alcaraz takes any early mark with open arms, an energy-preserving free pass that only brings him closer to a taste of Australian Open glory for the first time.
The No.2 seed’s greatest concern now shifts to whether he is match-hardened for the rigours of the second week at Melbourne Park after his opponent, Jerry Shang, retired just 66 minutes into their meeting.
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Heading into his first Australian Open campaign in two years, the Spaniard was an unknown quantity following an extended off-season break but rated himself a solid seven or eight out of 10 ahead of his next assignment against the unseeded Miomir Kecmanovic on Monday.
It was a welcome grading ahead of a rematch on Rod Laver Arena under lights between two men who contested one of the matches of 2022 in the Miami Masters quarterfinals.
“I know that Kecmanovic had a few games to five sets, so I think it's going to be better for me coming into the match,” Alcaraz said. “But I remember that match in 2022 in Miami. He played an unbelievable game. Myself as well.
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“I think it's going to be the same war. He has beaten big guys here in this tournament, so I have to be prepared to do war again. Hopefully to take in three sets, but no, nobody knows. I [need to] play my best level if I want to move on, so let's see how it's going to be.”
While last year’s Wimbledon champion enjoyed a quick day at the office on the heels of a four-set test against Lorenzo Sonego, it was in stark contrast to his prospective Serbian challenger.
Kecmanovic saved two match points in successive tussles with 24th seed Jan-Lennard Struff and last year’s semifinalist, 14th seed Tommy Paul.
Plenty has changed for both since a then 18-year-old Alcaraz edged out the 48th-ranked Kecmanovic – who was in the midst of six straight quarterfinals or better – in a deciding-set tiebreak in Miami.
“It's definitely not going to be easy. He's been playing amazing,” the now 60th-ranked Kecmanovic said. “We played two years ago, but after that he has done so much, so it's definitely going to be tough… I think he's very aggressive, and that's what wins him I think the most points.
“When it's tough moments, when it's close, he always goes for it. So that's something to watch out. Yeah, I mean, I'm definitely going to play freely next. I'm going to go for it.”
China’s next great Grand Slam hope, Zheng Qinwen, barely survived a tense showdown with compatriot Wang Yafan but a surprise meeting with her idol, AO 2014 champion Li Na, on site could be just the omen needed.
The 12th seed faces unseeded Oceane Dodin for the chance to reach back-to-back Grand Slam quarterfinals. The 95th-ranked Frenchwoman has made the second week at a major for the first time but her sole victory against Zheng from three attempts came four years ago.
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Eighteenth seed Victoria Azarenka enjoyed a resurgence at Melbourne Park last year when she reached the semifinals a decade after she defended her Australian Open crown.
In the first match on RLA on Monday, she could close to within one victory of back-to-back last-four appearances if she denies surprise qualifier Dayana Yastremska for the third time in four encounters.
The 34-year-old contained 11th seed Jelena Ostapenko for the second time this month, while 93rd ranked Yastremska – one of three Ukrainians in the women’s singles fourth round – saw off 27th seed Emma Navarro.
Men’s third seed Daniil Medvedev joked he could sleep anytime, anywhere after coasting past 27th seed Felix Auger-Alassime to reach the fourth round.
It was just as well after he pulled through a five-set scare against Emil Ruusuvuori at 3:40am in his opening outing.
The two-time Australian Open finalist will be in for an earlier night when he meets world No.69 Nuno Borges in the second day match on RLA.
Borges stunned recent Brisbane champion Grigor Dimitrov to become the first Portuguese player through to the second week in Melbourne.
In other fourth-round clashes, top seed Iga Swiatek’s conqueror Linda Noskova will attempt to back up her giant upset when she faces former world No.3 and 19th seed Elina Svitolina for the first time, while men’s sixth seed Alexander Zverev looks to extend his perfect record against 19th seed Cameron Norrie to 5-0 on MCA.