Novak Djokovic, who defeated Jiri Lehecka, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4), starred in the greatest rivalry in history with Rafael Nadal in the first three decades of the 21st century. With the latter’s retirement, the Serb now has to deal with another Spaniard. Carlos Alcaraz has taken over from Rafa and is the new headache for Nole. The Balkan ended up tipping the balance in his favor in the head-to-head with Nadal, by 31 to 29. He also dominates the precedents with Carlitos: 4-3.
“I’m not going to say that I’m especially looking forward to playing Djokovic in the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam, I’m not going to lie. It’s not that I’m afraid. But it’s true that if you want to be the best you have to beat the best or the best. When you get to the quarter-finals every round is a battle,” reflected the world number three.
On Tuesday, it will be 170 days since the last meeting between the two in the Olympic final in Paris. That was on clay and this time they will meet on hard court, something that is unprecedented in their head-to-head meetings in the majors. “I try not to think about what Novak has won because otherwise I couldn’t play,” said the youngster from El Palmar.
Juan Carlos Ferrero’s pupil arrives fresh to the tournament, among other things because his opponent in the round of 16, Jack Draper, threw in the towel as a result of the same hip injury (tendinitis) that prevented him from traveling to Villena in preseason to train with his friend Carlitos. “You’re going to be where you deserve to be soon. Get well soon,” Alcaraz wrote on the camera.
The match ended with a score of 7-5, 6-1 in favor of the Spaniard, after 1 hour and 35 minutes of play.
Two points from the set
Djokovic, in the afternoon session at the Rod Laver Arena, was spared the sweltering heat. Lehecka clung to his strong hitting and was two points away from winning the third set, at 5-4 and 30-30. He gave up in the tiebreaker
At 37 years and 249 days, he equalled Roger Federer’s record of appearances (15) in the Australian Open quarter-finals. Only Ken Rosewall and Federer surpassed his longevity among the top eight in the Australian tournament. Recovered from a knee injury and with Andy Murray in his corner, he is a threat to the new generation. Especially on a playing surface on which he was crowned 10 times
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