Australian Open: Draper withdrawal hands Alcaraz victory

Carlos Alcaraz stepped into the Australian Open quarter-finals, and a possible meeting with Novak Djokovic, after Jack Draper retired hurt.

Alcaraz was leading 7-5 6-1 when Draper, who seemingly required treatment at the end of the first set, bowed out.

Draper came into Sunday's fourth-round encounter on the back of three five-set matches, and the fatigue may well have caught up with him.

The 23-year-old Brit was not moving freely through the second set, and gave up on several points before eventually calling time.

It means Alcaraz has progressed into back-to-back quarter-finals at Melbourne Park.

"It's not the way that I want to win a match," the Spaniard said in his on-court interview. "I'm happy to play in another quarter-final here in Australia, but sad for Jack. He doesn't deserve this. I'm sad for him.

"For sure, he'll come back stronger, as he always does. I want to wish him a speedy recovery."

2 - Carlos Alcaraz is the youngest player in the Open Era to reach his second Grand Slam quarter-final at each of the four Men’s Singles Grand Slam events. Duplicates.#AO2025 | @AustralianOpen @atptour

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 19, 2025

Alcaraz was made to work for the opening set, with Draper recovering from 5-3 down.

However, Alcaraz clicked through the gears to capitalise on Draper's struggles in the second.

"I'm happy with the level I'm playing," added the four-time grand slam champion. "On and off the court, I'm feeling really comfortable here. Physically, I feel great. Coming into the second week of a grand slam, it's really important to feel well physically.

"I'm ready, I'm doing the correct things. I'm excited about playing my second quarter-final here, hopefully I'll get further this year."

Data Debrief: Completing the set

Alcaraz, who is hunting the career Grand Slam, is the youngest man in the Open Era to reach a second quarter-final at each of the four majors.

The 21-year-old has now won 64 of his 75 major matches. Only John McEnroe (65) won more of his first 75 grand slam ties.