Carlos Alcaraz, currently ranked second in the world, dominated the second round of the 2024 Australian Open by defeating a determined Lorenzo Sonego. This win propels the Spaniard into the third round, equaling his best-ever run in Melbourne after a high-energy match where his creative shot-making left everyone in awe.
World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz delivered another dominant performance to beat a spirited Lorenzo Sonego in the men’s singles second round of the Australian Open 2024. Alcaraz equaled his best run at the Australian Open, storming into the third round following an emphatic battle in which the Spaniard left the crowd and his elder opponent stunned with the style of tennis he played.
Earlier this week, Alcaraz admitted that he enjoys playing flashy shots to excite the crowd, regardless of the score, and that spirit was on full display during his Thursday match at Rod Laver Arena. Although he dropped the second set, Alcaraz stayed aggressive to win the contest 6-4, 6-7, 6-3, 7-6. His next challenge will be Chinese wildcard Shang Juncheng, who advanced by defeating Sumit Nagal of India.
Marking his 200th tour match, Alcaraz has now equaled Andy Roddick's Open Era record for the most Grand Slam hard-court wins by a man under the age of 21, totaling 21 victories. The two-time champion displayed immense mental toughness to overcome Sonego, who had surged back into the game after winning a tight second-set tiebreak.
The highlight of the match was a breathtaking 'around-the-net' shot executed with pinpoint accuracy. In a high-stakes moment during the fourth set while Sonego was serving, Alcaraz responded to a lob with an incredible burst of speed. Sprinting across the court and sliding at full stretch, he fired a backhand winner that curved around the net post and landed perfectly in bounds.
After the match, Alcaraz noted that the wind and sun made the conditions challenging, but he refused to let that stop him from putting on a show. He expressed great satisfaction with his play, noting that both he and Sonego played at a very high intensity. 'I'm really happy with how I played. It was a tough environment with the weather, and even though I lost that second set, I believe I played a great game. We both gave the crowd a fantastic show with some amazing points,' Alcaraz remarked.
Despite earlier comments about needing time to find his competitive rhythm after beating Richard Gasquet in the first round, Alcaraz looked sharp and completely in sync against the Italian. Now playing in Melbourne as a seasoned Grand Slam champion, the young Spaniard has sent a clear message that he is a serious contender to claim his first Australian Open title.