Alcaraz advances to the round of 16 in Melbourne at the expense of the injured Shang

MADRID, 20 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz has reached the round of 16 of the Australian Open, the first 'Grand Slam' of the season, after the withdrawal this Saturday of his rival, the Chinese Juncheng Shang (6-1, 6-1, 1- 0), which will allow him to attend his commitment to the Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic almost without wear and tear.

The Murcian, number two in the world, reached the round of 16 of the 'big' oceanic tournament for the first time in his career to enter the second week in Melbourne in a big way, all in a match in which he led 6-1, 6-1 and 1-0 before his opponent had to retire due to an injury to his right thigh.

The number 140 in the ATP ranking defended his serve at the start of the duel at the Rod Laver Arena, where Alcaraz linked seven consecutive games to close the first set in 27 minutes and start commanding the second. Previously, the Asian tennis player had already requested medical assistance for the first time.

Once again, the player from El Palmar only allowed him to win one of his serves in the second set, and after 66 minutes and in the second game of the third set, everything was over after Shang retired from the fight. "It's not the way anyone wants to move forward, I wish him a speedy recovery," Alcaraz said of Shang.

"At this time of the year in 2023 I was on the couch at home, unable to play. Now I have improved my result for 2022. It is time to move on, to play better and better," said the Murcian, who did not face no break point on his serve throughout the match.

Now, the Murcian will face Serbian Miomir Kecmanovic in the round of 16, who guaranteed his place after overcoming American Tommy Paul (6-4, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6(7), 6-0). Alcaraz won the previous meeting between the two, in the quarterfinals of the ATP Masters 1,000 in Miami in 2022.