World no. 3 Carlos Alcaraz will compete in the fourth round 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 Arena, remaining on the title course.
Carlos made the difference with his first serve. He dropped 26 points in his games and defended all three break points to mount the pressure on the other side. Alcaraz kept the points on his racquet and fired 5 winners and 50 unforced errors.
Borges fought well in sets two and three but could not follow the rival’s pace after collecting 15 direct points and 41 mistakes. The Portuguese played against 13 break points and got broken five times to end his campaign in the third round.
They stayed neck and neck in the mid-range and most advanced exchanges. Carlos made the difference in the shortest exchanges up to four strokes, taking 20 points more than his rival. The Spaniard covered the court nicely and produced stunning winners that pumped his confidence.
World no. 3 was off to a good start. He landed a deep return on his second break point in the first game of the match to forge an early advantage. The Spaniard produced three fine holds and opened a 4-2 lead. Carlos caused Nuno’s mistake in the seventh game for three break points.
The favorite converted the second after Borges’ loose backhand to extend the gap and serve for the opener. The Portuguese missed a forehand in the eighth game, allowing the Spaniard to claim the first part of the duel 6-2 in 31 minutes.
Alcaraz dropped a couple of points on serve in the second set, producing five holds and keeping the pressure on the other side. Nuno responded nicely and stayed in touch in the opening eight games. He missed a routine forehand at 4-4 and faced a break point.
Carlos cracked a forehand down the line winner to convert it and move in front. The Spaniard landed a drop shot winner at 5-4 for a set point and seized it with an ace for 6-2, 6-4 in 66 minutes of flawless tennis. Alcaraz denied two break points in the second game of the third set.
Borges survived a challenging game at 3-3 and stayed in touch with world no. 3. The Portuguese made a late push on the return at 6-5 and generated a set point. Carlos saved it with a service winner and introduced a tie break.
They traded early mini-breaks before Borges stepped in and claimed two points on the return at 3-2. Alcaraz missed a forehand in the seventh point and fell 5-2 behind. He sprayed another forehand error at 3-6, allowing his rival to claim the set and extend the battle after two hours and 13 minutes.
Carlos left that setback behind and returned at his best in the fourth set. The Spaniard dropped one point on serve and mounted the pressure on the other side. He grabbed a break in the second game after a cracking no-look forehand that gave him a boost.
Borges denied more break points in games four and six to remain within one break deficit. He served to stay in the match at 2-5 and squandered multiple game points. Alcaraz created a match point and converted it with a deep return, booking a place in the last 16.
